InfoMart Background Check: Everything You Need to Know
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- InfoMart Background Check: Everything You Need to Know
Employees have rights when InfoMart runs background checks on them. Here’s what you should know and how we can help.
InfoMart offers a slate of background checks that employers can customize with the data they want to know about you. Credit reports, drug usage, employment and licensure verification, and criminal history are all part of InfoMart’s services. By law, these reports must be accurate, but they aren’t always. When mistakes happen, learn what to do next.
Looking for a job, applying for jobs, getting an interview, acing the interview, and waiting for the job offer can all be very stressful. Adding an additional step—the background check—into that process can really add to the stress. But background checks have become a standard and regular part of the job application process so learning about them and your rights when they happen is essential. The background check lawyers at Consumer Attorneys have decades of experience helping people whose background checks are inaccurate or who endure a flawed process that violates the law. This article provides an overview of a background check company called InfoMart, one of the leading providers of background screening services, and understanding their processes is crucial for both employers and job applicants.
The Company
InfoMart was founded in 1989 by Tammy Cohen and has grown into a leading provider of background screening services. One of the things that makes InfoMart unique is that it offers background check services to many different businesses across various industries. Additionally, employers can select and tailor the information they want on the subjects of their background checks.
Scope of InfoMart Background Screening Services
InfoMart offers a wide range of background screening services designed to meet the needs of employers and ensure a safe and qualified workforce. Below are the main categories of services provided by InfoMart, along with detailed descriptions of each sub-service:
| Category | Sub-Service | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Background Checks | National Criminal Search | Involves searching a nationwide database for any criminal records associated with the applicant. |
| County Criminal Search | Focused on specific counties where the applicant has lived, worked, or studied. | |
| Federal Criminal Search | Checks for crimes prosecuted at the federal level, such as fraud, embezzlement, or other federal offenses. | |
| Statewide Criminal Search | Encompasses all counties within a specific state to identify any criminal records within that state. | |
| Sex Offender Registry Search | Checks national and state sex offender registries to ensure the applicant is not listed as a sex offender. | |
| Employment Verification | Previous Employment Verification | Contacts former employers to verify the applicant's employment history, including job titles, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving. |
| Current Employment Verification | Verifies the details of the applicant's current employment with the applicant's permission. | |
| Education Verification | Degree Verification | Confirms the authenticity of the applicant's academic degrees, including the institution attended and the dates of attendance. |
| Certification Verification | Verifies any professional certifications listed by the applicant to ensure they are legitimate and current. | |
| Professional License Verification | License Status Check | Checks the status of professional licenses, ensuring they are valid and up-to-date. |
| Disciplinary Actions Check | Investigates any disciplinary actions taken against the applicant's professional licenses. | |
| Credit History Check | Credit Report | Obtains a detailed credit report, which can include credit scores, debt levels, payment history, and other financial information relevant to the applicant's financial responsibility. |
| Identity Verification | Social Security Number Trace | Verifies the applicant's Social Security number and reveals any aliases or associated addresses. |
| Address History Check | Compiles a comprehensive history of the applicant's past addresses. | |
| Drug Screening | Urine Drug Test | Offers urine drug tests to screen for a variety of drugs. |
| Hair Follicle Test | Provides a longer detection window for substance use and can detect drug use over a period of months. | |
| Civil Records Search | County Civil Search | Searches for civil cases in specific counties, including lawsuits, judgments, and liens. |
| Federal Civil Search | Checks for civil cases filed at the federal level, which can include significant financial disputes or other major civil matters. |
The Rights of Background Check Subjects
Understanding your rights when undergoing a background check is crucial. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides several protections for individuals subject to background checks:
- You have the right to access your information. Under the FCRA, you have the right to know what information is being used against you and to obtain a copy of your background check report. This ensures transparency and allows you to review the data for accuracy. This allows you to monitor your information and promptly address any and all discrepancies, errors, and inaccuracies. This right is crucial for maintaining accurate and fair personal records.
- You have the right to dispute inaccuracies. If there are inaccuracies in your report, you have the right to dispute them and have them corrected. The FCRA requires InfoMart to investigate any disputes and to correct any errors within 30 days of receiving the dispute. The attorneys at Consumer Attorneys can help you with this.
- You have the right to be notified of adverse actions. If a potential employer takes adverse action (such as not hiring you) based on your background check, it must notify you and provide the information necessary to dispute the decision.
How Long Does an InfoMart Background Check Take
The time it takes for an InfoMart background check can vary depending on the specific services requested and the complexity of the check. Generally, most background checks are completed within a few days to a week. However, more comprehensive checks, such as those involving international records or extensive verification processes, may take longer.
