Think Employee Background Checks are a waste of time? Think again!

So you think an Employee Background Check is a waste of your time? Here are some alarming stories for you:

Why an Employee Background Vetting is an Indispensable Recruitment Tool

The escalating figure of crime scenes and fraudulence incidents justifies why organisations take up this step. Within the dynamic business environment we’re operating in, corporations are now more inclined towards being vigilant of the quality of employees they are hiring. Specifically, the human resource managers are strategizing to reduce employee turnover and burnout rate thereby increasing retention of competent employees. With the vision of achieving a sustainable workplace environment, pre-employment screening and comprehensive background checks are becoming an essential instrument to welcome and retain the finest possible.  

The concept of Employee Background Check

An Employee Background Check is a worthwhile concept as employers strive to have the best pick from the candidates who show up for the recruitment process. After the interview sessions are over, a minimum of two weeks is required to get through the employee background screening procedure before you can finalise the hires. Since this procedure requires a thorough knowledge of regulatory compliance and investigative analytical skills, corporations outsource this service to the industrial experts to conduct a comprehensive verification of employee’s academic, professional and even social presence. After the employer is gratified with the check, the employee is offered an appointment letter to join them.

CRI Group’s EmploySmart™ can be tailored into specific screening packages to meet the requirements of each specific position within your organisation. 

Download our EmploySmart brochure or get a free quote to ensure a safe work environment for all.

Advantages of an Employee Background Check

Organisations carry out such checks due to a myriad of reasons. Some of these include:

• Validating the resume
• Learning about the nature of the candidate
• Behaviour at past offices
• Learning about criminal experience

What to include in Employee Background Checks?

• History of employment: Verify the references given by the candidate as it confirms their behavioural and working patterns with previous employers. 
• Criminal background: It is essential to confirm that the candidate does not have a criminal history.
• Credit history: Knowing the credit rating of your candidate is also important as this reveals the integrity of the employees. 
• Terror Watch List: For the businesses running in countries like the USA, checking the Terror Watch List against names of their candidates is especially critical.
• Checking Social Security: Organisations should check the legitimacy of Social Security Numbers of candidates. This will also confirm if the candidate has been using other names.
• Checking public/court records: This is done to check if the candidate has been implicated in any sort of court proceedings or not.
• Reference checks: There are two types of reference Employee Background Checks: personal and employment. Both facilitate in confirming the integrity, reliability, steadiness, and personality of the employee.
• Checking Sex Offender Registry: A Sex Offender Registry check must be conducted as well so you don’t endanger others, especially in roles surrounding children and other susceptible individuals, by hiring a sexual predator.
• Education check: This is carried out to determine the authenticity of the various credentials provided by the candidate you are planning to recruit.
• Driving Records: If your candidate is required to drive a company-owned vehicle, then checking driving records and license is essential for you.
• Record of Military Service: You need to pay attention to some key measures while hiring a candidate with a military service record. That is why checking the military service records of your candidates is also important.
• Compensation Record: Checking the candidate’s compensation claims from past employers is also significant before hiring an employee.

In conducting employee background checks, there are some golden rules that one needs to observe to avoid any legal complications. These do and don’ts include but are not limited to:

Do’s

• Having a consistent background checks policy and detailing how the policy should be used.
• Getting legal advice on how to conduct background checks under the local legal framework.
• Giving the applicants a chance to clear up any faults or misconstructions appearing on their documentations and during the interview process.
• Employing a Background Check service provider who is compliant with the legal frameworks of your region
• Understanding the difference between background checks vs investigative consumer reports.

Don’ts

• Avoid background checks on an applicant-by-applicant basis. The checks should be carried out for everyone.
• Avoid making the assumption that some parts of the background check process are routine
• Avoid making decisions without giving the applicant a chance to respond.
• Avoid assuming that any companies seeking information about an individual are legally compliant.
• Avoid requesting information about the character or personal and the private life of an individual while verifying the historical employment facts.

Necessities for conducting Employee Background Checks

• You need to have a candidate’s full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number for doing a background check.
• If you want to check credit reports, military records, and school transcripts, you need the candidate’s permission.
• If you hire an outside company to do the background check, you need to take the candidate’s permission.
• If the candidate denies the permission, you will be entitled to take the candidate out of consideration for that job profile.

What are the disadvantages of an Employee Background Check?

One of the major disadvantages is that you might see this as a wastage of time and money. An organisation invests large sums of money in conducting such investigations, and most of the time, the person turns out to be a genuine one and with the time it takes to conduct these checks, the candidate may think that the organisation is not interested and hence, they may join some other organisation in this period.

Judging a candidate on his/her background deeds may not always prove to be fruitful either. It may happen that a candidate got trapped in a criminal offence and in an actual sense, they are a gem of a person. But when you do not know the candidate personally, you will focus on the verification reports and let a genuine person go.

If there is still any uncertainty in your mind about conducting employee background checks, why not reach out to us? CRI Group has experts across the globe from all backgrounds who are trained to provide you with specialised, expert advice fit for your business needs. Get in touch today!

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Who is CRI Group™?

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, TPRM, Compliance Solutions, and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI Group™ launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC™ operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organisations. 

Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.

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Employee Fraud: Why are Human Factors so Important in Risk Management?

When any fraud, including employee fraud, is discovered, it’s usually by surprise. That’s because most of us aren’t used to looking for criminal behaviour inside our organisation. We trust our employees and co-workers, and we keep our focus on succeeding as a team and accomplishing our goals for the business. Nobody wants to think that someone might be subverting the rules for their gain.

Unfortunately, though, fraud does happen. The statistics tell us that, on average, organisations lose about 5 per cent of their total revenues to fraud, and the median loss in frauds committed by owners/executives is $600,000. If that’s not bad enough, the average fraud lasts 18 months before being discovered – if it is discovered at all (ACFE, 2020). 

Employee fraud is a combination of complex events, and many organisations include “human factors” in generic terms in the causation path of failure. Because for many organisations, it is hard to specifically identify human factors and understand how to manage them. At CRI Group™, we have 32 years of experience in the causes of potential deviations, the unwanted scenario that organisations may face, and the controls necessary to prevent or mitigate incidents. Our analysts uncover the truth every day; here are the most common human factors that lead to employee fraud:

• Pressures to Perform
• Staff Reductions
• Departmental Cuts
• Business Survival
• Overworked Audit Staff
• Increased External Vulnerability Due to Weak IT Controls
• Reduced Regulatory Oversight

Human factors in risk management

Understanding the impact of human behaviour on your primary process is key. When we address human factors related to health and safety, we aim to optimise human performance and reduce human failures. Organisations need to take a proportionate approach to human factors in risk assessment based on their hazard and risk profile. Several large companies have recognised the value of adopting some kind of a risk model. 

Applying human factors tools and techniques in your risk assessment is detrimental to the safety of your workforce too. This human factor risk management process should consider work ethic, culture, and stakeholder expectations as organisational culture is affected by these concepts and links management processes to corporate sustainability.

