Category: Uncategorized

Document Misrepresentation: A First-hand Experience

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

The DataFlow Group has been observing an increased number of cases where international students and academic staff attempt to misrepresent or forge their documents in order to unrightfully attain admission to higher education or immigration status whether for studying or working abroad. Based on this trend, we encourage education institutions throughout the United Kingdom to verify the academic, professional, personal and legal credentials of potential candidates – especially overseas applicants – in order to avoid the unnecessary repercussions resulting from document forgery.

Case Study: Misrepresented Information

A professional applying for employment with a DataFlow Group partner submitted their credentials for verification. The presented documents listed that the applicant is currently a Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the United Kingdom. Following extensive investigation and research, the DataFlow Group found that despite having been formally admitted to the Membership on 31 May, 1996, the applicant had been removed from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists register and is no longer entitled to use the designation of Member – contrary to the claim stated in the credentials submitted.

Upon confirming this seemingly harmless misrepresentation of facts through Primary Source Verification (PSV), the DataFlow Group promptly issued a ‘Negative’ report and the application was rejected.

The rate of global document forgery stands at 3.35% as of October 2017 (The DataFlow Group, 2017)

For institutions and organizations, weeding out such cases without specialized assistance is a complex task, which is precisely where the implementation of a robust, advanced and accurate evaluation and screening process – specifically PSV – becomes imperative.

Top 15 Interview Don’ts

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

So you received a call confirming the job interview you have been trying to secure. In anticipation, you have researched the company, looked up the job requirements, found out who will be interviewing you, prepared copies of your resume, reviewed answers for anticipated questions and planned when to leave the house in order to arrive on time. Sounds organised so far, right? However, more importantly, what are the things you should avoid when you walk into an interview? Here is a list of the top fifteen most common mistakes people make:

  • Showing up too early or too late
  • Dressing inappropriately
  • Wearing too much perfume or cologne
  • Chewing gum
  • Forgetting to introduce yourself
  • Leaving your cell phone on
  • Texting or taking a call during the interview
  • Talking too much
  • Cutting off the interviewer
  • Not talking enough
  • Not smiling enough
  • Not making eye contact
  • Criticizing your previous company
  • Asking about salary, benefits and leaves right away
  • Not thanking the interviewer for the opportunity once the interview is over

Are you expecting to be asked to undergo a background check as part of the interviewing and hiring process? Stay prepared and find out all you need to know about employment screening by visiting our blog!

Why Do Companies Conduct Background Checks?

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

Over the past decade, public and private organizations and companies have jumped on the background check bandwagon – opting to screen the personal and professional documents of potential and existing employees alike. Wondering why? The answer is in fact very simple; to make sure you are telling the truth!

While a large majority of people may carry genuine credentials, there has been a growing trend of individuals who don’t – whether it be the falsification of university degrees and certifications or the misrepresentation of previous job titles, responsibilities and tenures, among countless other seemingly ‘harmless’ tweaks.

For a company or organization, the cost of hiring or retaining such employees may result in a plethora of issues – from regulatory, liability and reputational risks to financial and internal threats, which is why most are choosing to implement robust background screening programs at the core of the hiring process or as a periodic check for employees who have been working within the establishment for years.

To learn more on how to prepare yourself for your employment background check and find out about some of the most common verification components, click here!

Prepare Yourself for Your Employment Background Check

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

What is a background check? It is an investigation conducted by the employer to verify details about an applicant’s work history, education, criminal record, and other relevant information. Background checks have become essential for employers to have confidence in the people they hire. Furthermore, it helps reduce the potential risks caused by hiring the wrong candidate such as reputational damage and financial expenses.

Have you been asked to do a background check for a new job? This blog will answer the two questions you are probably wondering:

  1. What do employers look for in a background check?
  2. How can you prepare for a background check?

Why might you be asked for a background check?

Background checks help employers make informed hiring decisions and protect their integrity. Although you may be truthful in your application, research by CareerBuilders found that 33% of candidates lied about their qualifications. Document forgery and discrepancies can be hard to detect, and 75% of hiring managers have admitted to hiring the wrong person.

