THIS AGREEMENT is between “Background Screening Provider”:OOTW, Inc. dba ScreeningWise, and “Client.”
This Agreement is entered into on the date in th signature block below.
1. Services to be Provided by Background Screening Provider
A. Upon request and relying upon Client’s representations that it has a legitimate purpose for information, Background Screening Provider will provide background checks, verifications and other consumer reports to the Client when available. Background Screening Provider will only furnish a report for a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §1681 et seq. (“FCRA”) and no other purpose.
B. Periodically and upon request, Background Screening Provider will provide to Client copies of certifications, consumer consents, notices and summary of rights under the FCRA as well as other forms, which Background Screening Provider finds helpful in meeting its obligations under the FCRA and other applicable laws. Client acknowledges receipt of the Federal Trade Commission Notice of Consumer’s Rights and Notice to Users.
C. Client understands and acknowledges that background verifications are performed by a third party and that ScreeningWise itself is not a Credit Reporting Agency.
2. Representations of Client when ordering reports
A. Client represents that it is an existing business with the legitimate need for verification and reports offered by Background Screening Provider. Client specifically represents that reports will only be obtained for its own use and it is the end user of the reports. It will not further distribute, sell, give or trade such information with any third party. Client will request reports for the following permissible purposes listed below.
B. Client represents that prior to requesting a report for employment purposes (including contractors and volunteers), it will:
(i) Disclose to the individual who is the subject of the report that a consumer report or, as applicable, an investigative consumer report, may be obtained;
(ii) Obtain the written consent of the individual allowing the obtaining of the consumer report;
(iii) Provide to the individual a summary of the individual’s rights required under the (“FCRA”) and any applicable state law; and
(iv) Not utilize any information in violation of any federal or state equal employment opportunity law or regulation.
(v) That a reasonable amount of time prior to taking adverse employment action against the individual who is the subject of the report, when such action will be based in whole or in part upon the information contained in the report furnished by Background Screening Provider the Client will, except as otherwise provided by law, advise the subject of the intent to take adverse action and provide a copy of the report to the individual and a description, in writing, of the individual’s rights under the FCRA.
(vi) That after taking adverse action based in whole or in part upon information contained in a report furnished by Background Screening Provider, the Client shall:
(a) provide notice of such action to the individual;
(b) provide the name, address and telephone number of Background Screening Provider; and
(c) Inform the individual that he/she is entitled to a free copy of the report and a right to dispute the record through Background Screening Provider and that Background Screening Provider is unable to provide the individual the specific reasons why the adverse action was taken by you.
(vii) That it will comply with the FCRA and similar state laws, in regard to all reports, it will follow the requirements of the (“DPPA”) and the various state laws implementing the DPPA in regard to motor vehicle reports.
C. Client represents that prior to requesting a report for residential screening purposes, it will:
(i) Disclose to the individual who is the subject of the report that a consumer report or, as applicable, an investigative consumer report, may be obtained;
(ii) Provide to the individual a summary of the individual’s rights under the (“FCRA”); and
(iii) Not utilize any information in violation of any federal, state or local equal housing law or regulation.
(iv) That after taking adverse action e.g., rejecting, increasing rental rates, increasing deposit requirements, etc. against the subject of the report, based in whole or in part upon information contained in a report furnished by Background Screening Provider, the Client shall:
(a) Provide notice of such action to the individual;
(b) Provide the name, address and telephone number of Background Screening Provider;
(c) Inform the individual that he/she is entitled to a free copy of the report and a right to dispute the record through Background Screening Provider and that Background Screening Provider is unable to provide the individual the specific reasons why the adverse action was taken by you; and
(d) Providing a copy of the individual’s rights under the FCRA.
D. Client represents that, if it orders credit reports, it will have a policy and procedures in place to investigate any discrepancy in a consumer’s address when notified by the credit bureau that the consumer’s address, as submitted by the client, substantially varies from the address the credit bureau has on file for that consumer. Further, if client hires the consumer and in the ordinary course of its business it furnishes information to the credit bureau from which the report came, that it will advise the credit bureau of the address it has verified as accurate if that address is different from the one provided by the credit bureau.
E. Client will maintain documentation showing compliance with these certifications for a period of six (6) years or during the employment, tenancy, etc. of the subject, whichever is longer.
