The trouble with background checks is a misleading title because the article refers to the largest of companies who merely rely on databases to conduct their research. There are several mid tier companies that conduct background checks in a much different manner, actually using investigators. This method is utilized by Crimcheck.com and results in a much higher degree of accuracy. We do not rely on inaccurate databases to conduct checks for our clients. This article is a great reference point that being the biggest does not mean being the best. Database checks should be used as a secondary option, not the only option. Read more…

TJX Companies, the mammoth US retailer whose substandard security led to the world’s biggest credit card heist, has fired an employee after he left posts in an online forum that made disturbing claims about security practices at the store where he worked.

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It is surprising how many people are not aware that most landlords these days have a policy of conducting background checks on their prospective tenants. It may also be surprising that some landlords are not completely knowledgeable about the scope that is permissible in such checks.

The general idea is that a landlord needs to know that his prospective tenant is responsible and reliable. For example, it is in his best interest to know in advance that the person to whom he is renting will pay his rent, keep the property in good condition, and not conduct any illegal or other dangerous activity on his property. As it is certainly reasonable for the landlord to want to know this kind of information prior to taking the person on as a tenant, obtaining the facts is an appropriate measure. Read more…

In this article found within the Wall Street Journal, a question arises about the need to disclose a criminal arrest from 20 years ago, because his employer is thinking about conducting post employment background checks on current employees.

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Regardless of the type of business you own, holding a job should never mean an employee is in danger from violent customers. Unfortunately, this is not always the case– far too frequently an employee is in the position of facing serious bodily injury or even worse from a customer who is out of control. There are some measures which you can take in advance to protect your employees.

One absolutely essential factor in promoting the safety of your employees is for them to have consistent emergency access readily available at all times. While something as basic as an easily-accessible 911 phone line is standard in many companies, many others do not have it. In the interest of their lives and safety, this should be available to all employees when they are in the workplace. Read more…

While Beacon Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc claims that it runs criminal background checks on all of its employees, what they do not state is if they use a database or conduct the proper due diligence by conducting a county search on each of the residential addresses associated with the applicants. It is important to know and understand the difference between running a database search on an applicant, and checking the county courts. A database can contain millions of records of felons, however, this data is often times arbitrary, and it is very limited in county records.

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Another reason why conducting inferior background checks or none at all create huge risks for employers. Yet I still run across some employers who think they don’t need to screen employees. Then there are those who think a eight or ten dollar database check is sufficient. Well tell that to the jury!

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It is always a great idea to conduct a background check on an employee, especially one who is going to work around children, as in the case of an Ice Cream Truck driver. This story indicates that the Bureau of Criminal Identification will conduct a check for $20-$30.00, however, be warned that their database is flawed. Not every county in Ohio reports to BCI. It is recommended that you conduct a residential history of the applicant and contact every county they have resided in to determine any crimes. In addition, you should conduct a nationwide sexual offender search through the Department of Justice.

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While it is possible for FBI checks to be inaccurate, its highly unlikely in this case. The common inaccuracies with the FBI check is that it does not have a comprehensive coverage with respect to jurisdictions. The FBI gets its data from law enforcement agencies and state criminal record repositories. These sources only represent about 65% of all records available. The records are often just arrests and do not contain updates on the court case. If the case has been dismissed it is possible they have the right person but the wrong information. The FBI uses a fingerprint to match identity so as for a case of mistaken identity its unlikely in this case.

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No really, free. No singing pirates or crappy cars, just a true free credit report. Everyone is entitled to a copy of their credit report otherwise known as a credit file disclosure. A credit report, provides you with all of the information in your credit file maintained by a consumer reporting company that could be provided by the consumer reporting company in a consumer report about you to a third party, such as a lender. This is the official site to obtain your report so go and take a look and see what is on your file, it just may surprise you. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com.