Accurate Background, Inc

General Information

• Why should a firm outsource this service?

  Background screening is a time consuming and detailed task that requires highly specialized knowledge and resources. It is also subject to numerous legal regulations. Many firms have found it is an inefficient use of their time and resources to attempt to perform a service a specialist can do efficiently and cost-effectively. Even firms with fully staffed Human Resources or Security departments have found that outsourcing this service is more efficient and allows them to focus on tasks that can only be performed inside the company.
  

• Why does an organization conduct a background check?

  Employers check potential and current workers for several reasons. The things an employer wants to know about you can vary with the kinds of jobs you might seek. Here are a few of the reasons for employment screening.

  • Federal and state laws require that background checks be conducted for certain jobs. For example, most states require criminal background checks for anyone who works with children, the elderly, or disabled. The federal National Child Protection Act authorizes state officials to access the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database for some positions.
  • Loss Prevention professionals utilize background checks to reduce unnecessary losses from employee theft or wrongdoing. Employee theft is on the rise in today’s struggling economy. According to a 2008 study from the Institute for Corporate Productivity, employee-related monetary theft has increased during the economic downturn by 18%.
  • Negligent hiring lawsuits are on the rise. If an employee's actions hurt someone, the employer may be liable. The threat of liability gives employers reason to be cautious in checking an applicant's past. A bad decision can wreak havoc on a company's budget and reputation as well as ruin the career of the hiring official. Employers no longer feel secure in relying on their instinct as a basis to hire.
  • Child abuse and child abductions in the news in recent years have resulted in new laws in almost every state that require criminal background checks for anyone who works with children. The move to protect children through criminal background checks includes employees and, in some areas, volunteers who serve as coaches for youth sports activities, scout troop leaders, and contract workers who may have access to children while working on the company premises.
  • False or inflated information supplied by job applicants is frequently in the news. Some estimates are that 30% to 40% of all job applications and resumes include some false or inflated facts. Such reports make employers wary of accepting anyone's word at face value.
    

  
  

• What's involved in setting up a screening program?

  Accurate Background takes all the necessary steps to ensure that setting up a screening program with us is quick and efficient. Your Sales Representative, Account Manager and the Accurate Background Implementation Team are there to walk you through the entire account set up process.
  
  Also, we recommend that you consult with your legal counsel about creating a background screening policy outlining your organization’s specific hiring guidelines and requirements.
  
  

• Do I have to order a certain amount of background checks to keep my account active?

  There is no minimum order requirement to keep your account active. You simply use your account as often as you need to.
  

• What extra steps are made to assure the quality of the results?

  Accurate Background takes the quality and accuracy of our information very seriously. We are one of a few elite background screening companies who are ISO 9001:2008 Certified. Our certification is possible due to our stringent, documented quality control policies and procedures. Background screening results are verified for accuracy and our expansive network of researchers is routinely audited to ensure accurate information is provided at all times.
  
  

• How long does it take to perform a background check?

  The turnaround time varies based on what is actually being conducted as part of your package. A basic criminal search is typically returned within 1 to 2 business days while a more comprehensive package may average 3 to 4 business days, The turnaround time may also vary depending on the counties being searched. Holidays and weekends do not count towards processing time.
  

• How long does it take to perform an international background check?

  International education and employment verifications average 5 business days. International criminal checks vary depending on the countries where the search is being conducted.
  

• What are the reasons a background check might be delayed?

  We make every effort to avoid unnecessary delays in completing your background check requests. There are certain situations where information is delayed for reasons beyond our control, such as:

  • Natural disasters resulting in court closures and/or power outages, or
  • Unexpected court clerk delays in pulling a file

  
  In those instances where a delay is unavoidable, you will receive an update indicating the reason for the delay and when the final result is expected.
  
  At any point, you can check the status of an order. If any item is incomplete, you can check the reason for the delay by accessing your online account. Some of the reasons for a delay include:

  • Other Information Needed (i.e. Release Needed, Verification of SSN, etc.)
  • Holidays
  • Weekends
  • Court Closures due to severe weather conditions, holidays, etc.
    

• My candidate believes their background check report has incorrect information on it. Who can they contact to dispute the information?

  Please have your candidate contact the Accurate Background Consumer Dispute department at 800.784.3911 x311 in order to initiate a dispute. Accurate Background complies with all state and federal statutes regarding reporting and re-investigation of disputed information.
  

• What does “Other Information Needed” mean?

  “Other Information Needed” indicates that additional information is needed in order to continue with the background search.
  
  An email notification will be sent to the requestor when additional information is needed. The email comes from customer_service@accuratebackground.com, and contains directions on what is needed and where the information needs to be sent to be processed.
  
  The most common items requested for “Other Information Needed” include, but are not limited to;

  • “Release Needed” – This is typically needed for Employment and/or Education Verifications. The signed release (Background Disclosure & Authorization form) should be kept with your employee files. The FCRA requires a signed Background Disclosure and Authorization Form be kept on file for all background searches initiated on candidates regardless of the final hiring decision.
  • “Motor Vehicle Release Needed” – Occasionally, a state-specific release form is needed in order to complete a Motor Vehicle Record search.
  • “Social Security Number does not match name and/or No address history provided” – We require verification of the Social Security Number entered and/or most recent address to continue with the background screening process.
  • “Additional Information Needed for Education/Employment verification” – While conducting Education and Employment verifications we may need additional information in order to proceed with the verification. (i.e. phone number provided is not in service, the company is out of business, etc.)
    

  
  

• Who receives these “Other Information Needed” emails?

  Based on your account configuration, the “Other Information Needed” email may be distributed to your organization (the Requestor) or the job candidate. It is helpful if the other information needed is supplied quickly as this can delay the turnaround time for the completed background screening results.
  
  

• How long does the Requestor or Candidate have to answer the request for additional information before the search is closed out?

  Accurate Background will close out the search 72 hours after the “Other Information Needed” email notification is sent.
  
  

• Where does the Candidate/Requester send the additional information?

  Please send the information to Accurate Background’s Client Services department at customer_service@accuratebackground.com or call us at 800.216.8024.