E-verify: Legal Residence Verification
E-Verify is an essential tool for employers to comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which mandates the verification of the employment eligibility status of all newly hired employees.
E-Verify is an Internet-based system utilized by employers to compare information entered from an employee's Form I-9 to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration in order to validate employment eligibility. With over 870,000 employers using the system, E-Verify has become a vital tool in the identity verification process.
- More than 870,000 employers are enrolled in E-verify
- It offers speed and accuracy so employers can make the right hire
- E-verify can only be completed on an employee once
KRESS is a designated agent authorized by the DHS to perform I-9 employment authorization searches on clients' behalf, making taking care of I-9 Forms easier than ever. KRESS' electronic I-9 service meets all the guidelines and requirements set forth by DHS.
Social Security Number (SSN) Trace
A Social Security Number (SSN) Trace cross-references the SSN with public and private records to uncover any alias names that have been used by an individual within the past seven years, providing a more complete picture of an applicant's identity. This service is integral for employers to delve deeper into the history of their prospective employees and ensure the authenticity of the information provided.
- Can be completed at any time
- Does not verify a candidate's identity
- Trace includes dates, addresses, alternative names used
- The Social Security Number Trace acts as an identifier and reveals any alias names and past and present addresses associated with the social security number. It's a crucial component of criminal history research as it is used as a roadmap to select court jurisdictions that should be researched for criminal records.
When an SSN background check isn't enough
Occasionally, an SSN background check will yield no results, but this should not be cause for immediate concern with respect to an applicant's legal status. This is particularly common among younger candidates who may not have previously applied for credit, resulting in a lack of traceable financial history.
KRESS provides comprehensive address history searches and a suite of additional verification services. These thorough checks are essential to confirm that you're making informed hiring decisions, allowing you to secure the best candidates swiftly and confidently.
Address History Search
An Address History Search via KRESS can yield current address information and address history, which is vital for maintaining communication lines with retired or former employees.
This service can also reveal death index information from the Social Security Administration, providing employers with crucial updates. As a standalone service, these details can be immensely beneficial, particularly when managing benefits, tax, and financial reporting obligations, ensuring that all records are accurate and up to date.
E-Authorize
E-Authorize streamlines the background checking process by integrating the 'Invite the Applicant' system with Electronic Wet Signature (EWS) Applicant'. Employers benefit from reduced administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on choosing the best candidates for their organization.
With our EWS solution, applicants can sign documents using a computer mouse, ensuring the signature meets legal compliance standards. This guarantees that consent for background checks is reliably obtained upfront, providing employers peace of mind in their hiring process.
- A tech-forward, secure way to gather signatures.
- Enhances the verifiability of the screening process.
- Streamlines the hiring procedure, saving time and resources.
The Growing Statistics of Identity Theft Concerns
Significant Increase in Data Breaches: In 2023, 3,205 data breaches were recorded, marking a 78% increase from 2022 and surpassing the previous all-time high in 2021 by 72%. Data breaches provide a wealth of personal information to potential identity thieves.
Rising Reports of Identity Theft to the FTC: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 5.7 million reports of fraud and identity theft in a recent year, of which 1.4 million were explicitly related to identity theft. This reflects the growing scale of the issue.
Demographic Specifics of Identity Theft Victims: Analysis of identity theft reports has revealed that White Americans with higher incomes are most likely to be victims of identity theft. This demographic specificity can be crucial for understanding the risk profiles of different employee groups.
Increase in Account Takeovers: Account takeovers, where fraudsters gain control of victims' bank accounts, comprised 54% of all fraudulent transactions in 2020. This trend underscores the growing sophistication of identity thieves and the importance of secure identity verification processes.
Legal Implications of Identity Checks
Identity checks are not just about ensuring the authenticity of the candidate's identity or enhancing the accuracy of background checks. They are also about legal compliance. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) mandates employers to authenticate both the identity and employment eligibility of all employees. This implies that identity checks transcend good practice and become a legal obligation.
Failing to comply with these requirements can have serious consequences. Employers who knowingly hire workers not authorized to work in the United States can face fines of up to $11,000 per worker. Beyond the financial penalties, such practices can also damage a company's reputation, making it harder to attract quality talent and retain customers.
The Impact of Remote Hiring on Identity Checks
In the wake of a global shift toward remote work, hiring, and employee management processes have undergone a significant transformation. With online interviews and virtual onboarding becoming the norm, the need for robust identity verification is greater than ever.
Remote hiring scenarios often compound the challenges of identity fraud, necessitating advanced verification technology that can operate effectively in a digital space. Candidates providing accurate and verifiable information is crucial to ensuring a safe and secure workforce and protecting an organization's assets and reputation.
However, with traditional in-person identity checks becoming impractical or impossible, organizations must adapt and implement new solutions to mitigate the risks associated with remote hiring processes. In a pre-pandemic world, face-to-face interviews provided employers ample opportunities to verify a candidate's identity. Employers could physically inspect government-issued identity documentation, compare it to the person presenting the information, and gather additional validation through small talk or reference checks. However, these methods are no longer feasible in today's remote hiring landscape.
Organizations must adapt their strategies to embrace secure, remote-friendly verification tools capable of thwarting sophisticated identity theft tactics, all while maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory standards.
