The SecurityPlus^TM Search targets concerns that go beyond the local and national level by cross-referencing your candidate's information against data compiled by U.S. Government agencies, including the FBI, the U.S. State Department as well as the U.S. Department of Defense. Data is also reviewed from European and non-European governmental agencies, International organizations and Law Enforcement associations who have collaborated to create a joint database of "designated" individuals and entities.

The SecurityPlus^TM Search also includes a query of the most comprehensive Sex Offender Registry data currently available, as well as the GSA (General Services Administration), a Federal database listing sanctioned, excluded parties who may not appear in other Federal lists.

The search encompasses an overview of the following:

• FBI Fugitives, 10 Most Wanted and Most Wanted Terrorists Lists
• Financial Crimes Enforcement Alert List
• Foreign Agent Registrations List
• International Police Most Wanted List
• Office of Foreign Asset Control List
• Defense Trade Controls (DTC) Debarred Parties List
• Politically Exposed Persons List
• State Department Terrorist Exclusions List
• Terrorists Inside and Outside of European Union List
• United Nations Named Terrorists List
• US Bureau of Industry and Security -Unverified and Denied Entities List …and more

    Registered Sex Offender Information from:
        50 US States
        District of Columbia
        Guam
        Puerto Rico

The General Services Administration database is distinct from that of the OIG (Office of the Inspector General), referencing additional excluded/sanctioned parties. Sanctions pertain to other Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs, Federal contracts/subcontracts and Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits.

The information provided by a Social Security Trace and Validation confirms the validity of the social security number, as well as the names and locations associated with the social security number. The investigator compares the AKAs, aliases, former names, etc. along with the locations to the information provided by your applicant in their resume, CV or employment application.

Phony degrees, exaggerated credentials…these types of misrepresentations occur in over 25-30% of resumes, according to a survey of U.S. University Registrar Offices. AccuCheck investigators confirm the type of degree, the major, verifying honors if listed, as well as attendance dates; the information gathered aids in establishing the credibility, academic credentials and skill sets of your candidate.

Primary source verification of your candidate's training is not just a critical component of a background check, but is also required by the JCAHO, NCQA, URAC and other accrediting organizations. Verifications of training should include exact dates of training, as well as the specialty area of training. AccuCheck investigators screen for extended or abbreviated dates, gaps in training, adverse or derogatory information as well as other areas of concern.

AccuCheck investigators verify the applicant's current and past employment, job responsibilities and compensation. Verifications will typically provide dates of employment, position, salary, reason for leaving, and eligibility for rehire. *NOTE: Current employers are contacted only with the expressed written authorization of the applicant.

Professional occupations, including healthcare providers, attorneys, CPAs, bankers, engineers and others require that certification standards be met and maintained. Verification is obtained from primary sources to ensure accuracy and validity of information. Verifications include issue and expiration dates, current status and disciplinary history.

AccuCheck is able to provide driving record history information from all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Canada. Histories contain information pertaining to infractions, restrictions as well as information regarding accidents and/or reports of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Moreover, the driving record history provides a secondary, objective source of information pertaining to the subject’s identity and on occasion, information about previous states of licensure.

Records may include information pertaining to individual's traffic offenses, including drug and alcohol violations, accidents, status and type of license. This search is essential for employees who drive company vehicles, rent vehicles in the company's name, or drive their personal vehicles while on the job. A driving record history can be an indicator of character. Patterns of irresponsible and reckless behavior are often reflected in an individual's driving record. A thorough review of an applicant's driving record will provide insight into a candidate’s level of responsibility.

A Drug Enforcement Agency Registration (DEA) verification consists of confirming a practitioner’s status with the DEA, using NTIS primary source verification data. The query response provides the practitioner’s name and address location, which is compared to information provided by the practitioner. Additionally, the issue and expiration dates are provided, as well as the scope of prescriptive authority. Any deviations from the full prescriptive authority are noted by an "AccuCheck Alert."

