Know who you're dealing with

Here are the Top 5 most common types of people that consumers, businesses, and lawyers order background reports on:

1. Romantic Partners (Online Dating / New Relationships)

Why: To verify identity, marital status, criminal history, or red flags before investing time, trust, or money in a relationship.

Common Checks: Criminal records, marriage/divorce records, sex offender registry, social media, employment history.

2. Childcare Providers (Babysitters, Nannies, Tutors, Coaches)

Why: Children’s safety is the #1 priority. Parents want assurance there’s no history of abuse, violence, or dangerous behavior.

Common Checks: Criminal and abuse records, sex offender registry, restraining orders, licenses/certifications, driving history.

3. Roommates / Tenants / Co-Living Partners

Why: Sharing a home requires trust. People want to avoid unreliable or unsafe living situations.

Common Checks: Criminal records, eviction history, employment, financial red flags (bankruptcies, liens).

4. Business Partners / Contractors / Employees

Why: Businesses and individuals want to protect themselves from fraud, financial loss, or liability.

Common Checks: Corporate filings, professional licenses, criminal/civil lawsuits, property/asset ownership.

5. Ex-Spouses or Family Members (Divorce, Custody, Estate Issues)

Why: Legal disputes and family matters often require uncovering hidden assets, financial issues, or credibility problems.

Common Checks: Property and asset searches, employment verification, tax liens, custody filings, civil and criminal records.

Background reports are used by a wide range of people and organizations. Everyday citizens use them to vet online dates, roommates, or childcare providers. 

Businesses use them to check on potential hires or business partners. Lawyers and investigators rely on them to gather details for cases or negotiations. 

Essentially, anyone who needs peace of mind, safety, or reliable facts about another person may benefit from a background check.

Yes, with a few restrictions. It is legal to request a background report for personal due diligence (such as checking a date/partner, verifying a caregiver, assisting with divorce action, or confirming a business contact).

However, there are laws (like the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA) that restrict how reports can be used in employment, housing, or credit decisions unless they come from an FCRA-compliant provider. 

VS Discovery reports are designed for lawful personal, legal, and business use — not for lending, tenant screening, or credit approvals.

That depends on the tier of report you select.

A basic report usually includes identity details, past addresses, and known associates. More comprehensive tiers can include criminal records, court filings, professional licenses, property ownership, and even business affiliations. 

Our top-tier investigative reports go further, covering federal records, assets, civil case files, and more — the kind of information attorneys and private investigators rely on.

Consumers use background reports for peace of mind and safety checks — like verifying a babysitter, vetting a potential roommate, or confirming whether a new partner is being honest. 

Businesses may use them to assess potential hires, contractors, or business partners. Attorneys often use them to build cases, find hidden assets, or understand an opposing party’s history. 

Reports are not for harassment, marketing (Spam or scams), stalking, or defamation — they must be used responsibly and lawfully.

No. Background reports are confidential. 

The subject of the report is not notified when a search is conducted. That said, you are still responsible for using the information legally and ethically.