Benefits of implementing human factors in risk management

• Reduce turnover and training costs
• Gain a competitive edge through the hiring of better people
• Increase productivity – help your employees be more productive knowing that everyone employed by your company has been screened
• Set your company apart and win more business
• Reduce employee-related problems
• Protect company reputation/brand & customer relations
•  Comply with mandates created by state or federal law for certain industries
• Increase retention
• Reduce negligent hiring claims
• Avoid violence in the workplace (threats of violence and actual violence)
• Reduce theft and espionage
• Avoid lawsuits and the costs associated with the defence
• Avoid loss of goodwill

Mitigate employee risk

Organisations spend years and thousands, even millions, to brand their products and services – it only takes one bad hire to cause a loss of capital and reputation. Employee Background Checks can aid in reducing the risk of hiring an employee who does not live up to their supposed skill set and could cause irrevocable damage. It can cause a business to fail, especially if the employee holds malice toward the organisation. EmploySmart™ is CRI Group’s own solution aiming to expose vulnerabilities and threats within your organisation. Our EmploySmart™ is a risk management measure that can significantly reduce business and financial crime, fraud and malpractice within your workplace.

Our EmploySmart™ solutions are also certified by the British Standard Institute BSI for the scope of BS 7858:2019 Screening of individuals working in a secure environment, Code of practice (the only BS 7858 certified background screening services provider in the UAE and across the Middle East); and BS 102000:2018 Code of practice for the provision of investigative services.

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Other Solutions…

CRI Group™ has experts who have conducted fraud investigations worldwide for organisations of all sizes and industries. Our investigators work on-site at your company bringing a boots-on-the-ground approach to uncovering all the case facts. When you’ve uncovered fraud, that’s the time to let the experts take over. You owe it to yourself and the future of your business to make sure every investigation is done professionally and effectively. 

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CRI Group’s unique identity and vision evolved from our fundamental desire to support our clients and their candidates, thus creating the DueDiligence360™. Identifying key risk issues clearly and concisely helps enhance your knowledge and understanding of the customer, supplier, and third-party risk, helping you avoid those involved with financial crime. The DueDiligence360™ reports help organisations comply with anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, and anti-corruption regulations. This service also proves beneficial ahead of a merger, acquisition, or joint venture. It can be used for a third-party risk assessment, onboarding decision-making, and identifying beneficial ownership structures.

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GDPR vs. UK-GDPR; the Laws Post Brexit

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation in EU law that was implemented on the 25^{th of} May 2018 and concentrates on data protection and confidentiality in the European Union and the European Economic Area; alongside this, the GDPR is also used to address the transmission of personal data outside the EU and EEA areas. The EU Commission announced on 28 June 2021 that adequacy judgments for the UK have been passed, so what does that mean for the GDPR rules?

The Brexit transition phase concluded on the 31^{st of} December 2020 and as a component of the new trade agreement, the EU has come to an agreement to postpone the transmission limitations for at least four months, which can then be stretched out to six months (recognised as the bridge). The European Commission published its draft decisions on the 19^th of February 2021  regarding the UK’s adequacy under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) and Law Enforcement Directive (LED). In both cases, the European Commission has found the UK to be adequate which implies that much of the data can resume the stream from the EU and the EEA devoid of the need for supplementary precautions. Nevertheless, it is vital to take note of the fundamental reality that the adequacy decisions do not cover data conveyed to the UK for the principles of immigration control, or where the UK immigration immunity is appropriate. For this nature of data, distinct regulations are employed, and the EEA dispatcher wants to set other transfer safeguards in place. September 2021 saw WhatsApp being handed the second highest fine under EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) rules and the biggest fine ever from the Irish Data Protection Commission due to their lack of understanding towards the new GDPR laws – had they done their due diligence, they may have been able to avert such a hefty fine. Our Due diligence 360° services provide the specialised intelligence needed by global financial institutions and multinational corporations to guarantee complete compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and legislations.

Find out more about compliance below or download our free brochure.

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The draft decisions will at this point be deemed by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and a committee of the 27 EU Member Governments.  If the committee accepts the draft decisions, then the European Commission can formally adopt them as legal adequacy decisions.  If adequacy decisions are not implemented at the end of the bridge and allocations from the European Economic Area (EEA) to the UK will require compliance with EU GDPR transfer constraints.

What is the UK-GDPR?

The United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK-GDPR) is the UK’s national data privacy law that is the proxy for the EU’s GDPR after Brexit; it is fundamentally the equivalent to the EU’s GDPR but altered to accommodate national regions of regulation. The UK-GDPR will regulate personal data and demand the same legal grounds for managing personal data.

The GDPR is indeed still retained in domestic law as the UK GDPR, although the UK has the freedom to maintain the framework under evaluation. The ‘UK GDPR’ as it’s known as, rests adjacent to a revised edition of the DPA 2018. It is also essential to note that the fundamental ethics, constitutional rights, and responsibilities remain as they were but that there are connotations for the regulations on transmissions of individual data between the UK and the EEA.

The UK GDPR also pertains to regulators and processors established out of the UK if their managing pursuits correlate to:

• presenting commodities or services to persons in the UK; or
• supervising the conduct of persons taking place in the UK.

Similarly, there are also outcomes for UK regulators who have an institution in the EEA, have consumers in the EEA, or observe individuals in the EEA. The EU GDPR still pertains to this handling as data can still flow freely from the EEA because the EU have adopted adequacy decisions about the UK, but the European data protection mandates has altered the way you can interact. CRI® Group’s own exclusive, expert-developed 3PRM™ services help you proactively mitigate risks from third-party affiliations, protecting your organisation from liability, brand damage, and harm to the business. Whether your organisation has a large, well-established third-party program, is in the early stages of development, or is anywhere in between, the 3PRM™ solution can improve the health of your program and future-proof your entire business in many forms.

Find out more about 3PRM™ below or download our free brochure.

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Which rules apply?

Whilst the adequacy judgments stay in order, the UK GDPR is still valid and is expected to remain so until the 27^{th of} June 2025. The EU Commission will be supervising advancements in the UK on a constant basis to guarantee that the UK will continue to deliver a comparable degree of data protection. The Commission is still able to revise, postpone, or rescind the decisions if concerns cannot be settled. EU data subjects or an EU data protection authority can also instigate a lawful dispute regarding the decisions in which the Court of Justice of the European union would then have to determine whether the UK did essentially deliver comparable security.

In the absenteeism of an EU GDPR adequacy decision, the Frozen GDPR would be valid to subjective data of the basis of if:

• it was administered in the UK under the EU GDPR before 01 January 2021; or
• it’s being administered in the UK on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement

Conversely, the UK-GDPR does increase on -and diverge from- the EU GDPR in noteworthy approaches that will make modifications to the legal environment of data protection in the UK.

UK-GDPR expands and changes the European GDPR

The areas increased on by the UK-GDPR are:

• National security
• Intelligence services
• Immigration

These regions, are per definition, are outside the scope of the European GDPR the three of them are deemed to be extra-national regulation from the EU devoid of powers to govern affairs of national confidence in constituent nations. Nevertheless, the UK-GDPR sets out specific concessions by which the customary welfare of personal data can be circumvented, e.g., when in matters of national security or in matters of immigration. It also applies the same requirements for collection and processing of personal data to the intelligence services. A further significant change is that the Information Commissioner, who was the leading data protection authority in the UK today, became the primary director, monitor and enforcer of the UK-GDPR.

Are you post-Brexit GDPR compliant? 

The UK-GDR would now entail your organisation’s site or application to request for the user’s approval prior to accumulating and managing data via cookies. It involves that your organisation not amassing more data than is truly mandatory and to also make it as straightforward for your users to rescind authority to the application of data as it is to give it. Transparency is key in the UK-GDPR and requires clarification of how long data is stored and how you will be processing users’ personal data.

Let’s Talk!

It’s always great to have a helping hand when it comes to compliance and risk management – especially with all the new changes expected to take place ahead of securing the integrity and morality across corporate culture. Take a proactive stance with the highest level of expertise as a part of your essential corporate strategy. Contact us today to learn more about our full range of services to help your organisation stay protected.

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The Consequences of Neglecting Background Screening

Neglecting Background Screening

Are you neglecting background screening? What consequences may affect your organisation when you ignore this process when hiring? What is it about Background Screening? Statistics have revealed to us that a substantial quantity of resumes that are presented to HR during the recruitment process comprised fabricated material; shortlisting is a rigorous assortment procedure intended to put your applicant on trial, but if you are interviewing an individual who has fabricated much of their resume, how can you make a good judge of character? Put, executing a pre-employment check is the best way to combat this issue.

Background screening is vital to organisations of all types and industries as it can assist in authenticating your employees’ record of accomplishment and help avoid a bad hire. Before COVID-19, it was found that an estimate of 85% of organisations testified to conducting background screening of some type. On the same note, a vast 92 per cent stated that they trust their employees with confidential data but without the assistance of a background screening measure. Find out other ways COVID has impacted the hiring process, or download our background screening brochure.

Below, CRI Group™ has compiled a list of 5 risks you are running into when failing to conduct a background screening check before employment.

1. Your prospective member of staff could be a felon

Hiring a candidate with a criminal record could taint your company’s reputation, generate a highly volatile atmosphere in your office, and harm other staff members. An employer has the right to investigate an applicants’ criminal past; however, the only way to genuinely acquire the data surrounding an applicant’s criminal past when they intend on masking the evidence is through a criminal background check. 

A professional background verification service is a must to communicate with the local authorities to acquire legitimate illegal data and make a well-informed decision for the benefit of your organisation.

2. The odds of employing an unqualified candidate devoid of background screening is 1 out of 6

1 out of every 6 candidates carry inflated or falsified documents to persuade you into offering them the position – and this can be accredited to the rise of credential mills and fake corporations; applicants commonly use counterfeit degrees and false employment records to get hired, and it takes more than just a phone call to find out the reality. 

Background service providers use various procedures to obtain legitimate data, including private trips to the university/corporations where applicants allege to have graduated from or worked. Applicants with falsified resumes are not simply deficient in both integrity and honesty – in most cases, they are also not competent enough to fit your job description. A straightforward background verification uncovers this deception and prevents you from hiring an unqualified candidate.

3. Endangering the welfare of other members of the task force

In correspondence to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA),9 % of approximately 22.4 million unlawful drug users are employed either full time or part-time. A substance abuser, aside from grappling with efficiency, will also inhibit the performance of their co-worker with their improper demeanour. 

Employees with a record of drug abuse and misconduct are also deemed to be exceedingly inconsistent and present themselves as a danger to their co-workers; workplace violence and delinquency can be attributed to disregarding employee drug tests and criminal checks – checks that avert such calamities making your office peaceful and an improved place to work.

4. Increased abrasion can also be attributed to improper background screening

Pre-employment screening underlines the notion of quality over quantity. It makes sure that you hire the right candidate from a mass of applicants who applied for the position as employees with unsatisfactory credentials habitually find their way into your organisation through fabricated evidence. Hiring model candidates with an admirable mindset and relevant qualifications can mitigate employee turnover and enhance the general outcome of your organisation. However, the good news is that they never last for long, owing to their shortage of output and failure to handle the work delegated to them.

5. A candidate’s social media presence and global database can help nail down an accurate judge of character

Social media platforms in conjunction with international databases, for instance, criminal watch lists, credit archives, and public litigation archives, can expose your candidates’ positive and negative characteristics that may escape you during the interview and selection process. Abandoning these checks will hinder you as an employer from seeing your candidate’s best or worst side when picking among leading applicants who contend for a critical position. Employers who operate social media checks on their candidates have found it simpler to identify their candidates better, as social media is where the candidates are more apt to demonstrate their temperament and talents. The process for operating social media and archive checks can be burdensome, but rest assured that pre-employment screening providers are devoted to passing thorough checks on social media platforms and hundreds of databases to assist employers worldwide make critical hiring judgments.

The Verdict?

Background screening has achieved immense recognition throughout the world over the previous few years as it should do – its impact and the modern setting assist in diminishing the pressures that jeopardise every employer’s aim to enhance their personnel and work environment. Verification should be a compulsory component of an organisation’s onboarding procedure to alleviate all the risks we have discussed thus far. Notwithstanding the apparent advantages that background screening presents, it likewise confirms that your organisation hires the most excellent contenders who would promise continual triumph.

CRI™ is certified by British Standard Institute BSI for the scope of BS 7858:2019 screening of individuals working in a secure environment, Code of practice and BS 102000:2018 Code of practice for the provision of investigative services. The BSI is the only BS 7858 accredited background screening services provider in the UAE and the Middle East. Find out more about the BS 7858:2019 or download our BS7858:2019 free playbook.

The more you invest in sourcing morally correct corporate conduct, the more you can expect to be rewarded with a catalytic action to grow and expand your organisation.

Let’s Talk!

Don’t leave hiring to chance. Take a proactive stance with the highest level of background screening as a part of your essential corporate strategy. Contact us today to learn more about our full range of services to help your organisation stay protected.

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Employee Background Checks: A Requisite for all Businesses

Employee Background Check Concepts

Employee Background check concepts are inescapable for your organisation if you are looking to minimise risks surrounding a bad hire. The concept of an employee background check has become one of the most significant phases in the recruitment process.

The escalating figure of crime scenes and fraudulence incidents is a key justification why organisations take up this step as aside from the rising crime rates, organisations are also becoming hyperaware of their employee turnover rate, employee burnout, employee retention, etc. Employee Background Checks are a highly effective method of ensuring that organisations are recruiting the finest. What are the key concepts of conducting an employee background check and why is it substantial for corporations of all sizes and statures?

Concepts of Employee Background Check

In wake of the digital development, it is fair to say that the recruitment process has become quite demanding, and an employee needs to cross numerous phases to at the right time reach the finishing point. The Employee Background Check is quite a time-consuming concept as employers strive to have the greatest pick from the numerous candidates who have come up for the recruitment process. After the interview sessions are over, it needs some time to let the employee know about their joining since this is the time when most organisations go through the employee background check procedure. Some companies opt to perform this procedure in-house while some others hire external service providers to conduct a comprehensive check of the employee’s academic, professional, and even social presence. After the employer is gratified with the check, the employee is offered an appointment letter to join them.

CRI Group’s EmploySmart™ can be tailored into specific screening packages to meet the requirements of each specific position within your organisation. Ensure a safe work environment for all. Download our EmploySmart brochure or get a free quote.

Significance of The Employee Background Check and its Advantages

Organisations carry out such checks due to a myriad of reasons, some of these include:

1. Knowing the validity of the resume

Many candidates tend to embellish their experiences on their resumes and make use of such methods to obtain their desired job through such falsified recognitions. If a candidate does obtain their role through this method, they will not be able to handle the position well making this a complicated situation for the employee and the employer concurrently. Therefore, it is incredibly valuable to know what the candidate has falsified on their resume. An appropriate and comprehensive verification of the employee’s background can unveil all such truths in front of the employer. After knowing the true details, employers can make a judgment that will be more beneficial for the organisation as well as the employee.

2. Knowing about the nature of the candidate

Like the falsified details on the resume, candidates also tend to wear somewhat of the false mask of confidence on their faces while attending the interview. It is tricky to distinguish and judge a person in a conversation of a few minutes. If it is a career profile where the pressure is going to be intense, it is crucial to know whether the candidate can handle such pressure or not. Knowing the authentic behaviour and personality aids in evading bad hires. The experts of the verification check get you an appropriate note about the personality, nature, and behaviour of the candidate to determine whether they can match up to the demands of the needed position.

3. Knowing experiences at the past offices

Candidates produce diplomatic answers about their past experiences when a question is thrown at them about said experiences. Many of the experts suggest cracking this during the interview session as the employers must verify the factual scenario at the previous offices. It may turn out that the candidate had a terrible record at the last office, or it may also happen that the employer had fired the candidate from the last job. There can be a few things that can happen. You can of course offer the candidate a chance to clarify, but it is imperative to get the verification done before this.

4. Knowing criminal experience and legal support

Having an employee background check is also about having an awareness of any criminal experience a candidate could have potentially had. It can be unsafe for the organisation to hire an employee with such a background and place them amid unharmful employees. It is just as vital to know whether the candidate has legal support or not. If yes, it should be checked whether the candidate has misused the support in the past or not. If the candidate has misused the support in the form of a lawsuit or so in the past, they do the same for your organisation too.

What to include in Employee Background Check?

• History of employment: Verify the reference given by the candidate as it confirms their behavioural and working patterns with previous employers. This way, their overall performance, commitment, and proclivities can be assessed.
• Criminal background: It is essential to determine that the candidate does not have a criminal history. It is inevitable, principally for the profiles related to defence or trust.
• Credit history: Knowing the credit rating of your candidate is also important as this reveals the integrity of the employees. This can be done by completing an employee background check for the credit history.
• Terror Watch List: For the businesses running in countries like the USA, checking the Terror Watch List of their candidates is especially critical. Again, it is a necessity for security positions.
• Checking Social Security: Organisations should check the legitimacy of Social Security Number. Proper background checks of distinct names, aliases, date of birth, history of addresses, etc. This way, it can be found out if the candidate has been living with other names or anything else questionable which is not accessible in criminal records.
• Checking public/court records: This is done to check if the candidate has been or is implicated in any sort of court proceedings or not. This is incredibly significant in picking the right candidate that can offer comprehensive devotion to the job profile you are proposing to extend.
• Reference checks: There are two types of reference Employee Background Checks: personal and employment. Both facilitate in confirming the integrity, reliability, steadiness, and personality of the employee.
• Checking Sex Offender Registry: Sex Offender Registry check must be an integral part of the employee background check as you must not endanger other employees or consumers, especially in roles surrounding children and other susceptible individuals, by hiring a sexual predator.
• Education check: This sort of background check is carried out to determine the authenticity of the various credentials provided by the candidate you are planning to recruit.
• Driving Records: If your candidate is required to drive a company-owned vehicle, then checking driving records and license is essential for you.
• Record of Military Service: You need to pay attention to some key measures while hiring a candidate with a military service record. That is why checking the military service records of your candidates is also important.
• Compensation Record: Checking the candidate’s compensation claims from past employers is also significant before hiring an employee.

Measures to take for Employee Background Checks

Having a proper flow chart of different steps

• Organisations must have a consistent policy for the employee background check, and for this, responsible authorities should know about the different steps they need to follow for background verification. A flow chart of all the steps is often used for this measure as they are easily comprehensible across the board. 

Legal Assistance to understand the role of Local Laws in Employee Background Check

• An assortment of confidential data is involved in the background check which is why taking legal Assistance will help avoid many sorts of legal complications.

Opt for FCRA Compliant Employee Background Check

• As FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) determine what you can and cannot do in your employee background check proceedings and govern all the background checks, organisations must ensure that they follow FCRA’s rules and regulation.

In case of any mistake or misunderstanding, allow a candidate to Clear Up that.

• There are instances in which the data an employer has received can be incorrect; it is important to offer the chance to a candidate to rectify those misunderstandings as it determines a prudent and productive practice.

Being aware of the difference b/w Investigative Consumer Reports and Reference Checks

• If you reject a candidate because of the Investigative Consumer Report, the candidate needs to be provided with a copy of that report. However, if the information was obtained via reference check, such as asking past employers, you need not give such details to the candidate.

Academic references Checking

• Academic circles and experience are easily exaggerated and manipulated areas in recruitment and can be problematic and at times difficult to identify. Therefore, the prospective employer ought to start their reference check from this point. Undeniably, there is no need whatsoever to employ an applicant who is not honest regarding their academic qualification as they would not be productive and are likely to have ill motives. Consequently, they could be a liability to your organisation. This kind of candidate cannot be trusted at all, and therefore there is no need why the employer should. However, it would be to think such an individual for their interest in your organisation, but never should one hire them.

Call current and former supervisors.

• At times, it can prove difficult to extract any information about an applicant due to some legal handles and the fear of being sued for character defamation or even libel where the information which would be given might be negative, especially from either the current or former employers of your prospective candidate. However, it is worthwhile to find out as the data available at your disposal allows for sound and appropriate decisions to be made for the benefit of both the organisation and other members of staff.

Checking one’s network of associates

• Undeniably, for those who have been in the personnel management department, it is most likely that they have a vibrant network of associates, friend colleagues and family members who would be willing to share information about a prospective employee. It is therefore essential and significant to gather information from them. It would not be surprising that one might even get more information from such people.

Browse online sites

• With the use of the internet and using several search engines or numerous social sites, one is likely to find crucial and critical information that would go a long way in facilitating the employer get sufficient data about either the applicant or the organisation that they have worked or claim to have worked for.
• This information might range from positive to negative, thereby allowing the employer to make the right decision. Undoubtedly, the internet is a sure and free source of data that any prospective employer should employ in doing a background check.

