Category Archives: Background Checking

What are the different types of data?

In our line of work, there are many classifications of data available for consumption. In this article we’ll outline each of the major types at a high level. In the subsequent articles, we’ll dive deep into each of them to talk about the nuances involved with each. We should also make it clear that there […]

Human Trafficking Offenses in Background Checks

Within the last year, the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) was revised to include a new section, 15 US Code § 1681c-3, titled “Adverse information in cases of trafficking”   What this section states is that when a victim of human trafficking commits a crime in connection with their trafficking, that crime may no longer […]

CRAs vs Background Screeners?

So what’s the difference between a CRA and a Background Screener, anyway? Well, at the highest level, a CRA is a Consumer Reporting Agency (sometimes called a Credit Reporting Agency – not to be confused with a credit bureau). They follow very specific guidelines around disclosing certain information and notifying the consumer of any adverse […]

Criminal Records without Identifiers

Public records are just that – they’re records which belong to the public interest. Court and incarceration records are no exception to that. It’s in the interest of the people to know who has been arrested, when, where, and why. Not just to keep the people safe from crime, but to keep the people informed […]

What is a National Criminal Database?

In our last article, “What is an SSN Trace”, we talked about the importance of a SSN Trace for the background checking process. It helps identify aliases and addresses that the applicant may have used but did not report on their application. This time, we’ll talk about the next step in the background checking process: […]

What is an SSN Trace?

When an employer conducts a background check on an applicant, there are a handful of steps that must be followed to ensure accuracy. Part of that process is what’s called an SSN Trace.

The importance of credentialing: A case study

Part of our credentialing process is to make sure that there is one “responsible party” on file. This is the person who signs on the dotted line saying that they will not abuse the service, that they’ll pay the bill, and all that fun stuff.

How long does it take for a new address to appear in our data?

Believe it or not, this is a question we don’t get asked very much – and you’d think we would! It’s a very important measure of data quality. If I move to a new house today, how long will it take for that new address to appear on USInfoSearch? What sorts of changes might cause […]

Understanding DPPA

What is the DPPA? DPPA stands for “Driver’s Privacy Protection Act” and it prevents people from using DMV data for non-approved purposes. Permitted purposes include vehicle recalls, government use, use by insurance companies, vehicle towing, toll roads, and more. To read the full list of permitted purposes, see this wikipedia article.

What is BLJ Data and Where Does it Come From?

“BLJ” stands for “Bankruptcies, Liens, and Judgments.” They are civil court records that include information such as: amount owed, date filed, filing number, court name, chapter (for bankruptcies), and case status. Lien and Judgment records are filed on a per-county basis and are therefore hard to get complete coverage for. Bankruptcies are all filed through […]

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