How often have you been searching for a phone number or address and seen an advertisement for a criminal background check? This tool that was once available only to law enforcement officials is now available to anyone who is willing to pay for it. Think it’s all a bogus ploy for money? Think again.

Criminal background checks can be used by businesses and individuals for a variety of purposes. Some of those reasons are commonly understood. A daycare, school or after-school program will likely run criminal background checks to be sure that workers have no history of child molestation. While it’s not a foolproof method of being sure that children are safe, it is a step in the right direction.

By the same token, nursing homes and retirement centers may run a criminal background check to eliminate workers and volunteers who have known violent tendencies. Hospitals and doctor’s offices may use criminal background checks to look for drug abuse, since workers will likely have access to drugs on the premises.

There are some other reasons for a business to run a check. A company may choose to run a criminal background check on every applicant before offering a position in the company. This is particularly important in some industries. A company that makes airplanes, for example, will probably want to be sure that employees are not associated with any terrorist groups and that they have not been involved in any terrorist activities.

A meat-packing plant may run a background check to be sure that potential employees are not animal rights activists looking to create issues for the company.

Neighborhood organizations and individuals may also run criminal background checks on those living in the area. While some say it’s an invasion of privacy, finding out that a new neighbor has been arrested for assault or that he (or she) has been involved in a child abuse case allows the neighbors to be alert. It’s not possible to always prepare for every possible situation, but information like this can be what it takes to keep children and families safer.

So how do you run a criminal background check? You’ll find plenty of online sites ready to offer the service.

Take time to evaluate the company offering the information before you sign up. Remember that these checks typically aren’t free, so be sure of what you’re going to get before you pay. You should also keep in mind that there are some free online sources of information. Your state department of corrections may have information if you know that someone has been in prison, and sex offenders will be registered with your local police department.