Employers want to identify fake candidates. For instance, one wrong hire can cause a company to lose money, increase staff turnover and lower productivity. Moreover, the effects can be even more damaging for high-risk industries such as healthcare, finance and engineering. Making a bad hire in these industries can risk the safety of communities and ruin a company’s reputation.

What do employers look for in a background check?

Background checks typically cover the information on resumes, including past employment, education certifications, and professional licenses. Some employers may do a deeper screening and look at the social media, criminal history and drug use of candidates.

Employment background check companies will use various sources to verify information about a candidate. The type of checks will vary depending on the industry, resources and size of the company.

Find out more about what background checks look at:

1. Academic credentials

A qualification check covers school and higher education degrees related to the role you are applying for, plus any relevant professional training courses and certifications.

2. Employment history

A background check will review all the companies you have worked for. The information they look at will include job titles, responsibilities, employment dates, salaries and other relevant information.

3. Employee references

You may also know references as a Certificate of Good Standing. You can request references from your former manager or HR department. They may also share an account of your performance at the company.

4. Employment status

If you are applying for an overseas job, you will most likely be required to prove that you are legally permitted to work in that country. These documents may involve work permits, residency certificates, passports or other related papers.

5. Drug and alcohol tests

Some employers may require lab tests to prove that candidates are not reliant on drugs or alcohol. Although not as common as the other checks, this may be a requirement for some industries or job roles.

6. Criminal records

Laws on checking criminal history vary depending on the country you work in and the type of job you are applying for. However, you must consent to any background checks before they start.

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How can you prepare for a background check?

Check your records

Before you have a background check, double-check the information you provided the employer is accurate. Beyond your educational and employment records, you can request access to your driving history, credit score and criminal record. By taking these steps, you will learn more about what employers can see and can even correct any mistakes. If you want to be thorough, consider running a complete background check on yourself before starting your job search. Just keep in mind that there may be a fee for a more comprehensive report.

Be honest

Your credentials are crucial factors in the application process and what qualifies you for the role. These areas are thoroughly examined during a background check and will find any discrepancies. The number of checks done will vary depending on the industry. The screening process is stricter for high-risk industries, like healthcare, where lives are at stake.

Review your social media 

Social media may not be an official part of your background check; however, some companies may check your social media history. It is always a good idea to be mindful of what you post online, especially in areas open to the public. If you are applying for a new job, review your channels and remove anything that may affect your chances of securing the job. You can also type your name into Google and see what comes up.

Understand your rights 

Finally, and most importantly, know your rights. Privacy laws can be hard to understand, as they differ depending on the country. What is ok in one place might be a breach in another. Find out what your consent rights are for background checks. Your employer will likely ask you to sign a consent form or Letter of Authorisation before running a background check.

Conclusion

Now you know  what is included in a background check and how to prepare. As you can see, background checks have become increasingly common. Although they can seem intimidating, they are in place to protect employers, employees, and customers alike.

There is no better way to start your relationship with a professional employer on the right foot than to be honest. Having all the correct information in front of potential employers can get you that job you want. Make a good impression and present yourself and your credentials truthfully.

Have you been asked to complete a Primary Source Verification (PSV)?

Verifying your credentials is an excellent way to ensure that the information presented in your background check is accurate. The DataFlow Group is a pioneering global provider of Primary Source Verification (PSV) and background screening. Verifying your credentials with DataFlow will give your future employer confidence that you are qualified for the role you are applying for.

Busted: Employment Background Check Myths

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

The words ‘employment background check’ are enough to make any candidate applying for a job position feel a little apprehensive and uneasy. Usually, this is not because the individual has an actual reason to fear the screening, but because they are unaware as to what the parameters of such a check are. Today we will be setting the record straight and dispelling four common employment background check myths.

Myth 1: If anything negative is detected, the candidate cannot counter the claim

Myth 2: The time taken to conduct a check is not enough for it to be accurate

Myth 3: Personal social media posts can cost the candidate the job

Myth 4: Companies rely entirely on checks to decide whether the candidate gets picked

In summary, employment background checks are carried out by companies to confirm whether a person is a good match for the available position, while ensuring the accuracy of their career history. This being said – and depending on the severity of the check’s findings and their relevance to the job – employers usually look at the bigger picture and consider screening as an added component that complements the hiring process, not as a standalone procedure on which they base their final decision.

