Background checks imperative when vetting candidates

Each industry requires its own check list, but there are a few checks that should be a non-negotiable when vetting any candidate walking through your door. These include:

• ID verification: a simple ID verification will confirm if the person is who they say they are by validating that the ID has been issued by the Department of Home Affairs and that the algorithm found in that ID number is correct.
  
• Fraud listing: a quick South African Fraud Prevention Services check will ensure the ID number of the person provided has never been involved in fraudulent activity.
  
• Criminal checks: checks conducted using fingerprints are the most accurate as they cannot be tampered with and are screened directly against the Automatic Fingerprint Identification System, thus protecting you against adding a fraudster or a thief to your candidate portfolio.
  
• Matric verification: the matric qualification is one of the most frequently presented fraudulent qualifications listed on a CV. Many candidates themselves do not understand what is on their certificates and claim to have a matric qualification where only a subject certificate exists.

Credit checks, while a vital part of the recruitment process, should only be used in certain circumstances. The National Credit Regulator defines the purpose for the use of credit reports clearly. Only a person applying for a position that involves trust and the handling of cash and finances should be vetted using a credit report. You should fully understand what you are looking for on the credit report when using it for background screening purposes.

Additional generic searches also exist for enhanced vetting purposes such as professional driving permits for those with company vans and driving company trucks. There are also professional membership searches for professionals registered to industry bodies like the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and the country's law societies.

Background screening tools are becoming more accessible to the recruitment process, with searches being available online as and when they are needed.