Frequently Asked Questions About DataCheck

Are there any advantages in selecting your company?
Absolutely! DataCheck has been in continuous operation since 1996, long before pre-screening your job applicants was a must. Our management team has over twenty years of combined experience in applicant screening and all the right tools to streamline background screening into your hiring process.

What sets you apart from your competitors? Why should we choose you?
Bottom line: Our commitment to customer service. We don't believe in voice mail or having you leave messages when you need to talk to someone immediately. Let's face it, most background screening companies offer the same searches, what makes the difference is how that client as treated, and at DataCheck, our client's are #1 priority. Whether you are a large or small company we value all our clients and your business!

What is the experience and background of DataCheck?
The company, headquartered in San Clemente, California was founded and has been in continuous operation since October 1996. With over 250 clients nationwide, DataCheck, Inc. has been assisting a wide array of business sectors, such as manufacturing, medical, retail, executive staffing, financial, hospitality and food service, etc. The President and Founder of DataCheck, Inc., Beth Miller, has been involved in investigative services for the last 20 years. Prior to DataCheck, Ms. Miller was the Executive Manager of California Credit Data, Inc., a firm specializing in mortgage credit reporting, which involved the reporting of credit and employment history on individuals applying for mortgage loans. In 1996, Ms. Miller purchased the employment pre-screening division of Orange Coast Investigations, a private investigation firm located in Orange County. Mrs. Miller is active in the company on a daily basis and works "hands on", side-by-side with her staff to assure that DataCheck's clients receive the best service possible.

Is your company a member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners?
Yes, DataCheck is a founding member of this association.

What are your hours of operation?
DataCheck hours of operation are: Monday through Friday  8 AM to 5PM Pacific Time

How do we get set up with DataCheck? Do you offer any training?
Set up is quick and easy and we can have you ordering within minutes. We email all the necessary forms and instructions to get started, including the Consumer Investigative Disclosure, the Background Check Release Form, and the Summary of the Applicant's Rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We schedule a convenient time to train you on how to navigate our website, how to order and retrieve the background check reports, and who to contact should you have questions regarding a background checks.

Do you provide a contact person who will be assigned to handle our account with you?
If requested by the client, DataCheck will provide one key person to handle your account. Our researchers are trained in all phases of pre-employment background screening and in the event your assigned representative not available, another account representative or a member of our management team can assist you.

Can you customize reports?
Yes, DataCheck can customize a report to meet your hiring needs and budget. Additionally, DataCheck offers two report formats for easy reading.

How does an employer send a request for a background check to your company?
DataCheck offers two convenient ways of receiving information from your company:

Ordering via Fax: We set you up with all the forms needed to order the background checks and you may just fax in your requests. Fill out the fax cover sheet, and attach the consumer disclosure form, the release form, and any other necessary documents (such as the employment application) to get the background screening process started.

Ordering via our Website: You may access or website directly and order the background check online thru our secured, easy to navigate website's ordering page.

How do you report status updates to your clients?
By using a user ID and password supplied by DataCheck, you can check up to the minute status of any background check in progress at our website. The status page will include the name of the applicant, the date the background check was ordered, and the status of each search ordered. Completed background checks are posted to our secure website for easy retrieval. You will receive an email notification that your background check is ready to pick up at our website.

What reporting system is utilized by your company?
DataCheck's software, The Flexible Research System (FRS), is provided by Imagination Technologies, a leader in pre-employment screening software. This software allows for the automated processing of many types of searches; additionally, it allows for the automatic receiving of background check requests from our clients via our website, and allows our clients to check daily status of reports in progress, as well as retrieve final reports.

How do you report discrepancies found during a background screen?
Most discrepancies will be reported in the final report, however, in some cases, if the discrepancy is of a major concern, we will contact you immediately.

Do you contact the applicant if you need additional information or to clarify information on an employment application?
Yes, if you provide us with authorization to do so.

What is your turnaround time for each of the services you offer?
Depending upon the searches ordered our turn around time can be as quickly as the same day you place your order. However, some searches (such as criminal searches) can take anywhere from the same day ordered up to four days. Circumstances that may delay information beyond four days: holidays, criminal records being stored offsite, the court's delay in obtaining archived information, etc. Some statewide criminal searches require that we mail in the applicant's release form. Some employers and schools require a fax request, which can add a day or two to the turnaround time.

How do you access the information you report?
Access to information found on your report is obtained in various manners. Information is obtained through direct contact with employers, schools, people, companies, governmental agencies, courts, licensing bureaus, credit bureaus, and direct sources of driving records. DataCheck utilizes a network of nationwide criminal researchers to provide us with criminal records.

