5 Things CrimShield CEO David Pickron Wants Every Business Owner and Executive to Know About Instant Background Checks

Do you think your business and customers are protected from violent offenders and problem employees because you use routine "instant" background checks for employees and contractors? Think again. Here are five things CrimShield CEO David Pickron wants you to know about the system you are using:


1. They aren't comprehensive enough. When you submit an instant background check, all you're doing is comparing the information the applicant gave against a set of outdated databases. If everything doesn't match exactly, you might not get the full picture of their personal history. Think of it this way: If you search for a file on your computer without knowing the exact name you saved it under, or the date it was created, your results won’t be perfect. Instant background checks work the same way.

2. Even the FBI doesn't trust them. Although lots of instant background check companies point to the FBI's database as the "gold standard" that they use, the reality is that even federal agents don't trust them. The FBI publicly admits that many records are missing data, and that lots of dangerous criminals and mentally ill individuals are missing from its database altogether.

3. Criminals know how to get around them. Even in cases where public data is available on those with criminal histories, standard background checks are shockingly easy to fool or get around. Because of the "close-match" system that we've already outlined, all an applicant has to do is change a few small details to ensure that their report comes back as "clean."

4. A human element is needed to verify data and fill in gaps. Closing these loopholes isn't something you can do with a simple piece of software and a few dollars. That's why CrimShield uses real-life agents and investigators to look into each applicant and ensure that they are who they say they are. Additionally, we check into gaps in residency, to ensure that potential employees aren't hiding things you should know about.

5. With privacy and safety being front-page news, the stakes couldn't be higher. We feel sure that it's only a matter of time before a high-profile lawsuit will bring the shortcomings of instant background checks to light. Do you really want your customers to find out that you've been employing dangerous criminals, possibly even in their homes, because you didn't go far enough to verify identities and public records?

David Pickron says the facts are clear – "if you are relying on instant background checks to keep criminals and dangerous individuals out of your company, then you are living with a false sense of security." Talk to a member of the CrimShield team today and see how easy it is to start using a common-sense approach to effectively screen applicants who want to work for your business.

Renting to criminals is risky business...

RECIDIVIST - RECIDIVISM

Dictionary definition: A convicted criminal who reoffends

Property Management definition: Mr. Trouble who is looking for a place to rent.

No one would knowingly rent a space to a registered sex offender... right? All of the following notification(s) to your residents by law enforcement would be difficult to explain.  It may be noble for  people to feel that once a “debt to society” has been paid, the offending criminal deserves a second chance. While this may be true in many cases, here are some startling facts...

According to the U.S. Department of Justice a criminal who has done time has the following recidivism rate within the first 3 years.

• Overall - 2/3rds of these convicts will reoffend
• Some examples of the likely offenses
• Auto theft 79%
• Sale of stolen goods 77%
• Burglary/Robbery 74%
• Drugs 67%

Discovering a person’s criminal history and making the decision to deny their rental application should be easy.  However, if you use a database screening program you may receive a report that gives you a list of people with names like your applicant (even the exact name).  The report will state “one of these MAY be your applicant”.  There simply is not enough information in these reports to make the right decision. If you are uncertain if one of those listed in the report is your applicant and you rent to a person who does have a record you may be moving a great deal of trouble into your community. Choosing whether or not to rent to the applicant is like playing Russian Roulette and will likely expose your company to a future lawsuit.

When you use an investigative company like ISC Screening & Consulting you will know for certain that the person you let move into your community does not have a criminal history.  ISC uses licensed private investigators to conduct background checks and will tell you straight up if your applicant has a criminal history.

Some things to consider:

• Criminals don’t buy they rent.
• The safety of your residents and staff should be your primary concern.
• Just as good people bring their friends, bad people bring their friends.
• Once a community starts renting to less-desirables, your bad reputation follows and your brand declines. 
• Your community represents sizable financial investment let us help you protect this investment.