The following list is a collection of GVS frequently asked questions.  If you have any additional questions, 
please contact us.

17. How long have you been in the pre-employment screening business?  TOP

1. Since 1971, I have been helping a variety of companies screen employees. We have been growing and learning about the industry of employee screening services for nearly 30 years.

17. What do you feel is the most crucial area of concern in the screening process?  TOP

1. The most critical aspect of employee screening is definitely obtaining accurate and complete information. For example, many people are misinformed that all criminal checks are the same. Our years of experience have taught us that the best criminal check is done with a reliable court reseacher who actually visits the courthouse and looks up each request individually. Database systems are not what they are advertised to be. Many errors are made in the data entry process or the records simply do not get added to the system. Not only do criminal checks need to be carefully obtained, but all information searched needs to be from the very best sources. Our company in constantly reviewing and checking the source of our information.

17. What is the turnaround time for your services?  TOP

1. Speed is very important; however, accuracy is more important. Depending on the information requested, GVS can return information to any client using our new GVS-ONLINE computerized system in as little as 15 minutes. However, a complete background check requires a turnaround time of 24 to 72 hours.

17. What is GVS-ONLINE?  TOP

1. GVS-ONLINE is the name of our new computerized access program. We have developed this program over the past four years by asking our existing customers what they wanted in an on-line program. Our customers can access their account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; they can request and receive all completed work at their convenience. Clients save paper and fax costs by utilizing their computer. In addition, the on-line system serves as a great database for our customers by storing all of the data from the requests that have been submitted. For example GVS can customize a month-end report that provides the client with data regarding how many requests there were for any given service, how many criminal records found, etc. GVS-ONLINE is the most complete and comprehensive computerized pre-employment screening system in the industry today, yet it remains very user friendly. Of course GVS will still continue to service any account that wishes to continue submitting requests by fax.

17. What are the costs of doing background and drug screening?  TOP

1. Very inexpensive. All price quotes are based on the client's quantity and on our volume so we are able to offer our customers very low pricing with a high quality of service. GVS has prided itself on having a very qualified and efficient staff always available to assist with client’s needs.

17. How do you feel about customer service?  TOP

1. Without customer service, GVS would soon be out of business. Over the last 30 years our customers have been our lifeline--when they call we jump. We realize that no company is perfect. GVS believes how one handles a situation is important and is what will be remembered. GVS sends out a "How are we doing?" questionnaire to our customers to obtain their opinion of the service we are providing. Excellent customer service is defined by the GVS employee. I believe it is important to provide our employees with a positive working environment, good pay, and flexible hours; a happy employee will pass their satisfaction on to the customer.

17. Where are your customers located?  TOP

1. Our customers are located all over the United States from coast to coast. However, service is the same top quality regardless of the location of the client. Our offices are open from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) to accommodate clients located in different time zones.

17. Are there any additional costs related to using the on-line service?  TOP

1. None. As a matter of fact, in many cases, our customers have received a price reduction by using the online service. In addition, clients using GVS-ONLINE will save money when utilizing the online system because of the reduction in fax and paper related costs.

17. How do we access the on-line?  TOP

1. GVS has made accessing our program easy and convenient. You can access our program through the Internet; however, if you do not have Internet access, we can supply you with a direct modem to modem connection. We can also supply you with an Internet browser that is needed to view the program.

17. How large is GVS?  TOP

1. We have 35 employees and operate out of our 25,000 square foot office building located in Riverside, California. We employ over 450 court researchers and have over 4,000 drug testing collection sites throughout the United States. 

17. What services do you currently offer?  TOP

1. Many services pertaining to the hiring of an employee from drug testing to criminal checks to employment verifications are offered by our company. We work hard to train and instruct our employees on the procedures that need to be followed when researching the information you require. Over the years, we have found it is very important to find out as much as you can about a potential employee so that a good decision can be made with reliable and accurate information concerning the applicant. For example, when screening an applicant with a past employer, it is important to ask key questions and to have a trained screener asking those questions. Our screeners are continually trained in the best way to ask questions and get answers.

