Investigative service protects landlords, employers

PRIEST RIVER — It happened again — another home destroyed, another employee causing trouble in the workplace. How can these crimes be prevented?

Fastrak Investigative Service can help. Their excellent reporting helped turn around a Boise community known for its drug activity, according to the Chief of Police.

Owned and operated by the experienced tracking team of Jennifer and Richard Ellis, and Stephanie Perry and Wendy Mercer, the company has been in business since October of 2000. It is located in the Rivertown Mall above the Priest River Times.

Through extensive background checks, Fastrak offers an accurate, quick method of protecting landlords and employers from situations that may damage or destroy their property.

"We want our clients to make informed decisions," said Jennifer Ellis, president.

Their method is simple, but it works.

By digging deep into the pockets of public records, credit reports and looking up previous addresses and calling past landlords, the company can confirm the integrity of the prospective renter or employee. Fastrak can also verify bill paying history, even if it is out of state.

"We believe our investment in checking public records has been the most beneficial element in protecting landlords from high risk cases," Ellis said.

Renters that may later turn their homes into methamphetamine labs, or have a dangerous criminal history.

"When you pull someone's credit, it indicates previous addresses," Ellis said. "This allows us to verify information in any state of residence. Public records even show evictions."

By working with the Department of Corrections, police departments and county courthouses Fastrak has protected their clients from potential problems with many types of criminal activity.

"We were able to help a client in California make an informed decision about renting to people convicted in a sex abuse ring here in Spokane," Perry said.

A child abducted in Florida was tracked in this area due to a phone number of a motel room the abductors had put on an apartment application.

Fastrak guarantees same-day responses on applications. The applicant pays a $35 fee to the landlord/employer for this service, so essentially, there is no cost to the client.

An applicant's signature and social security number are required before Fastrak conducts the check.

"We pride ourselves on honesty and integrity," Ellis said. "We have files of signatures and we won't partake in any illegal search activities.

Fastrak is about keeping people honest, Ellis said. It is about finding their clients good renters, who pay their rent and leave their house in good condition.

"We see people utilizing our service more and more," Ellis said. "It used to be that a handshake was good enough, but people are more cautious now. It seems like you can't tell by looking at a person what they're like anymore."

For more information call 888-321-9035 or email at jennifer@fastrakservice.com.