An article on Lexch.com – the website is based on the local Lexington, Nebraska newspaper, The Lexington Clipper-Herald – tells the story of an identity theft victim who ended up in jail twice for a crime he didn't commit, once after being robbed and calling the police for help.

According to the article, Joe Salazar, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, recently spent a night in jail after calling the police to report a burglary at his home, and he also spent two weeks in jail – including last Christmas and New Year's Day – after being pulled over for speeding, all because the identity theft victim had an arrest warrant for failing to appear for sentencing in a drug case meant for an identity thief using his name.

Salazar believes the identity theft occurred after the unknown impostor stole his identification, date of birth, and Social Security number after he left his wallet behind at a restaurant years ago, the Clipper Herald reported, adding that a local prosecutor calls the identity theft one of the most extreme examples he has seen, one that has cost Salazar his good name, his time, and his freedom. Even worse than losing his freedom, according to the article, Salazar feared losing his job at a local manufacturing company because his bosses might not believe that he was in jail due to a case of identity theft.

Salazar's case of identity theft, although extreme, is much more common than most would think. According to Javelin Research, almost 10 million people in the U.S. suffered from identity theft and fraud in 2008, a rise of 22 percent from the previous year. With identity theft such a problem, many people have taken the situation into their own hands by ordering “personal” background checks on themselves to see the data contained in their public and private information. MyBackgroundCheck.com – a leading provider of background checks for individual consumers – helps people make sure that the personal information in their background checks is current, accurate, and safe from identity theft.

Over one million consumers have purchased background checks through MyBackgroundCheck.com. For more information on how “personal” background checks can help prevent identity theft, visit www.mybackgroundcheck.com, email info@mybackgroundcheck.com, or call 1-800-503-2364. Follow MyBackgroundCheck.com on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MyBackgroundChk.

tahearn@mybackgroundcheck.com

False background checks from possible identity theft or misidentification as described by CNN (video here) is a national problem that occurs nearly one out of five times a report is contested, according to research by MyBackgroundCheck.com, a national consumer background check company that has screened over a million consumers for criminal activity.

In a report first aired September 29 (video here), CNN reporter Gerri Willis interviewed a woman who described how her husband's dream job turned into a nightmare because of false information found on his pre-employment background check.

"Unfortunately, the case described in the CNN report is not unusual, and a recent study shows nearly one in five disputed background checks contain false information attributed to identity theft or misidentification" stated Robert Mather, CEO of MyBackgroundCheck.com. "Over one million consumers have purchased background checks through us, many to help in the job seeking process."

The research by MyBackgroundCheck.com focused on consumers that purchased their own background check – or had a background check procured through a prospective employer – and contested the results of the report. The study of disputed background checks revealed that the reasons for the disputes were:

• Criminal Identity Theft or not their record -- 21%
• Some Criminal records dismissed, others reported correctly (partial dispute/correction) -- 16%
• Untruthful applicant; Criminal record was reported correctly -- 16%
• Charges were reduced/dismissed or expunged and should not be reported -- 14%
• Court error (wrong criminal record was retrieved from files) -- 12%
• Record not allowed to be reported by law for employment purposes -- 11%
• Other -- 9%

A multitude of State and Federal laws protect job applicants from error and mandate potential employers – as well as the agency that investigated the background check and sold the report – to correct the mistakes at no cost to applicants.

A list of these laws and the potential penalties to employers or background check agencies violating them can be obtained for free by emailing info@mybackgroundcheck.com and requesting the publication "Laws Protecting the Rights of Consumers during the Background Check Process."

MyBackgroundCheck.com offers consumer requested "personal" background checks for consumers to use to keep their public and private information current, secure, and accurate. For more information, visit www.mybackgroundcheck.com, email info@mybackgroundcheck.com, or call 1-800-503-2364. Follow MyBackgroundCheck.com on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MyBackgroundChk.

Related Article: Can’t Get a Job? The Five Most Common Mistakes in Background Checks May Be Stopping You

tahearn@mybackgroundcheck.com

A troubling story out of Charlotte, North Carolina shows the importance of background checks for home help – also known as “in-house” services workers – and how performing these background checks on painters, landscapers, builders, and anyone else working in and around one’s home  can help protect one’s family.

A report from WCNC News Channel 36 in Charlotte, NC revealed that Ruben Garcia-Rosario, 25, an illegal immigrant, was recently arrested and is accused of plotting to kidnap two area girls from a bus stop for ransom money. Garcia-Rosario had apparently done some painting at the girls’ home nearly a year ago, News Channel 36 reported.

According to News Channel 36, after the girls – aged 7 and 9 – saw a suspicious man in a dark car with tinted windows watching them at their bus stop, they told a parent who was later able to write down the car's license plate number and call police about the incident.

Officials say this incident underscores the importance of protecting yourself with background checks when you hire people and let them into or near your home, News Channel 36 reported, and that  people who hire home help should not be afraid to ask for proof of a background check and should look elsewhere if the company or person can't provide it.

Another solution is to have to home help workers perform background checks on themselves with a reputable company that provides “personal” background check services for painters, contractors, landscapers, babysitters, and other in-house workers. MyBackgroundCheck.com – a pioneer in consumer requested background checks – helps individuals screen home help workers through a unique and innovative “applicant supplied” background check system where the jobseeker foots the bill.

For more information on MyBackgroundCheck.com’s Home Help Background Check service, visit www.mybackgroundcheck.com, email info@mybackgroundcheck.com, or call 1-800-503-2364. Follow MyBackgroundCheck.com on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MyBackgroundChk.

tahearn@mybackgroundcheck.com