USA Criminal Record Search Hits All Time Low Pricing

The USA county criminal record searched reached a new low in pricing as Crimefx announced a country wide reduction to $1.75 per county searched.

The search is performed according to NAPBS provider guidelines.

That will ensure the quality of your result while the unheard of before price of $1.75 assures your bottom line increases almost exponentially.

The $1.75 cost per background check does not include any court levied fees or charges for the name search.

What is does include is the exact same type search performed by most criminal record retrievers and background screening companies.

Pre-employment screening companies and end-users will be thrilled to know that Steven Brownstein has already successfully completed the NAPBS Provider Exam, which in their words, "Those
who successfully complete the exam show due diligence and industry knowledge that
should be beneficial to their clients and the end-user."

Steven Brownstein believes criminal record searches should be priced fairly for the product they deliver.

According to Brownstein, "There should be no doubt that clear records take little time and effort to obtain; there is no real reason in the world to over price them. The real work is in the records found doing the searches. They average from 5%-15% of the total amount of records checked. Now that's what we should be paid for."

Crimefx takes into consideration the time and effort it takes to process the criminal record search. Based on a formula they have found that it can still be quite profitable to keep prices low; but of course, if a company wants to pay more for the same search result they have the perogative.

Just why should you pay more?

Steven Brownstein, President of Straightline International agrees, "Heck, it's no secret how criminal record searches are done in the USA. There are only so many criminal record retrievers in the USA, only so many online court repositories to search,and only so many courts to call or go to."

"These searches, he continues, "are not closely guarded secrets as some companies would want you to believe. Even the procedures companies have in place to test the accuracy of the court criminal record retriever is common knowledge. This is not rocket science."

But even by including rocket science, technology has enabled pricing to steadily fall in the county criminal record check marketplace.

Crimefx has positioned itself in the forefront of this consumer- friendly pricing. There is no need to pay artificial, extraordinarily high prices for the county criminal record product.

Crimefx can be reached through Straightline International offices. Call 1-670-256-7000 to reach a customer service representative that will be more than happy to accept your low offer of $1.75 to perform the same type of search that you already are more likely paying 3 or 4 times as much.

Steven Brownstein can be a little more difficult to reach by phone. He is best reached by E-Mail at steveb@search4crime.com  . He is regularly travelling the globe in search of a better way to access public records.

Doing Puerto Rico Criminal Court Record Searches

There are 13 Superior Courts in Puerto Rico to search for felonies.

These are:

Aguadilla
Aibonito
Arecibo
Bayamon
Caguas
Carolina
Guayama
Humacao
Mayaguez
Ponce
San Juan
Utuado
Fajardo

It is important to note that Bayamon and Carolina are immediate suburbs of San Juan.  It is a good idea to search all three when doing San Juan or the San Juan Metro Area.

Also, do not forget to include the mother’s maiden name on all searches. It makes for a more efficient search.
If you do not have the mother’s maiden the computer index acts in an uncivilized fashion and gives inaccurate results!

Results come back in Spanish. 

Large Pre-Employment Screening Firm Misses Record

Your employees, executivbes, or clients might be at risk!

Many pre-employment screening companies try to save a few dollars per criminal record search by taking the cheapest (and sometimes) the least favorable method of searching for criminal records.
Sad be the case in Puerto Rico.

Despite the efforts of Straightline International to educate the pre-employmeny screening companies about the efficacies and the flaws, of doing police clearances in Puerto Rico, many of these background check companies still persist in doing the 'next wrong thing.'

At Straightline International all Puerto Rico criminal record checks are put through a three part process exclusive to Starightline, called XR2.

Straightline is able to effectively provide this search to all pre-employment screening companies regardless of their size.

It has been shown that up to 50% more hits are found on the XR2 system than through conventional police clearance methiods.

Yet, companies persist in using the police exclusively.

It is this blogger's opinion if you are using a pre-employment screening company that is not using the XR2 Purto Rico search you should switch suppliers for Puerto Rico criminal record searches.

