Conducting background checks in the past was very difficult and could only be done by well-trained individuals. Private investigators are usually the ones who conduct background checks for either business or personal reasons. Additionally, it was expensive and time-consuming. However, that was the situation back then; today, almost any kind of information for a background check can be retrieved from the Internet. Background checks are mostly performed or ordered by employers. Applicants may be subject to a background check, especially if they are applying for jobs related to security, finance, money, or the government. Employers want to ensure that the person they hire is trustworthy. For some, they even have their business partners undergo background checks because their business is so important to them, and they do not want anything bad to happen to their hard-earned money. It's hard to trust someone nowadays based solely on appearances. People can disguise themselves professionally to blend in or appear as reputable individuals. Conducting a background check is no longer as expensive or difficult since you can do it online without any hassle. Just type in the name of the individual you're searching for, and results will be displayed within minutes. If you haven't retrieved the information you need using search engines like Google, you can look for paid websites. Paid websites have access to several databases that might contain information about a certain individual. Most likely, the information you need will be provided to you in detail. Though, some results may also be incomplete depending on the database the website has access to. Or, if you want to be sure, you can visit several government agencies. That is, if you have the time, resources, and connections to accomplish it. For more information about this topic, try visiting Public Records.