FAQ

Since 1992, OPENonline has helped clients save time and money with background checks that are accurate and FCRA-compliant, delivered with exceptional customer service. As a full service pre-employment background screening provider, OPENonline offers customization and recommendations for your screening program, as well as the guidance necessary to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws. With an average client retention rate of 8.69 years, organizations trust OPENonline to provide customized pre-employment screening solutions that deliver results.

Every organization has different needs. OPENonline will consult with you to customize a screening program that meets your specific requirements so you get just what you need.

Our background specialists are certified in safe hiring and follow strict quality control guidelines. Reports are reviewed for quality assurance before results are reported, and internal audits are performed to verify accuracy.

On average, results are returned in 24-72 hours. Turnaround time may vary depending upon the counties being searched. When delays occur, you will be notified of the status and expected completion time.

OPENonline uses the ID/SSN Trace to determine a candidate's address history. The information provided by this service is collected from a nationwide database and includes information from multiple sources including credit bureaus, US Postal Change of Addresses, property records, telephone directories, magazine subscriptions, and other public and consumer data sources.

To get the most comprehensive coverage, we recommend a combination of different criminal sources that include source direct and online instant searches. A common misconception about background screening is that there is a single data source consumer reporting agencies can search that will return a clear picture of a candidate’s integrity. In reality, there is no one information source that provides all criminal record information. Conducting a thorough background check involves searching several information sources.

A full name, SSN and date of birth are required for criminal searches. Most criminal cases are filed using a person's name and date of birth.

Due to privacy concerns, the SSN is many times not identified on court records and results are confirmed by the applicant's name and date of birth. For this reason, it is important to search any alias or maiden names your candidate has used in the past seven years to determine if any court cases were filed under another name.

We report felony and misdemeanor cases when conducting a background check. However, there are some counties that restrict access to misdemeanor information. For those counties, only felony information will be reported.

OPENonline will verify information provided by the candidate regarding their past employers. Verification of current employers requires a signed authorization from the candidate. Information verified may include dates of employment, position held, salary, and eligibility for rehire.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the federal statute that governs the use of consumer reports. Its purpose is to protect the privacy of the individual. The FCRA provides important protections for credit reports, consumer investigatory reports, and employment background checks. The Act requires that Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) follow "reasonable procedures" to protect the confidentiality, accuracy, and relevance of credit information. In addition to the federal FCRA, several states have also enacted state-specific regulations.

The Notice and Acknowledgement Form is the documentation used to obtain the candidate's prior authorization for the background check.

The Disclosure and Authorization form should be kept on file for a minimum of 5 years as allowed under the federal statute of limitations.

Sample FCRA forms can include: Notice of Furnisher Responsibilities, Notice of User Responsibilites, and Summary of Consumer Rights.

Pre-Adverse Action and Adverse Action letters give the candidate the opportunity to dispute information provided in their report that they believe has been reported in error. If the results of a background check have any bearing on taking adverse action—that is, your decision to fire or not hire, promote, retain or reassign an employee or job candidate—you must follow adverse action procedures.

The candidate should contact OPENonline’s Compliance Department via email or by phone at 888.381.5656. The candidate can also complete the Dispute Notification Form. OPENonline complies with all state and federal statutes regarding reporting and re-investigation of disputed information.

OPENonline possesses uniquely strong technology capabilities, allowing us to bring significant automation to your background screening program. OPENonline has developed and maintains a number of proprietary information interfaces that support our pre-employment screening services.

With corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, OPENonline provides nationwide service for reliable background checks, pre-employment screening and investigative services you can trust.