Is it possible that we are entering the fifth wave of our national COVID-19 pandemic/nightmare?
Sadly, evidence--ranging from Europe’s sudden surges to domestic warning signs--seems to indicate that it is more than possible, it is unavoidable. Austria has already entered a complete national lockdown, with neighboring Germany warning it is likely to follow suit.
More pressingly for the United States, northwestern states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and especially Michigan are piling up cases, hospitalizations, and deaths as the region retreats indoors amid the beginnings of winter weather. It feels like playing whack-a-mole with hotspots--California last winter, Florida and Texas in the Summer, and now the Northwest.
To be clear, we are not panic mongers. We understand that our country will make it through this next surge, just as it has the past several. But there will be a lot of death and tragedy along the way.
In terms of business, it is important to remember that with surges come restrictions, both state mandated and personally imposed. We are not forecasting another national or even regional shutdown, but in this climate we are growing increasingly concerned about the practicality of in-person OnSite Inspections for Consumer Reporting in regions most impacted by COVID.
Local Restrictions, Personal Safety, and Compliance Inspections
TrendSource OnSite Inspections will always follow local restrictions and defer to our clients’ preferences when it comes to health and safety.
That’s one reason TrendSource offers Virtual OnSite Inspections for Consumer Reporting. This Inspection type allows companies to address their compliance needs while also avoiding in-person contact with an Inspector.
It is important to note that the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) have all provisionally accepted Virtual Inspections in place of in-person ones, and that it appears increasingly likely this provisional acceptance will become permanent. Of course, this is entirely the prerogative of the credit bureaus, and if you have any specific questions about the acceptability of an Inspection type, you should absolutely reach out to your authorized bureau representative(s).
What are Virtual OnSite Inspections for Consumer Reporting? How Do They Work?
So, how do Virtual Inspections work?
In Virtual OnSite Inspections for Consumer Reporting, an Inspector uses a video chat platform like FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom to take a virtual tour with the contact. During this tour, the Inspector ensures that the geotagged photos the contact submitted do indeed match the facility under Inspection.
The Inspector documents the facility’s compliance with the rules mandated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, just as they would do during an in-person OnSIte Inspection for Consumer Reporting.
How to Order Virtual OnSite Inspections
Virtual OnSite Inspections can be ordered online through TrendSource’s digital ordering platform--check out our recent blog on the topic, which gives you all the information and instructions you need.
And, of course, you can always fill out a Contact Us form if you have any questions.We can’t make COVID go away, just like we can’t avoid the restrictions and concerns it raises. But we can all keep going on with our lives the best we can, and TrendSource’s Virtual OnSIte Inspections for Consumer Reporting helps us do just that.