AccuCheck investigators utilize a number of sources to provide primary source verification of your candidate's speciality board status. Sources for contact range from individual boards, such as the American Board of Internal Medicine or Family Practice to utilizing the American Board of Medical Specialities (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Associations (AOA), as well as contacting specialty boards directly when required. Additionally, AccuCheck contacts allied health practitioner’s certifying boards to confirm board status, including but not limited to the National Certification NCCPA, the ASCP, the AANP, the ANCC, Midwifery Board, etc., etc.

Court Records
Court records searches are one of the most essential components of any background check, but arguably one of the most confusing areas for our clients to understand. Our legal system is basically divided into two types of courts, civil and criminal. Records are maintained in a variety of repositories and a number of different levels of government, ranging from municipal to federal levels.

AccuCheck recommends that records be searched at both the County and Federal levels; a complementary search at the State level can be a useful resource when used in combination with other searches. While certain civil and criminal litigations occur and are maintained at the municipal level of government, these records are typically not searched because it is neither logistically practical nor financially feasible.

There are over 3500 county courts, over 200 federal courts, as well as nearly 40 state repositories. Unfortunately, there is no “nationwide” repository of criminal records other than the NCIC database accessible only by the FBI and limited law-enforcement agencies.

Do not be confused by the searches currently being touted as “nation-wide” by many screening companies; while the database being searched does contain information from a number of states, the data may not be up-to-date or reliable and the use or reporting of the data may not be in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and its addendums. The Federal Trade Commission in a staff opinion letter stated that "an employment screening service that uses 'stored data' (which may be as much as 90 days old) does not comply with" the Fair Credit Reporting Act Section 613(2). State Repositories are available in some states, but many provide partial or out-of-date information because they are not frequently updated. Except where the repository is updated daily, state repository searches should not replace county criminal searches.

Since 1993, AccuCheck has developed a nation-wide network of researchers. Searches are conducted using sources at the county level rather than relying on information stored in private databases that are not always reliable, current or accurate. AccuCheck recommends a search of all counties of practice/employment and/or residence in the most recent 7 years. Additionally, "AccuCheck Alerts” will make you aware of any AKA’s that are identified and confirmed throughout the course of the investigation that should be searched for records as well.

AccuCheck investigators team with experienced researchers and court clerks nationwide to determine if any civil and/or criminal actions exist naming your candidate as a party to the action. Upon request, AccuCheck investigators can often obtain copies of pertinent documents to assist your facility with determining the nature of the case, the scope of the charges or complaint and information pertaining to the current disposition of the cases located. It is imperative to obtain objective information regarding any litigation that your candidate may or may not have revealed in order to corroborate or clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident in question.

Federal records including civil, criminal and bankruptcy records, are available and often over-looked by employers. Many suits that pertain to contract disputes, harassment, discrimination and others may be found at the federal level. Additionally, medical malpractice suits and a variety of criminal records are found at the federal level.

Criminal Records
Violence, theft and other criminal activity have become greater risks in the workplace, so more employers are performing other criminal background checks in addition to asking about criminal records on job applications. In fact, employers who fail to take reasonable precautions about whom they hire can be sued if an employee with a criminal background harms someone. Criminal record files may alert an employer to misdemeanor or felony charges including drug trafficking or possession, theft, sexual abuse, murder or other criminal charges. Misdemeanor charges could include assault, battery, sexual harassment, driving while under the influence and more.

Consider the consequences of hiring an individual who has a verifiable track record of theft or embezzlement. A criminal history search will also allay concerns about providing computer access to employees who will be able to view confidential and/or proprietary information.

Criminal records are available at the County level (recommended), the State level in approximately 37 states, as well as at the Federal level. Additionally, AccuCheck offers a Multi-state Criminal Records search which has a broad coverage of states. Although the data is limited due to the lack of consistency from state to state regarding where information is obtained, the accuracy and reliability of the information, as well as the number of repositories consistently, if at all, providing information to the statewide database.

Civil Records
The County civil file records may contain information related to malpractice or negligence, wrongful death, breach of contract, sexual harassment, contract disputes, evictions, foreclosures, repossessions and others. Orders of Protection, harassment, employment discrimination and wrongful discharge suits are also found at both the County, as well as the Federal level. Federal civil files may contain suits pertaining to product liability, personal injury, assault, libel, contract disputes, discrimination, and others.

