FCRA Notice

FCRA Notice to Users

All businesses that use Global Screening Solution’s information about individuals for “employment” purposes are required to follow all FCRA guidelines. You can find the full FCRA text at this link:

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore/

Summary of Requirements

Before the background check occurs

You are required to give the applicant a disclosure form that lets the individual know that you will be running a background check on him or her. Next, the applicant must sign an authorization form which gives you permission to run a background check on the person. You cannot run a background check without having permission from the applicant.

The authorization form and the disclosure form can be on separate documents or they can both be combined into one document. If you decide to put them both on one document, the document should not contain any information that does not pertain to authorization or disclosure.

Once the forms are signed by the applicant, the background checking company will be able to run background checks for the person on behalf of your company while being in full compliance with FCRA.

Information obtained during interviews

If you are going to check information obtained during interviews such as reference checks, your company is required to disclose to the candidate that you will be obtaining an investigative consumer report. You must also let the person know that this report will contain information about general reputation, character, mode of living, and/or general characteristics.

Additionally, you are required to inform the candidate that he or she is allowed to request a description of the scope and nature of the investigation. This description must be provided within five days if the subject requests it.

Before the decision is made

To be in compliance with FCRA, you are required to provide a “pre-adverse-action notice” before you make a decision which is based partially or fully on the background report. A copy of the report, as well as a summary of the CFPB rights must be included in this pre-adverse-action notice. You must wait at least five business days after the notice has been sent to the individual to make a final decision. The decision can only be officially made if the subject of the report has not disputed the decision. If a dispute has been filed, then the decision can only be made after the dispute is resolved.

The Decision

If your company decides not to hire an individual based on information obtained in one of Global Screening Solution’s background checks, then you must do the following:

  • Inform the person of the decision
  • Provide the person with Global Screening Solutions’ company name, telephone number, and address
  • Inform the person that Global Screening Solutions did not make the final decision
  • Inform the person that they have the right to dispute information in the report with Global Screening Solutions
  • Inform the person that they can get a free copy of the report within a 62-day window

Certain states such as California have their own rules regarding your use of Global Screening Solutions’ services. You can contact us to get specific information for your state.

Forms and Documents

You can find authorization forms, disclosure forms, and any other forms that you will need on the Global Screening Solutions site. If you need any assistance regarding complying with FCRA requirements, Global Screening Solutions is here to help.

Global Screening Solutions can answer any questions that you may have about the process and walk you through each step, if necessary.