Background screening; your first line of protection

An extra layer of security

As a global investigative firm with a network of 76 agents worldwide, CRI® Group has the resources and expertise needed to implement thorough and comprehensive pre-and post-employment screening. As part of our EmploySmart^TM program, we have conducted more than 187,000 individual background checks, serving top companies of many industry sectors worldwide. CRI® Group’s thorough background screening includes the following:

• Identity: Some job candidates will fabricate a new identity, especially if they have something to hide. Proper screening can verify addresses, phone numbers and other identifying information to confirm that they are who they claim to be.
• Employment: Screening will verify past employers, locations of past employment, dates employed, salary levels, reasons for leaving, position titles, gaps in employment history and pertinent contact information.
• Education: Education verification is needed to confirm school grades, degrees and professional qualifications.
• Criminal history: International criminal records searches are critically important and should include any convictions for the applicant in the requested jurisdictions.
• Character references: Sometimes overlooked is the need to follow up on references provided by the applicant.
• Credit history: As permitted by local laws, financial and credit history should be reviewed, as fraud statistics have shown financial distress to be a key red flag for fraudulent behaviour.

Case studies from our experience 

While conducting expert background screening for a client, CRI® Group uncovered disturbing details about an applicant. When this individual’s previous employers were contacted, one of them reported that the applicant was hired without any prior experience, was trained for a couple of months, and then terminated due to committing cash embezzlement as well as participating in harassment and workplace violence. A second employment verification revealed his termination, as he caused a financial loss to the company.

In another case, the CRI® Group screened 18 degrees claimed from a single university. By contacting the university and examining documents and records, CRI® Group found an astounding 5 of them (27.7 per cent) to be fake and/or forged. In the end, whether your company employs 10 or 1,000, your employee roster doesn’t have to be a minefield of mysteries or unknowns. With effective background screening, your business will be more secure, and your trust in your employees well-placed.

Who is CRI® Group?

Based in London, CRI® Group works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening,