Fidelity Background Check: A Comprehensive Guide

A Fidelity background check can sometimes be an obstacle in reaching the dream job or a coveted apartment. While they seek to provide a clear picture of your qualifications and history, errors can sneak in and sabotage your progress. This guide equips you with everything you need to know about Fidelity background checks, including what information they typically gather, how long the process might take, and most importantly, what to do if you find errors on your report. Don’t let inaccuracies hold you back. Take control of your background check, and learn your rights with IG-TCHAD by your side.

Fidelity Background Check Process

While Fidelity Investments might be known to many as a financial entity, they also provide background check services that are used by employers, landlords, and quite possibly, government agencies. If you’re the subject of a background check through Fidelity, understanding the process and your rights is crucial. Here’s a breakdown, with the details to help you:

It’s part of what Fidelity Investments does for business or part of a bigger thing that they also provide in the finance world. They offer background check services that employers, landlords, and sometimes even government agencies use. Here is a detailed breakdown, empowering you to have all your pieces of understanding in place:

Fidelity, like other background check companies, would typically present various check packages with varying degrees of detail. They range from the following:

Criminal Background Checks. This would include a search in public records of felonies, misdemeanors, and arrests.
Employment Verification. Attempts to contact former employers to verify employment dates, job titles, and sometimes salary records (if authorized by the individual).
Education Verification. Verifies the attendance at, and graduation from, institutions attended by the applicant.
Professional License Verification. Validates professional licenses related to the applied position.
Motor Vehicle Records (MVR). This includes a search for traffic violations, accidents, etc.
Social Media Screening (Optional). Employers may request a social media check, although rules and ethical considerations exist regarding this practice.

Here is stages involved in a Fidelity background check:

Initiation. The requesting entity, that is, the employer or the landlord, forwards information with respect to you and initiates the background check with Fidelity.
Information Gathering. Fidelity gathers information through different means:
Public Records Search. They will search the public databases for criminal records, civil judgments, etc.
Verification Requests. They may also contact your past employers, educational institutions, and potentially reference professional contacts (depending on the check type).
Social Media Review (Optional). In some instances, with your authorization or depending on the employer’s policy, Fidelity may review publicly available social media profiles.
Report Generation. Once they have gathered the information, Fidelity prepares a report summarizing all their findings. Such information may include:
Employment Verification Results. Employment confirmation (or lack thereof), job title, and potential salary data (if authorized).
Education Verification Results. Verification of the degree(s) earned and enrollment dates at schools attended by you.
Public Record Information. Details of any criminal records, civil judgments, or professional license information obtained in the search.
Social Media Summary (Optional). A condensed summary of public social media information, though this is not always included.

How Far Does Fidelity Check for Background

When you order a Fidelity background check, there is no clear-cut line at which to draw the line. This is determined by the kind of check required as well as the specific needs of the employer or landlord. What Fidelity normally searches into is revealed below:

Public Record Searches

Criminal Records. This is a must in most of the background searches. A criminal search or one that looks for arrests or charges will be conducted on the said public databases to grab details of felonies, misdemeanors, and arrests.
Civil Judgments. In looking for civil court records to find any judgments held against you or against you, such as bankruptcies, liens, or wage garnishments, the report of the court may reveal the judgment amount and nature.
Professional Licenses (where applicable). If your employment calls for a license, for instance that of a real estate broker or medical practitioner, then Fidelity checks whether your license is valid and if you have any disciplinary issues on your record.
Contacting Prior Employers. Unless the employer chooses otherwise (which Fidelity must do so with your authorization, of course), they might call your past employers to seek confirmation that you worked there, held specific positions, and received corresponding dates of employment. They could also try to dig into your salary history, but that would depend on your authorization and local regulations.
References Checked (Optional). References Checked (Optional): Depending on the type of check performed, Fidelity may or may not make inquiries to the references you provided in the application. For this, they get some input about your work ethic, skill sets, or whether you are suitable for this position.

Education Verification

Fidelity can do so much: confirm the degrees you received and the enrollment dates with the universities or schools you were in. They could issue transcripts of enrollments if required by the employer.

Supplementary

Motor Vehicle Records (MVR). This will be a driver-oriented check for job applications that require driving. The check would focus on any violations of the law, accidents, and so forth.
Social Media Searches (Optional). Most employers might perform social media screening, but this puts the Fidelity process on a bit trickier footing. Fidelity will search through your publicly available social media profiles for red flags that may disqualify you from employment. This procedure is a very finely regulated one and also subject to ethical considerations. It’s important to keep in mind that not all employers resort to social media searches, and some states or localities may have laws prohibiting their use in background checks.

