A routine employment background investigation located a federal civil lawsuit naming our subject as one of several defendants in a derivative shareholder complaint. The case alleged that during his previous employment as a bank executive, the subject, individually, had engaged in a scheme to embezzle money from the plaintiff and helped to cover up financial records. Media sources provided only general information about the lawsuit. However, in digging deeper, SI discovered certain official documentation whereby the plaintiff admitted that he filed the lawsuit in retaliation for the defendants forcing the plaintiff to file for bankruptcy.

 

New online services offer fake job histories and references: Not only are dishonest job applicants able to purchase degrees online, now they can cover gaps in employment and hide bad references or firings through services that provide false employment verifications and references for a fee. One of these services offers three "plans," which include a "live receptionist" and allow the applicant to choose from "established companies and supervisors" for references. Here are a few tips to avoid falling victim to these schemes: make sure your background investigation company independently locates employers' contact information (do not use numbers provided on the application or resume); use reverse directories to look up contact numbers provided by the applicant, and perform Internet searches to determine if companies listed on the application or resume exist.