Collection of Documents from Applicants & Other Unofficial Sources

Legal background

15 U.S. Code § 1681e provides that “whenever a consumer reporting agency prepares a consumer report it shall follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates.”

Part of our responsibility under the law is to seek out and provide information from official sources of record.

BrightScreen's policy

Primary sourcing

BrightScreen applies the simple rule that the information we provide to our customers must be primary source, similar to how primary sources were required in school.

Information received from applicants & unofficial sources

BrightScreen may collect supporting documents directly from unofficial sources as a last resort and in limited situations. When we do collect a document from an unofficial source, we will flag the search for your attention as the source is not a primary source for information.

We strongly recommend your organization uses discretion when relying on an unofficial document to meet your screening criteria.