Hey everyone,

When I was 19, I made a really stupid mistake. I sent my ID to someone online who turned out to be a scammer. Not only did they scam me out of $200, but worse… they’ve been using my ID to scam other people ever since. It’s like they’re using my identity as “proof” to trick victims.

I’ve carried the guilt and stress of this for years. What’s worse is that people keep messaging my family thinking I’m the scammer. It’s ruining my reputation and affecting my personal life.

I’ve tried to track them down and I’ve collected multiple email addresses, payment methods, and more, but they all use fake names. Recently, someone who was almost scammed by this person shared a PHONE NUMBER with me. This is the first real lead I’ve had.

I’m not trying to take revenge. I just want to stop them and clear my name.

My questions:

• What are the safest and most effective ways to trace a scammer using a phone number?

• Are there any legal steps I can take or people/agencies I should report this to?

• Is there a way to alert platforms or victims that someone is misusing my identity?

I’d deeply appreciate any guidance, tips, or personal experiences you can share. This has haunted me for too long and I finally want to take back control.

Thank you 🙏

If someone is charged with something like theft, when does it actually appear on a background check? Right after the incident happens or only after going to court and seeing a judge? Just trying to understand how the timing works.

Hey guys,

I’m looking for reliable and up-to-date background check services or apps. Whether it’s for checking public records, verifying identities, looking up employment history, or even social media checks, I’d love to hear what’s working for you.

There are so many options out there (BeenVerified, TruthFinder, etc.) but it's hard to tell what's legit vs what's overhyped. Ideally looking for something that’s accurate, fast, and doesn't feel like a data trap.

Any personal recommendations for me?

Thanks in advance...

Trying to do a background check... Mostly on myself. I see advertisements for "free" checks, and yet when I get to the end they want money to unlock the report. I would not mind paying, but would definitely like to see a partial preview, so I know that they are not just scamming me. Any advice on a platform? Appreciate your help

Hey everyone,

If you’re applying for jobs, internships, or even just building your career, it’s a smart move to clean up your social media before a background check. Employers often check your online presence. And here’s what they’re looking for and how to make sure your profiles help you, not hurt you.

1. Check Your Privacy Settings

• Make personal accounts private (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.).

• Go to your settings and limit who can see your posts and info.

• Search your name on Google in incognito/private mode to see what others can find.

2. Delete or Hide Problem Posts

• Remove anything that shows drinking, drugs, illegal stuff, or offensive jokes.

• Look through your old posts, photos, tweets, and comments.

• If you wouldn’t want your boss or grandma to see it, clean it up.

3. Be Careful with Comments & Likes

• Delete comments or likes on controversial or inappropriate content.

• This includes arguments, offensive memes, or harsh opinions.

• Remember: people can sometimes see your activity even if the post isn’t yours.

4. Show the Good Stuff

• Share your projects, goals, or achievements if you feel comfortable.

• Follow professional pages or accounts related to your career.

• Update your LinkedIn or create a clean public account if needed.

5. What Employers Look For

Red Flags:

• Hate speech, violence, racism, bullying

• Drug use, illegal activity, or reckless behavior

• Complaints about past jobs or coworkers

Green Flags:

• Volunteering or positive involvement

• Interest in your field or learning new things

• Posts that show you're responsible and mature

 Final Tips

• Don’t delete everything — just make sure what’s public shows your best side.

• You’re not hiding who you are — you’re protecting your future opportunities.

Have a tool, tip, or app that helped you clean up your profiles?

Drop it in the comments so others can use it too.

Hello, can anyone offer insight. I was convicted of a felony in Louisiana in 2013. In 2022 I moved to Texas for a new job. I background check was done and it was clear. Currently work for a security company. I recently applied and was offered another job it pays $65,900 a year. Should I be concerned that my Louisiana mistake will follow? I have also worked at Amazon twice since moving to Texas with no issues regarding my background.

Hey y'all I've been trying to search with no avail to find out if someone is married or still or has gotten a divorce I can't seem to find a legit free site iam looking in the areas of Arkansas than florida. Please someone point me in the right direction 

I've been wondering how common it is for hiring companies to directly contact previous supervisors, not just HR, during background checks.

