Background Screening Solutions
Pre-employment Screening and Background Checks
The consequences of hiring the wrong employee far outweigh the cost of checking his or her background. Merchants’ full line of Employment Screening solutions help you make the most informed hiring decisions quickly, accurately, and affordably. Additionally, every manually-searched background report you order for your company's employment background screening is hand inspected by one of our staff's licensed private investigators for accuracy, integrity and compliance with Federal, state and industry screening standards. All for the same price as every one else's background checks, which do not include this critical expert inspection step.
Additionaly, all of our employment screening reports and background checks are available online, through our integrated applicant tracking system, HRtrac. With HRtrac, you have the power to effectively manage the entire recruitment and screening process—from a candidate’s initial job search and application, through on-boarding new hires. Click Here to learn more about HRtrac or call 866.647.6228 to get started today.
If you would like to speak with a sales representative to find out more, please click here and provide the requested information. A sales representative will contact you within 24 hours to answer your questions or help set up your account.
Click on a link below to learn more or for additional information about our products and services, call 800.966.0576.
Additional Services
Instant SSN Address History
Using a name and social security number, a past address history search retrieves information from the credit bureaus and reveals where a subject has lived in the past 3 to 5 years. The most effective way of using this tool is to take all the addresses displayed and find out their associated states and counties. Once you have this information, you can begin to run some of the most basic but powerful searches for criminal records; the county and statewide criminal searches.
Average Turnaround Time: Instant.
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Instant State Criminal Index
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Average Turnaround Time: Instant.
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Instant National Criminal/Sex Offender Search
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Average Turnaround Time: Instant.
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Instant Terrorists Watch List/OFAC SDN Search
The Terrorist Watch List is compiled by the Deparment of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control. The list is called OFAC/SDN (Specially Designated Nationals) and is a list of known terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Average Turnaround Time: Instant.
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Drug Screening
Don't let drug abuse disrupt the integrity and stability of your business. Our drug screening services include:
RADAR 5-Panel Drug Screen
Rapid Assessment of Drug and Alcohol Results. This test enables collectors to conduct the drug test on-site, at the place of collection, and receive an initial screening result. The results are typically returned in a few hours to help your decision-making process.
Drug Screen (HHS/DOT), Urine (Five Drugs)
Five Drugs Tested
- Amphetamines
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Creatinine, Reflexes to specific gravity if < 20
- pH
5/7/9-Panel Drug Screen
Drug Screen (HHS/DOT), Urine (Five Drugs)
Five Drugs Tested
- Amphetamines
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Creatinine, Reflexes to specific gravity if < 20
- pH
Seven Drugs Tested
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Nine Drugs Tested
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Methadone
- Propoxyphene
All panels include test for Ecstasy (MDMA).
DOT 5-Panel Drug Screen w/MRO
DOT regulations specify that the results of each test be reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) for further analysis.
(DOT Equivalent), Urine (Five Drugs)
Five Drugs
- Amphetamines
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Creatinine, Reflexes to specific gravity if < 20 pH
Ecstasy (MDMA)
5/7/9-Panel Drug Screen w/MRO
In addition to the different panel tests, all results will be reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) for further analysis.
Drug Screen (HHS/DOT), Urine (Five Drugs)
Five Drugs Tested
- Amphetamines
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Creatinine, Reflexes to specific gravity if < 20
- pH
Seven Drugs Tested
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Nine Drugs Tested
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Methadone
- Propoxyphene
All panels include test for Ecstasy (MDMA).
Average Turnaround Time: Dependant on Drug Screen.
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County Criminal Search
A search is conducted at the specified county for all felony and misdemeanor convictions that have occured during the time period requested. Results do not included non-conviction information. Some court fees apply.
Average Turnaround Time: 1 to 3 business days.
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County Civil Search
Filed by individuals or corporations against other private parties or corporations. Civil history records provide information about: divorce, product liability suits, violation of civil rights, judgments, nonpayment of goods and other similar cases. These cases can be found at county levels. Unless otherwise specified and an additional fee is paid, records are only searched back 7 years. * Some court fees apply.
Average Turnaround Time: 1 to 3 business days.
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Statewide Criminal Search
Click here for more details.
Average Turnaround: Varies by state.
