November 2019

Background Checks

7 Critical Points to Ponder Upon of Background Screening

Financial frauds grabbed headlines recently across India with the losses suffered by public sector banks reportedly going up to Rs. 2500 crores. The Reserve Bank of India released data that showed employees were involved in all of these financial scams.

Employees, both former and current, are the major fraud perpetrators in the Indian context according to a Kroll survey. Frauds range from bribery, corruption, theft of assets or stock, cybersecurity risks including phishing attacks and virus infusion. Key culprits include all levels of employees such as mid-level managers, juniors, ex-employees and contract employees. Thefts at workplace cost the U.S. small businesses a whopping $50 billion every year according to some studies. Leading background verification provider AuthBridge’s 2017 survey revealed that employees most commonly misrepresent facts on their resume. Extensive background screening is the only way to prevent wrong hires and hire people with the right reputation. While background screening is a critical aspect of recruitment at all levels, companies need to follow best practices in conducting employee verification.

The critical seven factors in background screening

Here are the seven critical aspects to consider in background screening:

1.Formulate a background screening policy:

Every company should have a clearly formulated policy in terms of background screening. This should be aligned with the company’s strategic objectives and vision. Having a policy for screening will ensure best practices are carried out in an objective way across all levels. The other benefit of having a clear policy is that it helps in making the best decisions in hiring. The policy should include details of scope, objectives of screening, modes of background checks and so on.

2.Obtain the consent of the candidate:

In many countries, it is mandatory to obtain the employee’s consent for background screening. Not doing so may attract legal action. In India, background screening has to be compliant with the Indian Contract Act, the Indian Penal Code and IT acts.

3. Understand different types of background verification:

The policy document should also include the different modes of background verification that will be used. These include reference checks, criminal record checks, substance abuse testing, address and education verification, ID verification, credit reports and so on.

4. Consult a professional background screening provider:

Entrusting the background verification process to a qualified and competent service provider can help eliminate errors and delays while ensuring accurate results. Professional background verification providers using high-tech API integrated solutions that align with the HR platforms can deliver fast and real-time results.

5. Formulate strategies to avoid bias in hiring:

In many countries, giving a fair chance at employability is mandatory. Stringent laws also exist in terms of discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, gender, age or economic background. To ensure fair hiring, background screening should be initiated post the hiring process. The data obtained from the checks cannot be used to discriminate against the employee.

6. Dealing with negative findings in criminal checks:

Many times, criminal record checks or credit reports may reveal negative findings. It is important for the HR to have the policy to handle negative findings. These can include further investigation, interviewing the candidate and giving him or her a chance at defending the findings. False positives, a negative finding in an otherwise good credit record and a lawsuit without conviction are some instances that need not result in negative hiring decisions.

7. Storing and disposing of background screening information:

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission define processes for information storage and disposal. The new European data safety rules impose strict rules on handling individual data. The background screening policy should define how long the information will be stored and the methods of disposing at the end of this term.

By admin, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Background Checks

How is Senior Level Hiring Different from Routine Hiring?

Senior executives transition to strategy development from operational levels. These leaders are responsible for providing direction by defining the mission and vision of the organisation. Besides, they are also expected to be accountable for financial growth, team coordination, employee engagement and brand image. Senior executives are also involved in building and sustaining the company culture while integrating innovation into the strategy.

According to a Manchester Consulting study, within eighteen months of recruitment, four out of ten leaders fail. Drake Beam Morin, Inc. estimates that 60 percent of companies across the globe have had to replace their CEO since appointing them. A majority of companies expressed in a survey that they were not confident about their recruiting strategies for leadership positions.

Senior leaders are responsible for formulating and executing smart strategies that help the companies thrive in the highly competitive business scenario. Recruiting the right leaders is the top priority for management that needs a different approach as compared to hiring mid-level managers or juniors.

Why choose AuthBridge for executive screening?

Leading executive screening provider AuthBridge provides expert and discreet solutions with AuthLead™, which is a specialized and exhaustive leadership due diligence solution. Going beyond the usual checks, AuthLead™ involves in-depth scanning of professional skills, gathering of industry perception and feedback from references. AuthLead™ can successfully validate the facts presented in the resume through multiple checks on media and web repositories.

