<p>Background checks are an essential step in the hiring process for many employers. However, issues arise when background checks aren’t conducted thoroughly. This blog looks at the differences between ID verification and background screening and discusses the importance of identity verification when hiring. </p>
<h2>Identity Verification</h2>
<p>Identity verification is the process of verifying that the person who submitted an identity credential is the real person behind a process and is exactly who they claim to be. Often identity verification is implemented to prevent an unauthorized person or dishonest candidate from carrying out a process, creating a false identity, or committing fraud.</p>
<p><strong>Identity documents include:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Passports</li><li>Government-issued IDs</li><li>Birth certificate</li><li>Visa</li><li>Residency or National ID card</li><li>Driving License</li></ul>
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<p>Identity verification also creates a positive onboarding experience for candidates. They can verify identity documents remotely and securely store them, as a <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/what-is-a-trueproof-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProof</a>, on the <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/digital-verification-and-blockchain-the-perfect-pair" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blockchain</a>. </p>
<h2>Background Screening</h2>
<p>Background screening should be the backbone of any hiring decision. They are the basis on which communities are protected. Background checks allow employers to make informed and fair hiring decisions, safeguard the workplace and clients, protect reputation and brand and promote company growth. </p>
<p>Checks include verifying the authenticity of documents, credentials and information that job applicants and candidates submit. Background screening is a requirement by most regulators. </p>
<p><strong>Depending on the industry, employers usually request to screen the following:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Identity</li><li>Education</li><li>Work Experience</li><li>Qualifications</li><li>License</li><li>Good Standing Certificate</li></ul>
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<p>Verifying the above will help to keep organizations safe, compliant and protected. </p>
<h2>ID Verification and Background Screening – What comes first? </h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="535" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1537399619-1024x535.jpg" alt="ID Verification and Background Screening" class="wp-image-12436" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1537399619-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1537399619-300x157.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1537399619-768x401.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1537399619.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>ID verification allows employers and organizations to weed out ingenuine or fraudulent candidates</figcaption></figure>
<p>Background screening should always begin with identity verification. This is a critical starting point to confirm whether candidates are who they say they are. Once an identity is established and confirmed, employers have a foundation for further background verifications like degrees, references and licenses. </p>
<p>Particularly when hiring remotely or internationally, making identity verification a required step will mitigate risk and challenges further into the hiring process. ID verification allows employers and organizations to weed out ingenuine or fraudulent candidates that risk <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/cost-of-making-a-bad-hire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">costing businesses dearly</a> in the long run. </p>
<p>The pandemic caused an increase in unemployment and a <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/press-release-employment-fraud-rates-increased-30-throughout-pandemic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">15% rise in overall certificate fraud rates</a> since early 2020. This rise confirms the need for more stringent recruitment processes. In addition to this, diploma mills are thriving and grant fraudulent degrees to those who pay. </p>
<p>Employers, particularly in high-risk industries like healthcare, can safeguard their business by <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/how-identity-verification-can-improve-candidate-experience" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">authenticating a candidate’s identity</a> at the application stage before proceeding with other background screening during the hiring process.</p>
<h2>How does TrueProfile.io verify identity?</h2>
<p>Our partnership with IDnow provides TrueProfile.io Business Partners peace of mind with the most reliable solution to verify an applicant’s identity documents. This compliant, rapid and secure service saves time and energy on laborious pre-employment identity verification checks. </p>
<p>Our identity verification service, <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/introducing-trueidentity-cutting-edge-id-verification-to-help-you-hire-the-right-people" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueIdentity</a>, uses artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology to ensure that all necessary security information is present on the identity documents a candidate submits. </p>
<h2>How does TrueProfile.io verify candidates?</h2>
<p>We conduct <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/using-primary-source-verification-psv-as-industry-best-practice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Primary Source Verification</a> (PSV). This process entails <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/difference-between-verification-attestation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">verifying</a> a document or credential directly from its original source, know as an issuing authority (IA). Most high-risk industry regulators require PSV.</p>
<p><strong>To find out more about how TrueIdentity can decrease hiring time, mitigate risk and inspire trust and confidence in hiring decisions:</strong></p>
<ul><li>check out our blog, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/what-is-trueidentity-2" target="_blank">What is TrueIdentity</a>, </li><li>reach out to a team member via <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="mailto:businesspartner@trueprofile.io" target="_blank">businesspartner@trueprofile.io</a> today!</li></ul>
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<h2>The Difference Between Blogs</h2>
<ul><li><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/the-difference-between-credentialing-and-privileging/" target="_blank">The Difference Between Credentialing and Privileging</a></li><li><a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/difference-between-verification-attestation/">What’s the Difference Between Verification and Attestation?</a></li></ul>
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