ORLANDO, Fla. -- We've all been told: Beware of strangers.

But we rely on them, whether to work in our yards, on the exteriors of our homes or -- in Sue Weaver's case -- to clean the ducts inside.

It cost Weaver her life because the stranger she let in was a twice-convicted rapist, out of jail a matter of months.

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COMING UP: Prescription Drug Investigation

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Jeff Hefling is now serving life for Weaver's murder and two other rapes, while his employer, Burdines, settled with Weaver's family for $9 million, in part because it never did a background check that would have revealed Hefling's priors.

And they're not alone.

"Your loved ones are at absolute total risk," said Orlando attorney John Overchuck, who negotiated the settlement with Burdines for the Weaver family. He said candidates for background checks include "anybody that comes to your house, works in your house, watches your children."

Had Rose Conners checked out lawn worker Ken Lott, she would have learned he was a convicted armed robber and, perhaps, not hired him.

Lott's now on death row for Conner's murder.

Charles Rahn, owner of A Very Private Eye, says about 25 percent of the "dates, mates and nannies" he checks out have something negative in their past.

"There's a lot of criminals out there, ex-cons and scam artists out there in the market place," said Rahn, "to prey upon you, to use you, to rob your house, to steal. There are sexual predators out there to assault your children."

So how can you try to check the backgrounds of people you may begin associating with?

For around $150 Rahn and other private investigators can do a thorough, professional multi-state search.

But, to do it yourself in Florida, you can pay $23 and see if someone has been arrested in the state. For more information, Click here.

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Also, to see if someone is a sexual offender or predator, search this site: Click here.

To see if someone is currently under the supervision of state parole and probation offices, click www.dc.state.fl.us

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Finally, to see if someone has been accused of owing money or has been sued for negligence ... try your county's clerk of court website or office.