NEW SYSTEM FEATURE! - QUICKVIEW

We are excited to announce a new system feature which will streamline your background screening process. As you know, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, applicants are authorized to receive a copy of any background screening report that is obtained on them. We have made the process of complying with this requirement as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!

1. On the main Report Results screen, you will see a drop down titled "Disclosures and Forms," choose Consumer Copy and then click Email Letter.

2. Enter applicant's email address.

3. An email is sent to the applicant with a secure link using our new QuickView feature. The applicant will need to provide identifying information in order to view the report.

This new feature saves you time and money by cutting down printing and postage expenses and limiting your responsibility of handling the applicant's confidential information. It also creates an audit log to track compliance. All activity (when the email is sent, when it is viewed by the applicant, etc.) is logged in Report Notes. This feature is optimized for use on all tablets, desktops and modern browsers.

If you have any questions about this new feature or any of our services, please do not hesitate to contact us. We're here to help.

10 Fun Facts about Fingerprints

Fun Fact 1: Ridges

Fingerprints are defined as the impressions made by the ridges on the ends of our fingers. Those ridges provide humans with the friction and traction to grasp objects without having them slip between their fingers. It is also believed by many scientists that those ridges enhance our sense of touch.

Fun Fact 2: Patterns and Classification

Scientists have known about fingerprints since the 19th century. As early as 1892, English scientist Sir Francis Galton wrote a book about using fingerprints to solve crimes. It was not until 1896, however, that Sir Edward Richard Henry would develop a way to classify fingerprints based upon their general ridge patterns: loops, whorls and arches.

Fun Fact 3: Uniqueness

Fingerprints are unique to each individual. That means that no one else in the world has the exact same set of fingerprints. No two fingerprints have ever been found identical in many billions of human and automated computer comparisons.

Fun Fact 4: Formation

The human fetus will begin to acquire fingerprints three months into gestation. They form from pressure on a baby's tiny, developing fingers in the womb. It is the slight difference in the womb environment that causes identical twins to be born with similar, but not identical, fingerprints. Fingerprints will never change from the time of birth until death. Their uniqueness and lasting quality make fingerprints one of the best ways to identify a person.

Fun Fact 5: Residue

Natural oils in the skin that are produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands combined with the salts produced from our sweat glands form a residue which is left on objects forming a latent fingerprint.

Fun Fact 6: Dactyloscopy

Although it has been modified slightly over time, the system of fingerprint identification, called Dactyloscopy, is still used by law enforcement agencies all over the world. The name is of Greek origin, stemming from the Greek work 'daktylos' meaning “finger” and 'skopein' meaning “to examine.”

Fun Fact 7: Fingerprints First Used As Identification

Fingerprints weren't used as a method for identifying criminals until the 19th century. In 1858, an Englishman named Sir William Herschel was working as the Chief Magistrate in Jungipoor, India. In order to reduce fraud, he had the residents record their fingerprints when signing business documents.

Fun Fact 8: First Fingerprint Used In A Criminal Case

In 1892, Juan Vucetich, a police officer in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was called in to assist with the investigation of two boys murdered in a small village near Buenos Aires. Suspicion had fallen initially on a man named Velasquez, a love interest of the boys' mother, Francisca Rojas. But when Vucetich compared fingerprints found at the murder scene to those of both Velasquez and Rojas, they matched Rojas' exactly. She confessed to the crime. This was the first time fingerprints had been used in a criminal investigation.

Fun Fact 9: J. Edgar Hoover

John Edgar Hoover was the director of the FBI for almost 48 years, and from 1924 until the time of his death in 1972, he was responsible for establishing one of the best forensic laboratories in the world, as well as a national fingerprint registry. The FBI’s fingerprint database is the largest in the world.

Fun Fact 10: Animal Kingdom

Humans are not the only ones with fingerprints! Some primates, including gorillas and chimpanzees, and koala bears have their own unique prints.

