Fix National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) Background Check Errors

Technology has made background checks a regular and expected part of many things we do. Background check companies can scan, scour, skim, and browse through thousands of databases with the touch of a button. Businesses and organizations with an interest in protecting their employees, tenants, participants, and reputation can engage a company called National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) for a background check. 

NCSI background checks must be accurate. The potential damage to the subject of an NCSI background screen with a mistake in it can be devastating. As consumer protection attorneys eager to help those who have suffered from inaccuracies in a background check, we have seen how cataclysmic one error can be. This article provides an overview of the NCSI background screen solutions process, the NCSI background check company, and what to do if your NCSI safe background check contains an error. 

The National Center for Safety Initiatives

NCSI is an organization that conducts background checks for adults who participate in and supervise activities in youth sports organizations, schools, parks and recreation departments, non-profit organizations, and other institutions. While many of its clients are, NCSI is not a non-profit organization. It operates as a for-profit entity providing screening services. Organizations pay NCSI to keep their participants safe, limit their liability, and protect their reputations. While their mission is vital, errors in their background check reports can lead to significant problems for individuals who NCSI wrongly flags. 

The NCSI Background Check

Who Gets One?

Organizations request the NCSI background screening for any adult applying to or currently involved in many civic organizations, particularly those working with minors. This includes sports and park recreation coaches, referees, volunteers, and staff members. Schools and other institutions may also require these checks for their employees and volunteers to ensure a safe environment.

What IS the NCSI Background Check

NCSI background checks are comprehensive and include:

• Criminal history records
• Sex offender registry checks
• Identity verification
• Driving records
• Employment history
• Reference checks

These elements are essential for providing a complete picture of an individual’s background and determining that they are suitable to work in a sensitive environment.

Where They Look

NCSI conducts searches in various databases and sources, including:

• National criminal databases
• County and state court records
• Federal court records
• Sex offender registries
• Identity verification sources
• References provided by the applicant 
• Motor vehicle administration and department of motor vehicles

This search aims to uncover or identify any potential issues that might compromise participant safety.

When You Get a NCSI Check and How Long It Will Take

The timing of an NCSI background check depends on the organization requesting it. Typically, organizations require these checks before starting a position or participating in an event. Some states or local counties or municipalities even require them. 

The process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the depth of the search and the responsiveness of the sources being checked. If one of your references is on vacation and not answering emails, the process will obviously take longer. 

Why You Get One

The primary reason for undergoing an NCSI background check is to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations, such as children and young athletes. By running background checks, NCSI helps organizations minimize the risk of harm to its participants and the risk of liability for the organization. 

Types of Errors

NCSI background checks can contain errors. These errors significantly impact people’s lives. Some common errors include:

• False positives can occur when the background check incorrectly identifies a person as having a criminal record or other issues.
• Sometimes, a background check might confuse two people with similar names or other identifying information, leading to incorrect results.
• Background checks might include old or incorrect information that should no longer be relevant.
• Missing information can also lead to an inaccurate representation of someone's background.
• Simple mistakes in data entry or processing can lead to significant errors in the final report.

These errors can have severe consequences, including lost job opportunities, damaged reputations, and unnecessary stress and anxiety.

The FCRA requires that collectors of personal information use reasonable care to make sure that the information they are collecting and compiling and selling to organizations is accurate. While the error might be in some other county’s criminal database, in light of the potential impact on a person’s reputation, NCIS's responsibility and the level of care that makes care reasonable should be more than just putting any old list together. 

The Importance of Fixing Those Errors

If you have recently undergone an NCSI background check and become aware of an error in the resulting background check report, we are really sorry.  We know how disorienting and damaging these errors can be. It’s important to make efforts to fix those errors. As you may be discovering:

• An inaccurate background check can prevent someone from getting a job or volunteer position, affecting their livelihood and career prospects.
• Incorrect information can harm an individual's reputation, leading to social stigma and personal distress.
• In some cases, false positives or other errors can result in legal issues, adding to the individual's burden.
• Everyone deserves to be judged based on accurate information. Ensuring background checks are correct is a matter of fairness and justice.

We want to help you correct these NCSI errors. 

How We Can Help

If you encounter errors in your NCSI background check that negatively impact your life, we may be able to sue them under the FCRA. 

We will carefully review your NCSI background check report to identify any inaccuracies or errors. This detailed examination is crucial for understanding the nature and extent of the problems. Next, we will help you gather evidence to support your case. This might include court documents, identity verification, employment records, and other relevant information. Having solid evidence is essential for disputing errors effectively.

Once we have identified the errors and gathered supporting evidence, we will guide you through the process of disputing the inaccuracies with NCSI. This involves submitting a formal dispute, providing all necessary documentation, and following up to ensure the errors are corrected promptly.

If NCSI fails to correct the errors in a timely manner, we may need to consider legal action. As your background check attorney, we will represent you in any legal proceedings, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive both fair treatment and just compensation.

Throughout the entire process, we will be your advocate, provide support, and offer guidance. Dealing with background check errors can be overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. 

Errors in NCSI background checks can have profound and far-reaching consequences. Contacting and talking with a consumer protection attorney at Consumer Attorneys can help you understand your rights and navigate the legal process to address these inaccuracies and hold NCSI accountable for the damage their oversight has caused.

You can contact us by calling 1-877-615-1725 or emailing us at [email protected]. You can also chat with a live representative on our website or fill out a contact form on the “Contact Us” page of our website. 

Together, we can work to ensure that the information being used to evaluate you is accurate and fair, and when it’s not, that you get compensated for the very significant damage it can cause.