Employment Credit Reports
An Employment Credit Report will reflect a candidate’s credit history, as well as information pertaining to lower court civil suits (typically resulting in judgments below $5,000), delinquent state and federal tax liens and federal bankruptcy filings.

Credit reports also contain information that will aid in confirming identity (name, social security number, year of birth and/or approximate age), as well as location information reported over the past seven to ten years. Investigators use the information to compare and contrast to other information provided and developed, noting any discrepancies, inconsistencies or other “red flags.”

Recruitment offers occasionally include offers to aid in student loan repayment, co-signing on mortgages, practice buy-outs, partnership inclusion etc. These types of financial agreements dictate the need for scrutiny of an individual’s credit history. Furthermore, investigators are keenly aware of discrepancies such as collections, inconsistent payment patterns, unusual debt to income ratios, etc., all of which may dictate additional investigation.

A company may obtain an Employment Credit Report when making decisions about hiring, promoting or firing employees; however, strict compliance with the FCRA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-credit.htm) is required when using "consumer reporting agencies", such as AccuCheck, to perform a credit check.

Prior To Obtaining A Credit Check / Consumer Report:
Before requesting a consumer report (such as credit reports and background checks), employers now must: (1) make a clear and conspicuous disclosure in a separate document to the applicant or employee that a report may be requested; and (2) obtain written permission from the applicant or employee.

A statement in the employment application that consumer reports may be obtained is no longer sufficient. Employers must make the disclosure in a separate document.

To comply with these disclosure requirements, AccuCheck supplies clients with a disclosure in a separate document which requires written authorization on the disclosure document.

Using The Report For Adverse Employment Decisions
If a consumer report influences an employer's decision to take an adverse employment action, before taking any action the employer must provide the applicant/employee with a copy of the report and a written summary of consumer rights as prescribed by the FTC (Fair Trade Commission). The summary of consumer rights can be found at this website: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/crdright.htm

If an employer takes the adverse action based upon the Consumer report, it must provide certain information to the individual. This notice may be provided orally, in a written form, or electronically and must include the following information.

The name, address and telephone number of the agency that provided the report.

A statement that the reporting agency did not make the decision to take the adverse employment action and is unable to provide the specific reasons for the decision.

A statement of the applicant or employee's right to obtain a free copy of the consumer report from the consumer reporting agency by making a request within 60 days.

Notice of the applicant or employee's right to dispute the content of the credit report.

Concerns about credit reports should be addressed directly to the credit bureaus, listed below. Consumers can request a copy from each bureau; typically, the cost should not exceed $8.00, and may even be free. The three major repositories of credit are:

Trans Union 800-888-4213
http://www.transunion.com/CreditReport/CreditFileInfo.asp

Equifax / CSC 888-532-0179
http://www.econsumer.equifax.com

Experian 800-972-0322
http://www.experian.com/customer/index/html

For more detailed information, refer to the site below:
(http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-credit.htm).

The Medicare/Medicaid sanction database is maintained by the OIG or the Office of the Inspector General. This agency is required to maintain a program to exclude individuals and entities who have been sanctioned in some way from participating in Medicare/Medicaid programs. Sanctions for exclusion include convictions for program-related fraud and patient abuse, licensing board actions and default on Health Education Assistance Loans. A query of this database will determine your candidate’s eligibility to participate in programs without concerns regarding sanctions and/or exclusions.

The FACIS database relies on over 60,000 medically related sources to accumulate information on healthcare individuals and entities that have been excluded from federal healthcare programs, including adverse actions taken by licensing boards of State governments. The database contains information from all 50 states on individuals who have been the subject of State licensing board sanctions. While the database should not be construed to be a definitive source of information from all medical boards and/or certifying boards, it can provide useful information to be compared and contrasted to the information provided and developed throughout the course of the investigation.

The Public Citizen’s Health Research Group published a database consisting of nearly 40,000 incidents of discipline, referencing over 24,000 physicians. The group garnered the adverse action information from medical boards, state/federal agencies, as well as other governmental sources. Offenses include sexual abuse or misconduct, substandard care, incompetence, negligence, criminal convictions, mis-prescribing or over-prescribing and/or substance abuse.

