feature story:

Yep, There's An App For That

But Buyer Beware iPhone Background Checks Deliver False Promises

The iPhone has spawned several new apps over the past couple of months that will not only pique voyeuristic interest but also provide "background screening results" on just about anyone.

BeenVerified.com recently released an app promising criminal, personal and contact information on anybody in the world for free.

Marketed more tongue-in-cheek, Intelius' 'Date Check' lets you perform basic background checks on potential mates, and offers up several types of searches. There's the 'Sleaze Detector' that searches for a criminal background, 'Net Worth' that provides details about a person's assets including property, and 'Interests' with information from social networking sites. Don't forget about PeopleFinders Network's 'Are They Really Single?' and 'Stud or Dud.'

While on the surface some of these apps sound intriguing, even downright humorous...their results should not be taken lightly. Background checks conducted in this automated fashion can be incomplete, and in many instances, downright incorrect. Without a reputable background screening company standing behind each background check, individuals could be making critical decisions based on inaccurate data.

According to Josh Levy, BeenVerified.com's CEO, "Large companies have been using background checks to protect their businesses for years. Our service empowers anyone to protect their lives and the lives of their families in the same way."

Greg Dubecky, General Manager of Corporate Screening disagrees. "Statements like this are extremely misleading for consumers who have not taken the time to understand the amount of effort and resources that go into a sound criminal background check," says Dubecky. "When people are led to believe that a free search can provide the same results as a professional background check, they'll develop a false sense of security."

Background check apps and "free" online screening services (the 'Date Check' app is free but the data is not) are causing people to embark on their own Salem witch hunts, making false assumptions about their neighbors, dates and employees based on incomplete information.

What's more, sites like BeenVerified.com disclaim on their site that their information should not be used for employment screening because their reporting practices do not comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. So, the end result is relatively useless data.

Questions? Don't fall for false promises! Please contact Corporate Screening Support at 800-229-8606 and select option 3, or contact your Account Representative.

industry news:

Keep Tabs On Your Credit

Experian, TransUnion and Equifax Provide Free Credit Report upon Request

Start your 2010 off right by fighting identity theft, and request a copy of your credit report today. Did you know that you are entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies? There are three ways you can order one:

• Visit annualcreditreport.com and complete the online application
• Call 877-322-8228, and follow the prompts for the simple verification service over the phone or
• Visit the aforementioned website to download a .pdf of the application, print it off and complete the information, then mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Credit reports requested online are viewable immediately upon request; those requested by phone or via the mail will be processed within 15 days of receiving the request.

It is up to you whether you order all three credit reports at the same time or order one now and others later. The recommendation is to spread the requests out every four months, that way you can keep track of any changes or new information that may appear on your credit report.

Also, husbands and wives with separate credit histories living in the same household should request separate reports. And be aware that of the consumer credit reporting companies, there will be some reporting differences. For instance, Experian is stronger out west, TransUnion is stronger in the northeast, and Equifax is stronger in the south and southeast.

Questions? Please contact Corporate Screening Support at 800-229-8606 and select option 3, or contact your Account Representative.

product news:

VerifyStudents' Self-Schedule Drug Testing Application

Corporate Screening's Health Sciences Student Background Site Offers Expanded Suite of Services

Corporate Screening recently launched an electronic drug testing self-scheduling application on their VerifyStudents.com website that allows students to quickly locate and schedule their drug screening appointment with an approved collection site.

The Self-Schedule Drug Testing feature is a revolutionary new tool to the market, and also saves paper as it eliminates the need for traditional chain-of-custody documents.

Benefits for Clients:

• Save paper: eliminates the process of handing out paper chain of custody forms;
• Save time: eliminates the need to distribute separate forms and instructions on acceptable collection sites;
• Save money: Prevents the school from getting billed for "non-payment" or "out of network" testing;
• Gain more functionality and security: provides the ability to set expiration dates requiring students to have the drug screening conducted within a designated timeframe from their registration period.

Benefits for Students:

• Save time: eliminates the need for students to return to campus after registering to pick up the necessary drug screening forms, a big help for long-distance commuters;
• Reduce errors: eliminates the possibility of going to an out-of-network site with the provision of a single page "passport" document that provides a map of the testing site, hours of operation and contact information.

"Our clients have quickly embraced the enhanced site's functionality," said Greg Dubecky, General Manager of Corporate Screening. "VerifyStudents.com offers a unique solution to time-consuming administrative challenges by providing state-of-the-art technology that streamlines not only the background screening process, but also the formerly cumbersome and paper-laden duties like immunization tracking and drug test scheduling."

As an industry leader and customer advocate, Corporate Screening has invested heavily in the VerifyStudents' site by adding these enhancements intended to benefit students, schools and hospitals alike.

Questions? If you would like to learn more about how to add this functionality to your students' screening program, please contact your Corporate Screening Account Representative directly or email infor@CorporateScreening.com.

cs news:

Corporate Screening Wins HRO Baker's Dozen Award Again!

For the second consecutive year, Corporate Screening has earned recognition as a Top Screening Service Provider by HRO Today magazine. They are the only company headquartered in Ohio to make this coveted list of employment screening providers two years in a row.

In its annual examination of the outsourced employment screening market, HRO Today surveyed buyers about their experiences. The publication feels that their "Baker's Dozen" issue reflects the largest customer satisfaction research survey of its kind ever produced in the employment screening service industry, and bases its results on deliverables like breadth of services offered and quality of service.

"We are pleased to be recognized in back-to-back years as a leading provider of employment screenings," said Dennis Drellishak, President and Founder of Corporate Screening. "This achievement is a testament to our winning combination of robust technology, attentive customer service and industry aptitude."

HRO Today is the only publication dedicated to covering the outsourced HR services market and is read by 28,000 senior HR managers and executives involved in the selection, procurement, and delivery of services such as screening, payroll, benefits administration, recruitment, relocation and others.

Questions? Please contact Corporate Screening Support at 800-229-8606 and select option 3, or contact your Account Representative.Questions? Please contact Corporate Screening Support at 800-229-8606 and select option 3, or contact your Account Representative.