In conducting employee background checks, there are some golden rules that one needs to observe to avoid any legal and challenges in executing the duties of their human resources and making the background check most effective and efficient. These do and don’ts include but are not limited to:

Do’s

• Having a consistent background checks policy and detailing how the policy should be used.
• Getting legal advice on how to conduct background checks under the local legal framework.
• Giving the applicants a chance to clear up any faults or misconstructions appearing on their documentations and during the interview process is inconsistent with your background check.
• Employing the services of background check services compliant with the legal frameworks of your region
• Understanding the difference between background checks vis-à-vis investigative consumer reports.

Don’ts

• Avoid making decisions on using the background checks on an applicant-by-applicant basis.
• Avoid the assumption that some parts of the background check process routine
• Avoid making decisions without letting the applicant a chance to respond.
• Avoid assuming that any companies seeking information about an individual are legally compliant.
• Avoid requesting information about the character or personal and private of an individual while verifying the historical employment facts.

Fundamentally, employee background checks are not too viewed superficially as they play an important role in ensuring that neither the employer nor the organisation encounter loss or legal handles in exercising their mandate and role. Consequently, by attracting competency and matching the skills with the tasks, employers ensure that their organisations remain profitable and are sustainably produced and competitive in their respective fields.

Finally, the most critical information that these background checks elicit are vital and are diversified in range and scope depending on the tasks to be performed and are as follows:

Criminal Records

Indeed, background checks are instrumental in providing information about the individual, which would inevitably be vital, especially where the candidate is required to handle or maintain important levels of trust, confidentiality, and security. Consequently, this kind and level of reliability would not be forthcoming from a criminal record person.

Social Security Validation

Apart from and the individual being tax compliant, background checks guarantee the legitimacy of the applicant’s social security number. The Social Security Validation facilitates in and discovering of all the names, as well as aliases and any variations thereof, dates of birth in addition to the history addresses associated with the applicant.

This limits the incidents of the employer contracting an individual who has a criminal record or does not have any legal status of seeking and getting employed in that country or region. Further still, it provided information on whether the candidate has ever lived in unrevealed places or under other pseudonyms that could divulge unlawful records that wouldn’t have otherwise been established.

Address History

Address History background checks help in tracing prior addresses where the applicant could have resided and facilitated the establishment of where else the applicant could have lived, making it easier in the verification of their true identity and may form the basis of further interview questions as well as getting to know the candidate better.

Terror Watch List

With the prevalent threat of terrorism and the global danger posed by terrorists, a thorough background check is more likely to establish if your potential employee could have been involved in terror acts or whether they are in any country or even states terror watch list. Although this was explicitly imperative for security jobs, it has been deemed necessary in almost every profession due to the changing dynamics and tactics employed by terrorists and other criminal syndicates in the twenty-first century.

Sex Offender and human trafficking Registry Check

With the ever-increasing levels of human trafficking, child pornography, organ harvesting, paedophilia and sexually related abuse globally, it is paramount that for positions dealing with minors, the marginalised and the most vulnerable through background checks are a necessity rather than just an option to ascertain the credibility of the applicant to avert and reduce the prevalence of the vices above.

Necessities for conducting Employee Background Checks

• You need to have your full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number for doing a background check.
• If you want to check credit reports, military records, and school transcripts, you need the candidate’s permission.
• If you hire an outside company to do the background check, you need to take the candidate’s permission.
• If the candidate denies the permission, you will be entitled to take the candidate out of consideration for that job profile.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

One of the major disadvantages that you can see is the wastage of time and money. The organisation invests large sums of money in conducting such investigations, and most of the time, the person turns out to be a genuine one and with the time it takes to conduct these checks, the candidate may think that the organisation is not interested and hence, they may join some other organisation in this period.

Judging a candidate on their background deeds may not always prove to be fruitful either. It may happen that a candidate got trapped in a criminal, offence and in an actual sense, they are a gem of a person. But when you do not know the candidate personally, you will focus on the verification reports and let a genuine person go.

Opting for an employee background check depends on the type of your business and the kind of job profile you are going to hire that candidate. Getting an employee background check has become eminent today because there have been so many instances each day.  They are getting the verification done to get the employer the satisfaction that they are selecting a genuine person and will not hamper the reputation and environment of the company.

If there is still any uncertainty in your mind about conducting employee background checks, why not reach out to us? CRI Group has experts across the globe from all backgrounds who are trained to provide you with specialised, expert advice fit for your business needs. Get in touch today!

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Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Checks; The Lowdown

Anti-Money Laundering checks is a broad term applied to define checks conducted as a portion of the UK’s Anti-Money Laundering regulatory framework. An AML can be a check on a person carrying out a specialised role, or an organisation supplying goods or services.  The official structure comprises of various distinct Acts and Regulations and differs from nation to nation depending on the laws and legislations the land has in place. The UK law makers are frequently recognised to pursue regulations that aim to counteract, identify, and report money laundering pursuits. This is in an effort to deal with the ever-increasing concerns encompassing criminal activity, terrorism, extremism and profits of corruption. In that sense, the UK Government have succeeded in detecting various vital segments that may be prone to money laundering and ought to take the lead in advocating for best practice and greater regulation within corporate organisations. This is comprehensive of a number of legal and fiscal sectors.

Why are Anti-Money Laundering Checks (AML) Necessary?

Anti-Money Laundering checks intend to generate alterations in the notion adjacent to money laundering as well as other types of monetary violations. Countless trade regulators and organisations employ Anti-Money Laundering checks as the first step in the HR and recruitment process as it helps HR people ensure that employees and candidates have the qualification to work or practice. Checks are also frequently utilised to detect clients while also confirming that additional organisations in the supply chain are proper and appropriate for the business needs. There is no exact collection of obligations for all Anti-Money Laundering checks nevertheless, the existing applicable regulations that are in place to pursue the advancement of risk-based intelligent surrounding money laundering and other such activities. However, it is important to note that there are laws in place that correlate with the need for an anti-money laundering check. Some of the legislations in the UK for instance include:

• The Terrorism Act 2000 (as amended by the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 and the Terrorism Act 2006
• Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001
• The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) as amended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA)
• Counter-terrorism Act 2008, Schedule 7
• Terrorist Asset-Freezing Act 2010
• The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017
• The Criminal Finances Act 2017

An efficient Anti-Money Laundering structure is an indication of your organisations position in opposition to its competitors in the industry against the fiscal offenses. As international commercial nations become progressively more mindful of their obligations, international organisation must develop the comprehensive capability to report these matters and execute procedures, practices, and related risk assessment mechanisms in a bid to minimise their risk and consequence in the grand scheme of things.

CRI™ Anti-money laundering (AML) consultative solution intends to help the investigation of existing systems and further improve operational solutions that decrease your organisations risk of falling quarry to operative, supplier, or outside corporate and fiscal crimes. Our immense Anti-Corruption and Compliance network offers the defense you require when making significant bottom-line decisions crucial to your organisation’s success.

