Nanny Background Checks: Interview With A Private Investigator

As someone who has worked with daycares, teachers, and nannies for over a decade, I understand the weight of making sure that the person you hire to care for your children is safe, loving, and honest. But even after spending much time researching background checks for nannies, I still had many questions about how a parent can ensure that the caregiver they hire can be trusted with their children and their home.

So I sought out, Lenny Golino, president of Gold Shield Elite Investigations and retired NYPD detective, for an interview to better understand the significance of nanny background checks and what parents can do to protect their families.   


Please tell us Lenny, why is a nanny background check so important?
Parents need to know whom they are putting into their home, for their child or children’s safety. In addition to their safety, another area of concern is protecting against identity theft. Many victims of identity theft are victims from within.

What is the difference between the background check services that you provide as a licensed private investigation company and the background checks that parents can do online?
Any online service that a consumer can access is NOT a real background search. Fees vary and you are not getting anything more than public records. The difference when obtaining a background search from a private investigator is that we are licensed by the Department of State granting access to databases that the online services cannot provide.

What type of searches and checks does Gold Shield provide?
Our comprehensive search can provide a full gauge of a particular person’s lifestyle, by providing:o  

• Nationwide Criminal Search- Federal Dockets- Arrest History
  
• Nationwide Sex Offenses (also includes 1st degree relatives)
  
• Address verification and history
  
• Civil judgments, liens and bankruptcies
  
• NYS DMV history (DWI/DUI accidents, summonses, child support neglect, failure to answer summonses and current status)
  
• Professional Licenses held and revocation of any license
  
• Controlled Substance Search
  
• Property Ownership

Beyond a professional background check, what else can families do to protect their children and their home?
Nanny cams are very effective. You get the ability to monitor, in real time, the interactions that the nanny has with the child as well as any visitors that might be coming into the home without your knowledge.

Additionally, your personal documents such as banking, junk mail, credit card statements and offers etc, should not be left out in plain view.

Moreover, once a nanny has been hired, always be alert to any behavioral changes in the nanny as there might be circumstances in their life now, that weren’t present at the time the original search was conducted. This can potentially change the care being provided to the child.

What is the most common concern or offense that you see pop up in nanny background searches?
Typically we find inconsistencies in information provided, which are usually found in address summary reviews, derogatory driving history and reference names provided to client can sometimes not be true employers but rather friends and/or relatives.

What type of information or permissions do you need from a nanny applicant to perform a background check?
We need their name, date of birth and current address. By law you are not required to disclose that a background search is being conducted. It is solely up to your discretion.

What does it cost for your service and how long is the turn around?
The cost is $225.00 complete. If received before 1:00pm the results are returned same day. We first call you with our findings and then mail you a detailed report along with the computer-generated printouts of our findings.

Not only did I learn a lot of valuable information from my interview with Leonard Golino but I thoroughly enjoy getting to know both him and his business partner Rich DeMaio.  I want to thank these two gentlemen for speaking with Choice Parenting and for their passion for educating parents on how to best safeguard their families.  Contact them today for a free consultation or to enlist their services! 

Gold Shield Elite Investigations
http://gseinvestigations.com
1-888-213-8881 or 845-561-GSEI (4734)
Goldshieldinv@gmail.com

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