Straightline International's XR2 search is your solution.

Names will not be mentioned, unless a court deposition is needed, for this large pre-employment screening company, that  has decided that it is a whole lot cheaper to use police clearances in Puerto Rico.

They might get away with this for a while. But do you pay pre-employment screening companies to 'get away' with anything?

I expect not.

At Straightline International, they mirror or spot check the searches requested for Puerto Rico police clearances with their XR2 search, mostly for statistical reporting, even if the background check company has requested a different type of search.

Recently a large (and I mean large) background check firm has reduced their number of searches for Puerto Rico, citing costs and profit margins, in favor of police clearances rather than XR2.

They know better than to skimp on the search.

What they (intenetionally forget), that is to inform the CEO,  is that in the long run it is better to pay for the search done right the first time rather than pay large legal fees for a 'negligent hiring' lawsuit.

All in order to add to the bottom line. And with volume that bottom line adds up quickly.

Some background check companies like to play the odds in favor that an on the job incicdent might never occur and fool themselves into a feeling of security that the dollars they save now will offset the litgation costs later.

They forget the promise they gave you, the customer, that their work is of the highest quality.

Moral: Do not be fooled into thinking your criminal record searches are being done the best way possible.

Straightline International has numerous examples of the missed records by many pre-employmenrt screening companies that use Puerto Rico police clearance.

You do not want to do business with a company that tries to sell or has sold you on the quality of their work based upon Puerto Rico police clearances.

I will give you Straightline's contact info below. Find out yourself.

Contact Straightline International at info@straightlineinternational.com or call  +1-866-909-6678.

Ask for Dennis Brownstein.

Let's not settle for a few dollars more in favor of a few lives saved.

Your employees will thank you for that.

Manila Courts And Straightline International

Steven Brownstein actually gets things done. He has spent more time travelling around the world to courthouses than anyone else in history.
As he stays humble about his efforts, it is important that this blog gives him credit where it's due.
Recently he returned from a week in Manila visiting the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC), the Makati RTC, the Mandulayong Municipal Trial Court, and the Pasay City Trial Court.
Why, I asked do you go?
"Because," he replied, " there is no better way to get an understanding of how a system workd than seeing it operate first hand."
"I've been in this business (pre-employment screening) long enough to know that there are many shortcuts to obtaining criminal records. Most research companies are apt to use them (as time is an issue in background checks - everyone expects instant turnaround time). But there are no shortcuts. Every time you use suspect services you, yourself, leave the door wide open to litigation."
"But, I go to the courts around the world. I make the contacts. We're taking about 100's of cities worldwide. Most major cities on all the continents."
"I think Benjamin Franklin would be proud of me.
"I had to ask Brownstein, "Why Ben Franklin?"
"Simply," he said, "Franklin was one of the greatest Statesmen of all time."
So Steven Brownstein travels around the world and learns court sytems.
He takes that knowledge, shares it with the background screening industry, uses his contacts made for reliable results of international criminal record requests.
Steven Brownstein - A Johnny Appleseed of criminal record retrieval.

Manila More Than Vanilla

Just left the Philippines. Did you know most Americans spell it as Phillipines?
Manila is cool if you don' t mind the polluted air. Locals blame the smoke on the buses.
I agree.
I met with officials of the Regional Trial Court. Computerisation of their court records is and has been underway for some time now. I was told electronic records date back to 1999.
Still they have paper backup.
One, of a few courts I visted in Metro Manila was Mandaluyong Municipal Court.
My purpose, driving records. Plenty of traffic citations are given out in Manila.
Mandaluyong court records are computerised, too. So are traffic cases.
Traffic is so bad in Manila. Traffic citations are handed out like candy. Most are payable without a court appearance. I don't know their point system.
Also visited Makati RTC, Makati MTC, and Pasay City MTC.
Read more in March edition of The Background Investigator.

Straightline International's Background Check Learning Center

Be a criminal record researcher anywhere in the world.

In this day and age with worldwide unemployment at unprecedented highs what might a person do to get ahead?

Education is one solution.

And educating oneself about how to do criminal record research is something that can be taught online through training programs that Straightline International offers to 3rd world countries.

Its NGO office can guide an interested person through the methods and red tape that would otherwise discourage the most eager student. Once the applicant has finished the course the graduate will be well on the way to starting a new career.

If you are interested in learning more about  Straightline International's NGO background check student learning center contact phyllisn@search4crime.com

Russia Criminal Record Checks

Straightline International background checks processes requests for Moscow and Eastern Russia through its London, Paris, Saipan and Macau based offices.

info@straightlineinternational.com

"If your company is going to do searches in the USA without an FBI clearance certificate, you should have no difficulty accepting the results from your vendor in Moscow."

Our many trips to Moscow have shown me that although it is no longer communist the people are still not comfortable with dealing with people they do not know.

in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Eastern Russia, they know Straightline International.

The Moscow criminal courts are divided into 2 two types of courts - the District courts and the City court.

Both courts have a computer system and they can search by name.

The city court handles the more severe cases.

Because of the language barrier we do hire a translator.

You can also have your applicant apply for a police certicate and trust them to give you a copy when the Ministry gives it to them, similar to the FBI method in the USA, but "if your company is going to does searches in the USA that is not a FBI clearance certificate, you should have no difficulty accepting the results from your vendor in Moscow."

That vendor if not, should be Straightline International.

Moscow Criminal Record Checks

Straightline International background checks processes requests for Moscow and Eastern Russia through its London, Paris, Saipan and Macau based offices.

info@straightlineinternational.com

"If your company is going to do searches in the USA without an FBI clearance certificate, you should have no difficulty accepting the results from your vendor in Moscow."

Our many trips to Moscow have shown me that although it is no longer communist the people are still not comfortable with dealing with people they do not know.

in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Eastern Russia, they know Straightline International.

The Moscow criminal courts are divided into 2 two types of courts - the District courts and the City court.

Both courts have a computer system and they can search by name.

The city court handles the more severe cases.

Because of the language barrier we do hire a translator.

You can also have your applicant apply for a police certicate and trust them to give you a copy when the Ministry gives it to them, similar to the FBI method in the USA, but "if your company is going to does searches in the USA that is not a FBI clearance certificate, you should have no difficulty accepting the results from your vendor in Moscow."

That vendor if not, should be Straightline International.

Paris Background Checks

Straightline International background checks also has an office in Paris, France.

info@straightlineinternational.com

"If your company is going to do searches in the USA without an FBI clearance certificate, you should have no difficulty accepting the results from your vendor in France."

My many trips to Paris have shown me that the French do not want to do work performing pre-employment screening.

Take criminal records. Only, in the United States is accessing criminal records through the courts the norm.

In Paris, and France, accessing criminal records is done through an agency in Nantes.

But you can save yourself a lot of time (especially) if you are the employer going to the courts.

Court records are stored and accessed similar to the USA.

And privacy issues can be averted by getting an 'informed consent' from the applicant; the same consent you would need to use information even if given to you by the applicant.

Which by the way would have to happen because in no way would the certificate be issued directly to a 3rd party.

Of course you can do things American-style and go to the court.

Even the same office that processes criminal record request suggests that in case of a problem to contact the courts:

For all information contact:
 The ‘Casier judiciaire national’,
 The ‘Tribunal de Première Instance’

True, the documentation provided by the Casier judiciare nacional is a 'bird in the hand," but if your company is going to do searches in the USA without an FBI clearance certificate, you should have no difficulty accepting the results from your vendor in France.

Straightline International has an office in Paris, France.

NAPBS Hedges On International Provider Guidelines

First, let me say this is a good thing.

One broad sweep of the world's access to criminal record information doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

NAPBS must have heard from its foreign members.

