Q3 2024
Setting the Standard for Accuracy and Client Protection
A recent case highlights the importance of accuracy in background screening and raises a fundamental question: How can businesses ensure their background check provider is reliable?
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Background Check Company Finds Themselves in Another Lawsuit
A lawsuit involves a major background check provider that incorrectly labeled a job seeker as a convicted murderer. The plaintiff, a Texas job candidate, lost a job opportunity after the background check erroneously linked him to a serious felony. The company that conducted the background screening allegedly failed to verify the accuracy of the criminal record, which turned out to belong to someone with a similar name. As a result, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit citing violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires reporting agencies to follow procedures ensuring maximum accuracy.
Despite the job seeker submitting evidence to correct the error, the screening service only rectified the false report after his intervention. The lawsuit claims that this error and the company’s failure to review publicly available court records caused the plaintiff significant emotional and reputational damage. The case highlights broader concerns about the reliability of such background checks, primarily since this company has previously settled similar lawsuits involving incorrect reporting.
In this specific instance, the consequences of the faulty background check were severe for the job seeker, who suffered not only from job loss but also from the anxiety and stress of being misrepresented as a felon. These recurring errors could point to potential systemic issues within the company’s screening processes, raising questions about the accuracy and fairness of the reports provided to employers.
At Atlantic Employee Screening, we understand the significance of accurate and compliant background checks. Our services are designed to prevent such issues through rigorous validation processes and state-of-the-art technologies. Learn more about the emerging lawsuit in this article.
New Service! Atlantic Partners with IRS for Affordable Employment Verifications
We’re thrilled to announce the addition of the IRS Income Verification Express Service (IVES) to our portfolio of services. This advanced solution offers a more secure, efficient, and accurate way to verify employment details for applicants. This new service comes just one month after The Work Number raised prices to $120.00 again. Atlantic hopes IVES can provide a more cost-efficient solution for companies that feel verifying employment history is imperative in their hiring processes.
The IVES system, administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), grants direct access to tax documents, including personal and business-filed tax returns and employer-provided documents such as W-2s and 1099s. By partnering with an authorized IRS Participating Company, Atlantic Employee Screening can deliver 100% accurate verification results that are available 24/7/365.
By asking the candidate to log in directly to the IRS, Atlantic can receive IRS information to assist in verifying previous employers. Our investigators will remove all redacted information before supplying the report to your team so you can make an informed hiring decision.
Key Benefits of the Employment Verification Service
Direct IRS Access Real-time access to official IRS databases ensures accuracy and integrity in the verification process.
Instant Turnaround Immediate results upon the candidate’s involvement, reducing waiting time.
Comprehensive Employment History Verify up to 10 years of employment information, preventing applicant misrepresentation.
Fraud Prevention Mitigate fraud by matching applicant information (such as SSN, EIN, or ITIN) with IRS records.
Cost-effective IVES is a more affordable solution than traditional employment verification services.
Atlantic Employee Screening’s IVES solution is ideal for organizations looking to safeguard their hiring processes, reduce fraud risk, and streamline applicant evaluation. With data from the IRS, companies no longer need to rely on potentially manipulated applicant-provided documents or pay exuberant fees to obtain third-party verification results.
For more information about the IRS Employment Verification Service and how it can benefit your business, please contact Atlantic Employee Screening at info@atlanticscreening.com.
