Prime Information Center

Here are some questions that we are often asked. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask us by e-mailor by phone. Click any of the questions listed below and you will be taken to the appropriate information provided by Prime Information Center, Inc..

1) Why employment screening?
2) What is negligent hiring and retention?
3) How can negligent hiring and retention affect me?
4) How does employment screening reduce negligent hiring lawsuits?
5) Do I need a signed release and fax a copy of the signed applicant release to you?
6) Can you reject an applicant based solely on their credit report?
7) Can a Consumer Reporting Agency give advice or notify the employer on the legal issues?
8) How long until my account is activated?
9) What is your average turn around time?
10) How can I start making requests and checking results on the Internet site?
11) Are your services completely confidential?
12) Why should I search for county criminal records if I can search the state criminal records repository?
13) Can you reject someone based solely on the fact that they have applied for bankruptcy or have been bankrupt in the past?
14) Can I receive my reports by e-mail?

1) Why Employment Screening?
Employment Screening helps eliminate uncertainties in the hiring process and provides due diligence. Social Security Trace and County Criminal Court History particularly help in a negligent hiring suit. Education Verification may help in determining the applicant's qualifications. Driving History can give you an idea of the applicant's behavior. Please go to our 'Concerns' page to find preventive measures for your specific concerns.

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2) What is negligent hiring and retention?
Negligent hiring normally refers to an employer's obligation not to hire an applicant that they knew or should have known was likely to undertake conduct against other individuals or otherwise subject employees or third parties to actions which can create legal liability.

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3) How can negligent hiring and retention affect me?
Through negligent hiring and retention lawsuits, many employers have been found responsible for their employees' actions even when the employee is not working at the time of the crime. Negligent hiring and retention lawsuits have cost companies many millions of dollars in damages. Many companies have filed for bankruptcy due to a loss in a negligent hiring lawsuit.

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4) How does employment screening reduce negligent hiring lawsuits?
Through the use of employment screening, you can decide if the applicant is trustworthy and suitable for the position for which he/she is applying.

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5) Do I need a signed release and fax a copy of the signed applicant release to you?
Generally speaking no. In accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act you must have your applicants express written permission to access any of their information. You must keep maintain this signed document for review; from time to time we may request copies of the documents for audit purposes.

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6) Can you reject an applicant based solely on their credit report?
There is no set law that says you cannot reject an applicant based on their credit report. In seeking a direct answer to this question, it is best that your company contact a labor lawyer for the legal issues.

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7) Can a Consumer Reporting Agency give advice or notify the employer on the legal issues?
No. Under the FCRA, it is prohibited for a CRA to advise or influence the employer whether or not to hire an applicant. If the employer asks the CRA questions on the law or specifics on whether they can reject an applicant for various reasons, again the CRA cannot answer legal matters or give advice. It is best to contact a lawyer on the specifics of the law. Also, it is a good idea to have a written disclaimer explaining that the CRA cannot advise, influence, or in any way steer the employer in a certain direction in regards to hiring or firing an applicant/employee. We provide our clients with the facts about the applicant's/employee's history.

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8) How long until my account is activated?
From the time we receive your signed Service Agreement, it will take us a few of hours for your account to become active.

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9) What is your average turn around time?
About 90% of our county criminal record searches are returned to our clients within 2 business days. The remaining 10% can vary from 72 hours to several weeks depending on the states, jurisdictions searched and possibilities of records.

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10) How can I start making requests and checking results on the Internet site?
For pre-employment screening, just go to getting started, we will establish your login and password in one hour. You may then request any of our services via our web pages.

For public records, you do not need to sign up, just click here to place an order and you will receive your report in 24 hours for most cases.

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11) Are your services completely confidential?
Yes. We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer outside the company personally identifiable information that visitors' voluntarily provide in any registration or order form. The information you provide to us is only used to better understand our visitors' use of our service and to support related transactions made on the site.

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12) Why should I search for county criminal records if I can search the State Criminal Records Repository?
Unfortunately, the state repositories are databases of information, which vary in dependability and completeness. Each repository relies upon the various agencies within the state that reports information to the repository. It has been our experience that the information is less than complete than the actual court records.

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13) Can you reject someone based solely on the fact that they have applied for bankruptcy or have been bankrupt in the past?
Again, in resolving this question it is best to contact a lawyer who is authorized to give legal advice. A Credit Reporting Agency cannot give advice on legal issues. (See below)

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14) Can I receive my reports by e-mail?
Again, in resolving this question it is best to contact a lawyer who is authorized to give legal advice. A Credit Reporting Agency cannot give advice on legal issues. (See below).

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