Private Eyes Background Checks – Empowering Global Businesses with Precision, Personalized Solutions, and 25 Years of Trusted Expertise in Background Screening and Lending Services

In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, having access to reliable information can make all the difference. Whether it's hiring the right people or ensuring smooth loan approvals, businesses must rely on precise data to make sound decisions. With the stakes so high, having a trusted partner that streamlines these processes, reduces risks, and delivers fast, accurate results is crucial. This is where Private Eyes steps in, offering solutions that empower businesses to operate more effectively and confidently.

For over 25 years, Private Eyes has been at the forefront of background checks and lender solutions, helping businesses across the globe make well-informed decisions. What sets Private Eyes apart is their dedication to combining the latest technology with personalized service, ensuring that clients receive the critical information they need when they need it most. Accredited by the PBSA (Professional Background Screening Association), Private Eyes prides itself on having a team of FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) Certified Experts who strictly adhere to state and federal regulations. With a presence in all 50 states and over 195 countries, they are the exclusive hiring partner for organizations worldwide.

Beyond traditional background screening, Private Eyes also offers specialized transcript services that help streamline loan approval processes, ensuring faster and more efficient outcomes for lenders and clients alike.

At CIO Bulletin, we had the privilege of interviewing Sandra James, CEO of Private Eyes Background Checks and best-selling author of the book ‘Don't Tell Me I Can't: A Journey from Farm Girl to CEO’. She shared valuable insights on how her company, with its global reach and state-of-the-art technology, continues to be a trusted partner for businesses seeking efficient and reliable solutions in background screening and lending services.

Interview Highlights

Can you take us back to the beginning of Private Eyes Background Checks? What inspired you to establish the company, and what were some of the key challenges you encountered in those early days?

I had a company, RMCR, where I started doing background checks as a division for some clients. When I sold that business, I had a non-compete for mortgage credit reporting but not for background checks, as it was a smaller part of my revenue. At that time, I believed that even though it was the dot-com era, companies would still need to know who they are hiring, and background checks would continue to be an important part of the hiring process.

Private Eyes offers a comprehensive suite of background check and lending solutions. Could you elaborate on the core services you provide and how they benefit your clients?

We help create a safe workplace by providing high-quality background checks and drug screening to our clients quickly. We also help make the American dream of home and business ownership a reality by verifying consumers' income through the IRS using a 4506-C transcript, confirming they have the income they need to qualify for a mortgage or SBA loan.

Private Eyes has been at the forefront of background checks for over 25 years. What inspired the creation of your unique 3-step process, and how has it evolved over the years to enhance client experience?

The process was established to provide the highest quality services quickly to our clients across the globe. We have evolved into a technology company that offers user-friendly software combined with customer service that maintains a human touch.

With a commitment to 100% accuracy in background checks, what internal processes and audits do you have in place to ensure this level of quality? How do these measures differentiate you from your competitors?

We have six points of quality control for each background check or service we provide to ensure top-notch quality. Our team consists of PBSA-certified FCRA experts, and we provide ongoing training to keep them updated on new laws and regulations as they arise, ensuring that we are recognized as industry experts in our field.

Being an exclusive hiring partner in all 50 states and over 195 countries is a remarkable achievement. How do you manage the complexities of global background checks while ensuring compliance with varying regulations?

We utilize two major national law firms, PBSA (Professional Background Screening Association), and CRA Helpdesk. We have three global vendors that support us with international laws and regulations. Additionally, we utilize other state and federal agencies to stay compliant with ever-changing laws.

Your suite of lender service solutions is designed to expedite loan approvals. How do your transcript services specifically help streamline this process, and what feedback have you received from clients about their effectiveness?

Private Eyes is integrated with the IRS, which helps us expedite the turnaround time for 4506-C transcripts. This integration provides consumers with multi-factor authentication, and once they accept it, the search is instant. This helps lenders to approve loans faster. Our clients tell us they appreciate that we are always innovating and looking for ways to improve the process, experience, and service for both the client and the consumer. We also provide manual employment verifications for our clients in the lending field. This is another way we help them expedite loan closings quickly, which is especially important with current interest rates being higher than they have been in the last decade.

In today's market, brand trust is crucial. How does Private Eyes cultivate trust with its clients, and what role does transparency play in your operations and reporting processes?

Our biggest strength has been the service level that we have consistently provided to our clients year over year. This speaks to why we have clients who have utilized our services since the inception of Private Eyes, many for well over a decade. We have also grown through referrals over the years, which is the best gauge of our client satisfaction.

Looking ahead, what innovations or expansions do you foresee for Private Eyes in the next few years? How do you plan to maintain your leadership position in the background check industry?

Private Eyes will continue to innovate by integrating with other ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and HRIS. We are also looking forward to utilizing AI more. Our development team is always focused on improving the client and candidate experience on our website while enhancing and automating internal processes for our team. We will continue to grow our market share while maintaining consistent quality and service.

The Stalwart Leader Behind Private Eyes Background Checks’ Unwavering Success

Sandra James, Founder and CEO of Private Eyes, has built a global, full-service organization offering comprehensive employment security solutions, including background screenings, private investigations, and more. Leading a team of nearly 50 professionals with over a century of collective experience in the security industry, James helps minimize liability risk for clients, driving exceptional results with precision and reliability.

Before establishing Private Eyes, James founded and operated Residential Mortgage Credit Report (RMCR) in Phoenix, Arizona, providing key reports to the real estate industry. She successfully grew RMCR to more than $5 million in revenue before selling the company. After relocating to Danville, California, and following the birth of her first son, James launched Private Eyes in 1999.

With an innovative approach to background checks—focused on accuracy, speed, and affordability—James quickly expanded the company, attracting prestigious clients such as Coca-Cola Enterprises, PNC Bank, and Lifebridge Health. A true entrepreneur, she broadened her expertise in security by creating 4506-Transcripts.com, a company dedicated to offering rapid income verification services to banks and financial institutions, streamlining the loan process through its integration with the IRS.

Sandra is also committed to empowering other women business owners through her involvement with WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council). A former board member of WBENC, she now serves on the board of directors for its WBEC-Pacific division. In addition, she is a member of PACE, the Advisory Board of UC Santa Barbara, and Vistage, a leading CEO peer advisory organization.

An accomplished author, Ms. James achieved Amazon Best-Selling Author status with her book ‘Don’t Tell Me I Can’t: The Journey of Farm Girl to CEO’, which became both a Top New Release and Hot New Release.

Balancing her personal and professional life, Sandra James spends her time with her husband and their two adult sons.

“We help make the American dream of home and business ownership a reality by verifying consumers' income through the IRS using a 4506-C transcript, confirming they have the income they need to qualify for a mortgage or SBA loan.”