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Frequently Asked Questions about Backgrounds

Why do we need a release form?   Top

Federal and most states consumer protection laws require that applicants be notified that a background investigation will be conducted. Most employers and many educational institutions will not disclose verifying information without consent from the applicant.

How do we open up an account?  Top

Please contact 800.275.8318 or 800.275.8310 for available services, prices and contract creation.

How much do services cost?  Top

The initial base rate for any lead is $19.80 per element. However, we do offer competitive volume discounts as well as package rates that are available and which would combine multiple elements into one standard report for all applicants.  Call 800.275.8318 and ask for background sales for more details.

Why does Wackenhut require a contract to conduct background investigations?  Top

To protect both Wackenhut and your business by establishing service expectations and rates; formalizing mutually agreed upon payment schedules, and to establish respective points of contact in the event of contract questions. A surprise birthday party may be fun, but surprises in a business partnership are definitely not fun.  Wackenhut believes in treating all our clients like our most valued partners, and that requires full disclosure and agreement on all aspects of that partnership.  If that were not enough, we have a legal obligation as a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA to make sure that you understand your obligations to applicants and employees when using our background reports, and that is an absolute federal requirement covered in our standard Service Agreement.

What services are available?  Top

Employment verifications, education verification, county criminal history searches, credit reports, state driving reports, social security trace report, reference interviews, federal district criminal search, statewide criminal search, municipal criminal search, nationwide criminal database checks, workers’ compensation search, license and certification verification, Specially Designated Nationals search, debarred bidders list search, media search, various FAA required searches, and many more profession specific searches.

What is the FCRA?  Top

The Fair Credit Reporting Act. This federal public law sets forth in detail when and how our background reports, considered to be consumer reports even when they only contain a single element like a criminal history, may be used. It protects both employers, prospective and current employees.  See the top right sidebar on our Pre-employment page for more links and information.

What is a social security number report?  Top

A social security number report can confirm name, address, social security number provided on an application, state and date of issuance, and may contain alerts to fraud that may be associated with that number. It can produce additional names or aliases, within the last 7 years, as well as additional addresses that the applicant may have forgotten or deliberately tried to hide, and identify addresses as being suspect when they are other than recognized residential addresses, (mail drops, store fronts, restaurants, correctional institutions, etc.).

What is involved in a criminal history search?  Top

County criminal history searches will research the specific counties (of residence or employment) that you specify as the scope for felony and those related misdemeanors that may have been committed by an applicant and indexed by that court. Information provided will include charge, date of charge, dispositions and conviction information. While convictions are always reportable, dismissed cases, cases in which the person was found to be not guilty, or withheld adjudications are only reportable for the last 7 years.

What is a federal district criminal search?  Top

A federal district court search is not a national search. Federal searches cover a specific region within a state based on addresses provided. There are generally multiple federal districts in a state.  For example: Miami, FL is in the Southern District of Florida. These courts have criminal jurisdiction over federal cases.  Typical kinds of cases can include kidnapping, drug trafficking, arms dealing, etc…

What is a municipal criminal search?  Top

A municipal criminal search is conducted a municipal level court and will search indexes that cover lower level misdemeanors and violations. These are separate indices, often in separate courts located in towns and cities other than the county seat,  that are not included within a standard county criminal search.  The good news is that a felony level search at the county seat will reveal about 80% of all misdemeanors for that county. 

What is the benefit of web delivery?  Top

Real-time, up-to-date research status on applicants; multiple report viewing and printing capabilities; watermark indicating that the report is a preliminary when it is not complete; easy accessibility from any computer through password protected and encrypted SSL technology.

How can we confirm it is a secure website?  Top

You will notice a “VeriSign Secure site” icon below the login field. By clicking on this icon, you will see the parameters of the security of the system.

What does adjudication mean?  Top

In the context of a legal decision, it is the deliberate determination by the judicial power; a judicial decision or sentence. (Adjudication withheld can represent that the defendant is guilty, however, not convicted).  For more definitions on legal terms you might encounter in our reports, see our Glossary. 

In the context of a background report, it could mean the application of your specific business rules as approved by legal counsel, to "adjudicate" the background of an applicant or employee with respect to employment status or access clearance.  Ask a Wackenhut Representative about how such a service could both streamline your applicant flow, and protect your company from concerns about unfair treatment in the hiring process.

What kind of verifications do we provide?  Top

We conduct verification interviews with past employers, educational institutions, personal, business or developed references, and credit references.

What kind of information can be obtained from an employment verification?  Top

We can attempt to gather information at three different, client-designated levels.

  • Basic:   We verify dates of employment and position.
  • Basic Plus:  We verify dates of employment and  position, and attempt to verify salary, reason for leaving, and/or  eligibility for rehire.
  • Custom:   We verify dates of employment and  position, and attempt to verify salary, reason for leaving, and/or eligibility for rehire.   In addition, client-specific due diligence questions are added with respect to job duties,  performance,  DOT or FAA requirements.

How can I tell if a degree is from a "diploma mill?" Top

The problem of diploma mills is a serious and growing concern. These so-called schools and the fraudulent credentials that they issue take advantage of unsuspecting consumers and employers. Today, diploma mills threaten to devalue the legitimate education credentials of millions of Americans.

Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education Sally L. Stroup, January 14, 2004  (http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2004/01/01152004a.html)

 With the growing popularity of the Internet, it is becoming easier to obtain fraudulent diplomas. Wackenhut can provide you with the information you need to determine if your applicant may have received a degree from a “diploma mill” or fraudulent school.

In most other countries around the world, the Federal Ministry of Education controls the Universities and Schools. The United States, however, does not have this control over schools. The US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation have developed a system of recommendation called “Accreditation.”  Accreditation is granted by an accrediting agency after a review of the quality of the resources and programs. In the United States, accreditation is the major way that students, families, government officials, and the press know that an institution or program provides a quality education and that issued certificates and diplomas should be recognized.

To guard against the proliferation of bogus accrediting agencies, the US DOE and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation publishes a list of recognized accrediting agencies.  If a college or university claims to be accredited by an agency not listed as recognized, further investigation is warranted! 

For each post secondary education verification, Wackenhut will provide you with the agency that accredits the school.

The Council for Higher Education recognizes the following Accrediting Agencies as of March 2004:

Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC)

http://www.gospelcom.net/aabc/

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

http://www.abhes.org/

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)

http://www.accsct.org/

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)

http://www.accet.org/

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)

http://www.acics.org/

Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools (AARTS)

 

Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)

http://www.ats.edu/

Council on Occupational Education (COE)

http://www.council.org/

Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

http://www.detc.org/

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)

http://www.msache.org/

Multiple Accreditors (MULTI)

 

National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)

http://www.naccas.org/

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE)

http://www.neasc.org/

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CTCI)

http://www.neasc.org/

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA-HLC)

http://www.ncacasi.org/

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

http://www.nwccu.org/

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

http://www.sacs.org/

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)

http://www.tracs.org/

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC-ACSCU)

http://www.wascweb.org/

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC-ACCJC)

http://www.wascweb.org/

Learn more from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org) and the US Department of Education (http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). 

To look up an institutions accreditation, see the US Department of Education Office of Post Secondary Education Accreditation Search.

This list is not intended to be legal advice and is subject to change without notice. 

Don’t assume that a diploma, a transcript and “verified” attendance guarantees that your applicant has mastered a quality education.  Always be sure that a recognized accrediting agency stands behind all post secondary education claims. Wackenhut can help.