Many people often ask what, exactly, causes red flags when conducting a background screen? The answer to that question can be varied, as it depends on what criteria the person conducting the search wants to find. Let’s dive in to the possibilities of what can trigger a red flag on a background screen.
Basic Search Queries and How They Vary
The basic Criminal Background Screening will conduct a Social Security Number verification, a National Criminal Database Background Check, and a County Criminal Background Check. The Social Security Number verification is essential as it validates that the Social Security Number provided by the prospect belongs to them and is not a stolen identity. A clear red flag would be if the given Social Security Number does not match the person provided or is not shown as a valid number in the system.
Criminal records will also be attached to the Social Security Number. The screen will perform a sweep of the National Criminal Database to search for any convictions which may be connected to a prospect’s name or birthdate. Because of name and birthdate duplication, and because not all county courts report to the National Criminal Database, the County Criminal Database check is essential to positively identify any convictions a prospect may have. A potential red flag would be a criminal record that shows up under the same name that is provided. However, picture identification will help the background screening expert differentiate any false red flags before submitting to a client.
As stated above, each client has a different set of criteria when it comes to the background information they need. The type and age of the crimes reported is up to the client ordering the screening. Some organizations only want to go back 7 years, while others want to check a full life history. Many states now restrict companies to only 7 years for a pre-employment check. A few entities would like Criminal Misdemeanors reported, while others solely want Felonies to show up on their background screenings. Now that we have discussed the basics of what can cause a red flag on background screen, we can move on to more advanced options.
Advanced Searches Offer Different Red Flags
Organizations can also ask for many other different types of information when conducting a background screen. Motor Vehicle Records (MVR), Federal Court Convictions, Global Terror Watchlist, Sex Offender Registry, Healthcare Sanctioning, and Social Media Screening are the different areas to search that may be relevant to a prospect or the organization they seek to be a part of.
Companies that provide corporate owned cars may want to know an individual’s driving record before hiring them, and may even opt into a MVR Monitoring program to be alerted if the prospect receives any traffic tickets after they are hired. So a traffic violation may not be flagged on a basic search while presenting as a red flag in a more advanced MVR check.
Federal Court Convictions are essential for entities that conduct business with government entities or are located on or near Native American Reservations where all trials must be conducted through the Federal courts instead of local county courts. The Global Terror Watchlist provides information that the Federal Government indicates an individual may be a National Security threat. Sex Offender Registry checks are common for schools, nursing homes, and other entities that deal with vulnerable members of the population.
Healthcare Sanctioning is common for medical clinics, as it alerts them to when a doctor or staff member has been sanctioned by Medicare or Medicaid which causes steep financial penalties. Social Media Screening allows you to see specific activity across multiple social media platforms, whether it be drug use, violence, inappropriate sexual activity, alcohol abuse, or racism.
Red Flags are determined by the information holder
As one can see, the power to determine what causes a red flag on a background screen is truly in the hands of the person ordering the screen. Each entity is able to select the information that best fits what they want and who they are comfortable working within their organization. Not all background screens are the same. This allows everyone to customize exactly what information they need in order to make their company, church, or organization as safe and productive as possible.
If you are worried you may potentially have red flags on your background screen, the best advice we can offer is to get ahead of it. Communicate with the person receiving the information what may potentially come up. This will give you a chance to explain the situation while also taking the surprise factor out of the equation.
Want to know more about background screens? Our Superior expert are transparent, personable and very knowledgeable. They would be happy to answer any questions and give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.
