Whether it is for a job, a rental property, or for a child care supervision need, knowing how to verify an identity is essential knowledge for today.
Identity verification helps to protect your interests because you’ll know the person you’re considering really is who they say they are.
The most common way to accomplish this is with a background check, but there are some other options available to you as well.
1. Request Identification That Can Be Validated.
There are several forms of identification that can be used to determine if someone is actually who they say they are.
In the United States, a Social Security card is one of the most common pieces of identification that are used.
A driver’s license, a military identification, or a passport may also be used to help determine the validity of an identity.
2. Use Reverse Email Searches.
If you have someone’s email address, even if it is a public email system like Outlook or Gmail, it can be used to trace down someone’s identity.
You’ll need to hire someone to do this task for you, but it can work when information is difficult to locate.
3. Look For Public Records.
There are many public records that are open for examination and many people don’t realize this.
Any time there is a judgment, there will be a public record of this.
Marriage records are also public records, as are divorce records.
Sometimes even birth records are public, although the specific data may be limited, such as the birth date.
4. Consider Ancestry Software.
Genealogy has exploded in popularity, which means access to public records that can trace a person’s movements are also easier to access than ever before.
If your background checks are coming up empty, try using the available data you have about someone and then match it up with the data from their application.
In most instances, if someone’s identity cannot be verified, then you do not have to hire them or agree to rental terms.
Follow these steps and you’ll be able to verify the identities of most individuals.