17. How legal is employee screening services?  TOP

1. All companies in the employee screening business are regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (F.C.R.A.) and have to follow the law when obtaining and handling information, reporting the information, and supplying information about the law, all the way down to the applicant’s rights. The Federal Trade Commission oversees the F.C.R.A. and investigates any violation of this act. It is completely legal to conduct employee-screening services as long as proper procedures are followed. GVS makes all of this information available to our clients and keeps them updated on changing laws and legislation.

17. Do you offer rush services?  TOP

1. Yes. An additional fee is charged by GVS to rush an application. When an applicant is rushed, one agent will be assigned to the file and the applicant begins processing immediately. The turnaround time on the rush request is based on the services ordered, but we do our best to return all services within 24 hours.

17. What is the best way to insure a quick turnaround?  TOP

1. Use the on-line system and submit requests as early as possible (before 10:00 a.m.). Most of our court runners leave their office by 10:00 a.m. If we can provide them with the request for a criminal search before they leave their office, you may have the criminal report back within 24 hours. All peer reports and Social Security traces are back within 10 minutes (if you are an on-line account). Employment verifications take the longest because the employer does not always return calls in a timely manner. However, GVS will make three attempts to reach the employer before closing the file. You can review or print a partial report of information that has been obtained if you are an on-line account. D.M.V. reports should also be requested before 10:00 a.m. These requests are automatically submitted to the state the license was issued and are typically returned within 24 hours. Submitting requests by 10:00 a.m. allows our company to get your request to the court researcher. You can submit your requests anytime using our online system or your fax machine. Keep in mind, however that requests submitted after 10:00 a.m. will encounter delays because they have to wait a day to catch the court researcher or may miss the DMV cut off time.

17. If we have a computer problem with the on-line program whom do we call?  TOP

1. Contact our computer department at 1-800-547-0263. Our IT Department is well trained in solving theses kinds of problems. They can also give you suggestions and helpful tips for obtaining the most information from the online system.

17. If we need a special month end report of statistical data created will GVS, Inc. do this and what is the cost?  TOP

1. We are always searching for ways to help our customers with their requests. We will try to create a report to help you track your use of GVS at no cost to you. Our database has been designed to help provide customized reports for a variety of departments and we believe we can match your needs to a report.

17. If we make a mistake and enter the same applicant twice will 
    GVS-ONLINE tell us before we submit our order?  TOP

1. Yes. GVS-ONLINE will indicate with a message on the screen that the applicant has already been entered and what services were requested before you process the applicant. In addition the screen will change from blue to pink to warn you of the duplication.

17. What if we change our mind about running an applicant? Can we stop the request after it has been ordered?  TOP

1. No. Once the request has been processed, there will be no way to discontinue the process and you will be billed for the services requested. If you make a mistake on the request (spell the applicant's name wrong, forget to enter information, etc), please call us as soon as possible so we can attempt to correct the error before submitting your request.

17. What happens on holidays and weekends?  TOP

1. Due to government office closures, most work cannot be done on holidays or weekends. Continue to check out our website to keep you abreast of these dates.

17. What security measures have been implemented into GVS-ONLINE to protect the applicant’s information?  TOP

1. All entries into the system will require a password and account number. In addition the passwords we have programmed a four level security system that our clients can use:

Level 1: Information can only be requested not received, providing no viewing access to completed reports.

Level 2: Information can be requested and received only by the requestor who entered the data.

Level 3: All Information can be requested, reviewed, and received by the manager on any requests submitted from that location.

Level 4: All information can be requested, reviewed, and received on any requests submitted within the entire company. At this level of security access will be provided to all statistical data. This level of security will insure you the control you need to keep all information confidential

17. How do I become FCRA compliant ?  TOP

1. Before ordering information for employment purposes:
   • Read and familiarize yourself with the Notice to Users of Consumer Reports (forms page).
   • You must execute the FCRA Compliance Agreement and submit it to GVS.
   • You must disclose to the applicant, in writing on a separate form, that a consumer report will be ordered and obtain their written consent to order any reports. This form (applicant release) is available under our "forms resource" page.

   Before refusing to hire someone based in whole or in part on GVS
   information, you must:

   • Notify the applicant, in writing, of possible "adverse action.".
   • Include with the Adverse Action Letter a copy of the report on which your decision was made and a copy of the Summary of Rights.

I hope that I have answered many of the questions that you may have had about GVS 
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call GVS Customer Service Department at (248) 473-5813