AuthLead™ is a technology-enabled solution that helps in quick and real-time gathering of all-around perceptions through interviews with vendors, superiors, peers and subordinates of the candidate. It can also effectively identify red flags if any with respect to the candidate’s track record, integrity or ethical practices. AuthLead™ not only speeds up the process of executive screening, but also succeeds in maintaining utmost confidentiality and ensures timely disposal of collected data.

Why should you verify agents before onboarding?

IRDA mandates the due diligence of a prospective agent/ PoS to ensure a fraud-free work environment for the companies. Mis-selling and premium pocketing can create negative sentiments towards the industry, among its customers who might not understand the product features and importance.

Real-time verifications become more than the need of the hour in such cases, for not only combating agent frauds but also ensuring customer’s trust and streamlined revenue. The faster the onboarding process, the faster agents can be on the field, pushing new business and gaining new business for your company.

How AuthBridge automates the agent onboarding?

The technical training for a POS agent takes around 15 hours and for an insurance agent a minimum of 100 hrs. The ideal manual verification and onboarding can take more than the training time. Hence, a more automated and real-time verification process can really make a difference.

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AuthBridge’s real-time agent onboarding solutioncan power your agent onboarding with self-service and real-time verifications. It can help increase agent retention and satisfaction by almost 80%. Our digital PAN and Aadhaar verifications can help to identify the candidate in a couple of minutes.

Our agent verification APIs can ascertain that the applicant does not hold agency appointments for more than one life insurer, one general insurer, one health insurer, and is not in the centralized list of blacklisted agents. For a PoS, automated verification of agent’s data availability on IRDA or IIB (Insurance Information Bureau) via PAN/Aadhaar nos., can be used to ensure that the PoS is not working with any other agency except where they have currently applied.

Moreover, our proprietary educational databases can help to verify the educational qualification of an individual accurately, with a TAT of a few minutes. Our AI-powered face match algorithms and advanced OCR based data extracted and validation can improve the application filling efficiency, thus smoothening the journey.

By Abhinandan, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Blogs

Background Screening – A Job-Seeker’s Point of View

As a job-seeker, it can be intimidating knowing that a potential employer wants to do a background check on you. A background screening does not have to be a stressful process, and with the help of this comprehensive guide, we hope to answer any questions you might have regarding the process. Keep these points in mind, and you will have nothing to worry about when details of your life are accessed by a third party.

1. Why do companies conduct background verification checks?

Every company needs to protect their interests and their reputation. While you do not pose a threat to the company and have been completely honest and forthcoming on your resume´, a company has no guarantee that all candidates are the same. There is always the possibility of candidates withholding important information like a criminal past, which companies have to watch out for. With employee fraud on the rise, companies have to be very careful with their screening and hiring process. Companies need to screen potential employees to make sure that the information provided by the candidate and the reality match. In 2017 it was found that 15.21% candidates present false information on their resume´s, which was almost a 5% increase from 2016. Hiring employees without doing a full background check could potentially put a company at risk. You can find out more about why it is important for companies to do a background screening here.

2. Can an employer initiate the verification process without my permission?

No. Any background verification that the company wishes to carry out can only be done with your consent. Under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the right to a person’s privacy is protected. Screening someone without their permission is an infringement on the right to privacy When AuthBridge conducts a background check, the verifiers must upload an ARN (Authorization Release Note), signed by the employee giving their consent for the verification.

3. What can be included in a background check report?

When you are being screened by an employer the main criteria that are looked at include: – Criminal records – Employment history – Social media profiles – Education history These records are obtained from the databases of the institutions holding the records.

4. Can an employer ask my friends and neighbors about me?

Yes. If an employee needs to verify your address and identity, they can ask friends and neighbors about you.

5. Will I be given a chance to clear the mistakes or misunderstandings with background checks?

There might be a situation where a background verification check might get your information wrong or mixed up with someone else of the same name. Always make sure to ask for a copy of your background screening report to be able to verify the information for yourself. In case there is some discrepancy, it is best to talk to the potential employer and explain the situation. If it is a case of mistaken identity, you can show proof of the mistake. The final outcome will depend solely on the employing company. At AuthBridge we take the utmost care to make sure that all information acquired is authentic and of the correct individual.

