Hiring with Missing Information – A True, Compelling Story
If you think you don’t need to run a thorough background check using a competent data screening agency, you may change your view once you consider this true story.
A few years ago, an experienced and established data screening agency ran a background check on a potential candidate for hire. The agency uncovered a criminal record. The candidate had previously been convicted of assault and was sentenced to anger management classes. As a result, the candidate lost the job opportunity.
When the candidate discovered the data screening agency exposed his record (which was the right thing to do for the client), he showed up at the agency, unannounced and quite upset.
Later, the agency discovered the same candidate applied at one of their client’s competitors. The competitor did NOT run a thorough background check. It only did fingerprinting. Since the outcome of the fingerprinting takes up to three weeks, the competitor hired the candidate and put the person to work without a clue about his criminal record.
Fingerprinting is good in some ways. It captures a large area but has a long turnaround time. Additionally, more than 50 percent of the cases identified by fingerprinting lack final dispositions of the cases.
Due to kindly intervention – when the agency’s client found out about the candidate being hired by another company, they told the agency, who then contacted the hiring company – a potentially harmful situation was avoided.
But isn’t it best to have all information to weigh before making a decision? Why not connect with an agency like Data Screening, that will provide the accurate and complete results you need?
About DataScreeening.com
Data Screening is a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise that has offered business-to-business employment and tenant screenings to human resource professionals and business owners, including staffing companies, for two decades. Among other organizations, they are members of the New Jersey Staffing Alliance, the Society for Human Resource Management and the National Association of Professional Background Screeners. How may we help you today?
9 ID Scams to Be Aware of For Job Hunters
If you are among those who hire the unemployed and expect applicants to respond to your job ads using the Internet, be discerning about the personal information you request them to release. You don’t want to put good candidates at risk.
Identity theft is not just a scam for the holidays nor credit card holders. Horror stories abound of people who were searching for jobs only to find their personal information appropriated by noble-appearing but illegitimate reps.
Case in point
One person (let’s call him John), was contacted by a human resources director in response to a job posted on a major job board. At first glance, everything seemed genuine.
He forwarded information the rep requested for an extensive background check as “part of the interview process.” John included all personal information they wanted—bank accounts, Social Security number, and even his mother’s maiden name—only to learn he had been scammed.
Now, John wasn’t a foolish individual. He was experienced and savvy. All the indicators pointed to a real job from a real and well-known company. (Remember, scammers are very good at what they do.) But on a closer examination, clues evidenced.
What was unusual?
The rate of urgency to supply the personal information. And the blanket and general response when the individual called to follow up. The HR rep played to John’s emotional need to find a good paying job quickly at his caliber of experience. Further, the offer was “put through” without an official interview.
While the fraud was reported, it was too late for John. He was had. It mattered little to John that the job board reported they were working with the FBI to investigate fraudulent job listings.
At a minimum, the job board should have included an obvious privacy disclaimer and required agreement for anyone using it. So, there should be hope for future applicants.
However, it’s true; there is always some risk of exposure when you put information online.
If you serve job applicants, remind them of these tips for good measure.
Tell them:
- Never to put a social security number online unless the site is certified secure.
- To be mindful of the information included in an online resume.
- Be aware of the email address to whom messages are sent. If the address looks like a private email, that’s a red flag.
- An authentic human resources representative would always request information via the company, not through an extra-company channel.
- Are words and names spelled correctly within the message? Are there typos or missing words? Is it punctuated correctly?
- Does the information sync with the company’s information? Check the phone number area codes and addresses.
- Is the tone of the email too informal? Are there awkward sentences?
- Does the job request use a secure link for replies?
- How reputable are the job board’s privacy and security practices?
Remember, use data screening agencies to reduce fraud
There is much less opportunity for fraud when a company uses a data screening agency for its background checks on candidates. Some HR professionals use outside sources such as Applicant Tracking Systems and background screening systems that require an individual to enter personal information. However, when outside sources are used, the sites have been configured to be secure.
For example, if you outsource your candidates’ background screening to Data Screening.com, you will receive in-depth information as well as counsel as to what steps you may take regarding the report. Plus, everything is legal and above board.
About DataScreeening.com
Data Screening is a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise that has offered business-to-business employment and tenant screenings to human resource professionals and business owners, including staffing companies, for two decades. Among other organizations, they are members of the New Jersey Staffing Alliance, the Society for Human Resource Management and the National Association of Professional Background Screeners. How may we help you today?