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

Anyone who has ever played or coached youth sports knows that mistakes happen. Anyone involved in youth sports also knows that to do so nowadays, you have to undergo a background check. Mistakes are not supposed to happen in background checks. And when they do - the results are far more devastating, far more consequential, far more painful, and far more resonating than a dropped fly ball or missed goal.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), companies that handle your personal information, like the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI), are required to take great care in handling and reporting that information. NCIS does background checks for schools, youth sports organizations, and other civic groups. When they don't use that care, mistakes happen. If you’ve recently encountered errors in an NCSI background check, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and maybe even a little lost. We understand how unsettling it is to be denied a job or volunteer position, or have your reputation unfairly damaged due to misinformation. But you don’t have to face this alone—there are ways to fix these errors, and we're here to help.

Background Checks Are Unavoidable!

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 interested in protecting their employees, tenants, sporting league participants, and general reputation can engage a company called the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) for a background check.

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 performs background checks for adults working in environments where safety is a priority, especially in youth sports organizations, schools, parks, and other civic groups. While their mission is essential—ensuring that the people who work with children or other vulnerable groups are trustworthy—mistakes in their reports can cause real harm. 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 checks pull data from various sources, including national criminal databases, county and state court records, and sex offender registries. But errors—whether from outdated information, mistaken identity, or data entry mistakes—can unfairly impact your life.

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 ensure that the information they collect, compile, and sell 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

At Consumer Attorneys, we’ve seen how damaging an inaccurate NCSI background check can be. That’s why we’re committed to standing by your side, ensuring your rights are upheld and that your background check is corrected. Here’s how the background check attorneys at Consumer Attorneys can assist:

• Review your report. We will carefully analyze your NCSI background check to pinpoint any errors.
• Build your case. We’ll help you gather the evidence needed to support your claim, whether it’s court documents, employment records, or other relevant materials.
• File a formal dispute. We’ll guide you through disputing the inaccuracies directly with NCSI.
• Take legal action if needed. If NCSI refuses to correct the errors or drags its feet, we’re prepared to take them to court under the FCRA. We aim to hold them accountable for the damage their mistakes have caused you.

The Importance of Fixing Background Check Errors

An incorrect NCSI background check can have far-reaching consequences. It can block job opportunities, ruin your reputation, and create unnecessary stress. What does an NCSI background check look for? Criminal history, driving records, and more. How long does an NCSI background check take? Typically, it’s completed within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the depth of the search. But if errors are found, those need to be fixed immediately.