Still, a user of international criminal record providers must be cautious to weed out the sellers of mis-information posing as experts whose only goals are to steer customers to themselves.

Here's what NAPS had to say about their hedging:

New International Provider Recommended Practices
from NAPBS Thursday, jan. 27, 2012  Newsletter

  Following in the tradition of the Provider Committee, the International Committee has created a Recommended Practices Document relating to international screening.
  This document has been written to be country agnostic, meaning that it is pertinent to providers of international data and their customers (background screeners) worldwide.
  However it is acknowledged that the document was written with greater focus on the U.S. screening market.
  This Recommended Practices document is designed to be customized to local market needs by the NAPBS Chapters in APAC, Canada, and other upcoming groups.
  International screening has experienced growth in the few years.
  As with all new products, it can be confusing for the client to understand exactly what the product is.
  The Recommended Practices documents sets the standard for recommendations on search availability, process, and communication between the provider and the customer (background screener).
  It is a valuable tool for use by background screeners who are researching various providers for international screening, since it will provide talking points to clarify the service provided. It can also be used by providers and their customers as a means to clarify current services provided.
  For background screeners located outside of the US, this document, in conjunction with the current Provider Guidelines, can clarify the sometimes confusing US market.

Steven Brownstein - A Real Criminal Records Researcher

Steven Brownstein is the real McCoy.
There are many want to be's but it takes more than a wish, a desire, an E-Mail ad campaign, or a We Bite to make a real criminal records researcher.
The other week Steven Brownstein reci=ceived an order to find an ' illegal fishing' case on a subject from 10 or so years ago.
The applicant couldn't remember he date(s). Just something like 10  years ago; he was detained, and ended up paying a fine of maybe $500. Or mybe it was bail. He couldn't recall.
Steven Brownstein, knowing the jurisdiction and it processes started at the Federal district Court. There are fish sanctuaries nearby. Maybe he was picked up by the U.S.
But searching the dockets and files for the last dozen or so years proved nothing.
So it was onward to the Superior Court. 
A computerized check of the files showed nothing.
Hmmm, he wondered where this $500 payment went.
Steven Brownstein then went to the Dept. of Public Safety (DPS).  Maybe there was an arrest and no charges brought to court. He might have posted bail. At least that was what Brownstein hoped for. No hanky panky, hopefully.
DPS had no records of the individual being arested nor the subject having been detained or questioned.
One could surmise it wasn't going so well and call it quits.
But not steven Brownstein, a real criminal records researcher.
Wracking his brain, a thought came to him.
Maybe Fish and Wildlife stopped him.
And you know what, that was what had happened.
After a hand search of records (Fish and wildlife has only been compuertised for several years) up popped the name and the illegal fishing 'citatation' and a fine of $500 paid 9 years ago.
Had the researcher been other than Steven Brownstein, you the person needing this information (and document) would have been out cold.
And that's what he means when he says there are many lessor researchers in the business.
They're out to take your money. Fast. With little or no work nor effort on their part.
Brownstein says that if you're willing to part with your cash so easily, shame on you.
Our advice is that if you need a real researcher and Steven Brownstein is the REAL DEAL, contact him at his companies, Straightline International or The Background Investigator at 1-866-909-6678.  Call him directly at 1-670-256-7000.  Rememeber, Brownstein is in Saipan, about 15 hours time zone difference from the USA.

CBS Posts AP Report That Gets It Wrong About Background Checks

CBS got it wrong. That's after AP got it wrong.  Maybe There Ought To Be A Correction.

Regarding an artcle entitled, "AP IMPACT: When your criminal past isn't yours"
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501366_162-57344346/ap-impact-when-your-criminal-past-isnt-yours/

I'm  not sure who the source was, but the comment, "It hasn't helped that dozens of databases are now run by mom-and-pop businesses with limited resources to monitor the accuracy of the records," misses the point as well as BAD MOUTH hard working Americans in the background screening industry. Show me the proof.