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Federal Criminal Search
Some offenses are violations of Federal law as opposed to state or local law. Record of these crimes can be located in the US District Courts. Each state has at least one US District Court, while others are divided into as many as four districts in separate geographical regions. Federal violations generally will not appear in either a county or statewide criminal check. Only a small percentage of criminal cases are violations of Federal law. However, Federal offenses can be very severe involving kidnapping, drug trafficking, interstate transportation of stolen goods, bank robbery, and embezzlement.
Average Turnaround Time: Same day.
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Federal Civil Search
Federal civil records are searched at an appropriate US District Court. Cases are typically related to interstate commerce, violations of civil rights, issues involving the federal government, financial institutions, etc... Approximately 93% of Federal Districts currently have basic docket records accessible electronically. The records, however, are limited to that specific district within that state. We access Federal District Court records daily to obtain the information you need to make informed hiring decisions.
Average Turnaround Time: Same day.
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Past Employment Verification
Draws on previous employers knowledge of applicant during the period of employment specified in the application. The information obtained by the interviewer includes but is not limited to: dates of employment, character, salary, title, performance.
Average Turnaround Time: 1 to 3 business days.
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Past Employment Verification (Department of Transportation Compliant)
Verifies previous employers in compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administation rules under section 391.23 Qualifications of Drivers. Verifies employment history, drug and alcohol history and accidents and incidents. The information obtained by the interviewer includes but is not limited to: dates of employment, character, salary, title, performance.
Average Turnaround Time: 1 to 3 business days.
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Education Verification
Confirmation of applicants highest level of education. We will verify institutions, dates, major areas of study, degrees earned and transcript information.
Average Turnaround Time: 1 to 3 business days.
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Reference Verification
Important for affirming applicants claims of dependability, integrity and character through contact with business and personal references.
Average Turnaround Time: 1 to 3 business days.
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Professional License Verification
Useful for verifying professional license and certifications, as well as providing the subjects professional standing with a regulatory body. Based on the information submitted, we contact the necessary licensing agencies, and verify standing, as well as verifying dates and any other information crucial to the license.
Average Turnaround Time: 1 to 3 business days.
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I-9 E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verifications
The I-9 Verification is a verification of a person's right to work in the United States. The information is provided by the United States Government and may only be used to verify eligibility once the applicant has been accepted as an employee.
Average Turnaround Time: Same day.
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MedCheck
Searches for sanctioned and debarred individuals. It reports on more than 50 types of healthcare professionals and organizations ranging from physicians to home health agencies and ambulatory services. Records are compiled from over 800 state and federal resources, such as the OIG and FDA.
Average Turnaround Time: Same day.
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Office of Inspector General Check
Searches for names of excluded individuals and entities with the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.
Average Turnaround Time: Same day.
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Excluded Parties List System
The Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) is provided as a public service by General Services Administration (GSA) for the purpose of efficiently and conveniently disseminating information on parties that are excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits. The EPLS includes information regarding entities debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, excluded or disqualified under the nonprocurement common rule.
Average Turnaround Time: Same day.
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Social Validation
Validates year and state of issue and number combination.
Average Turnaround Time: Same day.
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Workers' Compensation
This is a statewide search which provides the injury description, injury date, filing date, weekly compensation rate, and the compensation time frame.
Average Turnaround Time: Varies by state.
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Driving Records
Covers driving records in all fifty states. These reports can include records of: driving while intoxicated, revoked license, accidents, minor traffic violations. Because driving records are held in state bureaus and have access to all counties in the state and sometimes other states, they can be very useful for general screening purposes. Unless otherwise specified and an additional fee is paid, records are only searched back 3 years. Some court fees apply.
Average Turnaround Time: Varies by state.
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Credit Report
Checks major credit bureaus for credit history.
Average Turnaround Time: Instant.
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Additional Services
Background Check Notification
Sends a copy of the completed background report to the applicant by mail. Letter contains copy of background report and notice of rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Adverse Action Letter
Sends an adverse action letter to the applicant by mail. Letter contains notice of adverse action due to content of background report, copy of background report and notice of rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
DOT Non-Compliance Notification Letter
Sends a letter of complaint notifying the Department of Transportation of non-compliance by a previous employer in a DOT employment verification situation.
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For more information: Call 800.966.0576.
Click here to request more information.