Submission + - Red Cross criminal background check wants more
Skapare writes: American Radio Relay Leauge President Joel Harrison has issued a statement [PDF] to ARES and other amateur radio volunteers to be cautious when submitting information for a criminal background check the American Red Cross now requires. Harrison (W5ZN) said the League recommends that anyone submitting personal information for a background check very carefully read what they are giving the ARC permission to collect. The Red Cross requires this background check to be conducted online through MyBackgroundCheck.com. According to the statement, this third party service requires authorization to obtain additional information such as a credit check and mode-of-living check, which is above and beyond the Red Cross' statement [PDF]of only needing a criminal background check. Using Firefox, I tested the MBC's Red Cross page by clicking on the "request a background check" link and was given a page that says the only acceptable browser is Microsoft's Internet Explorer. If they are that bad at programming a web site, how can I possibly trust they are keeping my private confidential data safe?
The ARRL news article goes on to say: In the course of the application process, prospective volunteers must agree to let MBC obtain a wide range of personal information bearing not just on criminal background and creditworthiness but, MBC says, "character, general reputation [and] personal characteristics." MBC advises, "The nature and scope of this disclosure and authorization is all-encompassing ..."
ARRL Public Service Team Leader Steve Ewald, WV1X, says ARES leaders can assign volunteers who don't want to submit to the ARC criminal background check to ARES duties "away from the action" that don't involve direct interaction with the ARC. "We certainly understand the risks that are involved in having background checks done — such as potential identity theft," Ewald told one worried SEC. "Those volunteers who do go through the background check will, indeed, enter at their own risk in this regard."
The Red Cross says it's gone to great lengths to ensure prospective volunteers are not giving out their Social Security numbers to anyone other than the contractor, and then only through a secure, encrypted Web site. "No additional information is needed," the Red Cross said, nor are the overall results of the background check shared with the ARC.
The ARRL news article goes on to say: In the course of the application process, prospective volunteers must agree to let MBC obtain a wide range of personal information bearing not just on criminal background and creditworthiness but, MBC says, "character, general reputation [and] personal characteristics." MBC advises, "The nature and scope of this disclosure and authorization is all-encompassing
ARRL Public Service Team Leader Steve Ewald, WV1X, says ARES leaders can assign volunteers who don't want to submit to the ARC criminal background check to ARES duties "away from the action" that don't involve direct interaction with the ARC. "We certainly understand the risks that are involved in having background checks done — such as potential identity theft," Ewald told one worried SEC. "Those volunteers who do go through the background check will, indeed, enter at their own risk in this regard."
The Red Cross says it's gone to great lengths to ensure prospective volunteers are not giving out their Social Security numbers to anyone other than the contractor, and then only through a secure, encrypted Web site. "No additional information is needed," the Red Cross said, nor are the overall results of the background check shared with the ARC.