The NPDB is primarily an alert or flagging system intended to facilitate a comprehensive review of health care practitioners' professional credentials. The information contained in the NPDB is intended to direct discrete inquiry into, and scrutiny of, specific areas of a practitioner's licensure, professional society memberships, medical malpractice payment history, and record of clinical privileges. The information contained in the NPDB should be considered together with other relevant data in evaluating a practitioner's credentials; it is intended to augment, not replace, traditional forms of credentials review. AccuCheck is a NPDB authorized vendor for obtaining reports for approved entities.

The HIPDB is primarily a flagging system that may serve to alert users that a comprehensive review of a practitioner's, provider's, or supplier's past actions may be prudent. The HIPDB is intended to augment, not replace, traditional forms of review and investigation, serving as an important supplement to a careful review of a practitioner's, provider's, or supplier's past actions. . AccuCheck is a HIPDB authorized vendor for obtaining reports for approved entities.

The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is a national not-for-profit organization representing the 70 medical boards of the United States and its territories, including 14 state boards of osteopathic medicine. The Federation’s Physician Data Center (FPDC) contains more than 156,000 board actions related to approximately 46,000 physicians dating back to the 1960s. AccuCheck is an authorized vendor of the FSMB for obtaining reports for approved entities.

AccuCheck provides primary source verification of medical malpractice claims history. Direct contact is made with the practitioner’s insurance claims carrier for a claims history which typically discloses any closed or pending claims filed against the practitioner throughout the term of coverage.

While obtaining a claims history can be a useful and important component of a pre-screening report, it should not be construed as a reflection of the litigation history of practitioner. Medical malpractice civil suits are not always reflected in a claims history and not all claims result in civil litigation.

AccuCheck provides primary source verification of a medical practitioner’s privileges with facilities provided by and/or developed throughout the course of an investigation. Medical Staff coordinators or other appropriate administrative personnel are asked to respond to questions ranging from number of patients seen to queries regarding any suspension, revocations or modifications of privileges or any impairment that would compromise the physician’s ability to practice medicine.

Peer referencing is a component of credentialing and pre-employment screening that is time consuming and often frustrating for the recruiter and/or Human Resource professionals. AccuCheck’s exclusive forms which meet and /or exceed JCAHO requirements and follow-up procedures provide necessary, critical information without the endless phone calls and delays typically experienced by your staff. Information returned can include: years known and in what capacity, verification of clinical abilities or areas of expertise, knowledge of any areas of concern and strengths/weaknesses related to performance.

In response to USA Patriot Act compliance and anti-money laundering initiatives, and based on your business, you may be or about to be required by law to pre-screen applicants using a government “watch list” which should include a search of databases from agencies affiliated with Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) . The AccuCheck WorldWide Security Watch query includes a search of all the databases listed below:

• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Bank of England Consolidated List
• Bureau of Industry and Security
• OSFI Consolidated List - Canada
• DTC Debarred parties
• European Union Terrorism List
• FBI Watch Lists
• FBI Most Wanted
• FBI Most Wanted Terrorists
• FBI Seeking Information
• FBI Top Ten Most Wanted
• Interpol Most Wanted
• Non-cooperative Countries and Territories
• OFAC Sanctions Programs and Country Summaries
• OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals & Blocked Persons
• Politically Exposed Persons
• Terrorist Exclusion List
• Unauthorized Banks
• United Nations Consolidated List
• World Bank Debarred Parties

The General Services Administration maintains the GSA Debarment database separate from that of the OIG. This agency is required by law to maintain a list of Parties Excluded from all other Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs which identifies those parties excluded throughout the U.S. Government (unless otherwise noted) from receiving Federal contracts or certain subcontracts and from certain types of Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits.

It is estimated that there are more than 500,000 registered sex offenders nationwide. The Multi-State Sexual Offender Search allows employers to identify these sex offenders when applying for position with their company. The query provides a search of U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam by accessing information from the state’s central sex offender repository.

Information returned may contain: Name, Date of birth, Year of birth, Age, Current registrar address, County, Offense requiring registration. **State specific Sex Offender Register Queries are also available.