6. What can I do to ensure that my background screening goes smoothly?

The most important thing you can do is, to be honest with the information you provide to the employer. This guide will help your background screening go smoothly and without jeopardizing your career.

By Abhinandan, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Background Checks

Essential Checklist Before Selecting Your Background Screening Partner

With the number of frauds increasing year by year, a thorough background verification is imperative for employers. You must check to see if every bit of information provided by applicants is correct as this is the only way you can ensure the safety and security of your company itself and your employees too. Moreover, a wrong hire could lead to a number of problems that could have been avoided had you carried out a pre employment screening of applicants before on-boarding.

This is exactly why choosing a background screening partner you work with is a decision you should take seriously. Each hire has the potential to make or break your company, and it is your responsibility to make sure that it is not the latter. The background verification company you choose to work with decides which applicants enter your organization, and it’s up to you to choose the most qualified and reliable vendor Below, we outline the top points that should make it to your background verification checklist before selecting a partner for background verification:

1. Does the background verification company comply with data security? The whole point of background screening is cross-checking personal data to ensure their accuracy. It is the responsibility of the vendor to not only verify such data, but to ensure that they are safe and secure and do not fall into the wrong hands. So, make sure that the background verification company is ISO compliant and has a strict procedure to manage all personal data of applicants.

2. What kind of reputation does the background check company have in the industry? One easy way of making sure that a background check vendor is reliable is by finding out what kind of reputation they have in the industry. Ask around and do your research and you’ll find out what you need to know.

3. How many years of experience does the background screening company have? Although experience is not the only factor, it is definitely one of the most important that determines just how trustworthy a pre-employment screening company is, especially because this is an industry where it takes years to find out patterns of frauds.

4. Does the pre-employment screening company have a focused service? Ideally, the company you choose to work with should have a focused service of pre-employment screening, rather than a bunch of other services.

5. Does the background check company use modern and reliable technology? Remember to inquire the kind of technology the background verification company uses. It has to be reliable and up-to-date, as your company cannot afford any mistakes.

6. Does the background verification company provide valuable and trustworthy reports? Your pre-employment screening vendor should be able to deliver valuable reports backed up by proof. They should not simply claim something without having evidence to support it.

7. What kind of customer support does the background check company provide? It is of great necessity that your background screening company provides excellent customer support. They should answer your questions and take any feedback in a positive and constructive manner.

8. Does the pre-employment screening company possess industry foresight? Since the background verification industry is one that is in deep congruence with technology, it is always developing at a fast rate. Your vendor of choice must have the industry foresight required to adapt smoothly.

9. What kind of output does the background screening company provide? The output provided must not only be reliable and valuable, but easy to read and comprehend. Moreover, it must be delivered digitally. To know more, book an appointment with our expert today. Write to us at communication@authbridge.com

By Abhinandan, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Background Checks

Workplace Safety: How can a Drug Abuse Test Help?

Drug abuse has been a major concern across the world. In India, the drug epidemic has been serious enough for the government to authorise a nation-wide survey to understand the extent of drug abuse. While Punjab has been on the top of the list, the drug epidemic has also hit other states including Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Surveys in Punjab have found a wide prevalence of drug abuse. One out of six people in Punjab is believed to be a substance user according to a PGIMER study. Experts believe the actual numbers could be more, given the survey design constraints. Although accurate estimates currently are not available, past data suggests that there are ten million cannabis users in India.

Why should employers give priority to drug abuse test?

According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), companies lose $100 billion every year due to drug abuse by employees. While these are the financial costs, there are other intangible costs related to suffering, pain, loss of motivation, workplace violence and absenteeism.

