FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:
Why should I implement background screening?
A:
For each unscreened new hire, employers incur an average of $3,100 in preventable risk due to turnover, theft and catastrophic events (violence, harassment, etc). Implementation of an effective screening program reduces this risk by over 90%. (Source: HRMReport.com, 2010)
Q:
What is negligent hiring?
A:
Negligent hiring is a claim made by an injured party against an employer based on the theory that the employer knew or should have known, about the employee's background, which if known, indicates a dangerous or untrustworthy character. Negligent hiring is based on the principal that employers have an obligation to protect their employees and clients from injury caused by their employees. Employers have an obligation to protect their employees and third parties from the "foreseeable" acts of an employee.
Q:
What is my risk in a negligent hire case?
A:
While judgments vary widely, the average is 1.6M. Companies lose 70% of all cases when they have no screening program. A robust screening program greatly reduces this risk.
Q:
Why do screening costs vary across vendors?
A:
Employers are often confused by "apples and oranges" comparisons on pricing. Variances are founded in three major elements:
- Depth: The accuracy and completeness of each screen is contingent upon the number and quality of the sources used. Some screening methodologies use only online, proprietary databases, which are very fast, very inexpensive and remarkably incomplete. It does cost more to use a blend of sources, with the result being more comprehensive and better employer protection.
- Breadth: Each new hire introduces a battery of risk, if not properly screened. But, not all hires require all screens. The cost of an effective screening program varies, based on the screening criteria: county/state/ federal/international criminal, county/state/ federal civil, sex offense registry, social security number trace, employment history, educational history, professional license verifications, reference verifications, credit history, driving record, worker's compensation records, drug and alcohol testing, employability, OFAC, and legislated exclusions (e.g. OIG).
- Quality: Effective screening is NOT a mere clerical task. It requires expertise to uncover irregularities missed by the untrained eye. It also demands experience and proficiency in researching on-site court records.
Q:
What services do I need?
A:
Your screening criteria determine the effectiveness of your program. To optimize the value of your screening dollars, InfoTrack will partner with you to design a program that fits your company's profile and risk tolerance. We offer a free risk assessment analysis to assist you in selecting the most beneficial and cost effective services.
Q:
What is a consumer report?
A:
Any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living which is used or expected to be used or collected in whole or in part for the purpose of serving as a factor in establishing the consumer's eligibility for employment purposes.
Q:
How do I request searches?
A:
Searches can be ordered via fax, email or online.
Q:
Should I order searches for maiden / AKA names?
A:
Criminal searches should definitely be requested for maiden / AKA names. Most courts throughout the U.S. index cases by name only. This means cases are found by entering the person's name. Once the name is entered, each case must be looked at individually to find confirming identifiers such as date of birth, address, social security number etc. Typically, searches cannot be conducted by entering a social security number.
Q:
How will my searches be returned?
A:
Completed reports can be returned via fax. email or online. You have the option of having completed results sent to multiple people. In addition, if you order several searches for the same individual, you have the choice of holding the report until all individual searches are complete or having each individual search returned as they are completed.
Q:
How long will completed reports be stored in your system?
A:
All of your completed reports will be stored indefinitely. With our system you will never have to worry about losing an employee's completed background check again.
Q:
What does it cost to sign-up?
A:
InfoTrack does not charge any registration fees, set-up fees or monthly minimums. You pay only for the services and reports you request.
Q:
Is InfoTrack FCRA compliant?
A:
Yes. It's not just a good idea, it's the law!
