Ban the Box

Ban the Box, But Get the Data

Tasha Dyson, CFE Background Investigation

A person should not be prohibited from getting a job simply because they have a criminal conviction. However convictions for certain crimes might prevent a person from getting certain jobs. Let’s set some ground rules for our discussion. First we’re talking about convictions, not charges. To put it in simple terms, the judge said “guilty” and banged the gavel. Second, …

HPG Employee Theft Article

From HPG – Guard against Losses from Employee Theft

Tasha Dyson, CFE Compliance, Security Program Development, Theft, Embezzlement, and Fraud

Employee theft costs companies billions of dollars a year. This poses a very serious threat to profitability if left unchecked. Therefore, every business needs to set up some internal controls to thwart this type of fraud. This article from Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP entitled “Guard against Losses from Employee Theft” looks at a few simple steps to take that …

PBS News Hour Article

Security Clearance Checks for Federal Government to be Handled by Federal Government

Christine L. Peterson, CPP, ISP Background Investigation, News

At the moment, this only applies to background investigations involving military and civilian employees and contractors for Defense Department. These security clearance checks represent the largest portion of OPM’s current workload and backlog. As a security company that provides background screening services, we are watching this in the hopes that it will support better automation, accuracy, and resources for all …

nationwide criminal record searches from one vendor

What’s Missing in Your Nationwide Criminal Search?

Tasha Dyson, CFE Background Investigation

One of our core services is investigations, and we do a lot of pre-employment background investigations. We are often asked if we can include a “nationwide criminal search”, and we explain that there is no such thing as a public, comprehensive, nationwide criminal record check that searches all courts and jurisdictions. They say, “But I can get one for $19.95 …

WRAL: Security Measures Not Foolproof, Consultant Says

Protus3 Background Investigation, Crisis Management Planning, News, Security Program Development, Workplace Violence

 Plan. Protect. Prosper. Protus3 specializes in security system design, security consulting, corporate investigations and other investigative services. Partner with Protus3 and we will examine each situation to identify threats and develop solutions for your best outcome. 919-834-8584 or 800-775-8584

bricks

Records Checks – House of Cards or Bricks?

Tasha Dyson, CFE Background Investigation

For companies that advertise nationwide records checks, are you getting a house of bricks or a house of cards? Do you remember that scene from My Cousin Vinny when Vinny talks about the prosecution’s case, bricks, and playing cards? “The DA’s going to build a case. Building a case is like building a house. Each piece of evidence is just …

criminal search

Matching Records – No Full Names Please

Tasha Dyson, CFE Background Investigation

We have a client (let’s call them Sub) who is obtaining criminal history information as part of their compliance to another company (let’s call them Prime). Prime states that Sub should “Provide a criminal record check with the applicant’s full legal name.” Sub contracted with RMA to provide that information. When we search, we don’t limit our results to the …

employment application

Check Their References

Tasha Dyson, CFE Background Investigation

I was working on a background investigation for a client recently, and I was reminded of a valuable lesson. (By the way, names and identifying information have been edited in this story, but the circumstances and situations have not.) When we verify employment, normally companies only provide dates of employment and position held. Sometimes companies will tell you whether the …

dictionary shown through glasses

Massachusetts Drug Lab Scandal

Christine L. Peterson, CPP, ISP Background Investigation, Compliance, News, Theft, Embezzlement, and Fraud

On Saturday, September 29, 2012, the News and Observer covered the story of Annie Dookhan, a chemist at a Massachusetts drug lab. This story underscores some of the devastation that can result when an organization doesn’t follow basic security principles which require both screening and guardianship. The lack of screening and guardianship at the Massachusetts state drug lab has already …

front page news

Front Page News for All the Wrong Reasons

Protus3 Background Investigation, Security Program Development, Workplace Violence

Over the last couple weeks we have had too many examples of workplace violence and the devastation and the long-term impact it has on the business and the community. As security consultants, we partner with clients to protect their assets, and two of the most critical assets that any company has are its people and its reputation/brand. With that said, …