Some serious consequences of drug abuse at workplace include:

· Withdrawal or hangover symptoms that affect job performance

· Impaired decision making

· Theft

· Negative impact on co-workers’ motivation levels

· Impaired concentration and memorySubstance abuse test

· Illegal activities such as selling drugs at the workplace to others

· A high rate of absenteeism

· Violence, aggression and conflicts

· Medical problems

· High risk of workplace injuries or accidents

Many drugs including cocaine can lead to reckless, erratic and violent behaviour. Long-term substance abuse can result in more serious health problems, while the negative impact on workplace, family and professional relationships are profound. The cost to companies is much higher when the total costs related to absenteeism, finding a replacement, claims related to accidents or health insurance and brand reputation add up. “NCADI reports that drug abusers avail three times more sick leaves than non-users, are less productive and are likely to injure a co-worker or themselves.”

Drug abuse test to enhance workplace safety

In India, many companies outsource drug abuse test to a professional substance abuse testing provider. It is important to get written consent from the employee before conducting a substance abuse test. Comprehensive programs at the workplace can be effective in addressing workplace drug abuse. Having a workplace drug abuse policy can lead to a significant reduction in injuries and conflicts. An Ohio-based study highlights that drug abuse policy that includes drug abuse test can lead to:

· 91% reduced absenteeism

· 88% reduction in conflicts with supervisors

· 93% reduced errors at work

· 97% reduction in workplace injuries

The other benefits of drug abuse test at workplace include significant improvement in morale, increased productivity and intact brand reputation.

A workplace policy can include these components:

· A comprehensive drug abuse policy aimed at making the workplace drug-free and safe

· Drug abuse test protocols

· Training of team leads, supervisors, and managers to recognize drug addiction symptoms

· Regular awareness programs for all the staff

· Prompt action to address any drug abuse problem as soon as detected.

Employers can make informed hiring or promoting decisions while protecting the brand reputation and safety at the workplace with a comprehensive substance abuse test policy. Make your business drug-free and safe! Write to us at communication@authbridge.com to schedule drug abuse tests for your employees.

By Abhinandan, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Background Checks

New Technologies for Better Background Screening

Background screening is the need of the hour. With banks getting scammed by employees and a lot of cab drivers being accused of unruly conduct, employers need to be extra careful with whom they hire. It is difficult for HR professionals to conduct background screening on candidates all by themselves, especially when it comes to conducting online address verification online of the employees. A lot of the candidate’s information is available online in public databases which when accessed can save on physical resources. However, to manually go through all the available data can be very time-consuming.

How can technology assist in background checks?

The new technologies being developed for background verification and screening take a lot of the burden off the HR. With a few algorithms in place, verifying employment records, address proofs and any criminal charges can all be done within minutes.

Here’s how the technology works for background screening:

1. Quick Data Accessibility: With artificial intelligence (AI), large amounts of data can be processed in just a few minutes. By entering a person’s name into a search engine, all matches to that name from databases across the web will be thrown up in a matter of seconds. More finely tuned systems can streamline search results even further and give you results that match more than one criterion. If a simple Google search can take you to a person’s Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram profile, imagine what can be done with search algorithms that have been developed specially for background verification.

2. Smarter Data Analysis: Combing AI with machine learning can now take background screening to a new level by prioritizing data according to relevance. It is no longer enough to get all the information about a person available online. No one has the time to select what data is useful to a background verification and what is not. New technologies can now analyse data and present the hiring company with the more useful data first. Criminal records, address verification, past employment verification can all be screened without having to find out where the candidate holidayed last summer.

3. Analysis of risk and threats: One of the main purposes of background verification is to make sure that you are hiring a trustworthy candidate. What new technologies can do is to pick up on phrases like ‘termination of employment’ and gather all data relevant to that point. A search result like this makes it much easier for HR to understand why the person left/was fired from their last place of employment and if they are reliable enough to hire for the new role. If an employee was fired on suspicion of siphoning funds, but it was not proven, and no police complaint was made, then it won’t show up in criminal records. When machine learning analyses risks and threats, this shortfall can be overcome.

4. Automatic Scoring: By taking into account certain key performance factors when doing a background verification, AI can quickly and efficiently generate a score for the candidate. Looking at past performances, employment history, mentions of awards, accolades, or published papers, the program could give the applicant a higher score. On the other hand, furnishing false details or discrepancies in past records could bring down a candidate’s score considerably.

