Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Notice

What is the FCRA?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of consumer information contained in the files of consumer reporting agencies. The FCRA regulates how consumer reporting agencies (like BackgroundPro) can collect, access, use, and share the information in consumer reports.

Your Rights Under the FCRA

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to:

Know What's in Your File

You have the right to know what information is in your file. Upon your request and proper identification, a consumer reporting agency must clearly and accurately disclose all information in your file. You are entitled to receive a free copy of your report if you have been denied employment based on information in your report.

Dispute Inaccurate Information

If you identify information in your file that is incomplete or inaccurate, you can dispute that information directly with the consumer reporting agency. The agency must investigate your dispute (usually within 30 days), record the current status of the disputed information, and delete or modify inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information.

Consent Requirement

A consumer reporting agency may not provide information about you to your employer, or a potential employer, without your written consent. If you are seeking employment and a background check is required, your prospective employer must:

• Provide you with a clear and conspicuous written disclosure that a consumer report may be obtained
• Obtain your written authorization before procuring the report

Pre-Adverse Action Notice

Before taking any adverse action based in whole or in part on information in your consumer report, your prospective or current employer must provide you with:

• A copy of your consumer report
• A written description of your rights under the FCRA (the "Summary of Rights")

Adverse Action Notice

If adverse action is taken against you based on information in your consumer report, you are entitled to receive:

• Notice of the adverse action
• The name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting agency that furnished the report
• A statement that the consumer reporting agency did not make the adverse decision and cannot explain why the decision was made
• Notice of your right to obtain a free copy of your report within 60 days
• Notice of your right to dispute the accuracy or completeness of the information

Request a Copy of Your File

You may request disclosure of your file by contacting BackgroundPro at:

To process your request, we will need to verify your identity. Please be prepared to provide:

• Your full legal name (including any former names)
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number (last 4 digits minimum)
• Current and former addresses
• A copy of a government-issued ID

Dispute Information in Your Report

If you believe information in your BackgroundPro report is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to dispute it. To file a dispute:

Online

Submit a dispute through our online portal (coming soon)

By Mail

Send a written dispute to:

By Phone

Call our Consumer Relations team at 1-877-814-1986

When filing a dispute, please include:

• Your complete contact information
• Clear identification of the information you are disputing
• An explanation of why you believe the information is inaccurate
• Any supporting documentation

We will investigate your dispute within 30 days (or 45 days if you provide additional information during the investigation) and notify you of the results.

Security Freeze

Under the FCRA, you have the right to place a security freeze on your consumer file. A security freeze prohibits a consumer reporting agency from releasing any information from your file without your express authorization. To request a security freeze, please contact us using the information above.

For Employers: Compliance Requirements

Employers who use BackgroundPro's services must comply with FCRA requirements, including:

Before Ordering a Report

• Provide a stand-alone written disclosure to the applicant/employee
• Obtain written authorization from the applicant/employee
• Certify to BackgroundPro that these steps have been completed
• Certify the permissible purpose for obtaining the report

Before Taking Adverse Action

• Provide the applicant/employee with a copy of the consumer report
• Provide the FCRA Summary of Rights
• Allow a reasonable time for the applicant to review and dispute the information

After Taking Adverse Action

• Provide an adverse action notice
• Include BackgroundPro's contact information
• Inform the individual of their right to obtain a free copy of the report
• Inform the individual of their right to dispute the information

State Laws

Many states have additional laws that provide consumers with more rights regarding background checks. These may include:

• "Ban the Box" laws limiting when criminal history can be inquired about
• Additional notice and consent requirements
• Restrictions on the use of certain types of records
• Extended timeframes for disputes

BackgroundPro is committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. We encourage both employers and applicants to familiarize themselves with the laws applicable to their specific situation.

Additional Resources

• FTC: Free Credit Reports
• CFPB: Credit Reports and Scores
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (Full Text)

Contact Us

For questions about the FCRA or your rights, please contact: