A sociologist from University of Missouri, Richard Rosenfeld, said to the New York Times, "Every recession since the late '50s has been associated with an increase in crime and, in particular, property crime and robbery, which would be most responsive to changes in economic conditions. There is a year lag between the economic change and crime rates."

An accurate prediction, stories are now sweeping across the country noting incidents of repair fraud and theft. Imposters may be knocking on your door, offering electric repairs or services you really don’t need and others may just be sneaking in to your home and stealing anything they deem valuable.

If you hire a service worker, nanny or babysitter, contractor or subcontractor, or even go on a date during this time it is highly recommended that you obtain a background check on anyone you don’t know as an added security. But also watch out for those you do know as economic recessions are notorious for creating first-time offenders.

Not sure how to get a background check on these people?

The most accurate background check you can obtain via the internet is “applicant supplied” and one that searches criminal history at the county level, previous employment, and professional licenses. However, stay away from the “instant background check,” as these services do not contain accurate information.

What is an “applicant supplied” background check? The person who desires to work for you or date you obtains the background check on their own and provides you, an employer, a landlord, etc. with access to the background check. This system is intended to allow job seekers and all other consumers to control their personal information and verify the accuracy of credit and criminal background checks before others view them. However, it comes in handy for consumers in common, informal situations with others who pose a risk or threat.

Here at MyBackgroundCheck.com, we have special programs that protect you, the consumer. We provide one of the only “applicant supplied” background check portals on the web and it’s simple to use. You ask the person to go to the website and order the specific background check package you want to review. Once they place their order and the background check is complete, they will receive a special code to give you. You use the code to access the background check via the web on our secure server. These background checks cannot be altered and they are the most current and accurate in the industry.

If the person doesn’t agree to get a background check, take my advice and send them on their way.

Call our customer service department for more personalized information about applicant-supplied background checks at 800-300-1821 or visit www.mybackgroundcheck.com .

The “Grinch” who (literally) stole Christmas – identity theft – can make the holidays a very un-happy time for its victims.

According to a study from Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, with 27.3 million victims in the past five years, and nearly 20 million in the past two years alone. Identity theft costs more than $56 billion – or $6,383 per victim – annually, and an identity thief strikes every 3.5 seconds on average. The Justice Department reports that identity theft has now surpassed drug trafficking as the No. 1 crime in America.

‘Tis the season for identity theft: the holidays show a higher rate of identity theft because people become desperate for the things they want for themselves and their families. The Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC) believes financial stress could lead to an increase in identity theft during this holiday season and urges consumers to take extra measures to protect their personal data. Monitoring your own credit report and criminal background check can help you prevent identity fraud, which usually occurs after your identity has been stolen.

Because of increased spending and a rise in the use of credit cards during the holiday season, the growing threat of identity theft looms larger than Santa Claus himself. As a result, privacy rights organizations recommend consumers request their own credit and criminal background checks periodically to monitor information, correct inaccuracies, and uncover identity theft.

While identity theft is a growing problem, there are ways you can protect yourself from the fraudulent use of your personal information. By ordering personal background checks, you can take control over your most sensitive personal information – such as credit scores – and learn who is viewing your reports. These new technologies help keep you one step ahead of would-be ID thieves and are the best chance of avoiding identity theft.

MyBackgroundCheck.com was one of the first consumer-driven web-based background check services available and is now a nationwide leader of the growing trend in personal information control. Please visit www.mybackgroundcheck.com to learn how to take total control of your personal information and prevent identity theft.