As a reminder, when running a background check on an applicant for either employment or tenant screening purposes you must have the applicant’s signed permission to conduct the background check. For employment purposes, the consent and disclosure must be a separate and distinct document, the consent cannot be part of the employment application. Furthermore, you must maintain the signed … [Read more...]
Expedite Background Checks With Quick App
Quick App expedites your tenant or pre-employment screening searches and eliminates the need for paper forms. This easy-to-use program automatically emails your prospective client or candidate with a link to all authorization forms. The client or candidate completes the forms electronically, and then the system sends the information directly to Scott-Roberts and Associates for … [Read more...]
FTC Issues New Guidelines for Consumer Reporting Agencies
On May 10, 2016 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a letter of guidance to all background screening companies, or consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). The letter addresses the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and a CRA’s related obligations when conducting background checks. As a CRA, Scott-Roberts and Associates complies with all of the mandates of the FTC and the FCRA so noted in this … [Read more...]
Updated Scott-Roberts Service Agreement
Within the next two months, all Scott-Roberts and Associates clients will be required to complete a revised Service Agreement. The new Service Agreement is more closely aligned with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliance requirements. It’s critical that we receive the executed Service Agreement as soon as possible to avoid any service interruptions. Your cooperation is … [Read more...]
Scott-Roberts to Host Webinar on New HUD Guidelines
To lead clients through the new HUD guidelines, Scott-Roberts and Associates will host a webinar on June 2, 2016 at 11 a.m. (EDT). Mr. Scott Paler, Esquire, of the esteemed law firm DeWitt Ross & Stevens, will lead this informative webinar. Mr. Paler will provide guidance to landlords and property managers regarding the impact of new HUD guidelines on the use of criminal record reports and … [Read more...]
HUD Offers Guidance Regarding the Use of Criminal Records
Recently the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released new guidelines to providers of housing and real estate-related transactions. In these new guidelines, HUD addresses the use of criminal records to make a tenant leasing decision. This new guidance is very similar to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Letter of Guidance to Employers from … [Read more...]
Adverse Action Letters
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires all end users (clients) who intend to make an adverse hiring decision based in whole or in part upon information in the applicant’s consumer report to notify the applicant about information that may impede the applicant from getting hired. When an employer conducts a background check on an applicant and discovers derogatory information (e.g., criminal … [Read more...]
How to Handle a Consumer Dispute
From time to time, applicants may question a record in their consumer report. Usually, the applicant will contact you directly to dispute the record. Instead of attempting to investigate the issue, instruct the applicant to call Scott-Roberts and Associates directly at 888-605-4265. All consumer disputes should be taken seriously. Scott-Roberts will document the dispute, facilitate … [Read more...]
Background Screening FAQs: What Is a Database Hit?
Employers and businesses often use database criminal history searches to make a hiring or leasing decision. If the database search reflects a criminal record on the consumer report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires record verification in the jurisdiction of origin. This usually happens in the county clerk’s office where the record was originally recorded. The consumer may also receive the … [Read more...]
Scott-Roberts and Associates, LLC and Data Credito – Caltec Scoring Technologies made an alliance
By Acento.com.do October 22, 2015 – 4:00 a.m. This interinstitutional agreement allows affiliated of Data Credito and Caltec Scoring Technologies to access International Credit reports and International Criminal reports, among others. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.- The companies Data Credito and Caltec Scoring Technologies recently made an strategic alliance with Scott Roberts and … [Read more...]