This topic comes up about once a week on this board. You can view previous threads by searching under "reference."

The basic answers are these:

•Use an agency. They usually just want verifiable employment info.
•Register with a service such as DateCheck
•Luck out with an independent who is willing to take some other sort of verification (they are not common but they do exist)

In any case, don't use a provider who doesn't worry about some sort of verification. The verification is a sign to you that you will have a safe, trouble free encounter.

Also, look near the top this webpage and you'll see a link for "Acronyms and newbies manual", wherein you'll find a wealth of information, including an answer to your specific question.