VIEW AML ADVISORY BROCHURE

What are the Outcomes of a Deficient AML Framework?

To have inadequate regulations can result in being indicted with participating in illicit pursuits surrounding money laundering and lead to several of the subsequent adverse outcomes:

• Damaged corporate reputations: brands and organisations who have a diminishing reputation can progressively expect both their supplier and consumer base to weaken causing brand devaluation. This can lead to monetary complexities as well as challenges being able to work in partnership with other organisations and suppliers as a great reputation ensures collaborators that your organisation conducts business lawfully and suitably making them more probable to want to work beside your organisation.
• Negative investor perceptions: in correlation to a wounded reputation, organisations may also find it increasingly challenging to find investors to back their ventures. This could lead to the premature shutting down of a business as well as other issues such as liquidation and bankruptcy.
• Corroding employee morale: trustworthy enterprise always begins from within the corporate culture. Engaging in illicit activities often result in high employee turnaround whilst also corroding employee morale and giving them the opportunity to embark on other illicit activities within the corporate area. This may lead to fraud, bribery and corruption commenced by the employees which is a detrimental and ominous oversight for any organisation. It’s also just as important to screen your employees so you know that your employees are competent for the role in question. Find out more about our employee background screening solutions here.
• Probable consumer boycotts: ethics are just important to a brands consumer as it is to the brand. In the wake of social activism, no organisation is renowned enough to not fall victim to a boycott effort. You may have some loyal consumers left but your organisation may end up with a longstanding, damaged reputation.
• Possible legal action: A general trend when it comes to issues surrounding money laundering is that it usually leads to further penalties surrounding fines and expenses. In this case, legal action not only damages the reputation of an organisation to investors, suppliers, and consumers, it can also result in fines & potential jail terms for company directors and fighting these cases are often as costly as they are time consuming.
•  

It is evident to see that the aftermath of partaking in illicit money laundering schemes and not implementing anti-money laundering checks can lead to the downfall of the entire organisation. And in a world of ever-tightening regulations, why wouldn’t you want to be one step ahead of the industry?

If the perception of an AML check still feels a little overwhelming to you, why not consider booking a free 30-minute consultation with one of our experts here at CRI® Group? Our specialists have years of experience and are qualified to offer your organisation personalised guidance to fit your professional requirements. Don’t hesitate, get in touch today and stay ahead of the rules and regulations that impact your organisation.

Get in Touch Today

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Risks of Cybercrime and Social Media: NEW PLAYBOOK

The risks of cybercrime claims many victims over many sectors. The PwC Global Economic Crime Survey 2020 found that a company falls victim to six frauds on average. The most common types are customer fraud, asset misappropriation as well as cybercrime. It also proved a roughly even split between frauds committed by internal and external perpetrators, at almost 40% each – with the rest being mostly collusion between the two. Few can deny the enormous technological advancements that are constantly taking place in the modern world. The internet, the computer, and other technological advancements have dramatically changed what it means to socialise, ‘chat’, and even read a book. Both the disadvantages and advantages of such developments are clear, and as technology gains pace, so have the unlawful activities of those who seek to take advantages of such developments.

According to a 2020 cybercrime report from Europol, COVID-19 sparked upward trend in cybercrime. In fact, since the beginning of the pandemic, the FBI has seen a fourfold increase in cybersecurity complaints, whereas the global losses from cybercrime exceeded $1 trillion in 2020. 

In other words, as technology evolves, the risks of cybercrime have become complex. The sense that one is safe from crime in the privacy of one’s own home has been lost. In fact, according to World Economic Forum’s “Global Risks Report 2020” the chances of catching and prosecuting a cybercriminal are almost nil (0.05%).

Take the First Steps Towards Developing Measures Against the Risks of Cybercrime! 

This playbook critically examines the growth of cybercrime, evaluating the risks it poses in terms of the different forms of cybercrime that exist and the regulations that seek to detect, prevent and punish them.

The extension of an old legislation to include cybercrime is not entirely effective – especially not for crimes committed within the realm of social media and social networking. Therefore the need to develop an ‘anti-cybercrime culture emerges. It has to be implemented on an international scale that safeguards these crimes – the promotion of careful use would therefore be facilitated to hinder such crimes before they can materialise. Our playbook includes:

• What is cybercrime and why is it important?
• Top corporate cybersecurity risks and 10 types of high-tech crimes
• How cybercrime impacts business and your company’s growth
• Cybercrime and regulations in place
• And how your response as a business matters – how to can you protect your business from cybercrime including advice and tips on how to telework safely

Download the full playbook today and learn step-by-step things your company can do to be better protected from cybercrime. Robust cyber-security, data protection, anti-fraud and risk management all come together to mitigate the dangers posed by hackers, phishers and other cybercriminals.

DOWNLOAD PLAYBOOK

With the playbook in your hands, you’ll learn about the most common cyber attacks. This includes viruses, phishing attacks and website hacks. You’ll also gain a better understanding of the consequences of different types of cybercrime.

To sum it up, the playbook provides best-practices and ways that companies are lessening their risk without spending prohibitive resources to do so. Above all, the right expert advice means that any company can be on the right track to protecting their customers, their assets, and their employees from the risks of cybercrime.

Who is CRI Group™ ?

Based in London, CRI Group works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group also holds B.S. 102000:2013 and B.S. 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI Group launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC™ operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organisations. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.

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Fight Fraud with ABMS Certification

Fraud, bribery and corruption cause serious harm to business. They can have a major financial impact, damage an organization’s hard-earned reputation and destroy company culture. That’s why at CRI® group we focus on helping organizations address these risks – as a team effort. All fraud, bribery and corruption (collectively referred to as economic crime) is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by any organization. It affects the ability of any business to thrive and it can cost them billions. A good example is NHS.

The NHSCFA 2018/19 Business Plan estimates that £1.29 billion could be lost to economic crime from the NHS in England on an annual basis. This estimate includes losses across NHS Providers and CCGs, as well as NHS England and further detail is provided in the NHSCFA Strategic Intelligence Assessment (SIA).

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), “Tone at the Top” – the ethical atmosphere that is created at an organization or in a workplace by the attitudes and behaviors of an organization’s leadership – is a major factor in determining whether fraud, bribery or corruption is likely to take place. That’s because employees lead by example. If their leaders show a strong, zero-tolerance approach to fraud, those who report to them are likely to follow. In fact, the ACFE’s research shows that the most common determinants of ethical behavior in the workplace are the following:

• Behavior of superiors
• Behavior of peers
• Industry ethical practices
• Society’s moral climate
• Formal organizational policy

There is also evidence that a company’s own employees are its best protection against fraud. Statistics show that most fraud is detected by internal tips, even more than audits and other methods. That means that employees are recognizing fraud, understanding that it’s wrong and not acceptable at their workplace, and reporting it.

So it stands to reason that the more trained and educated a workforce is about fraud, bribery and corruption, the better that organization will operate as a team in preventing and detecting those behaviors.

