Private Investigator Exam Background Investigations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law governs how consumer reporting agencies may collect, disseminate, and use consumer information for background check purposes?
- Privacy Act of 1974
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (Correct answer)
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)
Correct answer: Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) specifically regulates how consumer reporting agencies collect, share, and use consumer information, including background check data.
Question 2: When conducting a pre-employment background investigation, which document must a PI obtain before accessing a subject's consumer report under the FCRA?
- A subpoena from the court
- A court order signed by a judge
- Written authorization from the subject (Correct answer)
- A notarized affidavit from the hiring employer
Correct answer: Written authorization from the subject
The FCRA requires written authorization from the subject before a consumer report can be accessed for employment screening purposes.
Question 3: Which type of public record is most useful for establishing a subject's residential history during a background investigation?
- Voter registration records (Correct answer)
- Criminal court records
- Motor vehicle registration records
- Federal bankruptcy filings
Correct answer: Voter registration records
Voter registration records typically include current and historical addresses, making them one of the most useful sources for tracing a subject's residential history.
Question 4: The Social Security Administration's 'Death Master File' is primarily used in background investigations to accomplish which of the following?
- Locate missing persons through morgue records
- Verify whether a Social Security number belongs to a deceased person (Correct answer)
- Access obituary databases for skip tracing
- Cross-reference homicide records with suspect databases
Correct answer: Verify whether a Social Security number belongs to a deceased person
The SSA Death Master File allows investigators to verify if a Social Security number is associated with a person who has been reported as deceased, which can flag fraudulent identity use.
Question 5: Which type of background investigation specifically focuses on verifying academic credentials, professional certifications, and occupational licenses?
- Criminal history investigation
- Credential verification investigation (Correct answer)
- Credit history investigation
- Character reference investigation
Correct answer: Credential verification investigation
Credential verification investigations are specifically designed to confirm the legitimacy of claimed degrees, professional licenses, and certifications.
Question 6: A subject claims no felony convictions. What is the most comprehensive method for verifying this claim across all U.S. jurisdictions?
- Search the national sex offender registry
- Check only FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) records
- Conduct county-by-county courthouse searches in all jurisdictions where the subject has lived (Correct answer)
- Review only federal district court records
Correct answer: Conduct county-by-county courthouse searches in all jurisdictions where the subject has lived
Because criminal records are primarily maintained at the county level, courthouse searches in every jurisdiction where the subject has lived provide the most comprehensive coverage.
Question 7: Under the FCRA, how long may a consumer reporting agency report a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing on a consumer report?
- 3 years from the discharge date
- 5 years from the filing date
- 7 years from the discharge date
- 10 years from the filing date (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 10 years from the filing date
The FCRA permits Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings to remain on consumer reports for up to 10 years from the date of filing, the longest reporting period allowed.
Private Investigator Exam Background Investigations 1
Which federal law governs how consumer reporting agencies may collect, disseminate, and use consumer information for background check purposes?