AuthBridge has a background screening system in place that uses advanced AI and machine learning techniques to pull up records of potential employees. By using the system, it takes,

By Abhinandan, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Blogs

Importance of Confidentiality in Background Screening

For an industry like the background verification that handles such sensitive data, confidentiality is of vital importance. Background screening companies have personal data of thousands of employees and applicants in their care, and it is their responsibility to ensure that it is not misused in any way and does not fall into the wrong hands.

Background screening companies should be able to confidently ensure data security to their clients. This is crucial not only for legal and ethical reasons but also because of proprietary considerations. If, due to any reason, the security of data is compromised, all the three main parties involved are severely affected negatively.

First, the individual’s sensitive personal information is leaked and his/her personal reputation could be tarnished. Second, the employer loses the personal information of its employees and candidates to competitors, and third, the background verification company finds itself in hot water. Not only does it result in a major financial loss for them, it can destroy their reputation (which is extremely difficult to build in an industry as sensitive and competitive as the background screening industry) just like that. Even a single mistake could cost a background verification company its entire credit.

Ask yourself the important questions

As a company whose job is to effectively manage and verify sensitive information, every background check vendor must ask itself the following questions to keep itself in check when it comes to data security

· Which physical and logical barriers does my company face regarding data access? It is imperative that your company has a strict procedure for accessing any kind of data associated to pre-employment screening services. Ask yourself just how strict and secure your current procedure is, how secure your technology is, and what steps must be taken for anyone, even someone who is authorized, to be able to access such data. At the same time, you should also consider various factors within your company that could prevent the adoption of such procedures.

· Can data be accessed only by authorized personnel in the company? In your background check company, make sure that only people who have to know have access to data. In other words, provide data access only to those employees who require the data in order to do their job. This acts as a strong firewall. For example, your verification team does not need to know the name and other certain details of clients they are conducting a pre-employment screening service for.

· Who in the company can access any negative report? Negative reports are reports that flag any inconsistency in the information that an applicant has provided. In other words, if an applicant provides false information in their resume, then the negative report, after a thorough background check, will show it. Make sure that such negative reports are strictly available only on a need-to-know basis.

Educating the employers

It is important to realize that, as a background screening company, you must educate your clients and sensitize them to the fact they too must be careful in sharing sensitive and personal data of their employees and applicants. In a nutshell, they do not have to share more than what is required. Strictly abiding by industry and government rules and regulations is a must in the background screening industry. However, it is also about organisational culture, and how effectively and strongly your company insists on respecting data security and confidentiality. At AuthBridge, we encourage a culture every single employee understands the gravity of mishandling of sensitive data. We are an ISO certified company that strictly maintains the data security and confidentiality of a candidate. To know more, book an appointment with our expert today.

Write to us at communication@authbridge.com

By Abhinandan, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Background Checks

Streamline the HR Process to Curb Employee Attrition Rate

One in two Indian employees is looking to leave their current job according to a recent study. Employee attrition has been a consistent concern as past trends indicate. A 2012 Mercer study also had more than half of employees actively considering quitting their jobs. The study also highlighted that as compared to older employees, a higher percentage of Millennials were looking to leave their current jobs. Evidence also links such intentions with actual turnover rates. As per 2018 Statista figures, the turnover rate was as high as 18% across different industries including retail, banking, insurance, IT, and finance. An SHRM study showed that employers have to spend a sum equal to nine months of the ex-employees salary to find a suitable replacement. The cost of replacing a highly trained executive in a senior role could be much higher.

Ways to curb attrition

Recruiting: Many times, the recruiting process is flawed or unstructured and fails to capture the critical skills of a candidate. If your company is experiencing a high attrition rate in HR, it is worthwhile to examine your recruitment process, particularly when the employee leaves within months of hiring. Evaluating if the job description, desired profile and skills are aligned with the company objectives and the candidate’s career expectations is the first step to addressing the turnover.

Background verification: The most critical aspect of hiring is the background verification process. Background verification can reveal the employment history and credibility of the candidate besides checking if all the information provided in the resume is true. A comprehensive background verification carried out by a trusted background screening provider can conduct in-depth reference checks, education background checks, identity checks, criminal record checks and past behaviour at the workplace. Such pre-employment screening can be valuable in making the right hiring decisions. (To know more about AuthBridge’s background verification service, book an appointment with our expert today. You may also write to us at communication@authbridge.com. )

Define the career path: A Forbes article stresses the importance of clarifying the growth and career path within the company and refraining from “window dressing” the job opportunity. Employees need to own their career paths and clearly understand what they need to do to achieve their goals.