LET"S LOOK AT THE ISSUE:

ALL records are kept in databases. The courts have one. The police have one.

What background checking company monitors the records of the original sources of records they acquire?

Why should they? Can't trust the government to keep the record straight?

Fact is,  when it came to criminal records from the courts, everyone, BIG GUYS, and SMALL FRIES bought from the same sources more times than you imagined.

They had a runner (researcher) that searched the databases at a particular court and sent back a report to the company with a clear or found criminal (case) record.

Most counties only had a few (if any) runner/researchers. They were all well known. They were used by almost everyone.

The background check companies regularly check (audit) the researchers. They audit their work by sending work to them (knowing what the criminal case record should be - unless it has been expunged) and comparing it to their known results.

And if a discrepancy is found in a subject's record, to this day, researcher's are asked to do further investigation and find perhaps gather additional identifying information.

But background check companies sending researchers KNOWN CASES of IDENTITY THEFT cases  or asking to IDENTIFY EXPUNGED CASES that aren't expunged from the records and asking researchers to sort that mess out?

NEVER.

Given there are improper USES of DATABASES, the Federal Government has made certain that we know that. It created the FCRA.

About a decade ago,  The National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) was formed. http://www.napbs.com/

The NAPBS gives MOM and POP's the opportunity to share and get information from the same sources (including the FCRA) as the BIG GUYS.  And there are plenty of MOM and POP enterprises that are PAID members of the NAPBS.

As a sidebar, if it weren't for background checking companies, the issues of court clerical erors and identity theft might never have come up.  Go back more to the late 90's and the identity theft issue started in Ohio with an identity theft, a background checking company, a Sheriff's Association, and a lawsuit.

Meanwhile, the background checking industry always relied on the small MOM and POP to gather the criminal records they needed for their reports.
The internet changed a lot (but not all) of that with online access to court records.  Many small businesses were left without business as the 'big guys' dropped them faster than a hot potato preferring to do their own online searches instead of paying the few dollars per search that was the going rate at the time.

Then came scraping. This is not a new technology.  Research would show that the U.S. Court records (PACER) have been scraped for more than a decade by many companies. The use of scraping as a competitive edge by the BIG COMPANIES anxious to please their customers with faster service has made this product what it is today. Smaller MOM and POP's buy their scraping from the BIG GUYS.

Scraping actually utilizes the live data provided by the source ( in most cases, by a court).

The databases themselves are the problem.  There's errors in most all.

But it's the correction of inaccurate records where the lawsuits lie. The story even mentions a BIG LAWSUIT:

... "(A) settlement, which received tentative approval from a federal judge in Virginia last month, requires HireRight to pay $28.4 million to settle allegations that it didn't properly notify people about background checks and didn't properly respond to complaints about inaccurate files.

HIRERIGHT is by no means a SMALL MOM AND POP company.  Except maybe by comparing them to Microsoft or Wal-Mart.

I have to consider then as false the assessment that the problem discussed in the article is databases run by MOM and POPS.

I take offense at knocking the MOM and POPS of this country.

I read the article as a  'correction of error' problem and not a 'scraping or database' issue. 

Senastionalizing the story did not help protect the innocent person harmed by identity thieves or innacurate records kept at the originating source.

Let's look out for the MOM and POP  businesses. I know of one LARGE  pre-employment screening company that grew out of their garage. Maybe a software company, coffee company, and a newspaper or two had humble beginnings, too.

Let's Make Money

We're in business to make money.
Some of us have great ideas and would like to possibly share them.
I'll listen.  Maybe work with you.
I am very interested in bright new ideas from people of all walks of life.
Background checks, publishing, sports, promotions.
Those are a few areas that i am interested.

Steven Brownstein
1-670-256-7000
findcrime@aol.com

Police Records, Court Records, Jail Records, Conviction Records, National Databases

Just a week ago I was sitting in a large court's administration office. 

