Background Check
DATA RETRIEVAL
Infocus prides itself on its ability to offer the most accurate, current data retrieval services available. For some, a simple data retrieval service is all that is required to obtain an acceptable background profile on an individual. For others, a more detailed background service may be necessary, as well as other methods such as “feet on the street”. Infocus not only provides whichever service is required, but it can also determine the extent of background services necessary in order to conclude the background investigation.
INSTANT ADDRESS HISTORY/ SOCIAL SECURITY TRACE
This data retrieval service is the foundation of any background check report. Results from an instant background check provide the basis for ordering other critical searches. For example, after an initial background search is conducted, the need may arise for a county or statewide criminal records search to be conducted of all areas that the subject or applicant resided during the previous seven years. This type of search is highly recommended as part of an effective employee background check.
CREDIT REPORTS
Credit reports used for employment background check purposes are not equivalent to a standard consumer credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) specifies that certain account information must be stripped from the employee background check credit report before it can be used for employment purposes. All Infocus reports, including the credit report, are FCRA compliant. Please note that credit reports are highly regulated and may require additional approval, as well as an inspection of the requestor’s premises, in order to comply with FCRA regulations.
EDUCATION VERIFICATION
Confirmation of an applicant’s highest level of education is highly recommended for a pre-employment screening. A specially trained Infocus interviewer will verify the dates of attendance, major areas of study, degrees earned, and transcript information that was provided by the applicant. Some institutions may require a release form to be faxed prior to providing information for an employee background check.
EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION
This pre-employment screening tool is used to confirm the information that was provided by the applicant regarding prior employment. Information verified or obtained in this employee background check includes, but is not limited to, specifics related to the identified company, contact information, the candidate’s date of hire and termination date, title upon departure, and eligibility for re-hire. Information related to the applicant’s job performance, character, or skill sets are usually paired with a reference check verification.
REFERENCE CHECKS
The Infocus reference check verification is based on a ten-question interview and a free-form comments opportunity. In addition to seven standard questions, there are three custom client questions that the user can enter when placing a background check order. This feature allows Infocus to cover basic employment and performance inquiries, as well as industry- or task-specific questions from the prospective employer. An additional benefit to the client, Infocus researchers are always available. Unlike busy employers, Infocus interviewers do not get pulled into meetings, conferences, seminars, or the like. If the individual is not reached directly, and a return call is requested, an experienced researcher will always be available to take the returned call. All Infocus interviewers are trained in background check interviews and possess a strong ability to secure accurate, useful information from past employers and references.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE VERIFICATIONS
The confirmation of an applicant’s credentials is paramount for employers in professions that require licenses or certifications. In these investigations, the appropriate licensing authority is contacted, based on the client’s input, in order to verify the applicant’s current standing, as well as to ascertain any other critical information that may be relevant to the pre-employment screening.
DRIVING RECORD HISTORY
Any business that has an individual drive on its behalf, when conducting business, should include a driving history search in their pre-employment screening program. This search can include critical employee background check information and it is frequently utilized as part of an ongoing safety program. The content of each state’s driver history report varies, but will generally contain the driver’s license issue date, expiration date, current status, as well as a record of violations, suspensions, or revocations. Depending on the state, the investigator will have the ability to retrieve data from the previous three to ten years. Most fraud investigations will also require a driving record history in order to identify associated vehicles and to determine if a subject has had previous accidents which may have led to an injury.
COUNTY CRIMINAL RECORDS SEARCH
The county criminal record search is an extremely effective means of determining if an applicant has a criminal record. The success rate of these searches can be attributed to law enforcement officials, who are required to report charges resulting from arrests on felony and misdemeanor offenses, among others, at the county court level. The county criminal record search is conducted in counties where it is most probable that the applicant has information filed, such as the current or former county of residency.
STATEWIDE CRIMINAL HISTORY
This criminal record check is most often used to obtain information from the few states that do not offer instant criminal record searches. Statewide criminal background checks are a popular item and are recommended as a supplement to the county criminal record search. The information kept by individual states varies widely and clients will be able to view all criminal record data as it is uncovered, as well as a description of what each state maintains in its records.
FEDERAL CRIMINAL RECORDS SEARCH
Violations of Federal law are recorded in US Federal District Courts. The number of districts in each state varies, but each state has at least one. While there are fewer violations of Federal laws, they generally involve very serious offenses such as embezzlement, robbery, drug trafficking, and kidnapping. Records can be searched by name only. It is important to note that criminal background checks may uncover records which will require further research in order to confirm the identity of the party involved. Infocus recommends this type of search for all corporate investigations.
NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY
Criminal background checks can offer records pertaining to sex offenders. Currently, only forty-two states participate in the National Sex Offenders Registry. Of these, thirty-eight states include photographs of the sex offenders. Investigators can search each state individually or conduct a comprehensive search of all states. This criminal background check produces instant results and can be a critical component in a pre-employment screening or an ongoing background check program.
COUNTY CIVIL RECORDS SEARCH
County court civil records reveal legal actions filed by individuals and businesses against other individuals and businesses. These records may reveal information pertaining to the plaintiff and defendant, as well as particulars of the action, remedies, and awards. Records are available for up to seven years prior. This search benefits the client as it helps to identify high-risk candidates that may become a liability.
FEDERAL CIVIL SEARCH
County court civil records reveal legal actions filed by individuals and businesses against other individuals and businesses. These records may reveal information pertaining to the plaintiff and defendant, as well as particulars of the action, remedies, and awards. Records are available for up to seven years prior. This search benefits the client as it helps to identify high-risk candidates that may become a liability
BANKRUPTCIES
Bankruptcy background checks are conducted at Federal District Courts. Any records found in a courthouse are specific only to the district in which it is located. Background check information obtained in these records can include the type of bankruptcy filing, such as Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 filings, the date of filing, the remedies, or the roster of petitioners, among other information. These searches are beneficial in determining an individual’s ability and willingness to follow through with obligations and responsibilities, as indicated by the individual’s financial profile.
WORKERS COMPENSATION
The workers compensation history component of a background check can provide the injury description, injury date, filing date, weekly compensation rate, and compensation dates in a worker’s compensation claim. The availability of this background check feature varies by state and can take anywhere from two to ten business days. Signed releases authorizing a background check may need to be faxed directly to the record holder and some states have specific forms that must be utilized in doing so. All employers should check to be sure this pre-employment screening tool is used in compliance with the ADA and FCRA. When a claim is suspicious, this background check is highly recommended to ascertain the history of the subject’s claims and the likelihood that fraud is being committed.
Sample of common requested reports with associated fees
ASSET REPORT ($35.00)
Included in this report: Summary Report, Property Deeds & Assessments,
Vehicle Registrations, Watercraft, FAA Pilots, FAA Aircraft and UCC Filings.
COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ($125.00)
Included in this report: Summary Report, Bankruptcy, Liens/Judgments, UCC
Filings, People at Work, Phones , Driver’s Licenses, Vehicle Registrations,
Property, Watercraft, FAA Pilots, FAA Aircraft, Professional Licenses,
Voter Registration, Hunting/Fishing Permits, Concealed Weapons
Permits, Associates, Relatives, Neighbors, Criminal Records and
Sexual Offenders.
FINDER REPORT ($50.00)
Included in this report: Address Summary, Others using SSN, Date/Location
where SSN issued, Phone Summary, Current Listed Phones, Unverified Phones
with Type and Date Indicators, Current Neighbor Phones, Possible Relative
Phones (2 Degrees), Possible Associate Phones, Phones at Historical Addresses,
Bankruptcy Filings and Corporate Affiliations.
SUMMARY REPORT ($25.00)
Included in this report: Address Summary, Others using SSN, Date/Location
where SSN Issued, Census Data, Bankruptcy Indicator, Property Indicator and
Corporate Affiliations Indicator.
Additional Data Retrieval Services
Assets
§ Aircraft
§ License Plate or V.I.N.
§ Real Property
§ Vehicle / Vessel
§ Watercraft
Legal
§ Civil & Criminal History
§ Federal Civil & Criminal History
§ Marriage / Divorce
§ Bankruptcy-Liens-Judgments-UCC
§ Sex Offender
§ Terrorist Multi-National Search
Communications
§ Unlisted phone number search
§ Pager number reverse search
§ Voice mail reverse search
§ Disconnected number (cell & landline)
§ Toll free number search
§ Cell number search
§ Residential & Business
Business
§ Business License
§ Corporate & Limited Partnership Filling
§ Credential Verification
§ Fictitious Business Name Search
§ Professional Licenses
Personal / Other
§ Driving Record / History
§ Education Verification
§ Employment Verification
§ Registered Fire Arms
§ Media Searches
§ National Death Locator
§ Utility
§ Social Security Number
§ Citizenship
§ Associations & Affiliations
CALL 315.573.9118 TODAY FOR A CUSTOMIZED REPORT OR QUOTE!
Infocus background investigation agents adhere to the company’s strict operating protocol when obtaining an individual’s personal information. A detailed subject profile can be created through a variety of means, including detailed questioning, analysis of interviews, document verifications including date of birth, education, citizenship, drivers license, as well as actual identity. In the event further probes are needed, relations and references, neighbors, landlords, employers (present, past, previous), supervisors, and co-workers can be contacted and questioned.