FACT Act

Addn'l Privacy Info

FACT ACT Compliance Consumer Information

At Stokes & Associates (S&A), we recognize that there are times when a background check can cause a consumer to have concerns. Although S&A is not able to provide consumers with advice on background checks, we are pleased to be able to provide the following resources to help a consumer better understand the process. In addition, if you are a consumer that was the subject a pre-employment background check by S&A, you have additional and specific rights you should know about under the FCRA and the Act that are described below.

Consumer Information

The following are some Internet resources for consumers about background checks:

Article: Background Screening Can Help Boss and Applicants
A Summary of Rights (Prepared by the Federal Trade Commissioner for consumers)
Information for consumers is also at http://www.privacyrights.org/

In addition, most state or county bar have low-cost or no-cost programs to give consumers advice. If you have a question about a background report criminal records or other topics, a consumer may want to use a bar association program to consult with an attorney familiar with the subject. Each state has their own rules about criminal records. Another common questions deals with credit reports. Keep in mind that a credit score is NOT provided on an employment credit More information about credit reports available on the Internet

Note: If you are attempting to determine if your name is in a database in order to insure the accuracy of information about you, helpful information is provided by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (https://www.privacyrights.org/ar/infobrokers.htm). Please note that S&A does not maintain databases on individuals for any purpose whatsoever. only prepares one-time use reports when requested by an employer and then only with the written consent of the consumer in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). ESR has prepared a background check report that specifically relates to an application for employment with one of its clients, S&A will not have any data about you.

How to Dispute Information in Your Consumer Report

If you are the subject of a consumer report prepared by Stokes & Associates (S&A) and find incorrect or incomplete information, you have the right under federal law to dispute it. You may contact S&A by calling 707-826-9613 and asking to speak with a Dispute Resolution Specialist.
For more information about disputing reports, visit Internet websites dealing with the topic: "How-To-Dispute-Consumer-Report." To access the 'A Summary of Your Rights Under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act,' visit Internet websites dealing with that topic.

FACT ACT Information

The Fair And Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT Act) of 2003 that amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), provides the ability for consumers to obtain a free copy of his or her consumer file from certain consumer reporting agencies once during a 12 month period. If you have previously had a background report run on you by S&A, you may request a free annual file disclosure pursuant to the Free Annual File Disclosure Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 610.

Please note that Stokes & Associates (S&A) will only have a credit report concerning you if you have applied for employment with an employer who performs pre-employment background checks, AND the check was performed by S&A. you have not applied for employment with an employer that conducts pre-employment background reports, then you will not have a file with S&A. addition, even if you have applied for employment, and a background report was done, S&A will not have any information on you unless S&A was the background firm that completed the report. a Consumer will be informed of the name and identity of the background firm that was utilized by an employer on the Consent and Disclosure forms that an applicant must sign prior to a background report being requested.

Please also be advised that S&A does not "re-use" any information that is obtained by S&A for a background report. Each background report is a "one-time" use only.

You can obtain a copy of your consumer credit report file from S&A, if S&A has such a file, by contacting:

    Floyd Stokes, Supervising Investigator
    Stokes & Associates
    PO Box 97
    Blue Lake, CA 95525-0097
    Phone/Fax: 707-826-9613
    E-mail: floyd@stokesassoc.com

Consumers may check the status of their request by phoning 1-707-826-9613 and asking for the Consumer Desk.

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PRIVACY: In order to protect your personal information, S&A must take reasonable measures to confirm your identity. You will need to provide S&A with your full legal name, social security number, date of birth, driver's license information, the name of the employer who requested a screening report and the approximate date of the application with the employer, along with your daytime phone and current address. An e-mail address is also very helpful. After confirming your identity, S&A will mail your information within 15 working days.

The information will be mailed to the address S&A has on file for you. If you have moved or need it sent to a different address, S&A may ask for a copy of your driver's license showing your new address or a copy of a utility bill with your name and address in order to ensure that information is only provided to the consumer.