CRI® Group launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification.

ABAC® Center of Excellence uses this approach as a focal point in providing the training and knowledge your organization needs to prevent fraud, bribery and corruption. Our experts tailor a program to your organization’s needs, accommodating every level of your organization to ensure that certification is a team effort among your employees.

Certification addresses Tone at the Top by ensuring that an organization’s governing body and top management are exercising appropriate oversight and meeting all legal requirements. But it also does so much more. The ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System certification empowers you with the ability to safeguard and maintain the integrity of your company by:

• Guaranteeing that all workers and agents are devoted to the latest anti-bribery practice.
• Regularly validating compliance to appropriate legislation like the FCPA and UK Bribery Act 2010
• Jointly cooperating with stakeholders to observe and reduce the risks throughout your supply chain
• Externally scrutinizing your company, testing the effectiveness of your anti-bribery policies and processes
• Ensuring compliance in action

Most of all, ABAC® certification will help your organization come together, united in efforts to prevent fraud, bribery and corruption. When financial losses begin to reverse and the organization shows improved financial health, each employee will understand how their individual effort and attitude has helped make a positive difference in the fortunes of the company.

The ABAC® teaches that. It also increases employee pride and morale. Most of all, it demonstrates to staff that leadership supports them and will have their backs when it is time to do the right thing.

Nobody wants to feel they are on an island. Don’t delay on getting your organization started on the path to certification today.  ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System certification is offered under CRI® Group’s ABAC® Centre of Excellence, an independent certification body established for Anti-Bribery Management System training and certification, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and Risk Management System certification. The program will be tailored to your organization’s needs and requirements. For assistance in developing and implementing a fraud prevention strategy, contact ABAC® today or get a FREE QUOTE now!

About us…

Based in London, CRI® Group works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI® Group also holds BS102000:2013 and BS7858:2019 Certifications is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI® Group launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC® operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI® Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organizations. Contact ABAC® for more on ISO Certification and training.

MEET THE CEO

Zafar I. Anjum is Group Chief Executive Officer of CRI® Group (www.crigroup.com), a global supplier of investigative, forensic accounting, business due to diligence and employee background screening services for some of the world’s leading business organizations. Headquartered in London (with a significant presence throughout the region) and licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre-DIFC, the Qatar Financial Center – QFC, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market-ADGM, CRI® Group safeguard businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. CRI® Group maintains offices in UAE, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, China, the USA, and the United Kingdom.

Contact CRI® Group to learn more about its 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy program and discover an effective and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous risks posed by third-party partnerships.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Zafar Anjum, MSc, MS, CFE, CII, MICA, Int. Dip. (Fin. Crime) | CRI® Group Chief Executive Officer

37th Floor, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA United Kingdom

t: +44 207 8681415 | m: +44 7588 454959 | e: zanjum@crigroup.com

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You suspect employee fraud. Now what?

When any type of fraud, including employee fraud, is discovered, it’s usually by surprise. That’s because most of us aren’t used to looking for criminal behaviour inside our own organisation. We trust our employees and co-workers, and we keep our focus on succeeding as a team and accomplishing our goals for the business. Nobody wants to think that someone might be subverting the rules for their own personal gain.

Unfortunately, though, fraud does happen. The statistics tell us that on average, organisations lose about 5 percent of their total revenues to fraud. If that’s not bad enough, the average fraud lasts 18 months before being discovered – if it is discovered at all (ACFE, 2020).

One of the problems is that, since we aren’t looking for fraud, we sometimes don’t want to believe it when we do encounter its red flags. Though they may be unmistakable to some, when it involves our trusted co-workers (and even our superiors) sometimes we try to rationalize or ignore those signs altogether. Accounting discrepancies are one thing, but what about the more subtle things – like behavioural red flags? The following are a few examples:

• The subject appears to be living beyond their means
• They are having financial difficulties
• They have an unusually close association with a vendor or customer
• The subject shows excessive control issues or unwillingness to share duties
• They demonstrate unusual irritability, suspiciousness, or defensiveness
• The subject has what can be described as a “wheeler-dealer” attitude involving shrewd or unscrupulous behaviour
• They have recent divorce or family problems.

Now, these are just warning signs. None of them mean that fraud is definitely taking place. But it’s worth noting that, according to the ACFE, “at least one of these seven red flags had been identified before the perpetrator was caught in 76% of all cases.”

When such behaviours are put in the context of real discrepancies, such as accounting problems, missing cash or inventory, or other issues, a picture of fraud can begin to take shape. While most fraud is discovered by accident, having employees who are trained to recognise red flags is no accident and makes your organisation better protected in the long run.

So, now you’ve discovered fraud in your organisation. What happens next?

1. Report it

Depending on your company’s anti-fraud policy, you should follow the proper reporting channels. Many organisations have an anonymous reporting system, such as a hotline or online module, through which they can report suspected fraud without fear of retaliation. Such a system is highly recommended, as it directly results in more fraud tips and helps you uncover bad behaviour sooner, before it’s done the most damage.

2. Begin an investigation

Organisations that don’t have their own anti-fraud professionals on staff should engage an outside firm that specialises in financial investigations whenever fraud is suspected. These experts will review your fraud tip and lead your organisation through the next steps.

3. Gather evidence

Only seasoned experts should engage in an investigation because improper evidence collection can harm the potential to bring a case to court, should it rise to that level. Also, professional fraud investigators have an understanding of privacy laws and know what is and isn’t admissible in terms of gathering evidence in the workplace.

4. Interview witnesses

Part of the evidence-gathering phase, witnesses should be interviewed to draw a clear picture of what has taken place. They should be interviewed individually by anti-fraud professionals, who know how to elicit the information they need to uncover the truth.

5. Contact law enforcement

As the investigation proceeds, if fraud appears to be a proven concern, the employee should be terminated from employment and law enforcement should be informed. Without prosecution, the fraudster will just move on to their next victim.

6. Review and update your anti-fraud controls

How did this fraud happen? Were anti-fraud measures too weak, or were they not properly followed? Now is the time to evaluate risk management and control systems to learn from this case, and prevent the next fraud. Due diligence experts should be engaged to provide an objective, thorough examination of your control systems and make recommendations that will improve your level of protection.

CRI Group has experts who have conducted fraud investigations all around the world, for organisations of all sizes and industries. Our investigators work on-site at your company bringing a boots-on-the-ground approach to uncovering all the facts of the case. When you’ve uncovered fraud, that’s the time to let the experts take over. You owe it to yourself and the future of your business to make sure every investigation is done professionally and effectively. Contact CRI Group to learn more about our fraud investigations today. Get a FREE QUOTE

CRI Group has safeguarded businesses from any risks, providing investigations (i.e. insurance fraud), employee background screening, investigative due diligence, business intelligence,  third-party risk management, forensic accounting, compliance and other professional investigative research services. In 2016, CRI Group launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC® operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. Contact ABAC® for more on ISO Certification and training.

