Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I conduct a pre-employment background investigation?
   An average of 50% of the information on employment applications is incomplete or inaccurate. An average of 40% of applicants fail to disclose other names used or locations of residency. 42% of applicants, on average, have Department of Motor Vehicle violations. An average of 39% of applicants have bad credit.
   
   
2. What distinguishes the pre-employment background research conducted by Investigative Associates from other sources that can provide instantaneous results?
   Vendors that can provide instantaneous background results are obtaining their information though databases purchased from various information brokers. Typically, these databases are updated at most monthly and some as infrequently as semi-annually. Only ten states submit criminal history information to these database brokers. Consequently, most of their information is retrieved from other sources such as Departments of Correction records and Sex Offender Registries which will not contain all criminal offense records. Database searches are typically not compliant with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (Section 613.a.2).
   
   Investigative Associates searches the actual state repository of criminal records in each state that maintains a statewide repository. For those states without a statewide repository we search the individual counties’ criminal records where an applicant has resided.
   
   This insures that the client receives the most up to date, accurate information available.
   
   
3. How is Investigative Associates qualified to do this?
   In addition to being regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act as a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), Investigative Associates & Consultants, Inc. and its agents are also licensed by the North Carolina Private Protective Services Board. This Board is a division of the North Carolina Department of Justice and through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation may audit and inspect the records of licensees at any time. The additional regulations imposed by these agencies insure that our information meets the highest standards of accuracy and confidentiality.
   
   
4. I need to perform background investigations on a recurring basis. How can I best accomplish this?
   We would be pleased to discuss with you the options for becoming a recurring client. We can provide you with access to our client page and you can request multiple investigations as you need them. In addition, we are able to provide discount pricing based on volume. Please contact us at (336) 768-7040 or complete our online information request form and an agent will contact you.
   
   
5. What is the refund policy?
   Fees for the services provided by Investigative Associates & Consultants are posted on the various website pages. Every search conducted incurs fixed and variable costs for our organization. Whether the search results yields multiple records or none at all, searches are completed using the same standards and processes. A refund will only be processed if Investigative Associates & Consultants is notified by the customer to cancel the request, prior to the initiation of any research by Investigative Associates & Consultants. Information entered incorrectly and submitted by the customer will still result in charges to the customer unless Investigative Associates & Consultants is notified by the customer prior to any research being conducted. The amount of the refund is limited to the actual fees paid less a processing fee of 5%. We will not reimburse customers for any other bank fees, insufficient funds fees or “over limit fees” in conjunction with the use of credit cards or bank debit cards.

Privacy Statement

Investigative Associates & Consultants values the trust placed in our company and services. We understand the necessity for protecting personal information in today’s environment. As such, we have established policies and procedures dedicated to maintaining the privacy of personal information while providing our clients with exceptional service.

Information Collection

We only collect information that is necessary to provide the requested services. Examples of the types of information we collect are, but not limited to the following:
name, address, race, sex, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, telephone number, criminal histories, credit reports and employment and educational verifications.

Personal information is processed with the customer’s knowledge and authorization. This information is protected from unauthorized or accidental disclosure and is only seen by those persons necessary to perform the authorized research. Investigative Associates & Consultants does not use any customer/applicant information to compile mailing lists for sales or other purposes. We maintain strict physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal and state regulations to guard a consumer’s nonpublic and public personal information.

We do not disclose any personal information obtained in the course of research except as required or permitted by law, or to fulfill our contracted services to you. This is in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681). Investigative Associates & Consultants does not provide our customers’ information to any vendors or third parties for any reason.
Investigative Associates & Consultants maintains strict procedures to insure that the information we collect is complete, accurate and up to date before it is reported. However, Investigative Associates & Consultants cannot be responsible for errors within court records and within the records of other consumer reporting agencies, such as credit bureaus.

Credit Card Processing and Security

At Investigative Associates & Consultants, our secure server encrypts all payment information that you transmit to us while using our site. The encryption process takes personal information and converts it into code that is securely transmitted over the Internet. Credit card transactions are handled by a third party financial institution that receives the credit card number and other personal identifying information only to verify the credit card numbers and process transactions.

Website Security Features

• User identity authenticated at sign-on
• Unique user names & password
• 128 bit encryption
• Transmitted information is encrypted
• Security symbol (closed padlock or key) is visible in browser window
• Automated session time out after twenty minutes

External Links

Out goal is to insure that our website visitors obtain the greatest value; consequently, Investigative Associates & Consultants may provide links to third party websites. However, Investigative Associates & Consultants exercises no authority or control over linked sites. Investigative Associates & Consultants assumes no responsibility or liability for the processes, content or security of these web sites. These links are provided only for your convenience, and as such, you access them at your own risk.

Contacting the Web Site

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this web site or your interaction with this web site, contact:

Investigative Associates & Consultants
3775 Vest Mill Road
Suite D
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
info@iacinvestigations.com
(336) 768-7040