> Background Checks

To request a background check on a care provider, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account
2. Search for a care provider by using the search box that appears across the top of each page on the site.
3. From a search results page, click on the name of a care provider to view that provider's profile information.
4. Click the "Background Check" tab on the provider's profile. If the provider already has a background check on file, you will be able to request access to view the background check. If the provider does not have a background check on file, you will be able to request that the provider run a background check on themself.

When you request a new background check (or when you request access to an existing background check) the care provider will receive a message notifying them of your request. The care provider must accept your request in order for you to view their background check. Once the provider has accepted your request, you will be notified by a message in your account. You can then return to the care provider's profile to view the results of the background check. Although care providers will typically respond to messages promptly, there may occasionally be delays. If a care provider is not responding to your request, you may follow-up by sending a message to the care provider through the Care.com website. If a provider fails to respond to your request or does not accept your request it may indicate that there is not a good fit between you and that care provider.

As a care provider, you can request a background check on yourself. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account
2. Click on the "Background Checks" tab in the left navigation
3. Follow the instructions on the page that displays

At present, we do not offer the ability to run a background check on a care seeker.

When a background check is requested through Care.com, the following information is verified:

1. Social Security Number Verification - The user's Social Security Number will be verified to ensure that it is a valid Social Security Number and that it is associated with the user.
2. National Criminal Records Search - A search of national criminal records will be conducted to see if there are any know cases on file for the user. The records that are searched include:
   • State and county criminal record repositories;
   • State sex offender registries;
   • Prison, parole and release files from state Department of Corrections, Administrative Office of Courts, and other state agencies;

The specific records which are searched vary by state and county. Please refer to this document to understand exactly what records are searched and how frequently the records are updated.

If you are subscribed to Care.com as a care seeker, you can request the first background check on a care provider at no additional cost. If you are a care provider and would like to run a background check on yourself, please go to the "Background Checks" section of "My Account" for additional information and fees.

The results of background checks are compiled using various public and private sources. Although every effort is made to ensure that the background check results are correct, it is possible that the records used to compile the background check are not 100% accurate or complete. If you believe that your background check results are not accurate, please contact Acxiom Information Security Services, 6111 Oak Tree Blvd, Independence, OH 44131 or by telephone at (800) 853-3228.

A background check includes Social Security Number Verification and National Criminal Records Search. Below is a description of the results that can be returned for each of these components of a background check:

Social Security Number Verification:

Verified — The Social Security Number is valid and it matches the name of the user.

Not Verified — The Social Security Number is either not valid or it does not match the name of the user. It may not match the name of the user if the user has recently changed their name (for example, due to marriage), if the user did not specify their full legal name when submitting the background check request, or if the user is a minor. However, this result may also indicate that the user attempted to run the background check with a Social Security Number that does not belong to them.

National Criminal Records Search:

No Cases Found — The search of the national criminal databases did not return any criminal cases for the user.

Records Found — The search of the national criminal databases returned one or more criminal records for the user. The details of the records which were found are provided in the next section of the background check report.

When considering the results of the National Criminal Records Search it is important to understand what databases are searched. The specific records which are searched vary by state and county. Please refer to this document to understand exactly what records are searched.

You always have control over who can view the results of your background check. The list of users you have allowed to view your background check is listed right under your background check report in the "Background Checks" section of "My Account." You can decide to remove a user's access to your report at any time.

I believe that my background check results are incorrect. What should I do?

Although every effort is made to ensure that the background check results are correct, it is possible that the records used to compile the background check are not 100% accurate or complete. If you believe that your background check results are not accurate, please contact Acxiom at: Acxiom Information Security Services, 6111 Oak Tree Blvd, Independence, OH 44131 or by telephone at (800) 853-3228.

Additionally, if your background check encountered an issue verifying your SSN or if you background check results in a criminal case being found, you will receive a letter in the mail from Acxiom informing you of the steps you can take to resolve any incorrect information.

What specific criminal records are searched?

The sources of public record information that are searched when a National Criminal Records Search is conducted can be found here.

When hiring a caregiver we suggest that you directly check the national sex offender registry. A number of free public registry sites are available including Family Watchdog and the United State Department of Justice website.