Q: Specifically, how does the FCRA protect me?

A: The FCRA is a complex piece of legislation and contains numerous provisions not discussed here. Below are several important features of the FCRA that are designed to help consumers (for the complete text, visit the Federal Trade Commission). The FCRA protects you by requiring that consumer reporting agencies:

Disclose your file to you upon request. Consumer reporting agencies must disclose to you the information in your file if you ask for it and provide proper identification.

Limit access to your information. A consumer reporting agency may only provide your information to a party that has a permissible purpose, such as the evaluation of an application for a loan, credit, service, or employment. Permissible purposes also include several other business and legal uses. For details, see the FCRA.

Get your consent before providing your information to an employer. A consumer reporting agency may not give your employment related information to an employer or potential employer unless you first give that employer written permission to request your employment related information.

Investigate disputed information. If you tell a consumer reporting agency that your file contains inaccurate information, the consumer reporting agency must promptly investigate the disputed information with the source that provided the information. If the investigation fails to resolve the dispute, you may add a statement explaining your position.

Add identity theft alerts and active duty alerts. Identity theft victims may place fraud alerts to help prevent identity theft. You can place an initial (90 days) or extended (7 years) fraud alert on your file.  Additionally, military personnel serving away from their regular duty station may place an “active duty” alert to help prevent identity theft.

Q: Will The Work Number place either fraud alert or an active duty alert on my employment file?

A:Yes. The Work Number will place either fraud alert or an active duty alert on your employment file at your request.

Q: Can I obtain my credit score from The Work Number?

A: The Work Number does not provide a credit score. The Work Number only provides employment and income verification information.

Q: How do I obtain a copy of my Employment Data Report from The Work Number?

A: You can obtain a free annual disclosure by calling TALX directly at 1-866-604-6570 or by going to www.theworknumber.com/Employees/datareport.asp and downloading the Employment Data Report Request form and following the instructions to complete and return the form to TALX Corporation.

Q: How often can I obtain a free copy of my file from The Work Number?

A: Once during a 12 month period and for the special circumstances listed below.

• If you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment in the next 60 days
• If you are on public welfare or assistance
• If you believe your file contains inaccurate information due to fraud
• If you have received a notice of an adverse decision (such as denial of credit or employment) within the past 60 days.

Q: What do I do if information on The Work Number Employment Data Report is incorrect?

A: Please contact TALX Client Service Center at 1-800-966-7566.  The Client Service Representative will receive information from you in order to start the dispute resolution process.  You will be notified of the results of the investigation within 30 days.

Q: How does TALX handle my dispute about information in the Employment Data Report?

A: The TALX Data Investigation Team works with the data furnisher to determine if the disputed information is incorrect. If the data furnisher finds that the information is incorrect, the data will be updated. Once this data has been updated, you will be notified via e-mail or mail providing the results of the investigation and an updated copy of your file will be sent to you.

However, if the data furnisher finds that the information is correct, or if the data furnisher is unresponsive, the TALX Data Investigation Team will send you an e-mail or a letter reporting the results of the investigation. TALX will add a statement to your file noting the disputed information and providing your explanation of the information.