Investigative Checks

Summary

The following list of credit bureaus, reporting agencies, and other sources of information can assist you in determining the following:

- Should you purchase that used equipment?
- Should you extend credit to that new customer?
- Can you count on that new supplier?
- Will that new employee be a prudent fit?

SASKATCHEWAN JUSTICE
1874 Scarth Street
Regina, Saskatchewan   S4P 4B3
Phone:  306-787-8971   Fax:  306-787-5830
Web site: http://www.saskjustice.gov.sk.ca

Saskatchewan Justice - Corporations Branch  (1871 Smith Street, Regina)

Information Provided:
- information on whether a company or business has been, or is presently registered or incorporated in the Province of Saskatchewan,
- the name of the business,
- the nature of the business to be carried on,
- the registered office and mailing address of the business,
- the business ownership
- if incorporated, the directors and owners' names and addresses,
- the number of shares
Membership Available: No
Membership Necessary to Access Information: No
Membership benefits: Not applicable
Verbal Report Available: Yes       Fees: Yes
Written Report Available: Yes      Fees: Yes
How to Access: Phone:  306-787-2962 (Regina)   Fax:  306-787-8999
Other Services Available:
- Business Registrations and Incorporations
- Also incorporates non-profits, co-operatives, and credit unions
- Lists of professional associations and their bylaws

Saskatchewan Justice - Consumer Protection Branch  (1871 Smith Street, Regina)

Information Provided:
Answers licensing inquires and complaints on the following businesses

- Agricultural implement dealers and distributors
- Auctioneers
- Collection agents
- Credit reporting agents
- Door to door sellers
- Motor dealers
- Pyramid franchise operators
- Training course sellers
Membership Available: No
Membership Necessary to Access Information: No
Membership Benefits: Not applicable
Verbal Report Available: Yes       Fees: No
Written Report Available: Yes      Fees: No
How to Access: Phone: 306-787-5550 (Regina); 1-888-374-4636  Fax: 306-898-9779
Other Services Available:
- regulate credit unions, insurance companies, loan, trust and finance companies, mortgage brokers, prepaid funeral services, and the real estate industry

Information Provided:
- information regarding registration of liens against all types of personal property, including motor vehicles and farm equipment
Membership Available: No
Membership Necessary to Access Information: No
Membership Benefits: Not applicable
Verbal Report Available: Yes       Fees:Yes
Written Report Available: Yes      Fees: Yes
How to Access:
- if you are in Regina, write or phone 787-6787
- if you are outside Regina, visit or write the nearest court house that has a Sheriff's office
- most financial institutions (banks, credit unions, and trust companies) and law offices have an account with the Registry
Other Services Available:
-as above, remember to check any goods that you are purchasing second-hand from a private seller, an auction or a used-goods retailer

INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION (ISC)
Land Titles Automated Network Delivery (LAND) System
Toll Free:  1-866-275-4721
Web site: http://www.isc.ca

Information Provided:
- information on assignments, mortgages, judgements, interests and liens that may be registered against land and property
Membership Available: No
Membership Necessary to Access Information: No
Membership Benefits: Not applicable
Verbal Report Available: No     Fees: Not applicable
Written Report Available: Yes  Fees: Yes
How to Access:
- there are eight customer service centres in the province located in North Battleford, Humboldt, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Swift Current, Regina and Yorkton.  For searches, visit ISC's homepage listed above to sign up for a temporary account or visit the nearest customer service centre.
Other Services Available:
- registration of interests, mortgages, transfers, taxes, etc.

