Spokeo to Pay $800,000 to Settle FTC Charges Company Allegedly Marketed Information to Employers and Recruiters in Violation of FCRA
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/06/spokeo.shtm
Free or cheap online internet searches used in place of proper, lawful employment screening do nothing to reduce the risk of a bad hire, and actually exposes the employer to greater liability. A quick search with any internet search engine results in many “$19.95” instant background check offers. However, if you delve into the small print, every one of these that I have looked into state you cannot use the information they provide for employment purposes. I wonder why?
The short answer is because the search is not Fair Credit and Reporting Act (FCRA) compliant. As an employer, you screen your employees in order to limit your liability for negligent hiring and to offer a safe work environment for your other employees and customers. If you conduct your screening through a company that does not meet the requirements to be a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), does not follow the FCRA, does not follow other federal laws such as the FACT Act, DPPA, GLB Act and others, does not follow various state laws concerning what can be checked or reported or is not licensed to perform this work, where does that leave you?
Safe-Screen is a CRA that follows the FCRA (and other various laws and regulations) and is licensed as a private investigative agency. Contact us and let us show you why we’re the best at Keeping You Safe™.