I was doing a background check on a potential client. During our conversation, he admitted to a felony conviction from 1998. The nature of the conviction didn't disqualify him from a business relationship with me. He encouraged me to run a background check on him.
I generally use Intellius for my background checks, but their site undergoing maintenance that day and wouldn't be available for a few hours. Without doing the necessary research (like checking consumer complaints first), I paid the $34.95 to Integrascan for a background check.
The report came up empty. A subsequent background check with Intellius turned up the aforementioned felony conviction, along with a couple of inconsequential things.
I emailed Integrascan, providing details and requestiong a refund, per their guarantee. They refused, stating that they had done their job, and asking me what database the conviction was in. A followup email to them, with the Intellius report and requested database was met with the reply that they didn't use that database; therefore they had done their job. Two more followup emails met with similar double-talk.
I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York (where Integrascan is located) and with the Attorney General's office of that state. I also filed a dispute with my credit card's bank.integrascan contested the dispute at every point. It took six months to get a refund.
Apparently, Integrascan counts on people to just give up and let them have the $34.95.
If you haven't yet been burned by this company, DON'T let them have the chance. There are honest, reliable companies out there (i.E. USSearch, Intellius). If you've already been ripped off, request a refund. When you're refused, file complaints with the Better Business Bureau and Attorney General's office of Upstate New York, and of course here at complaint. You should also file a dispute with the financial institution (i.E. Credit card, Paypal, Google Checkout) used to pay for the report.
Stay far away from this scam.
— by Tom B
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