Consumer complaint received 2025-06-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Other personal consumer report
Issue: Improper use of your report — Report provided to employer without your written authorization
Company: Verified First, LLC
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Verified First began conducting employment verification and on the disclosure asked me to provide an email address of the person I am consenting for them to contact. I provided my immediate supervisor, XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I receive an email from Verified First at XXXX saying to expect the following : Hello XXXX XXXX, Welcome to Verified First Screening Services! As we process your file for XXXX XXXX XXXX, the following is what you can expect from us. 

Please note that some of the below may not apply to your file, depending on what was ordered by XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX XXXX : If a XXXX XXXX was ordered, a separate email containing your XXXX XXXX XXXX  will be emailed to you. Please note that the date and time on your XXXX XXXX XXXX is an expiration date, not an appointment time. If you need more time to take your test, please contact XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Employment Verification : If Verified First is verifying your previous employment, you may receive an email from XXXX ( a Verified First partner ) asking you to log in to your previous payroll provider so we can gather documents like W2s, paystubs, 1099s, etc. If you're unable to log into your previous payroll provider or can't upload documents, we will use the contact information you provided and do research to confirm contact information. 
Professional and Personal References : If we are asked to reach out to your professional or personal references, please take a moment to inform your references that they will be contacted by Verified First. 
Status Update : If you would like an update on the status of your report, please call or email our Client Services team. 
XXXX Notice : If Verified First discovers any reportable adverse records for you, you will receive a XXXX notice via email or mail. This is simply to notify you of the records that were found. 
Copy of Your Report : You are entitled to a copy of your completed report. If you do not receive a copy of your report, and you would like one sent to you, please contact our Client Services team. 
Thank you, Verified First ( XXXX ) XXXX VerifiedFirst.com/applicant-support Monday-Friday / XXXX XXXX  - XXXX XXXX  EST On Sunday, XX/XX/XXXX, I receieve an email from my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX saying that he had received an email from Verified First, along with FIVE OTHER DISTRICT EMPLOYEES who I did not provide email addresses or consent for, whom also have nothing to do with employment verification. This caused undue stress and was a breach fo my privacy. 

I immediately reached out via telephone to Verified First and spoke to XXXX XXXX who explained that she had no idea how those email addresses were obtained and that she needed to consult " the team '' and her " boss '' and would respond to me via email. I received the email below. 

Verified First sent me the following : Good afternoon XXXX, I hope this email finds you well. 

Regarding your concern about us reaching out to email addresses other than what you provided, I have consulted my team about it. Here is the section of the Disclosure and Authorization form candidates are asked to sign in relation to running background checks. With this, limiting our reach to a previous employer to only the contacts you provided would be in contrast to the clause " without reservation ''. 
XXXX The Verifications Team has been notified that we are only to contact the phone # and email address you provided in the online form. On the other hand, should you choose to withdraw your consent for the background screen, you may do so in writing. Simply send us an email request, together with a screenshot of the Verified First Confirmation email that you received after filling out the online questionnaire. 

Let us know if you have other questions or concerns. 

Warm regards, XXXX XXXX XXXX Client Service Representative, Verified First Client Services : XXXX I sent them the following : Good morning XXXX XXXX XXXX, I appreciate your prompt response. I also appreciate the fact that you checked in with the supervisor and your team. However, I am writing to formally express my serious concern regarding the employment verification process you have conducted on my behalf. I signed and submitted your Disclosure and Authorization form, providing one specific contact email ( XXXX ) for employment verification. However, I have learned that five additional individuals from my XXXX  district were contacted without my knowledge or consent. I did not provide these contacts, nor did I authorize Verified First to reach out to anyone beyond the information I submitted. 
While I understand that the form contains language authorizing you to contact relevant entities " without reservation, '' I believe this broad authorization does not grant permission to contact unrelated or random individuals who are not directly responsible for verifying my employment. This action has caused me significant concern regarding my privacy and the handling of my personal information. 

Please provide me with the following as soon as possible : A detailed list of all individuals and entities contacted during the verification process and the justification for each contact. 

The specific information requested from each party. 

A copy of the exact Disclosure and Authorization form I signed. 

The process in which you obtained the 5 random email addresses from my XXXX  district. 

I expect Verified First to adhere to appropriate privacy standards and only contact individuals necessary to verify employment information. I reserve the right to escalate this matter if I find that my privacy rights have been violated or if Verified Firsts practices do not comply with applicable laws and policies. 

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your detailed response as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at XXXX. 

REF : Fair Credit Reporting Act At this time, Verified First contacted people outside of whats reasonably necessary to verify my employment and that violates FCRA rules.I have rights to dispute inaccurate or improperly gathered information.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation