There are many beliefs about background screening that make conducting one seem costly or time-consuming. However, what many business people don't know is that these beliefs oftentimes are myths brought to light based on misconceptions. In truth, background screenings and verifications are a necessary investment that every company should make to protect itself from liability.
Here are five of the most common myths that people have about performing verifications and checking references:
MYTH #1
Verifying is Time Consuming or Expensive
REALITY #1
Proper Verification Saves Time and Money in the Long Run
The cost of a bad hire, whether fraudulent or just a bad fit, is quite high. You will have spent money on training and compensation. Mistakes, missed deadlines, alienated 
customers, theft, damaged equipment, and trouble with other employees can be costly and lawsuits are a possibility. Solving these problems can use up valuable time. Then there are the costs associated with terminating employment, re-advertising and re-filling the position. Meanwhile, customers flee and profits dwindle.
Hire Image has a network of resources, and a systematic process for verification and contacting and interviewing references with our team of skilled employment professionals. We verify through proper channels that all information provided by the candidate is accurate and truthful, and that the reference they designated is legitimate. We know what to ask and who to ask and will conduct the reference checking process for you to make sure you get the information needed for the best possible hiring decisions.
MYTH #2:
References Won't Tell Us Anything Useful
REALITY #2:
You Need to Get the Right Answers
You do need to know if the prospective employee was actually employed in the specified position, at the stated salary, and for the dates claimed. You also need to know under what conditions the candidate left and ascertain that there are no contractual stipulations that would affect their ability to perform at your company. Most references will provide these answers.
Hire Image is experienced at handling all of your verification needs, especially when a reference is not willing to volunteer information. Asking the right questions can often elicit helpful information. Did the reference truly work with the applicant, or is he family or a friend? According to HR.BLR.com, one applicant actually included her dog as a reference!
MYTH #3:
People Wouldn't Risk Lying
REALITY #3:
Applicants Do Embellish and The Risk is Yours
High unemployment and fierce competition are among the motivations for people to fabricate skills and credentials. Some lie to hide criminal activities. Chicago University economics professor and coauthor of Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt, cites research suggesting that more than 50% of job applicants lie on their resumes. Other sources indicate that at least 30% of all job applications contain lies.
Imagine the repercussions if you hired a bookkeeper claiming to be a C.P.A who really wasn't. How long would it be and how many mistakes would be made before the ruse was discovered? The damages, resulting stress, bad publicity and cost of legal liability could close the doors on your business for good. (
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mere pittance compared to the costly legal bills Yahoo is facing, not to mention the PR damage now done to its reputation and credibility, or the blow to its stock price affecting shareholders. To be thorough, a screening should not simply rely on a Google search or an online instant database check. It should include further due diligence steps such as verifying employment and academic credentials, as well as a criminal check at multiple court levels. And it should be left into the hands of a third party, professional background screening agency - not delegated to a human resources administrator on the executive's payroll.