Do you notify employers if there is a delay and how long the delay will be?
Yes, you can check the daily status of background checks in progress at our website or call us with any questions regarding a background check in progress. If there are delays, we will post the reason and if available, an estimated time of completion. Additionally, our staff may also contact you via email or phone regarding delays.

Do you utilize the services of subcontractors to fulfill criminal record searches or any other search?
If there is a criminal case found, identify who determines if it's reportable? DataCheck uses a nationwide network of researchers to assist us in fulfilling criminal record searches. Our years in the business has allowed us to weed out researches who don't perform, and build a database of researchers who provide accurate and detailed record information, combined with quick turn-around time and excellent customer service should we have questions. Our requests are sent out to the researchers several times per day, either by facsimile or by electronic means. Results are returned via the same method. Our researchers send us the results "as is" and DataCheck determines if the record is reportable under the state's reporting guidelines and under the Fair Credit Reporting Act before sending the results to the client.

How do you handle a problem escalation in the event of a service issue?
In the event of a service issue, whether as simple as a question regarding a background check or as serious as a power outage, loss of website, or internet service DataCheck will respond to the situation in the most expedient method of resolving the issue. Response may be handled through our management team, and/or thru our technical assistance staff by providing direct contact with our clients to resolve the issue.

Can you provide background checks nationwide?
Yes. DataCheck is a full-service background screening company with clients located throughout the United States. Background checks can be done in all 50 states.

Can you provide international searches?
Yes. DataCheck can provide overseas employment and education verifications and criminal records. In countries where there is a language barrier, we use a network of international background providers to assist us in obtaining the background information needed.

Do you provide a Nationwide Criminal Check?
While the idea of a nationwide criminal check sounds extremely good, the reality is that there is no such thing as a nationwide criminal check. Even the FBI database is not truly nationwide. The FBI database does not contain most misdemeanors. Many records do not make it to the FBI because the records must be sent from the county to the state and from the state to the FBI; frequently there are breakdowns in the process. DataCheck offers the COPS™ Report, a powerful multi-jurisdictional search of state and county criminal record databases that includes data from 36 states (over 76 million records), including the Sex Offender Registries in 29 states.


PRICING

How and when will we be billed?
Your company will be billed at the end of each calendar month. Our terms are net 30. We typically mail our invoices, but if you would like, we can send these invoices in PDF format or in an excel spreadsheet. Fees are typically set for one year from date of first order and would not normally be subject to change during the first year.

We have more than one location. Can you invoice each location separately?
Yes, we can set up each location with separate billing and separate accounts user ID's and passwords for logging into our website.

Do you have setup fees?
No set up fees, no exclusive contracts! DataCheck wants you to use us because you are pleased with our services. You may use us exclusively or in conjunction with other background screening companies.

Do you have monthly fees?
No. You can order as few background checks as you like. No monthly minimum orders are required.

Do you pass along court costs?
Yes. Some courts do not require a fee, some do. For those that do, the court fees vary from county to county, from as little as $3.00 up to $52.00 (Example: A New York statewide criminal court fee is $52.00).

Are there any other additional costs?
Yes. At times, we are required to contact a 900 phone number to verify employment or use an automated degree verification service that schools have elected to outsource for their degree verifications. Fees vary from employer to employer, school to school. Additionally, there are different fees from many states for driving records, varying from $2.00 to $23.00. These additional fees are passed on to the client.

What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept company checks, money orders, and cashier's checks. DataCheck does not accept credit cards.


LEGAL COMPLIANCE/SECURITY/PRIVACY

Describe your understanding of the laws that govern pre-employment screening and your methodology for compliance with those laws.
Besides complying with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, DataCheck also complies with each state's laws regarding background screening. This includes restrictions as to what can and cannot be reported, guidelines for reporting information, and the consumer rights. Each researcher and our management team has been counseled in the laws regarding employment pre-screening. All background check reports are reviewed for compliance with state/federal laws prior to being returned to the client.

Describe what assistance you will give the employer, if any, in legal compliance.
DataCheck can provide you with guidelines as to each state's laws pertaining to background screening. Additionally you may want to seek in-house guidance from your own legal counsel.

Do you mail pre-adverse action (FCRA) letters, and if so, is there a fee?
Yes, if requested by the Client, DataCheck will mail out a copy of the applicant's background check and a copy of their Rights under the FCRA. There is a small additional fee for this service.

Do you mail adverse action (FCRA) letters?
Because this involves declining an offer of employment, DataCheck does not mail out adverse actions letters. However we will provide you with a sample adverse action letter to use.

Do you carry Errors & Omissions Insurance?
DataCheck carries a two million ($2,000,000) Dollar Error and Omissions Insurance Policy. A copy of this policy is available upon request.

Is your website secure?
Yes, our website is secure to the highest standards available.