Depending upon how deeply they dig, there is always the chance that a background check will out you to an employer, especially if your original name was gender specific.

If anyone cares enough to pay for it, anybody can find out just about anything, on anyone - particularly the government and financial sectors.

Add to that:
- x-rays and similar medical scans
- DNA
- People who knew you before. (When I got a security clearance back in the 1980's the FBI went and talked to people who knew me, and taught me in High School, and then went to the state I have lived in for 7/8th grade and made inquires there.)

Quote from: tekla on March 15, 2010, 04:28:34 AM
(When I got a security clearance back in the 1980's the FBI went and talked to people who knew me, and taught me in High School, and then went to the state I have lived in for 7/8th grade and made inquires there.)

Been there too! - For one job I did many years ago, which obviously I can't talk about, I had to sign the UK official secrets act and be positively vetted (one of the highest forms of security check in the UK) that was fun. Fortunately I had decided to be open with them so it wasn't a problem.

i feel im pretty lucky on that point my name is the same either sex so a name check will never out me its a minor spelling change jesse to jessie ive even thought about slipping it past DMV lol
jessica

Quote from: tekla on March 15, 2010, 04:28:34 AM
Depending upon how deeply they dig, there is always the chance that a background check will out you to an employer, especially if your original name was gender specific.

If anyone cares enough to pay for it, anybody can find out just about anything, on anyone - particularly the government and financial sectors.

Add to that:
- x-rays and similar medical scans
- DNA
- People who knew you before. (When I got a security clearance back in the 1980's the FBI went and talked to people who knew me, and taught me in High School, and then went to the state I have lived in for 7/8th grade and made inquires there.)

Wow.  They'd have fun doing a background check on me, then. I went to 10 different schools in 2 states and 3 countries, not counting the year I was home schooled while we traveled around Europe and Africa.   It might almost be fun to try to get a security clearance just to see how far they dig.   

I can believe they can find anything, though.  When my dad was applying for his first security clearance, shortly before my parents got married, my mom's godfather (who had probably done a background check on him at the request of my mom's dad.  ) advised him to dump his roommate because the guy was dealing drugs on the side.  My dad lived with the guy and had no idea.  Needless to say, he followed that advice.

Quote from: tekla on March 15, 2010, 04:28:34 AM...When I got a security clearance back in the 1980's the FBI went and talked to people who knew me....

Back in the late 1970's (about 5 years post-op and 29 years of age) the company I worked for took on some Defence work and the security clearance required a 25 year background check. What a PAIN! You had to include every place you had lived, every absence from the country, and the names of three people who had known you at least 10 years. The question that concerned me was "Have you ever been known by any other name(s)?" I wrote "Information available to authorized investigator only." al la 'witness protection' style.

The background check was done by the RCMP and I got a call from a senior officer asking about this. I explained the situation to him (it was a lot less common in those days LOL!) and he assured me that the investigation would be handled with the utmost discretion and no mention of it would be made in the official file. He was true to his word! I heard from some of my references and the investigator had used the proper name and pronouns when talking to each person ... he preserved my stealth. 

Unless I'm applying for some kind of CIA job or a freak is obsessed with me, who would take the time & pay money to find out things about me though a 20-year, 15-year background check?

An employer?  Well, again unless I transitioned old (e.g, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, YIKES!!) & had a lot of baggage when I did, maybe I'd be worried.  But not everybody transitions so old & not everybody's got so much baggage on our backs.  So for me it's the medical stuff that could out me.

Background checks were once upon a time reserved for people doing high level security work or handling large sums of money.  Then it became anyone working with kids.  Then anyone handling any sum of money, or any position of trust.  Then it slowly morphed into everyone.  Background checks/credit checks are required for most jobs now, largely because companies are being held financially responsible for your actions while on the job, and their insurance carriers demand it.

And said checks can run from $5 to $50, all of which is tax-deductible for the company running them.

Quote from: jesse on March 15, 2010, 04:37:24 AM
i feel im pretty lucky on that point my name is the same either sex so a name check will never out me its a minor spelling change jesse to jessie ive even thought about slipping it past DMV lol
jessica

And I feel you're pretty lucky because, sweetie, you are gorgeous! Love that new avatar pic!!

Sorry, off-topic, but I felt it had to be said!

Quote from: Northern Jane on March 16, 2010, 04:19:08 AM
Back in the late 1970's (about 5 years post-op and 29 years of age) the company I worked for took on some Defence work and the security clearance required a 25 year background check. What a PAIN! You had to include every place you had lived, every absence from the country, and the names of three people who had known you at least 10 years. The question that concerned me was "Have you ever been known by any other name(s)?" I wrote "Information available to authorized investigator only." al la 'witness protection' style.

25 years?

AFAIK, Developed Vetting in the UK only ask 10. Sure they want to know everything/one you ever did / lived / sleep with / ... in those 10 years, but how the heck does one remember 25 years?

As Gothique11 said:

Quote from: gothique11 on March 14, 2010, 06:41:36 PM
Beyond the physical, I find that the way you carry yourself -- I guess, your aura -- makes a difference. It's hard to explain, but confidence in yourself as a woman makes a big difference......

I agree with her wholeheartedly and along with Rejennyrated's 'confidence' and knowing that you are a woman.  Will always help you no matter what.

Kind regards
Sarah B

+ family/"friends" from the past who may out you
+ various databases
+ court records (did you have a name change in a court?)
+ why you cannot have children (lying is of course possible)
+ why do you need to take hormones (lying is of course possible)
+ dilation (keeping secrets works in most places)
+ X-ray/ultrasound/gynecological exam
+ someone looking at your web browsers history
etc