Privacy Policy Overview

Merit Profiles Background Screening understands the sensitivity of Non-Public Personal Information (“NPI”).  We take our responsibility of maintaining the security and privacy of NPI submitted by our clients seriously.  Most commonly, this information is furnished to us by our clients to assist with providing employment related background screening services.

This privacy policy covers all information that we collect and may utilize while performing background screening services. All data is collected, stored and used in compliance with applicable laws, which may include the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”).  The information below explains the type, usage and storage of NPI – please contact Merit Profiles at 866-522-5781 if you have any questions or concerns.

Gathering and Intended Use of NPI

NPI is most commonly used while conducting employment related background screening services on consumers for our clients.  Common types of NPI gathered for this use are social security number (SSN), address history, date of birth (DOB), driver’s license number, current and previous employer(s), educational history, and financial information.  We may receive NPI from applications or forms, other businesses, and other service providers.

Merit Profiles utilizes gathered information to assist with processing background screenings.  We may use the information submitted as well as additional data from third parties including public records, employment and education history, other lawful information and may include notes and comments from references and a record of interactions. Some or all of this data may be compiled and provided to our clients.

When We Share Information

Merit Profiles does not use any Non-Public Personal Information (NPI) for marketing purposes. 

Non-Public information is shared with agents of Merit Profiles who perform public record retrieval and other research or verification services necessary to complete background reports.  We may retain NPI and if necessary, disclose it while completing our services.  We may also share NPI when required or permitted by law, such as sharing with governmental or other legal authorities.  When legally necessary, we ask your permission before sharing NPI about you.

Merit Profiles does not authorize their agents to use or share NPI except when necessary to conduct the work they are performing or to meet necessary requirements.

Safeguarding Information

Merit Profiles takes reasonable and appropriate measures to assure the security of personal data.  Restricted sections of our website are protected by Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. Data that is stored in our system is only accessible by authorized personnel.  Merit Profiles office has a monitored alarm system and policies in place to maximize security.

Merit Profiles disposes of confidential materials with a professional, National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) certified vendor; and has measures in place to prevent unauthorized access.

Accessing Information

You may request access to certain NPI.  Send a letter to the address listed under “Contacting Merit Profiles.” The letter needs to include your full name, address, and telephone number, as well details of the information you are requesting.

Correcting Information

If you believe NPI we have about you is incorrect, please let us know.  We take requests to correct information seriously and will work with you to make sure the information we have is accurate.  Please send a letter to the address listed under “Contacting Us.” The letter needs to include your full name, address, and telephone number, as well as the information you believe to be inaccurate.

If we’re able to confirm the NPI in our files is incorrect, we will correct the error, notify you and provide you with an updated copy.  We will also notify any person who may have received the incorrect NPI from us in the past two years.

If we’re unable to correct the NPI you are disputing, we will notify you that we are unable to adjust the information requested.  We will also provide the reasons for our refusal.  You may submit a statement to us that we will include in our files.  Your statement should include the NPI you are disputing and the reason(s) why you disagree with our decision.  We will file your statement with the disputed NPI, and we will include your statement anytime we disclose the disputed NPI.  We will also notify any person who may have received the disputed NPI from us in the past two years – this notification will also include your statement.

Contacting Us

Merit Profiles’ mailing address is 200 S. 13th St. #108 Grover Beach, CA 93433.  We can be reached toll-free at 866-522-5781, or you can visit our website at www.MeritProfiles.com

June 2019

Disputing Information in Report / Assistance

If Merit Profiles has completed a Consumer Report on you that you believe contains inaccuracies, please let us know immediately.  We will work with you and investigate the relevant items at no charge to you. Send a letter to the address listed under “Contacting Us.” The letter needs to include your full name, address, and telephone number, as well as the information you believe to be inaccurate.  You may also reach us toll-free at 866-522-5781.

Dispute investigations may take up to 30 days to complete depending on the nature, source, scope and complexity of the investigation.

If we’re able to confirm there was an error in the information we reported, we will correct the error, notify you and provide you with an updated copy.  We will also notify any person who may have received the inaccurate information from us in the past two years.

If after we complete our investigation, the information is deemed to be accurate; we will notify you of our findings.  You may submit a statement to us that we will include in our files.  Your statement should include the NPI you are disputing and the reason(s) why you disagree with our decision.  We will file your statement with the disputed NPI, and we will include your statement anytime we disclose the disputed NPI.  We will also notify any person who may have received the disputed NPI from us in the past two years – this notification will also include your statement.

Report Information Assistance

If Merit Profiles has completed a Consumer Report on you that contains information you would like to discuss– please reach out to us, toll-free at 866-522-5781, or by mail at the information listed in “Contacting Us.”  There is no charge for this service.

Contacting Us

Merit Profiles’ mailing address is 160 N. 9^th St.  Grover Beach, CA 93433.  We can be reached toll-free at 866-522-5781, or you can visit our website at www.MeritProfiles.com

June 2019