How Can I Be Sure I’m Getting a Comprehensive Background Check?

Every quality risk management strategy has background checks built into the hiring process. That’s because they prevent lawsuits, reduce the likelihood of theft, and save you time and money on replacing a bad hire (which, in 2023, can cost between $17,000 and $240,000 on average). 

However, not all services are created equal. While some offer thorough, modern screening for evaluating candidates, others don’t come close to covering all the bases to reduce risk when hiring. 

Here’s how to spot a comprehensive background check that will make you feel confident about your hiring decisions and help you reduce financial, reputational, and operational risk when bringing on new talent. 

Multiple Background Check Options 

Background screening isn’t simply about criminal history anymore; now, a comprehensive background check involves several additional layers designed to detect threats. The goal is to cast a wide net, get a holistic view of an applicant, and ensure you’re protected from every angle. 

A quality, comprehensive solution, like S2Verify, will include the following list of services, tools, and data: 

• Social Security number trace
• National criminal file search 
• Sex offender criminal search
• County criminal/other public records search 
• Statewide criminal/public records search 
• Federal criminal/public records search
• Driving records and motor vehicle records search
• Employment verification 
• Education verification 
• Credit report
• Professional license verification 
• Drug screening
• International screening services 

Accuracy and Accreditation 

When it comes to getting a comprehensive background check, casting a wide net is a start, but the data collected isn’t valuable unless it’s accurate—since inaccurate or misleading background checks can lead to liability and legal issues. 

To ensure the accuracy of results and reduce risk, a background check company will provide access to the most up-to-date and comprehensive court records from all relevant, federal, state, and local jurisdictions. At S2Verify, for example, we offer access to more than 4,100 federal, state, and local government sources with reliable results using a hybrid process that includes automated record extraction and human oversight. 

A great way to evaluate whether a service really provides accurate results–or not–is by checking the status of its Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) accreditation. 

PBSA accreditation is a nationally recognized achievement earned by U.S. consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). It confirms that a background check service complies with all FCRA requirements and recognizes a screening company’s commitment to excellence in information security, legal and compliance, client education, researcher and data standards, verification service standards, and business practices. 

In sum, if you find a background check service with a PBSA accreditation, you can feel good knowing that the results collected will be accurate and thorough. 

Customer Service 

Employment screening is complicated work. The rules and regulations differ from state to state and county to county, and the needs of every business differ, too. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a background check. 

That’s why a quality background check service is backed by great customer support–by real people–that can help you navigate the gray areas of employment screening and help you get the most out of a comprehensive background check. 

When searching for a background check service, look for a partner that promises integrity, industry experience, innovation, and an unparalleled commitment to their clients at every step of the way—like S2Verify. 

And make sure they have the expertise and resources necessary to navigate state and local laws in your specific region. Check out our Consumer Compliance Center to see how we help our clients get the most out of our comprehensive background check.