InfoMart Background Check Status
You can typically check the status of your InfoMart background check by checking in with the potential employer who requested the background check. Staying informed about the status of your background check can help alleviate anxiety and ensure you are prepared for the next steps in the hiring process.
The results of an InfoMart background check will be provided to the employer who requested the check. As an applicant, you are entitled to a copy of the report if any adverse action is taken based on the information contained within it. Reviewing these results is important to ensure their accuracy and address any potential issues promptly.
As mentioned earlier, the duration of an InfoMart background check can vary. On average, a standard background check can take between three to five business days. More extensive checks, such as those involving multiple jurisdictions or additional verification steps, can take longer. It is advisable to inquire with the employer or InfoMart for specific timelines based on the nature of the check.
How a Background Check Attorney Can Help
If you have been wronged by mistakes in your background check, a background check attorney can be invaluable. Here’s how:
| Action | Description |
| Identifying Errors | We can help you identify errors in your background check report, such as incorrect criminal records, employment history inaccuracies, credit report issues, and mistaken identity. |
| Filing Disputes | Your attorney can guide you through filing disputes with InfoMart to correct any inaccuracies. This includes providing the necessary documentation and following up on the dispute process. |
| Legal Representation | If your dispute is not resolved satisfactorily, an attorney can represent you in legal proceedings. This can involve filing a lawsuit against InfoMart or the employer for violating your rights under the FCRA. |
| Seeking Damages | In cases where inaccuracies in your background check have caused significant harm, such as loss of employment opportunities, your attorney can help you seek damages for the financial and emotional distress caused. |
| Preventing Future Issues | An attorney can advise you on steps to prevent future issues with background checks, such as regularly reviewing your records and promptly addressing any discrepancies. |
| Lawsuit Against InfoMart | If you believe that InfoMart has violated your rights under the FCRA or provided inaccurate information that has adversely affected your employment opportunities, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against InfoMart. Consulting with a background check attorney can help you determine the validity of your case and the best course of action. |
Understanding the scope and details of InfoMart background check services is crucial for both employers and job applicants. InfoMart offers a wide range of services, from criminal background checks to education verification, each designed to ensure a safe and qualified workforce. As an applicant, you must be aware of your rights under the FCRA, including the right to access your background check report, dispute inaccuracies, and be notified of adverse actions.
If you encounter issues with your InfoMart background check, the consumer protection attorneys at Consumer Attorneys can help you navigate the dispute process and seek justice if InfoMart violates your rights. Whether it's identifying errors, filing disputes, or representing you in legal proceedings, an attorney can provide the support and expertise needed to protect your interests and, if necessary, start legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions
The time it takes to do an InfoMart background check varies depending on the scope and complexity of the background check subject’s experiences. InfoMart also offers a wide range of background check services, so the time it takes will depend on how much information the employer requests and what that information is. On average, a standard background check can take anywhere from three to five business days to complete. More comprehensive checks, such as those involving multiple jurisdictions, extensive employment history verification, or international records, may take longer, often up to two weeks.
The scope of an InfoMart background check can vary based on the employer’s requests. Generally, an InfoMart background check will cover the past seven to ten years for criminal history, which aligns with common industry practices and legal guidelines (state laws determine how far back a criminal background check can go). Employment and education verifications typically focus on the past seven years but may go further back if relevant to the job position. Certain roles, particularly those in financial services or positions of high security, may require a more extended review period.
An InfoMart background check can reveal a wide range of information depending on the services the employer or potential employer requests. Typically, it includes criminal background checks, which may show any felony or misdemeanor convictions, pending charges, and sex offender registry status. Employment verification confirms previous job titles, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving. Education verification checks the authenticity of academic degrees and certifications. Additionally, credit history checks assess financial responsibility, particularly for roles involving financial duties. Identity verification services confirm Social Security numbers and address histories. Drug screening results, if applicable, and civil records searches for lawsuits, judgments, and liens may also be included. All these elements help employers make informed hiring decisions.
The best thing to do if you find inaccuracies in your InfoMart background check is to contact a background check attorney at Consumer Attorneys. You can dispute the information under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Start by requesting a copy of your report from the employer or directly from InfoMart. Review it and identify the report’s specific errors. Gather supporting documentation that proves the correct information. A lawyer can help you submit a written dispute to InfoMart that preserves your rights for legal action if that becomes necessary. InfoMart must investigate your dispute, typically within 30 days, and correct any inaccuracies. Consumer Attorneys has done this thousands of times and works hard to get its clients the compensation they deserve for InfoMart’s inaccuracies.
Daniel Cohen is the Founder of Consumer Attorneys. Daniel manages the firm’s branding, marketing, client intake and business development efforts. Since 2017, he is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the National Consumer Law Center. Mr. Cohen is a nationally-recognized practitioner of consumer protection law. He has a we... Read more
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