LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
Structured for compliance.
Operated with integrity.
Built to protect sensitive information.
Privacy Policy
Introduction
Certify Screening ("Certify Screening," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of information collected in connection with our background screening and related services. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we share it, and the steps we take to safeguard it.
Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of information, depending on how you use our services:
- Contact Information: name, email address, phone number, and business information.
- Account and Business Details: company name, role or title, and information about your organization’s screening needs.
- Candidate Information: full name, date of birth, address history, and other identifying information provided by you as an employer, landlord, or authorized requester.
- Sensitive Identifiers: Social Security Number (SSN) and similar identifiers, when submitted through secure, authorized screening providers.
- Usage and Technical Data: information about how you interact with our website and platform, such as IP address, browser type, and access times, collected through standard web technologies.
Collection Through Third-Party Screening Partners
Certify Screening uses secure, third-party background screening providers to collect and process certain sensitive information, including SSNs and other identifiers. Sensitive data is entered, stored, and processed within the secure systems of those providers and is not stored by Certify Screening beyond what is necessary to facilitate and document the transaction.
How We Use Information
- To facilitate employment, tenant, and other permissible background screening services.
- To process and transmit requests to authorized screening providers.
- To communicate with you about orders, results, support inquiries, and account-related matters.
- To maintain records of permissible purpose, authorization, and compliance.
- To improve, secure, and administer our website and services.
- To comply with applicable legal, regulatory, and auditing requirements.
Information Sharing
- With Authorized Screening Providers: We share applicant and requestor information with third-party Consumer Reporting Agencies and screening providers for the purpose of obtaining background reports.
- With Service Providers: We may share limited information with vendors who support our operations (such as hosting, security, or customer support), subject to confidentiality and security obligations.
- For Legal, Compliance, or Safety Purposes: We may disclose information as required or permitted by law, including to comply with legal process, enforce our terms, or protect the rights, property, or safety of Certify Screening, our clients, applicants, or others.
Data Retention
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, to maintain records of permissible purpose and authorization, to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and to resolve disputes. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of record and legal requirements.
Data Security
Certify Screening utilizes industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. Sensitive personal information, including Social Security Numbers, is transmitted through encrypted channels and processed by authorized screening partners that maintain secure infrastructure and access controls. While no system can guarantee absolute security, we take commercially reasonable steps to safeguard data.
Compliance with Privacy Laws
Certify Screening operates in a manner intended to comply with applicable federal and state privacy and data protection laws governing the collection and use of personal information in connection with background screening and related services.
Your Choices and Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, such as the right to request access, correction, or deletion, subject to applicable law. Requests may need to be directed to the Consumer Reporting Agency that prepared the report.
Contact for Privacy Inquiries
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, you may contact us at:
Email: support@certifyscreening.com
Terms of Service
Overview
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Certify Screening website, platform, and related services (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using the Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
Nature of Services
Certify Screening acts as a technology intermediary facilitating access to third-party Consumer Reporting Agencies and does not independently verify the accuracy of information contained in consumer reports.
No Consumer Reporting Agency Status (Unless Specified)
Unless otherwise specified in a written agreement, Certify Screening is not the Consumer Reporting Agency ("CRA") responsible for compiling or issuing consumer reports. Reports are prepared and provided by independent CRAs or screening providers, who are solely responsible for the content and accuracy of those reports.
No Guarantee of Outcomes
The Services, including any background reports obtained through our platform, do not guarantee any particular outcome, including employment decisions, tenancy decisions, or other eligibility determinations. All decisions based on background reports are made solely by the end user (such as an employer or landlord), who remains responsible for its own decisions and compliance.
Permissible Purpose and User Obligations
You agree to use the Services only for purposes that are lawful and permissible under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and any other applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you request background checks for employment, tenant, or other permissible purposes, you certify that you have a permissible purpose under the FCRA and any applicable state law, and that you will obtain any required authorizations and disclosures.
Compliance Responsibilities
You are solely responsible for ensuring that your use of consumer reports and related information complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including but not limited to the FCRA, anti-discrimination laws, and any applicable state consumer reporting laws. This includes providing legally required disclosures, obtaining written authorization from candidates where required, and following appropriate adverse action procedures.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Certify Screening and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages arising out of or relating to your use of the Services, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Certify Screening’s total aggregate liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the Services shall not exceed the amount you paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Certify Screening and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Services; (b) your failure to comply with these Terms; or (c) your violation of applicable laws or regulations relating to the use of consumer reports.
Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and, where applicable, the laws of the state in which Certify Screening primarily operates, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Modifications to the Terms
Certify Screening may update or modify these Terms from time to time. When changes are made, we will update the Effective Date at the bottom of this page or provide additional notice as required by law. Your continued use of the Services after any changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.
Refund Policy
General Policy
Background screening services involve costs and obligations that begin when a request is submitted to a screening provider. For this reason, fees for background checks and related services are generally non-refundable once processing has begun.
Eligibility for Refunds
A request may be eligible for a refund only if it has not yet been submitted to a third-party screening provider. Once an order has been transmitted to a Consumer Reporting Agency or screening partner, the associated fees are non-refundable.
Turnaround Times
Turnaround times for background reports are estimates and can vary based on court access, data source availability, geographic location, and other factors outside the control of Certify Screening and its partners. Estimated turnaround times are not guaranteed, and delays in report completion do not, by themselves, create eligibility for a refund.
Chargebacks and Disputes
Initiating a payment chargeback without first attempting to resolve the issue with Certify Screening may be considered a breach of these terms. We reserve the right to contest improper chargebacks and to suspend or terminate access to the Services in the event of abusive or fraudulent chargeback activity.
Billing Inquiries
If you believe there has been a billing error or you wish to inquire about a potential refund prior to submission of an order, please contact us using the support contact information provided on this site. We will review your request in good faith in accordance with this Refund Policy and applicable law.
FCRA Compliance & Permissible Use Disclosure
Use of Background Checks
Background checks obtained through the Certify Screening platform may be used for employment screening, tenant screening, or other legally permissible purposes, as defined under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable state laws.
Certification of Permissible Purpose
By requesting a background report, you certify that you have a permissible purpose under the FCRA and any applicable state laws, and that you will use the information only for that permissible purpose. You agree not to use consumer reports for personal, unauthorized, or unlawful purposes.
Candidate Authorization and Disclosures
Employers and end users are solely responsible for providing a standalone written disclosure to the applicant and obtaining written authorization prior to ordering a consumer report, as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(b)(2)). Certify Screening does not provide legal advice and does not assume responsibility for the user’s compliance obligations.
Adverse Action Responsibilities
If you intend to take any adverse action based in whole or in part on information contained in a consumer report (such as declining to hire, terminate employment, or deny tenancy), you are solely responsible for complying with the FCRA and any applicable state adverse action requirements, including providing any required pre-adverse and adverse action notices.
Prohibited Uses
You may not use consumer reports obtained through the Services for discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise unlawful purposes, including but not limited to decisions based on protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age, or for personal or curiosity-based inquiries.
Misuse and Account Termination
Misuse of consumer reports or violation of applicable laws or these terms may result in suspension or termination of your access to the Services, and may subject you to legal liability. Certify Screening reserves all rights to take appropriate action in response to suspected misuse.
Compliance Statement
Certify Screening endeavors to operate in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable federal and state laws governing the use of consumer reports. Nothing in this section is intended as legal advice, and users of the Services are responsible for consulting with their own legal counsel regarding compliance obligations.
Effective Date: February 19, 2026
Certify Screening operates in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing the use of consumer reports and related background screening services.