Hireright is a weapon used to murder a driver's careers.
by Dale
(Springdale, AR)
I'd like to preface my story by pointing out that any account that begins with: "I was wrongfully fired or victimized" SHOULD be taken with the readers "B.S. Detectors" fully engaged. (Myself included) Many stories are true.. but many aren't. That said.. I'll begin my saga AFTER the point of my leaving my last employer, and omit the lengthy "They're lying because..."
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After quitting my last job, I began choosing and applying to different trucking companies. The lack of response became noticeable, so I followed up with 2 prospects asking about my application status. It was then that I learned what my last company had put in my DAC file."Driver was terminated for violation of company parking policy, unauthorized use of equipment. Company recovered vehicle."
None of this is true, and I'm anal-retentive about sending (and retaining) emailed versions of key work issues. My warning flags about this company had been sending HUGE signals for the entire week I'd worked there... So I was neither surprised, nor unprepared. After gathering all my electronic records, documents, etc. I begin my dispute via Hireright. This is where my nightmare begins.
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Step one:
I file a dispute using Hireright's online dispute form. Taking note of their friendly disclaimer about a 30day time frame, I write down my dispute case number... and wait..... and wait.... By day 20, I begin sending emails asking for a status update... by day 31 I try calling (cell airtime's expensive and I'm broke).. After 30 minutes on hold I'm now broke AND I no longer have a working phone. ..
Step two:
I RE-file the dispute. (E-mail's cheap) And re-submit my documents, and witness statements... And wait... After 7 days I begin sending emails asking for a simple confirmation that my dispute case had been received. After another week, I send multiple messages. Finally I send an email stating the FCRA statutes and threatening a lawsuit. THAT gets a response from "Win Hartright" saying
that they need more info! I give them the info, and wait... and wait...
Step three:
I again threaten them with legal action and FINALLY receive a phone call. (on my father's phone) The lady claims that none of my dispute case numbers have any information, and advises me to re-file the online dispute form. Along with the warning: "We give the company 30 days to respond" :( By this time I'm so frustrated and depressed that I've entertained the idea of suicide.
Step four:
I re-submit everything AGAIN. Finally I receive this reply: (paraphrased)
"Regarding your dispute case numberxxxxxx. We've taken the following actions. "NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE". Our investigation of your case has concluded. After informing your employer of the dispute, they responded by confirming the information they submitted about you was correct. You may still file a consumer statement which will be entered into your file... " (and so on)
The rest of the letter? Contains the employment record of a total stranger, and companies I've never worked for.
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I've been a driver for SEVEN YEARS, and my safety record is impeccable. My career has had ups and downs like everyone but I've ALWAYS left a company professionally. I even have a favorable entry from CR England. (a notorious hatchet company) Now, even though this is the ONLY entry with even a hint of misconduct, nobody will even call me back.
What can be done? I've tried contacting the company directly, but there's a vested interest in a trucking firm to cover up driver turnover. Company reputation is important, and driver managers are fired for losing drivers. The result? A D.M. will use DAC to murder a driver's career just to keep his own job. And DAC KNOWS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The service CAN be used fairly, but when the service is corrupt? It's not the drivers that put $ into Hireright's bank account, so they're not about to release their chokehold on our reputations.