November 2, 2009

Worker Lost Her Job Over Error by FBI's NCIC Database

In July 2009, a woman lost a $58,000 a year accounting job with Corporate Mailing Services of Arbutus after a background check reported a non-existent criminal record. Her employer won a contact with the Social Security Administration (SSA), which required that the company submit all employees to a criminal background check. The FBI's National Crime Information Center database reported in error that the employee had a criminal record. The Social Security Administration reported back to her employer within 2 weeks acknowledging the mistake and stated that the account could in fact work on the project. The company has not reinstated the dismissed worker. There are long running issues regarding the accuracy of NCIC database. In 2003 the DOJ exempted the FBI, which manages the NCIC, from Federal Privacy Act obligations for data accuracy. The administration is moving forward with a plan to require all federal government contractors submit E-verify checks conducted by the Department of Homeland Security to determine whether they can be employed. There are questions about accuracy of this system and the potential for inaccurate reporting. Accuracy requirements for information held in databases is critical to the protection of privacy rights.

Fired due to error in background check, Carroll woman still jobless, Scott Calvert, Baltimore Sun, October 28, 2009