background checks and your social security number ??

Question

Hi

I am a in home child care provider. I have a clean record and used to just happily give out my social if reluctant parents needed to do a background check, last year i was a victim of identity theft. Since then no one has asked to do a background check, i provide Credible references from familys who i work for and personal refrences and I have also done 2 interviews and invited them to my house....they are friends of a personal friend of mine as well, who also gave me a great refrence, howver they want a background check, so i told them i want to do one on them first to make sure they check out and have no criminal activity and then they can have my social and do one...
they are insulted and mad. any suggestions on how i can make them feel safe yet not worry that ten years from now that background check with my social is going to make it into the wrong hands?? Identity theft is not funa nd it almost ruined me the first time. please help??? this is my childcare business.

Actually, The last background check i had a parent pull on me, Had EVRYTHING on it, from speeding tickets from when i was 16 to every single loan ive ever opened, they saw all my finances and i dont think the financial part has anything to do with being a good babysitter or not, but i was actually schocked to see just how much "these" parents could see and they are finding me online and i dont have anything on them....its really scary as a child care provider.

Answer 1

Depending on where you reside you can go to most sheriff departments or state police stations are get your own "criminal background check". This is a certificate that you are issued that shows any criminal history (I'm not sure if it would include motor vehicle related info). I think it only includes arrests and convictions. It will only show info for that particular state.
You can go further and request one from the FBI but you will have to submit your fingerprints to get that one. The FBI certificate will cover all states.
In the future you should never again give out your social security number. Fraud is just too prevalent these days. The certificates do have a cost of usually under $20 (FBI check is higher plus the cost of finger prints) but in your case would be well worth it.
Additionally, continue getting reference letters from business associates and customers. Also, if you're not licensed yet as a child care provider, do that to. Your local department of social services can usually help in that area. This might also convince prospective customers to use your services.
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm
Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I can see why they would be insulted because generally the parent of the child doesn't have to have a background check. Even with your social stolen this should hurt you on a background check since it has nothing to do with your finances. What I would do is pull a background check on myself - mark out my social - have someone to notrize it stating that it is "your" background check and hand that out. Hopefully people will not believe you are 'making' one up - but yes you have to be careful about who has your social these days.

I am not sure why the report they had contained 'everything' on you as it should not have. I agree that your finances shouldn't be a part of the picture. I would still suggest you getting one pulled and having it notarized - I would accept that from a business because the notary is bonded and insured.

Answer 3

I tell ya, I would have been put-off by your telling me you want to do a background on me before I do one on you, but I also understand your concern.

Is there a third party who could do the actual search? If you had your lawyer, or a notary public, or someone like that who you trusted, actually do the search, and present the results (minus the SSN), maybe that would satisfy the parents, but would also make you feel safer in handing out your social security number. If they had a problem with YOUR lawyer doing it, perhaps they could have their own agent perform the search. Either way, your social security number goes through one trusted individual, instead of just being passed around and free for the taking.