A background check is more than crossing your fingers and hoping everything you know about a potential employee, business partner, or acquaintance checks out. If you want to be sure, a background investigation can uncover information beyond what you can find online, helping you get the clarity you need when an important business or personal decision is on the line.

At Gradoni & Associates, we have decades of experience in conducting professional background investigations in Houston, TX, that go far beyond basic search results. We dig deep and cross-reference information and data obtained from various sources helping to uncover potential discrepancies or inconsistencies. Our goal is to protect your interests at the highest level and provide you with peace of mind.

What Does a Professional Background Investigation Include?

A thorough background check is a multi-layered process. Our investigators examine a wide range of records and sources that may include the following:

• Identity and Address Verification: Our investigators work to confirm that a person is who they claim to be by reviewing identifying information, such as their alternate names, aliases, address history, and other information that can help support accurate criminal searches and other screenings.
• Criminal Record Research: We search available criminal records across jurisdictions rather than limiting the search to the area where the person in question currently resides. We may also search civil records to capture a clear picture of the subject.
• Civil Litigation History: Previous lawsuits, protective orders, judgments, or other civil matters may not appear in a standard criminal background check. Our dedicated investigative team goes the extra mile to uncover any pertinent information that can help keep you safe and protected.
• Sex Offender Registry Records: Our investigators pull data from state sex offender registry records. If any records are identified, we can determine both the registration date and current status.
• Employment History: A person’s verifiable employment history can often speak volumes. Previous employers, job titles, and dates of employment can often reveal inconsistencies, unexplained gaps, or misrepresentations.
• Financial Record Research: When appropriate and legally permissible, our investigators may review publicly available information. This may include bankruptcies, liens, and judgments relevant to our investigation into the person of interest.
• Education And Credential Verification: We verify degrees and certifications. It’s often surprising to see the volume of falsified credentials we find on resumes.
• Online and Social Media Research: Publicly available online activity can often provide additional information about a person’s history, connections, or claims.

Taken together, these records can provide our investigative team with a complete picture of a person’s identity, credibility, and potential risk. Keep in mind that not all investigations uncover inconsistencies. If a person’s information checks out, that’s excellent news for you, allowing you to move forward with confidence when it comes to employment, partnership or a romantic relationship.

What Are the Legal Boundaries?

Not all information is legally available, and the rules can vary depending on the purpose of the background investigation. Some records are available to the public, while others are restricted or require authorization. Depending on how a report will be used, federal laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), as well as applicable state laws may impose additional requirements related to authorization, disclosure, accuracy, and use of the information.

Our professional investigators understand that finding relevant information is only part of the goal. How that information is obtained and whether it can be used lawfully for a client’s intended purpose matter just as much. At Gradoni & Associates, our investigators use lawful investigative methods and work within the applicable frameworks and requirements for each investigation helping provide evidence that holds up.

Who Relies on Professional Background Investigations?

Businesses use our services to vet candidates before making hiring decisions. Attorneys rely on us to verify witness credibility before depositions. Individuals request background checks on potential business partners, romantic interests, or new acquaintances entering their personal lives. In all of these situations, what you don’t know can harm you. A professional background check, from Gradoni & Associates gives you the facts you need to make informed decisions.

Gradoni & Associates: Your Investigative Partners in Houston, TX, Since 1989

If you are in the Houston area and need a thorough, discreet background investigation, our team at Gradoni & Associates is ready to help. Call (281) 440-0800 to speak with Keith Kucifer, Senior Investigator, or connect with us online today.

Proudly offering superior investigative services to the business and legal community in Houston, TX, and beyond since 1989.