DUN AND BRADSTREET CANADA
5770 Hurontario Street
Mississauga, Ontario   L5R 3B5
Phone:  905-568-6000 or toll free 1-800-463-6362   Fax:  905-568-6197
Web site: http://www.dnb.com/us

Information Provided:
- information and company credit reports only unless individual is self-employed
Membership Available:Yes
Membership Fee: Yes
Membership Necessary to Access Information:
-no, however occasional users must pay a full service fee for the report
Membership Benefits: Cost per report reduced.
Verbal Report Available: Yes     Fees: Yes
Written Report Available: Yes  Fees: Yes
How to Access:   Telephone: 1-800-665-8092
Other Services Available:
- credit reference books and online credit information services anywhere in the world

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) OF SASKATCHEWAN INC.
302 - 2080 Broad Street
Regina, Saskatchewan   S4P 1Y3
Phone:  306-352-7601    Fax:  306-565-6236
Web site: http://www.bbbsask.com
Email:  bbbsask@accesscomm.ca

Information Provided:
- information on how long a company has been in business, type of business,  who the owner is, whether there are any unresolved or resolved complaints against it and whether the company is a Better Business Bureau member
Membership Available: Not for information requests.
Membership Necessary to Access Information: No
Membership Benefits:For businesses that are registered - Recognition of Service Quality Status
Verbal Report Available: Yes    Fees: No
Written Report Available: No     Fees: Not applicable
How to Access: 306-352-7601
Other Services Available:
- can provide mediation.  Can refer to other bureaus in Canada and United States if they do not have the information locally.

EQUIFAX CANADA INC.
Consumer Relations Department
Box 190, Jean Talon Station
Montreal, Quebec   H1S 2Z2
Phone:  514-493-2314    Fax:  514-355-8502
Web site: http://www.equifax.com/EFX_Canada
Email: consumer.relations@equifax.com

Or

CREDIT BUREAU OF SASKATOON REPORTING LIMITED
Regional Centre
Equifax Canada Systems Affiliate
304A - 4th Avenue North
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan   S7K 1K7  
Phone:  306-343-3200
Fax:  306-343-3210

Information Provided:
- provides credit history checks on individuals, reports on individuals, commercial operations, and registrations under the Personal Property Security Act
Membership Available: Yes
Membership Fee: Yes
Membership Necessary to Access Information: Yes
Membership Benefits:
- to receive information; computer link-up also available
Verbal Report Available: Yes   Fees: Yes
Written Report Available: Yes  Fees: Yes
How to Access: 1-800-465-7166
                  1-877-227-8800 (if member)
                  E-mail:  consumer.relations@equifax.com
Other Services Available:
- cheque guaranteeing service, data inputting service, insurance investigation, and collection agency

Other sources of information on companies, purchases, or employees.

- Hoovers Handbook of American Business profiles 500 major U.S. companies.  This handbook illustrates company histories, strategy, reputation and ownership.  It also includes financial charts, mailing lists, and company standings in over 50 different ranking categories.  To order call 1-800-486-8666.

- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has an online database called EDGAR.  This database provides information which allows you to analyse industries.  EDGAR specializes in providing lending, credit risk, education and training information on many companies throughout the U.S.  For more information contact their head office at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20549, Phone: 202-942-7040, Email: help@sec.gov.

- Check with credit department of companies that may ship to the company in question.  Suppliers of non-competing goods may indicate the company's standing with them.

- Check for tax arrears and caveats for permitted non-conformance, etc. at the local municipal office and also check to see that the company is registered or licensed.

- Check with the sheriff's office for writs outstanding and not yet collected.

- As a lessee, caveats or an interest can be registered against the property.

- Your bank or credit union can check with the other company's lender and also assist you with credit checks.

- Your lawyer's expertise can be crucial in this area.

- Remember, you owe it to your self, your employees, and your customers to investigate any new hires.  It is the job applicant's responsibility to provide verifiable information, not yours.

- It is better to check matters out now than worry later, but don't take every negative at face value, as there could be extenuating circumstances.

- Anytime you undertake tasks of due diligence, whether it's an application for employment, credit, insurance or bonding , you have the right to check all references deemed necessary.  Remember though, you also have a duty to act confidentially so as not to cause damage to the applicant.

Prepared by: Saskatchewan Regional Economic and Co-operative Development