We have used Sentry Link for several years to do criminal background checks of our caregivers. We used them because they advertise that they do a complete and national report. We are very careful about referencing our caregivers as they are going into elderly and/or sick people's homes to care for them.
We got a "no criminal records found for this individual" report on a particular individual and sent her out to fill in on a live-in case. She helped herself to the client's Discover card, changed the PIN # and withdrew $500 from the bank. She also decided she liked the client's 2.5 carat diamond ring and took that too.
A police report was filed and I gave the arresting officer a copy of the caregiver's "clear" criminal background report from Sentry Link.
The police detective told me today that the caregiver had an extensive criminal history. I said it couldn't be... After all Sentry Link said she had no criminal record. We ran a state police report on her and only gave them her married name and birth date. They came back with the extensive report... Larceny, burglary, etc. It made me sick.
I emailed Sentry Link with the information. They asked to see their report as well as the state police one. I emailed them. They telephoned me tonight to say that it was MY FAULT because I had not given them her maiden name! I gave them her name, birthdate and social security number. That's more than anyone needs to pull up an entire history.
If they had taken some responsibility for their mistake it would have been nice. Their negligence has hurt our business, cost our client money and lost jewelry. We pride ourselves on having the best caregivers because we are so careful. Right. How are we going to repair the damage done by this? We are a small town - everyone knows everyone else and you can be sure the whole town will know about what happened.
Ours is a franchise and you can be certain that I will be warning all of our many offices about Sentry Link.
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