The Administrator was scratching his head.

Dumb me, I asked why.

The Administrator was reviewing a resume for a court clerk's position and the applicant had attached a criminal record check result from a 'national database' provider.

Rule # 1. The power of advertising is much greater than the truth.

Not one jurisdiction this national database provided results from (can we call them results?) contained an ounce of information from where the applicant had been, ever was, never will be; like give me a break.

Rule #2. Be prepared to hear so much 'bull' that an open door to slip out of never looked so good.

Another thing you do want to do is debate a police officer, detective, cop, whatever on criminal records.

But here I am, the pot calling the kettle black.

The other day I found (rather, put) myself in the position of listening to a long winded argument that this cop knew how to check police databases here and there; that the state system was great, that they check everything, get everything.

OMG! I must have been doing background checks too long.

Never mind all the studies showing lack of records, arrestees slipping through , etc.

But just when I think I've heard everything here comes the U.S Government.

Recently, I'm working on an immigration case. No matter, that's not impotant.

What's important is that we think a little knowledge makes us experts.

Talk about arrogance! (maybe mine?)

This government official (actually a nice person) really did believe that she could check online to get the records they need to do a background check.

And that's what they do!

Sorry to inform you that this government official is the head of a District's immigration policy.

Worse, they might use this information against you or a friend someday.

Really, though, I have been proved wrong many times.

But, I listen and (hopefully) learn.

That is Rule #3. Keep an open mind. (probably Keep Your Mouth Shut should follow!)

The hardest thing I find to do is change.

After many years of repetitive work, it all becomes so routine.

But, someone someday will spring something new on me.

Always happens. Can't wait.

Call me an eternal optimist.

Happy Holidays.

Criminal Record Retrieval In Saipan And Guam

The Only Criminal Record And Background Check In Saipan And Guam

Steven Brownstein provides the only local public record access service to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Despite what other ads might read about record retrieval in saipan - I see ads that say, ".... offers background record and criminal history searches in Saipan designed to yield results not available through public access or common free"  and  "Saipan Divorce Records Live Searches. Perform Saipan, Mp Divorce Records lookup against our nationwide ... Court Records Criminal Records Arrest Records ..." - these companies are not on Saipan nor Guam; Note: They do not perform criminal or public record searches in Saipan, Guam, or The Mariana Islands.

Based in Saipan, with easy access to Hagatna, Guam,  Steven Brownstein provides all public record services through Straightline International (http://www.straightlineinternational.com/).

When you are ready to order your records search, public document, or filing service in Saipan or Guam contact Steven directly.
1-670-256-7000
1-866-909-6678
steveb@search4crime.com
info@straightlineinternational.com

 

Read steven Brownstein's newspaper online. The Background Investigator (http://www.thebackgroundinvestigator.com/)

 

Great Quote From Steven Brownstein

Great quote from Steven Brownstein:

"..what does surprise me is the number of young adults that move off island, not paying a traffic citation, and then having a warrant issued for their arrest."

"That does not look good on a resume."

This applies to everyone.  Thinking about getting a job?  Even though there is only one Steven Brownstein, there are enough wanna-bes that will be looking at your record every time you apply for one that it's almost impossible to cover up a checkered past.

Your best bet, don't get arrested. Period.

Can -do Foreign Criminal Record Searches

Many Pre-employment compnaies are forgetful that they check courthouses in the USA and not police departments for criminal records.
One difference they forget to note is that a criminal record at a court is not the same thing as a criminal record at the police staion.

If I were a betting man ;), maybe I'd wager that criminal records, not all but many, found at the police department are not FCRA complaint.

That is, there is no disposition of charges given, let alone the 7-year rule.

So be it, amnesia runs rank among the pre-employment cognosci, so much I hear about police records in foreign countries, blah, blah, blah.

How that;s how it's done, blah , blah, blah.

How third parties can't get them, blah, blah, blah.

