Examples of Discrepancies
Found on Background Checks
by Glenn Hammer
A common question is "What comes up in a background check?" Listed below are examples of some of the issues that come up on background checks.
County Civil Record Check:
- Cases
County Criminal Record Check:
- Active warrants
- Felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions
- Pending cases still in process
- Diversion in process
Credit Check:
- Charged-off accounts
- Collection accounts
- Delinquent accounts
- Public-record bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or foreclosures
Education Verification:
- No record of individual found
- No record of degree or certification
Employment History Verification:
- No record of individual found
- No or Maybe on rehire
- Salary differs
- Dates of employment differ
- Job title differs substantially
Federal Criminal Record Check:
- Active warrants
- Felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions
- Pending cases still in process
- Diversion in process
Global Homeland Security Search:
- Name match
License Verification:
- No license found
- License expired, revoked, or suspended
Medicaid Sanctions:
- Cases
Motor Vehicle Report:
- No record of individual found
- No license found
- License expired, revoked, or suspended
- Violations
'Nationwide' Criminal Database Check:
- Name match
National Wants and Warrants:
- Active warrants
Professional Reference Check:
- Contact does not remember applicant
- Contact does not recommend applicant for the position
Sex Offender Registry Check:
- Name match
'Statewide' Criminal Records Check:
- Name match
Social Security Number Scan:
- SSN not issued by the Social Security Administration
- SSN assigned to a person reported as deceased by the Social Security Administration
- SSN matches an SSN reported as suspicious or having been used in fraud
- SSN may have been issued in error
- Address matches an address reported as suspicious or used in fraud
- Telephone number matches telephone number reported as suspicious or used in fraud
- Consumer statement on file indicating consumer has been victim of fraud
- Name/DOB varies from the information provided by the applicant
Workers' Compensation History:
- Cases
Related Resources
- For more detailed information about the above searches see What Can Be Included In A Background Check.
- For a step-by-step process on how to conduct employment background checks visit How to Conduct a Background Check: A Step-by-Step Guide.
- Knowledge Index: What is in a Background Check
About the Author: Glenn Hammer is a consultant and speaker on Employment Background Checks. He is founder and President of A Matter of Fact, a California-based employment background check firm. www.amof.info
Note: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice.