As I explained in another article this month, there are many reasons why your background investigation records are probably not entirely accurate and why you should request your records. Since I first reported on how to request your background investigation records from the federal Office of Personnel Managment (OPM) in May 2012, OPM has developed a great new form for requesting your background investigation records. I recommend using the form to make your request.
Note that though the form instructs you to submit it via fax, mail, or email, I would recommend mailing it. Regular email is not a secure method of transmitting your sensitive personally identifiable information (such as your social security number), as your email message and its attachments can be read by parties other than the intended recipient. Sending documents via fax is also susceptible to interception. Sending it via the good old-fashioned U.S. Postal Service, however, is less prone to such problems. It’s not foolproof, but it’s less risky than the other methods. And when it comes to exposing yourself to the risk of identity theft, I’d go with the least risky option.