Onboarding: A whitepaper by Dr Frederick P. Morgeson highlights the critical importance of onboarding in strengthening the relationship between new hires and employers. Human resource professionals or managers need to hand hold for the first thirty days to ensure the employee gains confidence in the new role.

Learning and training: Training programs help employees feel the company is invested in their professional development and personal well-being. Offer relevant training programs to facilitate and encourage a learning culture within the company.

Engagement: Employee engagement is key to retaining the right talent. Studies show 54% of disengaged employees plan to leave the company as opposed to 31% of engaged employees. One way to enhance engagement levels is to invest in the workplace atmosphere. Creating a healthy, pleasant and happy atmosphere at work can go a long way in boosting the morale and enhancing the productivity of employees. Health and well-being are the most critical aspects that can affect productivity as well. Designing well-being programs and offering incentives for achieving health targets are some of the popular ways to boost engagement levels. The Gensler’s Workplace Index study shows that the workplace should feature exclusive spaces for collaborating, socializing, learning and for focused activities. An effective reward and recognition policy can also help retain the right talent. Perks, bonuses and praise delivered formally or informally can all help make the employee feel valued and appreciated.

By Abhinandan, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Blogs

The Importance of Criminal Record Check

Companies are constantly in a state of hiring new individuals to fill positions that are vacant due to promotions or attrition or fill a new position altogether. Many businesses have realised how important a comprehensive background criminal check is when seemingly good employees turn rogue. A criminal record check on a candidate is imperative for the wellbeing of a company and its other employees. Making sure that the company is not hiring fraudsters, embezzlers, rapists or anyone charged with any violent crime, could save everyone a lot of trouble in the long run. A criminal record check is a safety measure for companies to protect themselves as well as the employees.

Here is what companies should check for when running a criminal check

1.Court records: Court records should be screened when conducting a criminal history check to make sure that the candidate doesn’t have any charges filed against them or is involved in an active case. Details of the charges can also be examined during the criminal check to help decide whether or not to hire the candidate.

2. Crime watch list: Candidates’ credentials should be run though crime-watch list databases to see if any matches get thrown up. Criminal records can be checked if a match is found.

3.Credit default: It is extremely important to check a candidate’s financial history, especially if the role involves handling client funds. Candidates who have defaulted on credit payments and have accumulated large debts are a high risk to the company.

4.Reputational risk from regulatory bodies: Running a criminal record check on a candidate will give HR an idea of whether there is a reputational risk from hiring that individual. If the candidate was involved in some underhanded business in a former company, they pose a high risk.

5.Civil litigation: While the candidate might not have a full-fledged criminal case filed against them, they could be involved in civil litigation. A criminal check and background verification can shed light on the details of the suit, and the company can get a better idea if the candidate is a good hire or not.

How does a company conduct a criminal record verification?

Conducting a full background verification and criminal record check on every potential candidate takes a substantial investment of time, money and resources. To speed up the process, companies need to adopt latest technology that can search large databases in a matter of minutes. Staff have to be trained to work the new systems and HR have an additional task on their hands.

It is for these reasons that many companies overlook the crucial step of criminal history checks when hiring new employees. However, it doesn’t have to be so hard. The simple solution is to outsource background verification and criminal checks to a professional background verification.

Outsourcing the verification process to professionals like AuthBridge works out much cheaper than investing in training the staff or even hiring new employees to conduct criminal record checks. AuthBridge has aggregated millions of Indian Civil & Criminal Litigation records, which are then indexed intelligently to make them searchable – quickly and efficiently. With the load taken off HR, the hiring process can become more streamlined, and companies can rest assured that every single candidate has been thoroughly screened.

By eliminating candidates with criminal charges and civil litigations filed against them, the company reduces the risk of facing problems later. Outsourcing criminal record checks help to reduce high human dependency while maintaining consistency and finding conclusive answers.