3. Compliance with Applicable Law
A. The laws relating to the furnishing and use of information are subject to change. It is the responsibility of Client to become knowledgeable in such laws and to comply with them. The failure to comply with the then current applicable law may result in a breach of this agreement, termination of service, civil and criminal liability. Background Screening Provider does not undertake any obligation to advise Client of its legal obligations.
B. Background Screening Provider does not act as legal counsel for Client. Client is responsible for retaining counsel to advise it regarding proper use of consumer reports; compliance with the FCRA, the Driver Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. §2721 et seq (“DPPA”) and other applicable federal, state and local laws; and development of an appropriate screening program for Client’s use of consumer reports.
C. Client agrees to promptly execute and return to Background Screening Provider all documentation required, now or in the future, by any government agency or Background Screening Provider to permit release of information or to ensure compliance with applicable laws or regulations. Such documentation shall become part of this agreement. The failure to return such documentation will result in Client being blocked from receiving the information related to the documentation, and, in some circumstances, all service may be terminated without additional notice.
D. Client consents to any reasonable request by Background Screening Provider to audit records of the Client in person or by requesting copies of documents and to communicate with employees of the Client, with notice to Client, to determine the appropriateness of any present or past request(s) for information by Client. A failure to cooperate with an audit may result in the immediate termination or suspension of service.
4. Fees for Services
A. Background Screening Provider will charge a fee for each request made by Client, in accordance with Background Screening Provider’s current fees schedule. Background Screening Provider reserves the right to change the fees charged upon thirty (30) days notice to Client. Applicable sales or other taxes will be added to all fees. Client understands that Background Screening Provider may incur access charges imposed by courts and other governmental agencies, which are passed along to Client in addition to fees. These costs are subject to change without notice.
B. Payment on all invoices will be due thirty (30) days after billing. For any invoice not paid within thirty (30) days, Background Screening Provider will add and collect a SERVICE CHARGE of one and a half percent (1½%) per month (or the maximum permitted by applicable law, if lower) with a minimum service charge of $2. Client agrees to pay Background Screening Provider’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in enforcing the terms of this Agreement and in the collection of amounts due under this Agreement.
5. Confidentiality of Information
A. Information provided by Background Screening Provider to its Clients is considered confidential by law. Upon its receipt, Client shall treat the information as confidential. Such information shall be maintained in confidential files to which access is restricted. Only those employees who need such information to perform their job duties shall have access to the same. Client shall supply to Background Screening Provider the name and phone number of the contact person or persons with whom Background Screening Provider may discuss the contents of reports furnished to Client. At the time that Client disposes of any report received it shall cause such to be destroyed by cross-shredding, burning or electronic destruction as required by regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission. 16 CFR §682.1 et seq.
B. Client acknowledges that it will receive personal identifying information on the subjects of the reports it receives. Client shall maintain reasonable procedures to protect the information from unauthorized internal or external access. Within 30 days of the execution of this Agreement, Client will outline its protections in regard to the receipt, usage and storage of this information. Each January, Client will advise us of the status of Client’s security measures. If Client experiences a breach of security regarding this information or discontinues any security measure, Client shall notify us within 24 business hours of the breach or discontinuance. With 7 business days of such an event, Client shall advise us what steps have been taken to protect the information from the reoccurrence of the breach or to restore protection of the information.
6. Waiver and Release
A. Client acknowledges that Background Screening Provider relies totally on the information furnished by others. Background Screening Provider also relies on the information contained in the records of various governmental agencies for other reports. Background Screening Provider is not responsible for inaccurate or false information received from others and sent to Client. Client agrees to assert no claim and waives liability against Background Screening Provider for any inaccurate or false information included in any report unless Background Screening Provider had actual knowledge of the error and failed to correct it if it had the legal ability to alter such information.
B. Client agrees to hold Background Screening Provider harmless and will indemnify Background Screening Provider from all claims and losses resulting from Client’s breach of this Agreement or violation of any applicable law. Background Screening Provider agrees to hold Client harmless for all claims and losses arising from Background Screening Provider’s violation of any applicable law. Such indemnifications include all costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the indemnified party.
