FCRA Disclosure and Authorization

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: December 29, 2025
Last Updated: December 29, 2025

DISCLOSURE REGARDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING

1. Disclosure

In connection with your application for certification as a Certified Installer with Carpet Installers Direct ("Company"), and if certification is granted, at any time during your participation in the Certified Installer Program, the Company may obtain a "consumer report" and/or "investigative consumer report" on you from a consumer reporting agency.

These reports may include information about your:

• Character
• General reputation
• Personal characteristics
• Mode of living
• Credit standing (if applicable to certification)
• Criminal history (including arrests, convictions, court records)
• Motor vehicle records (if applicable)
• Employment history
• Education verification
• Professional license status
• Drug test results (if applicable)

2. Nature and Scope of Investigation

You may request more information about the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report by contacting:

Carpet Installers Direct
Email: background@carpetinstallersdirect.com
Phone: [Phone Number]
Address: [Physical Address, Georgia]

Upon your written request, you will receive a complete and accurate disclosure of the nature and scope of the investigation.

3. Consumer Reporting Agency

The consumer report(s) will be obtained from:

[Background Check Provider Name]
Address: [Provider Address]
Phone: [Provider Phone]
Website: [Provider Website]

Note: The consumer reporting agency did NOT make the decision to obtain this report and cannot provide specific reasons why the report was obtained. For questions about the content of your report, contact the reporting agency directly.

4. Summary of Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. You have the right to:

4.1 Know What Is in Your File

You have the right to know what is in your file at a consumer reporting agency. You may request and obtain all the information about you in the files of a consumer reporting agency during normal business hours, by mail, or by phone. The proper identification may be required.

4.2 Request Your Credit Score

You have the right to request your credit score from consumer reporting agencies that create credit scores (if credit is part of the background check).

4.3 Dispute Incomplete or Inaccurate Information

If you identify information in your file that is incomplete or inaccurate, you may dispute that information with the consumer reporting agency. The agency must investigate within 30 days and correct or delete inaccurate information.

4.4 Receive Notice Before Adverse Action

If information in a consumer report is used against you (e.g., to deny your certification), the Company must:

1. Provide you with a "pre-adverse action" notice that includes:

   • A copy of the consumer report
   • A copy of "A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act"

2. Allow you time to dispute any inaccurate information before making a final decision

3. Provide you with an "adverse action" notice if the Company proceeds with adverse action, which must include:

   • The name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting agency
   • A statement that the agency did not make the adverse decision
   • Your right to obtain a free copy of your report
   • Your right to dispute the accuracy of the information

4.5 Consent is Required

The Company cannot obtain a consumer report on you without your written authorization. Your signature on the Authorization section below constitutes your written authorization.

4.6 Limit Reports for Employment Purposes

Consumer reports may only be obtained for "permissible purposes." For installers, the permissible purpose is evaluation for certification status (similar to employment screening).

4.7 Seek Damages for Violations

You may sue a consumer reporting agency or a user of consumer reports (like the Company) that violates your rights under the FCRA.

5. State-Specific Notices

5.1 California Residents

Under California Civil Code Section 1786.22, you are entitled to:

• Obtain a copy of any investigative consumer report obtained by the Company
• Request this copy in writing within 3 years of the date the report was prepared
• Receive a copy within 5 days of the Company's receipt of your request

California residents may also contact:
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112
Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (800) 952-5210

5.2 New York Residents

Under New York law, you have the right to:

• Inspect and receive a copy of any investigative consumer report obtained by the Company
• Make a written request for the report within a reasonable time

Upon your request, you will be informed whether an investigative consumer report was requested, and if so, the name and address of the consumer reporting agency.

5.3 Washington State Residents

Under Washington law, you have the right to request:

• A written summary of your rights under Washington's Fair Credit Reporting Act
• The name and address of the consumer reporting agency furnishing the report

5.4 Other State Notices

Residents of other states may have additional rights under state law. Contact the Company at background@carpetinstallersdirect.com for state-specific information.

6. Reporting Agency Contact Information

If you have questions about the content of your consumer report, or wish to dispute information, contact the consumer reporting agency directly:

[Background Check Provider Name]
Address: [Provider Address]
Phone: [Provider Phone]
Website: [Provider Website]
Email: [Provider Email]

Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
Phone: 1-877-382-4357
Website: www.ftc.gov

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):
P.O. Box 4503
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
Phone: (855) 411-2372
Website: www.consumerfinance.gov

7. Authorization

I have read and understand this Disclosure Regarding Background Investigation. I understand that:

1. The Company may obtain consumer reports about me for certification purposes
2. I have the right to dispute inaccurate information
3. I will receive notice before adverse action based on the report
4. I have the right to receive a copy of the report if adverse action is taken
5. I have reviewed the Summary of Rights Under the FCRA

I hereby authorize Carpet Installers Direct to obtain consumer reports and/or investigative consumer reports about me from [Background Check Provider Name] or any other consumer reporting agency for the purpose of evaluating my certification as a Certified Installer.

This authorization shall remain in effect during my participation in the Certified Installer Program. I understand I may revoke this authorization at any time in writing, which will result in termination of my certification status.

AUTHORIZATION SIGNATURE

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understood this Disclosure Regarding Background Investigation, including the Summary of Rights Under the FCRA, and I authorize Carpet Installers Direct to obtain consumer reports about me.

Printed Name: ____

Signature: ____

Date: ____

Email Address: ____

Phone Number: ____

For Electronic Signatures

☐ I agree that my electronic signature below has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

Electronic Signature: ____

Date of Electronic Signature: ____

IP Address (auto-captured): ____

8. Additional Information for Background Check

To complete the background check, please provide the following information:

Full Legal Name: ____

Other Names Used (maiden, former, alias): ____

Date of Birth: ____

Social Security Number: ____

Current Address: ____

Previous Addresses (past 7 years): ____

Driver's License Number (if applicable): ____

Driver's License State: ____

IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE:

Your Social Security Number and other personal information will be:

• Transmitted securely using encryption
• Shared ONLY with the consumer reporting agency for background check purposes
• NOT stored by Carpet Installers Direct after background check is complete
• Protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy

Document ID: FCRA-DISC-2025-v1.0

Attorney Review Notes

⚠️ IMPORTANT: This document MUST be reviewed by an attorney familiar with FCRA requirements before use. Key areas requiring review:

1. Standalone disclosure requirement - FCRA requires disclosure to be in a standalone document (not bundled with other documents)
2. Clear and conspicuous language - Ensure all disclosures are easy to understand
3. State-specific requirements - California, New York, and other states have additional requirements
4. Pre-adverse action process - Verify process meets FCRA timing requirements (typically 5 business days)
5. Authorization language - Ensure authorization is clear and compliant
6. Electronic signature compliance - Verify e-signature process meets E-SIGN Act and state requirements
7. Record retention - FCRA requires keeping authorization records for specified periods
8. Consumer reporting agency compliance - Verify selected provider is FCRA-compliant

Recommended attorney budget: $300-500 for FCRA Disclosure review (high compliance risk - FCRA violations can result in statutory damages)

CRITICAL: FCRA violations can result in:

• $100 - $1,000 per violation (willful violations)
• Actual damages (negligent violations)
• Class action liability
• Attorney's fees

This document must be legally compliant before use.