The real hoot about the absent-mindeness is this - the pre-employment's can't get FBI records in the USA, either!

Blah, blah, blah.  Money talks.

Court records is the language money talks in the USA. 

Foriegn records.  I hear the greenbucks flying away out the hands of the doom. gloom, and naysayers and into the hands of the 'can do-ers.'

Cool Hand Steven Brownstein

Not unlike Paul Newman, the real Cool Hand, Steven Brownstein has made his mark on the pre-employment screening industry by first opening up a forum where companies and individuals in the background check industry could converse - openly and publishing the 'real deal,' The Background Investigator (www.thebackgroundinvestigator.com), a monthly newspaper found online and also mailed as a very popular print edition.
What's remarkable is that the pre-employment screening industry would even talk to itself.  The worst kept secret was the method that they used to obtain criminal records.
The joke was on us because it turned out veryone was pretty much using the same sources and denying it to anyone who would listen.
In stepped the cool hand.
Steven Brownstein promoted the first ever pre-employment screening conference almost a decade ago.  Now everyone wanted to talk .
He has promoted nearly a dozen more such conferences since.
We're still talking.
This year, 2011, he has taken time off due to his busy schedule, so there is no conference. He is currently on his way to Hong Kong and Bangkok to meet with several of his key researchers.
But he promises an invigorating 2012 schedule that includes many new innovations and methods for providing criminal records to the background screening industry.
And that might include a conference or two.
I've got to Hand it to him, that's Cool.

Avoid Criminal Record - Get Good Job

As one of the world's foremost experts on criminal background checks, Steven Brownstein should be listened to.

Brownstein catches us off guard with, "It amazes me how young people today are not taught more than just good morals.  They should be taught not to get caught."

Being taught g ood morals is somewhat disputable these days. But not getting caught?

"Hey, he continues, "I mean don't commit the cirme to begin with and keep your trash off of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.  I can't begin, well, yes I can, tell you how many background checking firms are offering WebSite and Internat based searches designed to trip you up."

Brownstein's words ring the bit of wisdom he does profess.  A recent Google search of "facebook background check" came back in seconds with more than 106 million results; the top ones being companies offering Facebook and Twitter checks.

Brownstein quite seriously suggests, "Keep a low profile on the Internet or you'll end up paying for it with job offer refusals or lower pay. And criminal records?  Come on.  We all know it's public record.  Get caught drinking underage, pulling off some stupid party prank that gets you busted, the list of idiotic things we do can only get you the same result - unemployed."

Some states have drafted and passed laws disallowing use of certain criminal records, even going so far as to declassify them as criminal making them lesser offenses called violations.  These violations are in turn not usuable in making an employment decision.

"Maybe in some other world," adds Brownstein, "not this one. Get a criminal record, even a minor one, whatever you may call it, 'violation, misdemeanor, ordinance offense, and you think the HR department is going to ignore that?  Especially when there are tens of more applicants that come up clean?"

We're afraid we have to agree with Brownstein.  The best bet woud be to walk the straight and narrow and keep your life off the social networks.  But what a boring life.  There's got to be some better way.

We're Still Receiving Leading-on Promises About International Criminal Record Search Turn-around Times

I can't believe that after 20+ years in the pre-employment screening biz that I (and you) receive ads, contemporarily in the form of E-Mail, that make outrgeous claims of international criminal record turnaround.

The ad also implies civil searches, employment verifivations and what-nots!

I know the FTC is too busy with the big guys to track down this Calif. company; some wish they did.

I don't want them shutdown - just shut up.
Or at least have them start telling the real story.

One pre-employment screening expert says they re using some meaningless database,;incomplete, and I mean incomplete.

I would be embarrassed and ashamed to use it for any reason.

I have no idea what this Calif. company is thinking.

Maybe trying to steal business with trickery and sleight of hand.

Like in once they got you the truth can come out.

Use them and I hope you have plenty of E&O insurance.

You're going to need it.