Intercoastal Investigations (ICI) Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy: INTERCOASTAL INVESTIGATIONS (ICI) is a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that prepares Consumer Reports for authorized employers under the provisions of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The ICI Privacy policy is very simple: ICI only collects applicant data pursuant to written Authorization and Disclosure under the FCRA and only disseminates consumer reports to employers as directed in the written authorization. In other words, data is only collected and distributed at the direction and authorization of consumers. The data is maintained in a secured site.  ICI maintains strict policies and procedures in all aspects of its operation to protect the privacy of consumers.

NOTE: ICI does NOT send U. S. applicant information outside of the U.S. for processing. Once data leaves the U.S., the data is beyond the reach of U.S. privacy laws and there is no meaningful privacy protections. ICI believes that firms that send data outside the U.S. put applicants and employers at great risk, for no other reason then to make a little more money. In some countries, it is a well known fact that U.S. identities are stolen and used for identity theft. As a practical matter, someone in the U.S. has no ability to hire a lawyer in a foreign country to pursue legal action or contact a foreign police authority to get any action taken. The only exception is where ICI is asked to perform an international verification and the information resides outside of the U.S. Even in that situation, ICI goes to great length to protect applicant data by going directly to the school or employer. If it is necessary to have a researcher do research in a foreign country, ICI only releases the minimum information absolutely necessary.

ICI strongly advises all employers to ask a screening firm if they send data outside of the U.S. and to seriously consider the dangers to their hiring processes and to their applicants.

  1. Information is retained pursuant to the FCRA for a minimum of six (6) years. The method for a consumer to opt-out of ICI obtaining information is to not consent to a pre-employment background screening with a prospective or current employer. Once a consumer has consented to such a screening, ICI must retain information on file for US residents for the six (6) year period.
  2. Any consumer may exercise their right to inspect any data about them and to object to any data pursuant to the FCRA and applicable state law. A "Summary of Your Rights" prepared by the Federal Trade Commission can be reviewed at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre35.pdf . You have a right to request a copy of your data under the FACT Act, which is shown below.
  3. Any questions or concerns about Privacy should be directed to ICI.  We will make all reasonable efforts to address a consumer's concerns. If the matter cannot be resolved by ICI, then a consumer has additional rights, as outlined below.
  4. Upon request, a consumer may also obtain a copy of this ICI Privacy Policy privacy statement or ask questions by mail by sending a request to: M.J. Parker, ICI, 236 West Portal Avenue, #275, San Francisco, CA 94127.In the event ICI destroys any information provided by employers, applicants, or third parties during the course of its work the destruction is accomplished in accordance with the approved document disposal rules formulated by the Federal Trade Commission (See at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/06/disposal.shtm ).
  5. ICI reserves the right to modify or change its privacy policy. All such changes will be posted on this page.

FACT ACT Information

The Fair And Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT Act) of 2003 that amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), provides the ability for consumers to obtain a free copy of his or her consumer file from certain consumer reporting agencies once during a 12 month period. If you have previously had a background report run on you by ICI, you may request a free annual file disclosure pursuant to the Free Annual File Disclosure Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 610.

Please note that ICI will only have a report concerning you if you have applied for employment with an employer who performs preemployment background checks , AND the check was performed by ICI.  If you have not applied for employment with an employer that conducts preemployment background reports, then you will not have a file with ICI. In addition, even if you have applied for employment, and a background report was done, ICI will not have any information on you unless ICI was the background firm that completed the report. Generally, a Consumer will be informed of the name and identity of the background firm that was utilized by an employer on the Consent and Disclosure forms that an applicant must sign prior to a background report being requested.

Please also be advised that ICI does not "re-use" any information that is obtained by ICI for a background report.  Each background report is a "one-time" use only.

You can obtain a copy of your consumer file from ICI if ICI has such a file by mailing your request to:  M.J. Parker, ICI, 236 West Portal Avenue, #275, San Francisco, CA 94127.

PRIVACY: In order to protect your personal information, ICI must take reasonable measures to confirm your identity. You will need to provide ICI with your full legal name, social security number, date of birth, drivers license information, the name of the employer who requested a screening report and the approximate date of the application with the employer, along with your daytime phone and current address. An e-mail address is also very helpful.    After confirming your identity, ICI will mail your information within 15 working days.

The information will be mailed to the address ICI has on file for you.  If you have moved or need it sent to a different address, ICI may ask for a copy of your drivers license showing your new address or a copy of utility bill with your name and address in order to ensure that information is only provided to the consumer.