Jeannette G: What is the best way to get a background check on people? I wanted to be able to provide this to members of my church who have young children in their care.
JW: You’re right to think that parents need to be careful about the adults they let around their kids. Background checks may seem like an easy way to get the information you need about a person you don’t know, but there can be big problems with online services that offer to do these checks for a price. Many of them don’t give you much more than you’d find in a local phone book, and even then the information may not be reliable. I know of cases where commercial background checks claimed someone had a criminal record - but it turned out to be someone with the same name, not the person who was being checked.
I think the most reliable way to check up on someone is to go to The Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Registry Website. Although many states don’t yet have all the resources in place comply with the provisions of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, this online offender database is a good tool for parents - and it’s free to use.
6 Comments on "What Is The Best Way To Get A Background Check On People?"
Dorothy Abdelhamid
What about a background check on a man/woman(to be fair) who you may marry?
Mary
Awesome advice John, I have used online pay per service checks when I meet new people, I will be more careful next time thanks to your advice here!
You are huge blessing, I have watched you from day one! Please keep up the great work ALWAYS!
Mary
Tami
I have been trying to look up some people who hurt me and many other kids. I want to find out what they are doing now, and maybe i can stop them.Utah needs to get on the Adam Walsh act too, it’s like they are keeping our children in danger. Even the law enforcement say they can’t find any unsolved missing children cases in the records. So now what?
Karen
John just visited your site tonight after watching AMW on tv. I was wondering why you dont have print-able mug shots of these criminals where we could print off and hang EVERYWHERE, including churches and work and stores.Just seems like we could get alot more criminals caught if they were a constant reminder on people’s mind.Just a thought , you and your show are doing a great justice to this country .THANK YOU
cathy Yasyszczuk ,Welland ontario canada
I live in Welland Ontario, Canada, we dont have a database where we can find out things like that, what we have is First Response,.We’e suppose to be able to enjoy the events that are put on for families throughout the year without worrying about who they have volunteering for them. BUT
Allison
We went to a kids’ fair yesterday and I started wondering about the people (men) who were working the different rides, etc. I started to get scared for my children and leave the fair, but then I realized that I could keep them safe by keeping a good eye on them. I never let strangers hold my children or get too close to them if I don’t know them. My kids are still young, so feel sorry for their future soccer coaches, etc. I intend to check out everyone who is around my children. I owe it to them to keep them safe. I’ve learned alot from AMW.
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