RESOURCE CENTER All things Background Checks

Employment Screening Resources (ESR) Applicant Resources

This page is provided as a courtesy to job applicants that have questions or concerns about background checks.

Employment Screening Resources (ESR) is unable to give job seekers individual advice on job seeking or on any legal matter. If you have a question about your situation, you are advised to contact a knowledgeable professional. Your local bar association can give you the names of attorneys who may help, and may in fact have a low-cost introductory visit program available. Look in your local Yellow pages under Attorneys for the phone number of the local bar association or lawyer referral program. Job placement professionals can also be of assistance.

            How Consumers Dispute Information in a Consumer Report:

• How to Dispute Information in Your Consumer Report: If you are the subject of a consumer report prepared by Employment Screening Resources (ESR) and find incorrect or incomplete information, you have the right under federal law to dispute it. You may contact ESR by calling 888-999-4474 and asking to speak with a Dispute Resolution Specialist. For more information about disputing reports, visit: http://www.esrcheck.com/How-To-Dispute-Consumer-Report.php. To view 'A Summary of  Your Rights Under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act,' visit: http://www.esrcheck.com/docs/Consumerrights.pdf.

            General Information:

• For Job Applicants with Criminal Records: Criminal Records and Getting Back into the Workforce: Six Critical Steps for Ex-offenders Trying to Get Back into the Workforce, by ESR President Lester Rosen. Originally published online at Privacyrights.org. (This article is also available in Spanish version.)
• For Job Applicants;  For general resources that are very helpful, see the information at Privacyrights.org: http://www.privacyrights.org/Background-Checks-and-Workplace
• NAPBS:  The web site for the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) also has information.  See: www.NAPBS.com
• A critical document for job applicants is the FTC prepared document, "A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act." This is the summary that must be provided to a consumer any time an adverse notice action is taken. (Version mandated for use beginning January 31, 2005)
• FACT ACT rights:  For job applicants screened by ESR, here is information on your free ESR FACT ACT disclosure:  http://www.esrcheck.com/fact_act_compliance.php  

            Credit Reports:

• To obtain a FREE annual copy of your credit report, go to: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp.
• NEW!  Information provided by Federal Trade Commission in May, 2010 for Consumers on your rights when it comes to credit reports and background checks:  http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre36.shtm.
• Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve - Consumer's Guide to 'Credit Reports and Credit Scores': http://www.federalreserve.gov/creditreports/.
• For information on free annual credit reports and how to avoid scams, see:  http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre13.shtm  
• Video for Consumers  and job seekers on how to deal with credit reports by ESR:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XQpAMIx4m4
• White paper:  The Use of Credit Reports in Employment Background Screening: (A joint effort by Employment Screening Resources and LexisNexis Screening Solutions and appearing on the NAPBS web site)
• US States with Laws Regulating Credit Reports for Employment – A number of U.S. states have either passed, or are considering passing, laws regulating credit reports used by employers for employment purposes. Here is a summary of the states that currently have such laws. ESR will continue to monitor this area and post updates. Visit: http://www.esrcheck.com/States-with-Laws-Regulating-Credit-Reports-for-Employment.php. 

• Credit Reports and job hunting:  Concerned about your credit report when job hunting?  Don't be confused by Urban Myths but do be pro-active.  This report explains how:   http://www.esrcheck.com/wordpress/1103/job-hunting-and-credit-reports.

   Identity Theft Resources:

• See a document prepared by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Remedying the Effects of Identity Theft
• Also see the Identity Theft resources at the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at  http://www.privacyrights.org/Identity-Theft-Data-Breaches 
• Also helpful is a paper on what to do if you are the victim of Identity Theft at: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm
  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Come back soon for more resources.