Gorillas have hands that are quite similar to human hands. They have five fingers (including an opposable thumb), and five toes (including an opposable big toe). Gorillas can grasp things with both their hands and their feet. They are capable of grasping these objects because they have ridges on their feet and hands that help them grip things. These ridges are formed in unique patterns and cause gorillas to have fingerprints of their own.

The koala has fingerprints that are so similar to the human fingerprint that it is almost impossible to tell them apart because of the pattern, shape and size of the ridges. Under the microscope, the ridges look exactly the same. The width of the ridge, the shape, general size and pattern is the same. The main difference is that the entire human palm and fingers are covered with ridges while the koala only has ridges on its fingertips and some parts of the palm.

Common Myths and Misconceptions with Conducting a Background Screen

Conducting a background screen can sometimes be a quite formidable and intimidating process. There are many myths and misconceptions that surround the background screening process. However, employers and job seekers can relax and rest assured that the many misconceptions and myths are just that. Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions of a background screen.

Myth #1: All background screening companies provide the same information, so the cheapest cost is the best

It is very common to think that every background screening company is the same and that the one that costs the least is the best. This is false there is multiple different databases that populate criminal information and instant background checks are non-existent. FCRA has guidelines in place that all consumer reporting agencies must follow, meaning that every company should be up to the same standard but not every company follows these guidelines. If something seems too good to be true then it most likely is. Choosing a background screen company just because of its price can put employers at risk for overall inaccurate and faulty results, bad hires and even the possibility of legal action meaning a lawsuit!

Myth #2: Every background check is the same

A background check can include a multitude of different things such as criminal checks, credit scores, credential checks and previous employment verification. Most background screens will be determined by the type of job they are required for. Choose a background screening company that meets your specific and individualized staffing needs. Choosing a background screening company that can meet your needs and screen for the factors that are important to your particular company and the job description can insure that you’re a hiring the most elite candidates while reducing costly turnovers.

Myth #3. Applicants can’t dispute findings

Every so often especially with more common names such as “John Smith”, records will show up and be reported for the wrong person. Legally, candidates are allowed to obtain a copy of their report and are also able to dispute any of the findings. Findings includes all verifications that are provided by the background screening company such as criminal, MVR, education and employment.

Myth #4. All the information you need is online

This is false because many of the searches that are done online are through databases that can be out of date of incomplete. There are many factors that can make a background search online be inadequate such as maiden names of date of birth. A reliable background screen is always verified professionally.

Myth #5. Only large companies need to screen candidates

Whether it is a large or small company all can be benefited from background screening potential employees. Background screening is built to help an employer make a more informed and skilled hire. It is much better to invest initially with a small fee for a background screen then it is to pay later on down the road potentially risking thousands of dollars worth of damages and months of invaluable time.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEARCHING ALIASES IN BACKGROUND SCREENING PROCESS

A key element in a background screening process is searching alias names. Alias names can include maiden names, previous names or names your applicant may otherwise be known as. It is important to bear in mind that nearly every US court files records by the name the person was using at the time of conviction. Therefore, failing to search maiden or alias names creates a major gap in surfacing criminal record information. Although the additional search may cost you a little more up front, it will help ensure that you are not placing criminals in your home, property or business and can potentially save you a lot of money and grief in the end.

A name change isn’t necessary grounds to believe that criminal behavior is lurking, but someone who frequently uses more than one name, or has changed their name legally may be someone with a past they are trying to hide. Aliases are commonly used by criminals to enable them to continue their scams, or to hide information about themselves.

We, at MacData Background Screening, pride ourselves on providing our clients with the most complete reports possible. Therefore, we will now notify you if an additional alias name appears on the Person Search and ask for approval to search that name in our InstaCriminal National/Sexual Offender database. We have also reduced the cost for each additional name search to $6.00 to make this more affordable for our clients. 

If you have any questions or would like more detailed information about these changes, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.

Three Common Mistakes Made When Conducting Background Checks

The importance of pre-employment screening cannot be overstated. To ensure the candidates you hire for your organization don’t bring baggage you can’t deal with, be sure to complete a thorough background check and avoid these three costly mistakes.

