Last month I posted a blog titled "Recruiting, How to do it Better and Safer"  In it I listed why employers typically engage in a pre-employment screening program and why choosing a licensed private investigator who is a CRA would be beneficial.  The question that begs to be asked is, what to look for when selecting a private investigation agency  or employment agency and what will the final report include?  After all your client expects you to get the right person the first time:

The agency must be consumer reporting agency which means they are Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Drivers Privacy Protection Act (FCRA) and HIPPA compliant.  Just what does that mean?  The agency must provide the applicant with FCRA Authorization for the Release for the Procurement of a Com sumer and/or Investigative Consumer  Release forms, provide Authorization of Protected Health Information release from, FCRA Consumer Summary, and Drivers Privacy Protection Information Release forms ( this is very important if you are hiring a person who will be operating company vehicles.  In addition:

• The agency must supply you with Client/User Certification pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681 b (b) and Notice of Adverse Action if the decision is made NOT to hire this applicant.
• The agency MUST have a program in place to secure and destroy sensitive material.
• They do pre-employment background checks on their employees.
• Be willing to customize the screening to meet the demands of the job being applied for.  This means you get ONLY the information you need.
• Has access to FCRA and DPPA compliant databases for all on line searches.  Only information from these sites should be used to base a hiring decision.  
• Response time meets your needs.
• Has the knowledge and resources to conduct manual searches such as review court records, verify information, contact past/ current employers,  or references.
•  Certifies that all work product meets federal and state requirements.
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Once you have such an agency on board the rest is easy, just submit the application and review the results.  If you have any questions, we are always available.