Listed below are answers to commonly asked questions about our products and services.
Have a question that is not addressed here?
Great! We'd love to hear from you! You can contact us by one of the two following options:
Call Us:
1-800-938-6090
8 AM to 5 PM Central Standard Time: Monday – Friday, excluding major Holidays
Email Us:
clientservices@verifiedcredentials.com
Please Note: Verified Credentials does not provide legal advice. This FAQ page is designed to be helpful in creating a better understanding about the use of our background checks and other services. It IS NOT a substitute for legal advice. It may not cover important issues that affect you and you may wish to consult with a lawyer.
8 AM to 5 PM Central Standard Time: Monday – Friday, excluding major Holidays
There are three options:
- Online via your web-based account
- By fax (data entry fees may apply)
- Automated Electronic Data Integration
There are three options:
- Online via your web-based account
- Email with a PDF attachment
- Automated Electronic Data Integration
The most common way is to log on to your online account, which provides real time status updates, 24/7. You can also call our friendly and knowledgeable customer support staff Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm Central Time.
The cost of background screening can vary based on several factors such as, types of background checks, annual volume, geography, candidate demographics, and so on. Most background reports contain several different types of background checks, such as an Address History, County Criminal Searches, Employment History Verifications, Education History Verifications, and more. We can help you tailor a cost-effective and robust background screening program that meets your unique needs.
Request your FREE consultation and quote today! Contact Us ›
Most background reports are completed within 2 to 3 business days. However, certain background checks may be subject to lengthy delays beyond our control. These delays are often due to policies or processes established by the source of the information (ex. court access, state board, international employer, etc.). You can track real-time status updates online, 24/7.
State criminal “repositories are” often not linked with county-level data. Although Statewide Criminal Searches can be a great supplement to a County Criminal Search, county-level information is more commonly up-to-date and accurate. State “databases” are often periodically updated making them less reliable. To get a complete and accurate picture, we recommend using county-level searches to identify records near places of residence, employment and academic attendance. As a prerequisite to county-level searches, we also recommend a National Criminal Database search to help identify jurisdictions on a broader scale where a person may have a criminal record.
More about National Criminal Database Searches ›
The Federal Criminal Search uncovers case information from one of the 89 Federal District Courts. Searching on the federal level can reveal high-level crimes such as white-collar crimes, fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion and more. This type of search is ideal for:
- Employees with access to secure or financial information
- C-level executives
- CPAs
- Financial and banking staff
- Public sector employees
More about Federal Criminal History Searches ›
The National Criminal Database is a database search that draws from over 505 million records from thousands of jurisdictions, including databases with terrorist and sex offender information. Its purpose is intended to help identify jurisdictions on a broader scale where a person may have a criminal record. This popular search serves as a valuable supplemental search with every background report.
More about National Criminal Database Searches ›
Yes, but the only reliable and accurate way to perform a true national criminal background check would require a county level search in every county throughout all fifty States. With more than 3,200 available county-level sources to search from, it would cost too much to include them all.
However, we do offer a National Criminal Database Search that draws from over 505 million records from thousands of jurisdictions, including databases with terrorist and sex offender information. This search serves as a great supplemental search intended to help identify jurisdictions on a broader scale in which a person may have a criminal record. The search is only available in conjunction with additional county and statewide searches. When a record is returned, we automatically confirm its accuracy with the originating source at the county or state courthouse. This is done in compliance with section 606 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), to ensure you receive the most complete, accurate and up-to-date information.
Learn more about the National Criminal Database Search ›
Yes. Organizations are required by federal law to obtain a signed release from any individual that will be subject to a background check.
We recommend County Criminal Searches because they are the most complete form of search, requiring researcher at the court – in most cases at the Superior Court level. Statewide Criminal Searches are based on databases run by the state or private firms, relying on the County Courts to submit records to them. Not all courts participate, so statewide databases are sometimes incomplete. However, they can be useful is reinforcing the County Criminal searches done in areas of known residency. If a record outside a known county is found, the employer has the option of investigating further.
