Background Checks

There are two additional things that affect the unemployed:

1. Employment Verification when companies go under
2. Employers who expect perfect credit scores from prospective new hires.

Here's an article about #1 above: http://tweetbird.net/can-some-employment-verification-services-cost-you-a-job/

And another article about #2: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/how-bad-credit-can-cost-you-a-job.aspx

If you work for a major company like a mortgate or in my case, Westinghouse, they went under but I was there 15-1/2 years, it's a huge gap. When I interviewed, I was told they would do what they could to check in with the new "heads" as the company is completely different today than it was when we closed in Phila. I also had personal references from people who worked there. They were happy to take those.

It is even worse for Contract workers, nobody wants to give references at these clients. It is against company policy. We have no record that we worked there even if we did the same work as permanent.


Yesterday, an agency wanted to charge $35 for drug test and background check and take it from your first paycheck. I gave them the third degree!

Tweet wrote:There are two additional things that affect the unemployed:

1. Employment Verification when companies go under
2. Employers who expect perfect credit scores from prospective new hires.

Here's an article about #1 above: http://tweetbird.net/can-some-employment-verification-services-cost-you-a-job/

And another article about #2: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/how-bad-credit-can-cost-you-a-job.aspx

Has any of the above affected you? It has me. I've lost a job offer because they couldn't verify a company I worked for (mortgage) that went under in 2010. I gave them the company president's cell number which they claimed was unacceptable. The employment verification company had staff that could barely speak English and they seem to be from India.

Would a W2, 1099 or paycheck stub work? I had done retail for awhile, and it was the policy of most supervisors(retail managers rotate often, AND there's a high turnover rate) NOT to disclose their last names (again, turnover rate). When I fill out forms, I cannot furnish a last name. As some of the people here have learned, retail isn't very nice. Knowing this, save your evals. That way, it doesn't matter who answers the phone, or how many lies they tell- you can counter it with an official, signed evaluation on their letterhead, signed by someone higher up.

This scares me because at my last job my boss was fired and no idea where he is. I've tried searching for him to no avail. I have references from my former employer (I keep in touch with a few)but they often want my boss. Many of my other jobs are from years ago and different fields so that hurts me too.

There is a web site out there that a lot of employers use called The Work Number. The employer gives an 800 number and company code. The potential employer calls the number, enters the company code & your SSN. To also include salary, they need a PIN.

Even employers who don't subscribe to it for employment verification were listed. That's what is says, but it's a way for creditors to keep track of you too. I found one company checking my file every week since 2009! They are ready to pounce when I get a job. It's almost like a credit report. You are allowed one free report a year. I kind of freaked out at all the info listed. Just look below for all the info they provide. If you decide to get your report online, be prepared to set aside some time. Also, have your printer turned on as I saw no way to save it.

"If you apply for public aid from a social service agency, they too will need an enhanced verification." Sure enough, an inquiry was there from food stamps.

http://www.theworknumber.com/
The Work Number is the leading provider of employment and income verifications. It is used by lenders, property managers, pre-employment screeners, social service agencies and others who need to verify someone's employment status and sometimes, his or her income as well. Typically, verifications are required when a person applies for a loan or public aid, leases an apartment, updates their immigration status, or applies for a job.

It gets creepier:
Over 70,000 verifiers have accounts with The Work Number. They include social service agencies such as HUD, Social Service Administration, and public agencies in all 50 states. Nearly all major financial institutions in the U.S. have accounts as well.

Ever hear of Lexis-Nexis? I just called yesterday to have my report sent to me. Should arrive in 15 days. I was prompted for several security questions like of the 5 possible answers, choose the street name where you have lived. Just going through the security questions let me know the have a LOT of info.
http://www.lexisnexis.com/risk/solutions/employment-screening.aspx

Employment Screening and Background Checks
A company's most valuable asset is its people. Securing the right people, from employees to contractors to vendors, is a lot easier with the accurate and empowering answers from LexisNexis® Employment Screening. Including everything from in-depth criminal background checks and drug/alcohol screening to employment verification and time-saving post-hire solutions, LexisNexis® Employment Screening gives you the power to make quicker, more confident decisions every day.
http://www.lexisnexis.com/privacy/for-consumers/request-personal-information.aspx

Public records are those records created and maintained by government agencies and that are open for public inspection. This includes information such as real estate title records, liens, death records, and motor vehicle registrations.

Non-public information is information about an individual obtained from a source that is privately owned and that is not available to the general public. Non-public information may include the following data elements: current and previous addresses; Social Security Number; previous names used, such as alias names, maiden names or previous married names; birth date information; and/or telephone numbers.

Publicly available information is information about an individual that is available to the general public from non-governmental sources such as newspapers, magazine articles and telephone directories.