EmployeeScreenIQ

Could a background check lead to identity theft?

ProtectMyId.com, an identity theft solution, recently released a report stating the ways a background check could lead to identity theft. While background checks are more popular now that ever before and are even required in some states for some professions, there are still potential risks.

While corporations are usually the ones completing background checks, they can also be completed by anyone from family members concerned about the quality of child care to singles checking in on who they're dating.

While a lot of public information is available online and at various organizations, a thorough background check requires written consent from the subject. That grants individual or company access to information such as: resume and employment verification, social security number verification, criminal record checks, Department of Motor Vehicles records, civil court records, Worker's Compensation, credit reports and sexual offender databases.

Without written consent, companies can only gather information from public records and other open sources, meaning the most critical information should remain private. However, some scam artists and thieves are often able to access personal data.

"They have many means of committing identity fraud, including the use of online recruitment scams," ProjectMyId.com said in a press release. "Rising unemployment has made these scams very popular and most job seekers scouring the Internet for employment opportunities don't realize they can make a bad situation even worse, by simply responding to a want ad."

These scams often begin when a consumer receives an e-mail from a company who claims to have found your resume online. The company will state they have an immediate opening for someone with your talents and will ask you to log onto their site and apply for the position.

Next, the scamming company will ask you, via company policy, to do a background check, which may require information such as your date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number and bank account numbers. This is all information that also can be used to steal someone's identity.

"It's disturbing that people can prey on the desperation of others in such ways, but the fact remains we all need to be more vigilant about protecting ourselves from identity fraud," the company added. "Be cautious. Never give information out to anybody without diligently researching them first."

Labels: Background checks

New legislation could make it easier for youth-serving organizations to access background checks.

The Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-CA, would create a nationally-accessible background check system for youth-serving organizations, according to an article by the American Chronicle.

"We are fortunate to live in a country where millions of volunteers generously make time to participate in community service," Schiff said in the article. "But with so many volunteers working with children we need to ensure that child predators are not preying on innocent children through the guise of volunteerism.

"Children's safety is paramount, and we need to make certain that those working with our youth have been thoroughly and properly screened," Schiff continued.

The proposed legislation is based on a successful pilot program that makes it easier for groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys & Girls Clubs to perform fast, accurate and affordable background checks on potential volunteers and employees.

The existing program performed more than 37,000 FBI fingerprint background checks from 2003 to 2008. In 6.1 percent of cases, more than 2,000 potential volunteers had criminal records of concern.

The new bill hopes to keep the program affordable for small non-profit organizations. It includes protections for the privacy of volunteers to help keep criminal histories private and the opportunity to correct any errors on their record.

The new program would:

• create universal access to nationwide background searches by establishing a criminal background check designee to process background checks on prospective employees and volunteers for youth-serving organizations
• create "one-stop" functionality where a local organization could elect to obtain both a state and FBI search through the central clearinghouse
• keep the fee as low as possible for non-profit organizations, no more than the actual cost
• ensure that individuals subject to background checks can request their full criminal histories, challenge their accuracy and completeness and receive a prompt response from the jurisdiction holding the records

Labels: Background checks

One Ohio hospital system is implementing background check rules to help keep patients and workers safer.

University Hospitals began requiring extra security measures, including fingerprinting doctors, last year for employees, volunteers and anyone else who comes in contact with patients.

"Because of the attacks, we went though a rigorous process of heightening security and background checks," hospital spokeswoman Janice Guhl said in an article by the Plain Dealer.

The efforts stemmed from an incident in which a temporary nurse's aide abused patients in 2007. The temporary agency that sent that worker to UH had failed to complete a required criminal background check. A further state investigation found other workers had not undergone the necessary checks.

UH has required fingerprinting and background checks for all employees except doctors since 2004. However, the new rules include doctors in the checks, as well as students from medical and nursing schools. Temp agencies also now have to provide background checks, which are then reviewed by the hospital.

While violent crimes are usually rare, Cleveland police reported 176 assaults and 1,500 crimes at hospitals and other medical facilities from 2001 through April 2008.

William Nesbitt, a hospital security consultant in California, said in the article he has seen more sexual assaults and other crimes involving temporary hospital workers in recent years.

"There has probably been some naivete on the part of some hospitals to do their due diligence," he said. "It may be somewhat out of the norm (to require universal fingerprinting), but maybe the norm is moving in that direction."

Labels: Background check