Accuracy?

An instant search is as accurate as the data reported by the state or local agency. The reporting agency can update this information as frequently as daily or in some cases only semi-annually.

Why PeopleScanner?

You can count on PeopleScanner to deliver the most accurate, up-to-date and user friendly criminal background information available in the market today.

FAQ

General FAQ:
  1. What is a credit card verification code?
  2. Why do I need to enter my street and zip code when I enter my credit card information?
  3. Can I store my reports online at your website?
  4. What is the charge to set up an account?
  5. I do not have a credit card. Is there another way for me to purchase a search?
Criminal Check FAQ:
  1. What is an instant criminal background search?
  2. Should I order a national or a state criminal background search?
  3. Are instant criminal searches accurate and thorough?
  4. When I receive my results of my search, how easy is it to understand?
  5. Why should I conduct a criminal check for employment purposes?
  6. What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal conviction record?
  7. Do the instant criminal searches include a search of the sex offender registry?
  8. Do the state sex offender registries provide information on all known sex offenders within that state?
  9. Why are some data fields on the record blank?
  10. I am sure that the person I searched has a criminal record, but your search did not return any criminal record. How can this happen?
  11. What is the difference between an instant criminal search and a manual county courthouse search?
  12. When should I use an instant criminal search vs. a county criminal search?
  13. I performed an instant criminal search and some of the results are not records for the person I wanted searched. How does this happen?
  14. Is the subject of my search be notified that I have searched his criminal records?
  15. Do you search records in other countries?


General Answers:
  1. What is a credit card verification code?

    The credit card verification code, often referred to as the CV2 code, is the last three digits of the numbers written on the back signature line of your credit card. The CV2 code is used to verification of the credit card when a credit card transaction takes place over the internet. We require this code be entered to help both you and People Scanner avoid being the victim of fraud.

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  2. Why do I need to enter my street and zip code when I enter my credit card information?

    As with the CV2 code explained above, we require this information as a method of fraud protection. Our credit card processor matches this information with the billing address information on file with your bank to help ensure that that the person using the card is actually you.

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  3. Can I store my reports online at your website?

    Yes. You have three options in regards to your reports that result from your searches.

    Option one: you can store then on our website for a period of at least six months at no additional charge. Option two: you can download the report in PDF form. Option three: you can print out the report.

    Please note that you may choose to perform all three of these options if you prefer.

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  4. What is the charge to set up an account?

    We do not charge an upfront fee or any type of monthly fee. You only pay for the reports you order.

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  5. I do not have a credit card. Is there another way for me to purchase a search?

    No. Sorry, but we currently only accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express Credit cards.

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Criminal Check Answers:
  1. What is an instant criminal background search?

    An instant criminal background search is one that accesses our list of available databases, (comprised of data provided by various county, state and federal agencies) and instantly searches these databases for information on the person whose criminal background you are searching The results of our instant searches are available in less than 15 seconds.

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  2. Should I order a national or a state criminal background search?

    Our national criminal background search represents our best value search. It is also our most comprehensive instant search. Included in the national search are all fifty of our state searches and certain federal databases that are only available by using the national search. Yet our national criminal search is only a few dollars more that the cost of one of our state searches.

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  3. Are instant criminal searches accurate and thorough?

    An instant search is only as accurate as the state, local or federal agency reporting the data. The databases searched can be updated as frequently as daily or semi-annually. That is why it is extremely important to make sure you know ahead of time how often a search is updated.

    We provide descriptions of each database and how often it is scheduled to be updated. To access these descriptions, please click here.

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  4. When I receive my results of my search, how easy is it to understand?

    At People Scanner, we tale pride on providing the most easy-to-understand reports available. We use a proprietary data translation protocol to interpret and simplify complex data. This ensures that complex data is provided in an easy to understand format.

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  5. Why should I conduct a criminal check for employment purposes?

    As an employer, you want to protect your business from theft and provide a safe workplace for your employees. We recommend a criminal records search for all of your applicants. Use this information to identify applicants with violent tendencies or a history of theft. People Scanner provides access to criminal court records on file in every county, state, and federal court in the United States.

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  6. What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal conviction record?

    An arrest record does not represent a conviction. A conviction is a result of an arrest and is the final disposition.

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  7. Do the instant criminal searches include a search of the sex offender registry?

    Yes, in almost all cases our state instant criminal searches cover the state's sex offender registry. Our national search covers all fifty states and the District of Columbia's sex offender registry.

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  8. Do the state sex offender registries provide information on all known sex offenders within that state?

    No, results will vary according to state. Some states only require the more serious offenders who are at higher risk of becoming repeat offenders, to register. However, all offenders are required to register at the local level where they were convicted and also are required to notify the agency when there is a change of address.

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  9. Why are some data fields on the record blank?

    Not all information is reported by the source of the record. Some information can be lost due to older systems, human error, or transitions from index to computer systems

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  10. I am sure that the person I searched has a criminal record, but your search did not return any criminal record. How can this happen?

    The following are reasons that a criminal record will not should up in a search:

    • The criminal act was committed in a state other than the one searched.


    • The individual used a different date of birth when he was convicted of a crime than the date of birth you used in your search.
    • The offenders criminal records have been sealed or expunged and are therefore not available to the public.


    • The subject of the search was never actually convicted of a crime. The fact that a person was arrested does not constitute a crime. The individual must actually be convicted of a crime to have a criminal record. Not all databases we search include arrest records.


    • An offender may have used a fake identity when processed through the legal system.


    • The individual's criminal record has not as yet been updated in the public criminal records database or the data was incorrectly entered into the database.


    • Some counties or states do not make their criminal records available to private search companies. Therefore, it is important to make sure you know ahead of time which databases are available in your chosen state's search. We provide links to our list of these databases in the descriptions of our search.

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  11. What is the difference between an instant criminal search and a manual county courthouse search?

    The instant criminal search searches databases to quickly check for any criminal related records. Aside from the obvious advantage of being instant it also offers a wider scope, as most instant searches will search the states sex offender registry and other databases.. The disadvantage is that as a database search, the records retrieved are often less detailed and not as current as a county search. In addition some states and counties do not make their records available for computerized seaches.

    When you order a manual county courthouse search, we have one of our professional document record examiners manually perform the search. This type of search is more accurate and complete, and it provides the most current information available. Our skilled examiners often expand the scope of their searches to look for name variations and similar dates of birth to ensure that we have provided a comprehensive report. The disadvantage is that it takes between 24 and 72 hours to get the results of manual search.

    If you want additional information on county level manual courthose searches. Please e-mail us at [email protected]

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  12. When should I use an instant criminal search vs. a county criminal search?

    If you know a subject committed an offense in a particular county, order a county criminal search where the actual records were filed.

    If you know someone committed an offense in a particular state but you are not sure where, try an instant criminal search which covers an entire state.

    We recommend that any results returned by the instant criminal search be followed up with a county criminal search of the counties where the offenses were committed. This will ensure the most accurate results.

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  13. I performed an instant criminal search and some of the results are not records for the person I wanted searched. How does this happen?

    As we require a first and last name for a search, it is possible, although not common, that more than one person with a criminal record will have the same name and date of birth. Also when the sex offender registry part of the search is performed, any similar names listed in these registries will show in your report as some sex offender registries only record information by name. Therefore, we would rather provide all possible information, some of which may not actually apply to your search, than miss a record that does apply

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  14. Is the subject of my search be notified that I have searched his criminal records?

    No. The person who is being searched will not be notified that a search was performed.

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  15. Do you search records in other countries?

    No. All the databases we search are located in the United States.

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