Can you trust who is working with your contractor license application information.
I wrote this over a year ago and this is definitely worth a repost.
“There are several companies out there who have many years of experience processing construction and electrical license applications. Lately, there are several new companies or existing schools getting into the application processing game since the exam prep industry is becoming more competitive and cut-throat. Make sure that your processor has actual real-world experience, like, longer than a month of filling out applications. There is a huge difference between someone filling out a form and someone who understands the form that is being filled out and how the potential implications the data in that form can affect your contracting future… The person handling your application should have many years of experience and who was mentored by other experienced application processors with a proven track record of success. This is your license, your livelihood, your future.
The school may have been around for a while, but what about the person who is processing your application? How long have they been there? How long have they been in the industry?
It’s very important that the person handling your application (which contains your credit reports, date of birth, social security number, etc… ) that they be able pass a background check and be sure your data is not sitting in an office that has walk-through traffic or high employee turnover.
Currently, once such school has a new processor with less than a full total month of experience, is unable to maintain steady employment, and has a GoFundMe page asking for monetary help to get by. Do you feel comfortable with someone in a less than desirable life circumstance pulling your credit and having access to your credit card and/or checking account information? Of course we all go through lean times, however, do you want to take that chance?
I have a client whose identity was stolen once way back when SSN’s were posted on court documents. The man owned 2 beach homes he never laid eyes on.
Yeah, this is that serious…”