Write to us at:sales@authbridge.com or send us a message by filling up this form, and we will get back to you.

By Abhinandan, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Blogs

Over 17 million people are impacted by identity theft every year.

In a world where instances of identity theft are increasing day by day, identity verification is one of the most reliable ways to build trust between any two parties. In simple terms, Identity Verification means a process that can prove or verify that someone does exist.

Fact is, in today’s world, it is no longer safe to blindly trust someone’s words. According to a survey conducted by Forbes, over 17 million people are impacted by identity theft every single year, especially consumers who are more than 50 years old are more vulnerable to such crimes. Even in India, there have been many instances of frauds conducted using Aadhaar. Just earlier this year, there were five cases of Aadhaar-related frauds where money worth lakhs was fraudulently taken out from customers’ accounts in two public sector banks.

Moreover, Andhra Bank has had four similar cases where a whopping amount of Rs. 4, 20,098 was taken out from certain customers’ bank accounts without their knowledge using their Aadhaar details. In fact, since 2015, the Indian banking department has received over twenty complaints regarding Aadhaar-related frauds. With so many instances of identity thefts, the only reasonable measure to build trust is to adopt identity checks.

Identity verification – A long-term solution

In India, identity verification is slowly, but surely becoming integrated in the way our economy runs. It is safe to say that in a few years, they will be fully integrated into the way we live our very lives. Today, we need to verify our identity by providing our national IDs before we apply for jobs; we need to complete our KYC in order to use every day apps like mobile wallets. Requirements like these show the pressing need for identity verification in the world today.

The rising popularity of national identity verification also means that biometrics too are gradually becoming the norm in identity checks. Soon, it is a possibility that elements like retina scan and other neurological processes may become the normal parameters for identity verification. They provide a more secure and solid fence when it comes to identity thefts.

However, your biometrics are not readily available to others, unlike your personal details. Given their security, reliability as well as scalability (they are already in use to a certain extent), they appear to lead a hopeful and more secure future for identity verification. After all, it is next to impossible for someone to steal your fingerprints, iris and retina patterns, hand geometry, voice waves and so on.

APIs – The basis of identity verification

Today, identity checks are done based on the government’s database, facilitated by the use of advanced APIs (application programming interface), as well as complex and intelligent search algorithms. API, which stands for Application Programming Interface, is a software intermediary which enables two different applications to interact and communicate with each other. It is the main technology behind all kinds of national identity verification today.

Here’s how it works.

When a background screening company conducts an identity search, it is basically sending out a request to the government’s database for access so that whatever is needed like identity, age, address and more can be verified. API is the middleman that sends this request for access and sends back the response, that is, the verification result to the company. This process aids in conducting instant identity verification.

Today, API is the building block of national ID checks, enabling verification of personal details and information about an individual. But with the rise in biometrics, this may not be the norm of identity verification very soon.

By admin, 5 yearsNovember 15, 2019 ago

Employee Screening

Risk & Compliance

Financial Intelligence

Identity Verification

Utilities

Entity/Business Level

Employment

Banking & Payments

Fraud Detection

Professional

Background Verification

Due-Diligence

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What's New

iBRIDGE 2.0 – The Next-Gen Background Verification Platform

Resource Library

Featured Resource

The critical seven factors in background screening

Why choose AuthBridge for executive screening?

Why should you verify agents before onboarding?

How AuthBridge automates the agent onboarding?

1. Why do companies conduct background verification checks?

2. Can an employer initiate the verification process without my permission?

3. What can be included in a background check report?

4. Can an employer ask my friends and neighbors about me?

5. Will I be given a chance to clear the mistakes or misunderstandings with background checks?

6. What can I do to ensure that my background screening goes smoothly?

Why should employers give priority to drug abuse test?

Some serious consequences of drug abuse at workplace include:

Drug abuse test to enhance workplace safety

A workplace policy can include these components:

How can technology assist in background checks?

Here’s how the technology works for background screening:

Ask yourself the important questions

Educating the employers

Ways to curb attrition

Here is what companies should check for when running a criminal check

Identity verification – A long-term solution

APIs – The basis of identity verification

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