3 Reasons to Never Skip Employee Background Checks

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

Trying to save money or shorten hiring time by forgoing employee background checks? Well, think again. In today’s rapidly evolving business world, both small and large organizations find themselves making somewhat rushed decisions in order to keep up the pace and avoid lagging behind. However, not implementing a comprehensive background screening program may end up costing you much more than one employee.

Studies have shown that more than half of job candidates misrepresent information on their resumes, with the majority of these half-truths being about skill level. Below are three main reasons you need to screen each and every individual applying for available job vacancies at your organization:

  • According to a 2016 global fraud study by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, companies lose an average of five percent of revenue each year due to forgery. Sometimes, a simple case of employee fraud can cost an average of USD 145,000.
  • Bad employees can be detrimental to the morale of the work environment, more often than not, lowering the productivity levels of colleagues.
  • Clients are also at risk. An unqualified employee can cause problems for existing clients. In this domino effect, the organization’s reputation may be jeopardized and potential clients may also be lost. If the mistakes are significant enough, such occurrences may also result in a lawsuit.

The takeaway? The one-time cost of conducting an accurate and thorough background check during the recruitment process is a fraction of the unnecessary expenses and troubles that may arise later. Don’t fall prey and make sure you know exactly who you are hiring!

To find out more about the most advanced and reliable screening procedure to date, click here to read our blog post entitled ‘The Definitive Guide to Primary Source Verification’.

Resumes: An Often Overlooked Culprit

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

In this day and age where the job market is cutthroat, competition is fierce and unemployment is on the rise, job seekers are going to great lengths to gain an edge over their peers. In addition to blatantly forging personal and professional documents, some choose to resort to a seemingly less extreme measure; embellishing their resumes. Whether they are small exaggerations or bold lies, not identifying these misrepresentations at the hiring stage can come at a great price.

A considerable number of companies fail because of bad recruitment decisions. To help your organization avoid this, we have created a list of the most common resume fabrications you should keep an eye out for:

  • The applicant may have only attended a course at a university or college, yet lists it to appear as though they had graduated from the institution. And sometimes, they may not have attended at all! With diploma mills being a lucrative billion dollar industry, the threat is very real.
  • Inaccurate dates of employment are easy to skew, whether it is by stretching the tenure to cover job gaps or by claiming to be self-employed to justify an extended period of unemployment.
  • Incorrect or incomplete references are another concerning issue, usually given to conceal poor performance at a previous job, in hopes that you will not take the time to trace the provided number. Other applicants may even direct you to a friend or family member posing as a previous manager.
  • Fabricating a higher job title to secure a higher paying position, expecting you to offer them a similar title to the false one listed on their resume.

If hired, a dishonest applicant may lead a company or organization to lose hefty sums of money in hiring, training, salary, replacement and lawsuit costs, not to mention the inevitable loss of both current and potential clients. The only way to remain protected against these risks is to review received resumes with a critical eye and authenticate all listed information using a reliable and rigorous verification process – not only at the recruitment stage for new hires, but also on a periodic basis for existing employees.

Click here to learn more about Primary Source Verification (PSV) and how it can help safeguard your establishment against untruthful individuals!

The Definitive Guide to Primary Source Verification

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

This article is a comprehensive guide to Primary Source Verification – also commonly referred to as PSV. Here you’ll learn everything you need to know about this leading screening approach and why it is fast becoming organizations’ preferred method for confirming the genuineness of countless types of documents.

What exactly is PSV?

PSV is an advanced authentication process that involves obtaining information directly from the original source that issued a document – regardless of its nature. Such documents may include, but are not limited to: Academic degrees, professional experience certificates, resumes, work permits, practice licenses and passports, among others.

How does PSV differ from other verification processes?

As opposed to traditional verification procedures, PSV indicates the attainment of data directly from the issuing source – better known as the issuing authority. This guarantees optimal information integrity, hence ensuring that individuals are professional, proficient and perform to their maximum capacities.

What are the end benefits of PSV?

By implementing PSV on both existing and potential staff, organizations can significantly lower the possibility of incurring financial losses, regulatory implications, reputational damage and internal risks resulting from employee fraud or malpractice.

Which industries benefit most from PSV?

All industries without exception, especially considering the current global rate of document forgery – which stands at 2.32% as of April 2016 based on DataFlow Group statistics. Organizations at large – regardless of their scale and of the sectors in which they operate – are continuously at risk of falling prey to document and employee fraud. This is precisely why rigorous document verification – specifically PSV – is essential to affirming that individuals are honest, qualified and competent.

Contact us at sales@dataflowgroup.com and let us help you protect your community!

Six Secrets for Achieving Job Success

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

Identify Your Market Worth

Not sure what professionals in your position are getting? Ask around to find out pay and benefits of comparable jobs, and use that information to negotiate your starting salary.

Get Off to a Good Start

During your first week, ask questions and pay careful attention to the corporate culture of the company. Also, make sure to get a clear outline of your manager’s expectations for your first month on the job.

Be an Invaluable Asset to the Company

This is done by being reliable, direct, common-sense focused and bottom-line oriented. By thinking about the bigger picture, you will certainly be able to move ahead.

Acknowledge Your Weaknesses

Don’t pretend you have none. Identifying and understanding your weak points is the fastest way to overcome them. Your manager will also appreciate your openness and your readiness to make positive changes.

Climb the Ladder

Don’t get ahead of yourself. Before you ask for a raise, ask for more work. This will show your manager that you are capable of handling greater responsibility, thus increasing your chances of actually getting the raise.

Don’t Burn Bridges

Even if you got the job you’ve been wanting, exit your current job with grace by giving appropriate notice and by helping find a replacement. This way, you’ll leave your old coworkers and company with a positive impression, thus keeping an open door for future cooperation.

Document Forgery: United Kingdom

Posted on by Salma Ghozlan

Definition: document forgery

ˈdɒkjʊm(ə)nt/ ˈfɔːdʒ(ə)ri/ 

noun

the creation of a fake document, the changing of an existing document or the inking of a signature without authorization.

“the candidate was found guilty of document forgery, which resulted in dire consequences for the company”

Countless incidents involving credential forgery within the healthcare sector have been recorded in the United Kingdom, causing health institutions of all types to incur financial losses, regulatory implications, reputational damage and, most importantly, internal risks.

Backing this up, read these two stories published in recent years by the BBC News:

Health worker fakes illustrious medical career to secure work as NHS nurse and doctor sentenced to jail for 15 months!

The 50 year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan worked as a practice nurse in Birmingham for seven years, as a locum GP and as a physician’s assistant, and was later found to have admitted two counts of fraud and one of obtaining a financial advantage by deception. The prosecutor told the court: “In simple terms, the CV is almost entirely a work of fiction or misleading claims.”

Man jailed for 27 months for falsely posing as qualified doctor!

An investigation by NHS Protect found that he had ‘hijacked’ a genuine GP’s medical credentials to receive at least GBP 361,000 of NHS money in fraudulently obtained earnings. On his CV, he stated that he was awarded a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1991. However, university records show he attended another college and he dropped out after two years. He also claimed to hold a BSc – First-Class Honours – in Biochemistry and Chemistry from the University of Cambridge, dated 1987. Yet the university reported that IT found no record that he studied there either.

Doctors from at least 27 countries were hired in 32 of the 160 hospital trusts in England – according to an investigation on foreign labor carried out by The Guardian in 2015. If we consider the current global rate of document forgery – which stands at 2.32% as of April 2016 – it is highly likely that there may be a significant number of unqualified healthcare professionals currently practicing in the United Kingdom.

The best way to ensure that both healthcare practitioners and institutions maintain excellent quality standards and serve their respective communities to the best of their abilities is by affirming and sustaining integrity, competence and professionalism across all levels of the value chain. This can only be done with such effectiveness by leveraging the most rigorous verification solution available to date – Primary Source Verification (PSV) – thus enhancing the overall level of care within the healthcare sector and ultimately protecting global communities.

Contact us at sales@dataflowgroup.com and let us help you protect your community!