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Managing Third-Party Risks: A Checklist

THIRD-PARTY RISK MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST

Third-party risk management checklist. Fraud doesn’t take a break in times of crisis – in fact, that’s often when it thrives. And the same is true for supplier fraud. Unethical business practices by third-party partners can directly impact your organization in all sorts of ways. This type of fraud can cause financial, logistical, and reputational harm.

Locked in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City found itself desperately in need of medical supplies. In particular, the city hit hard by the pandemic required millions of 3M-brand N95 respirators, the type that keeps health care workers, police, paramedics and others safe. A supplier emerged to fill this need potentially.

Unfortunately, he had a scheme to defraud the city of $45 million through price-gouging and fraudulently posing as a 3M- dealer. The formerly used car dealer in New Jersey, the fraudster now faces wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy charges in a three-count criminal complaint unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan (New York Times, 2020). Managing Third-Party Risks

The case is an unfortunate reminder of what type of fraud and corruption lurks in supply chains. While a crisis presents new vulnerabilities – often, safeguards are bypassed for urgency – companies must be always on guard for third-party fraud. Due diligence isn’t just a corporate buzzword, nor is it a concept to keep compliance officers happy. It must be an integral part of every organization’s core business model. Every organization can do the following key third-party due diligence measures to stay better protected from supplier or contractor fraud.

THIRD-PARTY RISK MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST EVERY ORGANISATION COULD USE:

1. Identify vulnerabilities

Before evaluating its third-party partners, an organization should look inward and measure its own risk management tools. These include the following:

• Audit and supervision functions
• Business continuity plans, supply chain alternatives (very critical would considering third-party contracts)
• Jurisdictional considerations
• Data and IP protection
• Whistleblower policies

2. Conduct due diligence

The organization should engage a risk management process on all current and potential suppliers and contractors. For each third party, the organisation should evaluate the following:

• Business and operations
• Financial condition and reputation
• Experience, culture, vision and business style
• References and government records (including any legal action, bankruptcies, structure changes)
• Background checks (including ownership and key personnel)
• Insurance and certifications

3. Maintain management oversight

Due diligence is only worthwhile if appropriate action is taken in response to its findings. Once third-party partnerships have been evaluated and approved, the organization should continue to manage, monitor and maintain these relationships. Risk management is not a one-time process. It should be scheduled regularly (yearly at minimum) to ensure the proper standards are maintained for the organization. Not every company or government organization is ordering emergency supplies due to COVID-19 or other crises. With proper third-party due diligence, third-party due diligence can protect organizations year-round from the risk of any of the following serious pitfalls:

• Merging with an international business embroiled in behind-the-scenes legal battles.
• Getting caught up in making procurement decisions involving the inappropriate influence of government officials who were slated to receive kickbacks.
• Partnering with organizations that are potential credit risks, have claimed bankruptcy, have dissolved stated companies or are faced with debtor filing.
• Awarding work to an overseas contractor with absolutely no prior experience
• Affiliating with a contracting company owned by a politician with significant influence on future awards

It is recommended and necessary for many organizations to have a team of professionals guide you through implementing a comprehensive program for third-party risk management. That’s where CRI® Group comes in. We have one of the largest, most experienced and best-trained integrity due to diligence teams globally. With multi-lingual teams that have conducted assignments on thousands of subjects in over 80 countries, CRI® Group’s due diligence experts are committed to maintaining and constantly evolving our global network.

Managing risk effectively is essential to ensure businesses succeed and thrive in an environment of constant uncertainty. This playbook covers everything you need to know about ISO 31000:2018; here’s a quick rundown of the playbook structure:

• What is ISO 31000? Why is this Standard a good idea?
• ISO 31000 framework, why was it revised? And What are the main differences?
• Key Clauses of 31000:2018 and Who is the standard for?
• The process and the link between 31000:20180 and other standards

Getting Started with ISO 31000 Risk Management?

DOWNLOAD ISO 31000 PLAYBOOK NOW

3PRM-Certified™ a third-party compliance verification and certification program

As the risk for data breaches and supply chain disruption continues to rise with COVID-19, so does the need for effective third-party risk management (TPRM) programs. Whether you’re a TPRM professional looking for a certification to advance your skillset, or the leader of your organization considering how to better equip your team with the best knowledge and skills, the 3PRM-Certified™ program is an all-in solution. Our 3PRM™ service is flexible, and we tailor our scope to address an organization’s specific concerns and risk areas. CRI® Group’s exclusive 3PRM-Certified™ solution provides the very best in third-party risk management. Our 3PRM-Certified™ program provides a proactive approach to mitigating risks from third-party affiliations, protecting the organization from liability, brand damage and harm to the business. The 3PRM-Certified™ program includes a focus on the following:

• Providing third-party risk assessments
• Meeting contracting requirements
• Conducting due diligence
• Identifying potential fraud risks
• Providing management oversight

Utilizing a network of trained professionals positioned across five continents, CRI® Group’s 3PRM services utilize one of the largest multi-national fraud investigation teams the industry has to offer. The 3PRM-Certified™ program is especially critical when your business is performing pre-merger and acquisition research and pre-IPO due diligence, engages new clients, employs, contracts or retains foreign business partners and requires a consistent and audit-worthy AML and anti-corruption compliance program.

This TPRM Strategy program will help organizations establish the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. Third-party relationships are critical in business today and include partnerships with suppliers, distributors, consultants, agents and other contractors. While such affiliations are essential to the success of your organization, an organization cannot overestimate the consequences of inadequate due diligence.

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Let’s Talk!

Get ahead of any potential problems down the road with suppliers, contractors, and other third-party partners. Our extensive solutions include due diligence, employee pre- and post-background screening, business intelligence and compliance, facilitating any decision-making across your business no matter what area or department. Contact CRI® Group today and learn more about our third-party due diligence and risk management solutions. If you have any further questions or interest in implementing compliance solutions, please contact us.

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About us…

Based in London, CRI® Group works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI® Group also holds BS102000:2013 and BS7858:2019 Certifications is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI® Group launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC® operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI® Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organizations. Contact ABAC® for more on ISO Certification and training.

MEET THE CEO

Zafar I. Anjum is Group Chief Executive Officer of CRI® Group (www.crigroup.com), a global supplier of investigative, forensic accounting, business due to diligence and employee background screening services for some of the world’s leading business organizations. Headquartered in London (with a significant presence throughout the region) and licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre-DIFC, the Qatar Financial Center – QFC, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market-ADGM, CRI® Group safeguard businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. CRI® Group maintains offices in UAE, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, China, the USA, and the United Kingdom.

Contact CRI® Group to learn more about its 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy program and discover an effective and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous risks posed by third-party partnerships.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Zafar Anjum, MSc, MS, CFE, CII, MICA, Int. Dip. (Fin. Crime) | CRI® Group Chief Executive Officer

37th Floor, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA United Kingdom

t: +44 207 8681415 | m: +44 7588 454959 | e: zanjum@crigroup.com

Filed under: Due Diligence, Resources, Third-Party Risk Management by admin
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