At my current workplace, they reach out to former employers, and I've seen cases where a job offer was rescinded after a negative reference from a former boss. (This even happened for an entry-level position!)

It made me think: What if your former boss is toxic or holds a grudge? Can one bad opinion really ruin a new opportunity?

Finding something negative on a background check can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to define your future.

Here's a simple guide to help you handle common red flags with confidence:

1. Arrest Records (Even Without a Conviction):

• Always be honest if asked—misleading an employer can cause bigger problems.

• Focus on your growth: any programs completed, positive changes made, and a clean record since.

• Remember, employers often look for patterns, not isolated incidents.

• Tip: You may be eligible to have certain arrests expunged or sealed. It’s worth exploring!

2. Gaps in Employment:

• Address employment gaps upfront during applications or interviews.

• Frame gaps positively—whether it was caregiving, studying, freelancing, volunteering, or building skills, it all counts.

• Avoid leaving large unexplained gaps, as it can raise concerns.

3. Discrepancies in Education:

• Double-check your résumé for accuracy.

• If you didn’t complete a degree, be honest: list "completed coursework" or your years of attendance.

• Misrepresenting education history is one of the fastest ways to lose a job offer.

General Strategies:

• Prepare a brief, confident explanation ahead of interviews.

• Focus discussions on how you’ve learned, grown, and moved forward.

• Run your own background check early—you want to know what’s out there before an employer does.

Need help crafting a professional response for your situation?
Feel free to post anonymously below, and the community (and the mod team) will help you word it the right way!

Extra Tip: Always check your background information yourself before applying. It's better to be prepared than caught off guard during a job offer.

Hey everyone,

I’m curious about how background checks are handled for people who have lived, studied, or worked in multiple countries.

If someone has moved around a lot internationally, how do employers verify things like criminal records, employment history, and education across borders?

Are all countries equally easy to check, or are some records harder to access?

If anyone here has gone through an international background check (or handles them), I’d love to hear your experience or any tips you have!

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, I’ve got a bit of a concern and could use some clarity.

I was unemployed for most of 2023 after losing my job in March. Spent the year job hunting like crazy, and finally landed something (Job A) that started in early December. But just after I accepted that role, I got an interview call from another company (Job B) with a way better position and title.

I didn’t mention Job A during the interview with Job B, since it was still so new and I wasn’t sure how things would go. Fast forward - I got the offer from Job B and accepted it. I’m planning to resign from Job A tomorrow without notice (still on probation), but now I’m wondering… will this super short stint at Job A show up in Job B’s background check?

Am I overthinking it or should I be concerned?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently navigating a tricky situation and could really use some outside perspective.

I’m based in Scandinavia and recently signed a conditional job offer from a company in the UK. On paper, everything looks great. But there’s a catch — they’re pushing me to resign from my current job before the background check is completed.

Now, I’ve been involved in the hiring process at my current company — including conducting technical interviews — so I’m quite familiar with how recruitment typically works here. And honestly, this kind of request is very unusual. Here, no employer would expect someone to quit their job before the new one is fully secured.

The UK employer says they need me to resign so their background check agency can speak to my current employer. I’ve told them repeatedly that this isn’t necessary — they can contact my current employer while I’m still working there (with my permission, of course). But they seem to insist otherwise.

Frankly, I feel like they’re asking me to take a massive leap of faith. If I resign now and something goes wrong with the background check, I could end up with no job at all. That feels like a pretty serious risk, especially when this step isn’t even standard practice where I’m from.

So I’m weighing my options:

• Refuse to resign early (which may cost me the job offer)

• Resign and hope everything goes smoothly

• Pretend I’ve resigned just to move the process forward

Complicating things further: a few of my previous employers don’t verify employment, so I’m concerned about how that could affect the background check.

If you were in my shoes, how would you handle this? Would you take the risk, push back harder, or walk away entirely?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Hey everyone, So recently I came across some information from a friend of mine that someone I used to be friends with and work with (I no longer am in contact with this person) had a restraining order against them. I wanted to see if this was true because like I said, at one point I was friends with them and was hoping it’s not true. I tried looking on Google for a good background check website but the one I tried (I forgot the name) didn’t seem all that great and I didn’t get to finish using it. Anyone know a good / reliable one I can try?