Back to the Norms (Less Common)

In some extremely rare circumstances, which will depend on the nature of the position or the local regulations, a Fidelity background check could result in looking further than:

Check Credit History (Uncommon, yet possible). It might be required to confirm your credit history if you are vying for employment in a financial position. However, this would fall under very strict legal requirements.

Professional Affiliations Verification (Uncommon). As per certain professions, Fidelity might or might not verify your membership of professional organizations.

How Long Does Fidelity Background Check Take

Generally, Fidelity background checks can take anywhere from a few business days to a week or even longer.

Simple Check (Criminal Records): 2-4 business days (potentially faster)
Moderate Check (Employment Verification): 4-7 business days
Comprehensive Check (Full Package): 7-10+ business days (depending on complexity)

Fidelity Background Check Failed

A failed background check by Fidelity can be cause for concern, potentially jeopardizing your job application or housing opportunity. There is no definite concept of a “failed” background check. It can just mean the information in the report raised some concerns for the employer or landlord. Below are some possible reasons:

Criminal Records. The mere presence of a criminal record doesn’t automatically exclude you from consideration, but it mostly depends upon the nature of the offense, its relevance with regards to the job, and local laws (sometimes referred to as “Ban the Box” laws).
Dishonest Information in Employment Verification. Inconsistencies between the application and what the past employer reported to Fidelity (e.g., job title, dates of employment) will make others suspicious.
Problems with Educational Background. If Fidelity cannot prove that you did complete certain educational requirements, it may likely delay the application.
Negative Social Media (if applicable). It should be noted that employers, by law, do not really let you know what in the report is against you. Still, in most cases, it cannot be denied if there is important information found from your social media profiles.

What to Do After a Potential Fidelity Check Failure

Ask for a copy of your report, if possible. In the case of the states that give people access to their background check reports, they should know how to obtain a copy.
Review the Report Carefully. Whether you can access the report, thoroughly go through it for any errors or false information. It can be errors in the names, dates, or details in relation to employment or education history.
Contact the Employer or Landlord. If you make a discovery of errors, contact the person or organization behind the background check. Express the mistake and provide whatever documentation is available with you (like pay stubs, diplomas).
Dispute Errors Directly with Fidelity. If that’s relevant to you in some cases, it can be disputed directly with Fidelity, though it might be hard to do that. Their website or communication with the employer may say something about their dispute process.

Common Errors in Fidelity Background Checks

Category	Possible Error	Impact
Personal Information	Inaccurate name, date of birth, Social Security number (if applicable)	Difficulty verifying your identity and delaying the process.
Employment History	Incorrect dates of employment, job titles, or inaccuracies in responsibilities	Can cast doubt on your qualifications or experience.
Education Verification	Degrees or enrollment dates not confirmed	Can raise questions about your educational background.
Criminal Records	Mistaken identity, reporting of expunged or sealed records	Unfairly portraying your criminal history and potentially disqualifying you.
Public Record Information	Outdated civil judgments or inaccuracies in reported information	Raising concerns about your financial responsibility.
Social Media Screening (if applicable)	Inaccurate interpretation of publicly available social media posts	Unfairly judging your character or suitability for the position based on social media activity.

Don’t Let Errors in Your Fidelity Background Check Derail Your Future

The failure of a background check due to misinformation on your Fidelity report can be quite stressful and unpleasant. At IG-TCHAD, we stand for the protection of accurate information through the use of experienced lawyers. Our team of professionals will be able to:

Review your report. We will examine each item contained in your report, including any inaccuracies that could negatively affect your prospects for job applications or housing.
Craft a Compelling Dispute. We will help you craft a clear and well-supported dispute to be included in the dispute process with Fidelity, which highlights any errors and provides supporting documentation (e.g., pay stubs, diplomas, court documents).
Guide You Through the Process. We’ll be your guide throughout the dispute process with Fidelity, ensuring that you understand your rights and next steps.
Explore Legal Options (if necessary). If Fidelity doesn’t address the errors in your report to your satisfaction, we can explore further legal options to protect your rights.

Don’t let the errors hold you back from the opportunities you deserve. Contact IG-TCHAD today for a consultation. We’ll work diligently to ensure an accurate Fidelity report that reflects your qualifications and protects your future.