Yes. We offer several reports that contain critical information, such as:
- Turnaround time
- Hit or discrepancy ratios
- Cost management & analysis
- Information by location
- Searches & verifications usage
- And more
Yes. We can seamlessly integrate our background screening solutions with your existing system or other exclusive software applications. If you have an Applicant Tracking System or other system you’d like us to integrate with, we can help you design a customized solution. Contact us to get started ›
We are also pre-integrated with the following Human Resource solutions:
HealthcareSource - Position Manager ›
Position Manger, developed and owned by HealthcareSource.com, is a leading Applicant Tracking Solution designed specifically for health care providers. It is currently used by more than 1,000 health care facilities, It simplifies and improves the entire recruitment process – job postings, candidate applications, candidate screening and interviewing, offers and on-boarding.
HireTouch by Image Trend ›
HireTouch is an easy-to-use, web-based Applicant Tracking System that allows users to easily post positions online and efficiently track candidates throughout the entire hiring process. We offer standard configurations for the following industries:
- Higher Education
- Construction
- Government
- Business
- Medical
HireTouch automates the recruiting and hiring process, enabling HR departments to handle a larger, more qualified applicant pool more efficiently and also submit job postings to major job boards. The interface is user-friendly, completely automated and requires no technical skills to administer.
A Social Security Number is required in order to improve the reliability of a background report. The Social Security Number assists in:
- Validating that the Social Security Number is real, still active, and issued after the provided date of birth.
- Identifying relevant past addresses and additional alias names that are associated with the individual. If additional names and addresses are found, they are used to determine where criminal background checks should be performed and under what names they should be searched.
- Matching background check information to a given individual, depending on the source.
We understand the evolving concern for data privacy and security. That’s why we employ strict information handling and technology practices. Rest assured that all information stored at Verified Credentials is contained in highly secure databases and is handled only by authorized and well-trained staff.
- All data is secured by 128-bit encryption digital solutions and EFS encryption, which provides the strongest online security for internet communications available.
- Our privacy protection standards are certified by TRUSTe, the leading internet privacy services provider.
- We mask all date of birth and Social Security numbers in shared reports.
- Comprehensive background checks are conducted on all employees as a condition of employment.
- Our business and fulfillment facility is a controlled access environment and is only accessible to authorized personnel.
In compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), if an organization intends to deny a candidate a position due to information contained in their background report, the organization must perform the following procedures:
Step 1:
Provide the candidate a pre-adverse action notification. Before you can officially deny a candidate, you must provide them with:
- A notice of your intent to deny them the position
- A copy of their background report
- A copy of their summary of rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This notice includes steps for correcting inaccurate information in the report.
Step 2:
After allowing the candidate reasonable time to dispute inaccuracies on their background report, you must provide the final adverse action notification. The letter includes information about the background screening company and the candidate’s rights once the job offer is formally denied.
No problem – we’re here to help! If your candidate feels their report contains inaccurate information, we have helpful and knowledgeable specialists ready to lend them a hand. The candidate will need to contact us directly. Upon their request, we will review the disputed information with the source of the information. Following the review process, we will promptly correct any inaccuracies and provide you and your candidate with an updated report. Your candidates can choose from one of the following options to begin the dispute resolution process:
Call Us:
800.938.6090
8 am – 5 pm CST, Monday – Friday (excluding major holidays)
Email Us:
Email us your concern to: disputes@verifiedcredentials.com
Please include the following information in your email:
Your First and Last Name
What information you feel is inaccurate with a brief explanation
Additional information may be required depending on the information that is being disputed. We will let you know what is needed.
Write to Us:
Attn: Client Services - Dispute Division
Verified Credentials, Inc.
20890 Kenbridge Court
Lakeville, MN 55044
Please include the following information in your letter:
Your First and Last Name
What information you feel is inaccurate with a brief explanation
Additional information may be required depending on the information that is being disputed. We will let you know what is needed.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Public Law No. 91-508, was enacted in 1970 to promote accuracy, fairness, and the privacy of personal information assembled by Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs). Click the following link to view the complete regulations: Fair Credit Reporting Act ›