Who Is First Advantage® And Why Do They Have Information About Me?
First Advantage is a consumer reporting agency that provides information to employers and to the multi-family housing industry. Employers may obtain your consumer report also know as a background screening report, to assist them in making employment decisions. Housing providers may obtain your consumer report to assist them in making leasing decisions.
First Advantage maintains information including criminal and civil public court records about individuals and regarding landlord tenant matters. Public records are obtained from courts and law enforcement agencies in many jurisdictions.
First Advantage is also a reseller of information maintained by the three national credit reporting agencies (CRA’s): Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion®; however, it is important to understand that information from the credit bureaus is not maintained by First Advantage.
What Is A Consumer Report?
A consumer report may contain information from public record sources, creditors, and other data furnishers, which prospective housing providers and employers use to evaluate an applicant. A consumer report may also show whether or not a person has been sued, filed for bankruptcy, or has a criminal or civil court record.
What information will First Advantage provide to me in response to a request for a full file disclosure?
First Advantage does not maintain a “consumer file” on individuals, but may have information in the form of a consumer report or have data in its databases on individuals which include criminal, and civil court record histories including landlord-tenant records. As a reseller of credit reports, First Advantage only resells credit bureau reports to its customers, as permitted under the FCRA, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and/or other applicable laws.
Will First Advantage’s Records Include My Credit Report?
Credit information is maintained by the three national credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. First Advantage is not a credit reporting agency and does not maintain your credit bureau file; however, if your credit bureau report was included in your employment background screening report when you applied for a job or in a tenant screening report when you applied for housing, you will receive a copy of that report which was a part of your consumer report when you request a full file disclosure from First Advantage.
How Do I Obtain A Copy Of My Consumer Information As A Full File Disclosure From First Advantage?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are entitled to receive from a consumer reporting agency one free copy of your consumer file in any twelve month period. You are also entitled to a free copy of your consumer file if you meet the following criteria:
- You have been notified of an adverse action or been denied housing or employment based on information in your consumer file within the past 60 days
- You reside in a state where you are entitled to more than one free copy in any twelve month period
- You suspect that your file may contain fraudulent information, or you are a victim of identity theft
- You are unemployed or you currently receive public assistance
- You may obtain a copy of your First Advantage consumer file disclosure in one of three ways:
- Call our toll-free number: 800.845.6004
- Fax request to 727.214.2127
- E-mail atconsumer.documents@fadv.com
You may also write to us at:
First Advantage Consumer Center
P.O. Box 105292
Atlanta, GA 30348-5292
The Information In My File Is Not Correct, How Do I Dispute It?
You may dispute information on your report with First Advantage consumer files in one of three ways:
- Call our toll-free number: 800-845-6004
- Fax request to 727-214-2127
- E-mail atconsumer.documents@fadv.com
You May Also Write To Us At:
First Advantage Consumer Center
P.O. Box 105292
Atlanta, GA 30348-5292
A reinvestigation will be completed within 30 days from the date we receive your request and you will be notified in writing with the results of your consumer dispute. If you are disputing information appearing on a credit bureau report obtained by First Advantage in conjunction with your application for housing, or in an employment background screening report, we will notify the appropriate credit bureau of your dispute.
How Can I Place a Security Freeze on Information that First Advantage May Have to Use in Background Screening Reports?
You may place a security freeze on information that First Advantage may have to use in background screening reports one of three ways:
- Call our toll-free number: 800-845-6004
- Fax request to 727-214-2127
- E-mail atconsumer.documents@fadv.com
You May Also Write To Us At:
First Advantage Consumer Center
P.O. Box 105292
Atlanta, GA 30348-5292
What Is The Fair Credit Reporting Act?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that gives you the right to know what Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) have on file about you, as well as outlining your right to dispute errors contained in your consumer file. It sets tight restrictions for CRAs about the circ*mstances under which a consumer report may be obtained and disclosed. The FCRA gives you the right to receive a free copy of your consumer file if you are denied credit, housing, employment or had any other adverse action as a result of information obtained from a consumer reporting agency. For additional information on the FCRA visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site at www.ftc.gov.
What Is The Fair And Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act)?
TheFair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act)was enacted in 2003 and amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a federal law that regulates, in part, who is permitted to access your consumer report information and how it can be used. The FACT Act entitles consumers to obtain one free copy of his/her consumer file from certain consumer reporting agencies during each 12-month period.
Someone Else Has Been Using My Identity, What Do I Do?
If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, you should contact the credit bureau(s) for information on how to place a fraud alert or file block on your consumer credit file. To place a security freeze on your First Advantage consumer files, please call our toll-free line at 800-845-6004 and a representative will assist you. Additional information on identity fraud may be found on the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse Web site atwww.consumer.gov/idtheft.
Can I Obtain A Free Copy Of My Credit Reports With Equifax, TransUnion Or Experian?
The three major nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) established access for consumers to this centralized service using one of the following options:
- www.annualcreditreport.com
- 877.322.8228 (toll-free)
- Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
