RELIABLE BACKGROUND SCREENING NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 2017

The first process to implement is a policy to confirm from government ID (usually a driver’s license), the legal name and date of birth of the individual being background checked. So many companies fail to institute this crucial initial step. If exact legal name and date of birth are not verified and used in the background screening process, the results of the criminal background check can be compromised.

This is because most criminal records do not have a social security number attached to them, so most criminal records are returned by matching the exact first and last legal name, and the date of birth of the individual being searched. Thus, checking government ID is critical in order to obtain valid (versus invalid) criminal records search results.

Another important item to review is the form and the process of obtaining a signed valid authorization from the individual being background checked. Employee screening has the most stringent disclosure requirements both in terms of the initial authorization form, and in the FCRA-mandated Adverse Action Notices (FCRA – Fair Credit Reporting Act, the federal law that governs background checks). However, proper disclosures and authorizations are also required for tenant screening, franchisee screening, membership screening, and other types of background checks.

If you need advice and expertise, contact a reliable background screening company that is also a consumer reporting agency. You should avoid “background screening companies” that specifically disavow being a consumer reporting agency, as these companies are therefore admitting that they do not comply with the FCRA; they also typically sell outdated, non-verified information.

This complimentary review will help keep your organization in compliance with the FCRA, and also safeguard consumers who are being background checked to ensure their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are maintained, should the consumer need to dispute their background screening report.

Rudy Troisi, President
Reliable Background Screening

We know that management companies screen applicants for housing. However, all employers should also make the effort to properly screen their staff and managers.

Last year, William Raymond Stanley Jr., manager of an apartment complex in California, was arrested for identity theft. He used personal information from residents to open credit card and other fraudulent accounts. There was also a possibility that he used credit information from individuals who submitted applications for tenancy, but had not moved in yet.

To make matters worse, after further investigation, it was found that he was not employed under his legal name, William Raymond Stanley Jr. He was instead hired under the fraudulent name, Erik Hamilton. Neither the management company nor the residents knew his real identity.

What a scam! Thankfully, he was caught and arrested shortly after being hired – before more people were affected. A thorough background check by a quality background screening company could have prevented this from happening and exposed the real identity of this property manager. Protect your employees and customers from scams like this – Reliable is here to help.

Reliable Background Screening is widely viewed as the experts in the intricacies of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other background screening regulations. We take the time to explain those to our clients, in a simplified and practical manner, without charging extra for our expert advice. In a heavily-regulated area such as background screening, you want to partner with those who operate with the highest regard to the laws and regulations.

They SHOULD Have Known! is a monthly column written by Brett Troisi, Vice President, of Reliable Background Screening. Like everyone else at Reliable, Brett’s mission is to inform and educate the public of the importance of thorough background screening to protect your company and your brand.