Posted by Jack/AL on 10/1/12 3:49pm
Msg #436669

The latest on ESS Background Checks............

This just in.............. 10/01/2012. Gee, I've worked with ESS twice this year! Doesn't seem like it'll be worth the expense to continue being on their list. I just hope the other 42 companies I've worked with this year don't get the same wild hair and require a BGC just for them......
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Dear Equifax Contractor,

This notice is going out to all Equifax Settlement Services LLC (“Equifax Settlement Services”) Independent Contractors.

At Equifax Settlement Services, we want to build partnerships with Independent Contractors that lead to mutual success for everyone involved. As part of our effort to reduce risk and protect our company’s reputation, Equifax Settlement Services has established a new screening website through a partnership with LexisNexis. This one-stop solution not only registers you but also ensures that you meet Equifax Settlement Services’ requirements to work in specialized service roles. By providing all of your needed information in one place, this site helps to streamline the screening process.

It is Equifax Settlement Services’ policy that all Independent Contractors successfully pass specific qualification criteria, as implemented with the new Equifax Settlement Services LLC/LexisNexis Contractor Screening system. Below is a summary of the actions you need to take at this time.

Click below to access the Equifax Independent Contractor Screening system: https://contractor.lexisnexis.com/CS/equifaxsettlementservices.
Complete your Individual Registration Form online.
Next you will be asked to answer a series of five questions that will validate your identity.
If you answer all questions correctly, you will be directed to the ordering page.
Complete your order and submit payment.
If you incorrectly answer any questions, you will still be directed to the ordering page. However, you will not be able to access your final results until identity validation takes place. If you need assistance accessing the application or completing the online form, please call LexisNexis Technical Support on 1.866.237.2135.
We appreciate your cooperation as we implement these important new procedures to ensure the highest levels of work quality, safety, and security. If you have any questions, please contact Equifax Settlement Services’ sponsor administrator, Mike Sapsara at [e-mail address].

Kind regards.

Tania James
Account Manager
Screening

Reply by MW/VA on 10/1/12 4:31pm
Msg #436676

What's even weirder about all this is that many of these

cos. are using Lexis-Nexis. Shouldn't one report from them be enough. This smells of kickbacks to me.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/1/12 4:51pm
Msg #436683

Re: What's even weirder about all this is that many of these

I also find it interesting that it requires the notary to come up with their "right answers". How many of you believe that their databases are perfectly accurate?

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/1/12 5:13pm
Msg #436686

Re: What's even weirder about all this is that many of these

Yup, those "right" answers are based on information that they pull from your credit report... such as the amount of a loan payment or the house number of a place you used to live. The idea behind it is that they are things only you would know know and it is supposed to help you verify your identity.

Now, the problem with that is that, of course is the assumption that the information in your credit report is correct anyway. I've heard and read multiple reports that have said that 755 or 4/5 credit reports have errors in them. So yeah... there's one big issue right there. I went through that once and they were asking me the amount of a payment on a student loan I had. But I had no idea because the loan was actually in deferment because I was in school. I entered, -0- but got it "wrong" and failed my own identity validation test. I guess a computer knew myself better than I did.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/1/12 5:43pm
Msg #436689

Re: What's even weirder about all this is that many of these

Yep, my point exactly! Seems to me that there's a tendency at all levels for some to get a bit myopic about this stuff and not be able to see the forest for the trees.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/1/12 7:35pm
Msg #436708

I think most of you have heard the story about how

Lexis-Nexis screwed up when I had a bgc done through NNA, and I ended up receiving $1,000 from the class action suit. They violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act! Wow!

Reply by ToniK on 10/1/12 4:31pm
Msg #436677

sorry Jack but you're light years behind on this. n/m

Reply by Jack/AL on 10/1/12 4:49pm
Msg #436682

OK, I'm behind........ The email came to me today! n/m

Reply by Ernest__CT on 10/1/12 8:14pm
Msg #436719

How much is the fee that a NSA is supposed to pay? Thanks! n/m

Reply by Jack/AL on 10/1/12 9:09pm
Msg #436724

Re: How much is the fee that a NSA is supposed to pay? Thanks!

$37.86. That question is answered in this message I received tonight.
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The email “ESS Background Check” has been resent to you along with the instruction guide for ordering. Please take the time to review.

The new LexisNexis background check is our new screening process established to register all of our Notary Signing Agents and to ensure that all of our Notary Signing Agents will meet ESS’s requirements. To bring your profile to full compliance, no other background screenings are acceptable.

These new procedures are implemented to ensure the highest levels of work services, safety and security

We will appreciate if you please let us know whether you are interested in doing the new LexisNexis background check which costs $37.86. If so, please advise when.

Reply by Leslie_Mo on 10/1/12 10:05pm
Msg #436737

RE: Equifax request for background check

I also received their letter and sent them the following email:

"Last week I ordered and paid for a new full background check through Notary Rotary so I won't be buying an additional background check at this time. If you would like to pay for one for me through Lexis Nexis, that would be fine. Please let me know. Thank you."

This is the response I received from Equifax:

"Thank you for your email. I’ve well noted.

Arunya"

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/1/12 10:40pm
Msg #436742

Re: How much is the fee that a NSA is supposed to pay? Thanks!

I wonder if they'd accept Lexis Nexis BGCs done recently through other sources... An if not, what could be so unique about theirs?

Reply by ArtG/KS on 10/2/12 9:43am
Msg #436791

Wish we could see a BGC on them!

Reply by Keys_Notary on 10/3/12 3:22pm
Msg #437033

This reeks of busy work & profiteering. Fee for the same bgc thru Lexis Nexis is only $25.00 and they will not accept it. I had a L/N bgc done a few weeks before ESS sent their email. (I have some private banks I work directly with that want me to have same check as their employees, and yes I make up the $25 in profit on one signing)
I called ESS and they told me they can't accept it must be via their 'personalized' link to L/N. I called L/N and they said it was the same bgc they just report to ESS the result directly.