IAmScreened.com Counters CNN Report that Background Checks Compromise Job Opportunities

Online, October 1, 2009 (Newswire.com) - SACRAMENTO, CA (10/01/09) - IAmScreened.com, an online service that provides individuals the opportunity to conduct their own personalized background checks, is countering a recent CNN report that background checks compromise individual employment opportunities and rely upon faulty information that is inaccessible to the general public.

CNN's report conducted by Gerri Willis [citation: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/business/2009/09/29/willis.privacy.data.cnn?iref=videosearch] examines the case of an unidentified man whose background check, run by information broker ChoicePoint, erroneously reported him as having felony convictions which were confused with another man sharing the same name and birth date. The resulting error cost the individual a job offer which was fortunately reinstated once ChoicePoint had corrected the report.

This error however plays on fears long held by the general public concerning background checks and public information databases. CNN cited Privacy advocate Lily Coney who said that most people have no idea what's in these databases and that "they can include faulty and outdated information."

Nathan Taggart, VP of Marketing and Product Development for IAmScreened.com, responded saying "IAmScreened.com has done a lot to take away from the negative mystique surrounding background checks. People have the opportunity to run a search on themselves prior to submitting a job application so they can catch any sort of negative or erroneous information whether it's in regard to identity, employment or criminal history."

"We've gone to great lengths to make ourselves available to our customers to discuss the results of their report and we have consistently demonstrated a commitment to deliver the most accurate and up-to-date results possible. Our reputation at IAmScreened.com is partly based on our ability to sort through potentially damaging misinformation and deliver accurate results."

This runs counter to Senator Patrick Leahy who in CNN's report says "I don't think most of us know how exposed we are. I want to know what's in my records. People cannot do that with surety." Senator Leahy is currently working to pass legislation that would make public information databases more accessible and more secure.

Jennifer Wiehl, IAmScreened.com Director of Operations, admires Senator Leahy's intentions but also wants people to know that background checks aren't a kiss of death for job seekers.

"IAmScreened.com is a pioneering service for the background check industry that allows private citizens to see what could come up on a background check run by a potential employer. We give individuals the power to affect the outcome of a background search before it's even conducted. They can make sure their identity has not been compromised, their employment history is accurate and their criminal background is free of any errors that could put a job offer at risk. That kind of service certainly calls into question any claims that our industry is keeping people in the dark and costing them jobs."

While stereotypes regarding personal information services may still persist, IAmScreened.com CEO Chris Ballas remains confident and optimistic: "I think that by providing consistent service, maintaining open lines of communication and educating people about the process itself, fears surrounding the background check process will eventually fade. There's no doubt in my mind IAmScreened.com has helped us take huge steps in that direction already."

Individuals interested in learning more can go to www.IAmScreened.com to learn more about the process and benefits of a customized background check report.

IAmScreened.com was developed and launched in 2008 to provide individuals with the same access to their information as their employers have. IAmScreened.com is a wholly owned subsidiary of Backgrounds Online (www.backgroundsonline.com) which has provided background check reporting services to businesses and Fortune 500 companies nationwide for more than ten years.

Contact:
Nathan Taggart
VP of Marketing and Product Development
[email protected]
1915 21st Street
Sacramento, CA, 95814
1-888-233-9911
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