Having No Regular Background Screening Policy in Place

The implementation of a comprehensive background check process is an important step in reducing the potential risk of a poor hiring decision. The only way to ensure uniform background checks is by having a standard written policy and procedures. Doing so helps to create a safe and secure work environment and ensures that your employees are qualified to perform the jobs for which they are hired. 

Neglecting to Verify Education and Work References 

Experts estimate that 20% to over 50% of job applicants lie to embellish their credentials. Employers need to screen employment applications to discern lying, exaggeration, and enlargement of experience, education, and credentials. Fake degrees are on the rise; even bogus job references are prevalent in today’s job market.

Overlooking Temporary and Volunteer Workers 

For the past 5 years, the staffing industry added an average of 1,000 to 2,000 jobs per day. Approximately 53% of those who remained in the workforce move on to permanent positions. Temporary and contracted workers make up 10-30 percent of the average work force in U.S. companies. Background screening is less costly in comparison to the amount that it will cost you if a contractor or temporary employee harms a fellow employee, client, or defrauds your company.  The cost to replace an unsuitable hire averages more than $7,000.

Don’t make the same mistakes when you conduct background checks. Let us help you get it right. If you need assistance with fast, accurate, comprehensive background checks, investigative screening and verification services, contact us. 

FTC Warns Data Brokers That Provide Tenant Rental Histories They May Be Subject to Fair Credit Reporting Ac

The Federal Trade Commission has warned the operators of six websites that share information about consumers’ rental histories with landlords that they may be subject to the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

The letters inform the recipients that if they meet certain criteria, namely collecting information on tenants and their rental history and providing that information to landlords so they can make judgments about renting to those tenants, they are considered credit reporting agencies and are subject to certain legal requirements.

Among the requirements cited in the letter are the companies’ obligation to protect the privacy of tenants whose information they collect, including ensuring that those requesting information about tenants have a legitimate reason to acquire it. The letter reminds the companies of their obligation to ensure that the information they provide is accurate, to give consumers a copy of the information about them on request, and to allow consumers to dispute information they believe is inaccurate. The letters also note that the companies must notify landlords of their requirements if they use the data to deny housing to a tenant, and to notify the sources of their information of the requirement that they provide accurate information.

The letters state that the FTC has made no determination whether the companies have violated the law but encourages them to review their business practices to ensure that they comply with the FCRA.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. 

Read the full article here.

Choosing an FCRA Compliant Background Screening Company

Background screenings are among the most decisive factors in the hiring process. There are several key guidelines employers must follow when establishing a background screening process. It is crucial for businesses to understand the legal requirements they must adhere to when screening any applicant. First and foremost, employers must obtain background reports from an FCRA compliant entity. The FCRA, or Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates the collection and usage of consumer information.

The Difference Between A Public Records Provider And A Consumer Reporting Agency 

Public records websites provide information that is collected from a variety of sources, such as magazine subscription cards and voter registration forms. Although they can provide valuable information, these sites are not legally obligated to ensure that they have current or accurate data. These sites all post disclaimers stating that they provide information for reference purposes only. They cannot verify that the data is correct. Information provided by these sites may not legally be used to make hiring decisions.

Consumer reporting agencies are legally bound to provide current and accurate information. They provide authoritative and verified data about an individual’s work history, criminal records, drug testing and other relevant details. This information may be used to make hiring decisions.

Guidelines For Pre-Employment Background Screening

Aside from being notified about a screening, applicants must also be told how they can get a copy of their own background report. If a company refuses to hire an individual based on the results of a background check, then they must follow specific guidelines. First the applicant must receive a copy of their consumer report and a FTC document called "A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act."

All of these steps are managed by consumer reporting agencies. Companies that choose not to utilize an FCRA compliant business may be subjected to a lawsuit.

Before you screen an applicant, make sure you’re dealing with an FCRA compliant consumer reporting agency. Otherwise you may be subjected to lawsuits based on regulations that were created to protect the privacy of individuals and ensure that applicants are not denied employment due to inaccurate or outdated information.