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News & Updates

Dear Client, Colleague and Friend:


As your trusted advisor in background investigations and security consulting, CSI keeps you informed of the latest industry news, insights and legislation. Read our latest newsletter and sign up to receive our news alerts. 
  You Should Know
Credit Scores on the Rise

The National Consumer Assistance Plan is an initiative undertaken by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies to make credit reports more accurate and make it easier for consumers to correct any errors on their credit reports.  The plan was launched in March 2015 and will be implemented over a three year period with full implementation expected by March 2018.  As part of this plan, on July 1, 2017, Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax, implemented policy changes that in many cases will result in an increase in consumers’ credit scores.   These changes include a requirement for more documentation for public records (e.g. civil judgments, tax liens) that appear on consumer credit reports.  As a result of this policy change, tax liens and civil debts reported must include a consumers’ name and address, as well as Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth with updates every 90 days.  Many liens and judgments do not include that data and would require court research for mandated updates therefore it is expected that many of these public records will be removed from consumer credit reports.  Analysis has shown that potentially 9% of consumers will see their credit scores rise by 10 or 20 points.

 

Although credit scores are not provided in credit reports for employment, companies who have industry requirements that include the use of a credit report or chose to do so for certain positions in the hiring process need to be mindful of these changes.  Many public records that have been available for consideration within the context of credit reports will no longer be present.   

 

More information about the National Consumer Assistance Plan can be found at http://www.nationalconsumerassistanceplan.com/news/news-release/.


Difference Between CBSV and Social Security Trace

CSI conducts a Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) as an optional screening service.  This service is processed through the Social Security Administration (SSA).  CBSV verifies whether a name and social security number (SSN) combination match the data in the SSA records. The SSN and name is matched against the SSA’s Master SSN file. 


Important distinction between CBSV and Social Security Trace:

The Social Security Trace is distinctly different from the CBSV.  The Social Security Trace is commonly used during a background check as an investigative tool designed to surface information by providing additional addresses and/or alias names associated with the provided SSN. These results give an investigator more information to conduct the background investigation. The Social Security Trace is not processed through SSA and will not verify the Social Security Number against SSA’s Master SSN file.   

CSI Around Town

CSI will again this year sponsor and exhibit at the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Conference, September 27-29 at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth, MA. #NEHRA2017

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About CSI

Creative Services, Inc. (CSI) is a full-service employment screening, background investigations and security consulting company. Established in 1976, CSI provides comprehensive screening solutions, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence investigations, and security consulting to regulated and non-regulated industries. By combining advanced technologies with superior investigative, interviewing and analytical skills, CSI identifies areas of vulnerability and establishes customized strategies that mitigate risk, improve workplace safety and achieve regulatory compliance. CSI has held the distinction of being accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) since 2012. For more information, please visit www.creativeservices.com.


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