7. Misuse of Information
The FCRA prohibits the obtaining of information from a consumer-reporting agency for an impermissible purpose. Further, those involved in such improper requesting may be subject to criminal penalties of imprisonment up to one year and/or a fine of $5,000 for each offense. 15 U.S.C. § 1681q. Further, the DPPA prohibits obtaining information under false pretenses and restricts the resale or redisclosure of personal information contained in state motor vehicle records. A violation of the DPPA may also result in criminal penalties. 18 U.S.C. § 2733(a). If a Client or one of its employees misrepresents to Background Screening Provider the reason for a report or requests a report for an impermissible purpose, Background Screening Provider may terminate service without notice in addition to other remedies available to Background Screening Provider. Client understands that its misuse of or improper request for information may have a direct impact upon Background Screening Provider and may cause it to be unable to obtain information for any of its clients resulting in substantial damages for which Client would be liable.
8. Non-Disclosure
Neither party shall, during the term of this Agreement, and any extension thereof and for reasonable time thereafter disclose to another or use, unless authorized by the disclosing party, any of the disclosing party’s “Confidential Information”. The purpose of this section, “Confidential Information” shall mean all the party’s prospect list, client information, any customer records/information, employee list, financial data, business plans, business strategies, proprietary software and any other information of a party disclosed by one party to the other. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the receiving party shall not be precluded from: a) the use or disclosure of any Confidential Information which is currently known generally to the public or which subsequently has come into the public domain, other than by way of disclosure in violation of this Agreement; b) the use or disclosure of any Confidential Information that becomes available to the receiving party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the disclosing party, provided that such source is not known by the receiving party to have a legal obligation prohibiting the disclosure of such information; or c) the use or disclosure of any Confidential Information that was developed independently by the receiving party, or d) the disclosure of the Confidential Information is required by law or legal process.
9. Termination of Agreement
A. Client may terminate this Agreement at any time upon written notice to Background Screening Provider. Client will remain liable for all charges made to its account prior to termination and will promptly pay all sums due on termination.
B. Background Screening Provider may terminate this agreement by providing a sixty (60) day written notice but upon the occurrence of the following events, Background Screening Provider may, immediately and without notice terminate or suspend this Service Agreement:
(i) Default in payment of charges for Background Screening Provider Services;
(ii) Misuse of information contained in a Background Screening Provider report;
(iii) Improper request for information;
(iv) Failure of Client to comply with or assist Background Screening Provider in complying with the FCRA or any other applicable law;
(v) A material breach of this Agreement or violation of any law or regulation governing the request, use or release of the information in the reports by Client.
(vi) Unauthorized release of information in a consumer report to a third party or the reselling of any report.
10. Notice of Change in Client’s Business
Client shall immediately notify Background Screening Provider of any of the following events: change in ownership of the Client (over 50%); a merger, change in name or change in the nature of Client’s business that in any way affects Client’s right to request and receive consumer reports.
11. Miscellaneous Provisions
A. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all previous agreements, negotiations and representations. This Agreement may only be modified in writing signed by both parties; however, subsequent representations by Client to show compliance with existing or future laws are effective when signed by Client and become a part of this Agreement. This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and no benefit is intended for any third party.
B. All communications and notices to be given under this Agreement will be made to the addresses, street and e-mail, and telephone numbers set forth herein. Each party will notify the other promptly of any change of address or telephone number.
C. This Agreement is intended to be subject to, and in compliance with, all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations. Insofar as this Agreement or any provision may subsequently be determined to be at variance or not in compliance with any such statute or regulation, it will be considered to be amended or modified to the extent necessary to make it comply, and Background Screening Provider and Client hereby consent and agree to any such amendment or modification. Further, the invalidity of any one provision shall not affect the validity of the other provisions.
D. This Agreement is deemed to have become effective and to have been entered into upon its acceptance in the State of Illinois by
Therefore, this Agreement will be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without reference to its conflict of laws.
E. Background Screening Provider may make changes to the software or methods used to provide service to Client and Client must make any necessary changes to maintain working connection to the service at Client’s sole cost.
12. Force Majeure
Background Screening Provider is not responsible for any events or circumstances beyond its control that prevent it from meeting its obligations, which include but are not limited to: war, terrorism, riots, embargos, strikes, disruptions in communications or acts of God.
