SafeGuard Background Screening

Social Security Verification and Past Address History

The Social Security Verification and Past Address History is the cornerstone of your research. The SSN Search will confirm applicant identification and reported residencies. This report will confirm the validity of the social security number provided, as well as the name and date of birth associated with this number. Additionally, a past address history search retrieves information from credit bureau headers and other proprietary sources, revealing where a subject has lived for a period up to the past 20 years.

By examining inconsistencies in the application you can also confirm if the subject did not report a relocation to avoid unfavorable background history at a previous location. Moreover, this search will help to ensure that your ongoing criminal research will be based on accurate information. An inaccurate or false social security number or date of birth can lead to inaccurate results in your criminal research.

Criminal Court Records
Physical access to criminal court records is recommended as the primary and most accurate method for researching a subjects' background. An actual physical review of court records by our nationwide network of seasoned, professional researchers provides the latest, most up-to-date records and disposition available. 

County Felony and Misdemeanor - Turnaround: 24 -72 hours
A physical search of the local county Superior and Municipal court records by a live onsite researcher provides the latest, most up-to-date records and disposition available. Searches are available throughout the US. Searches are performed based on first and last name, DOB and county.

Statewide Criminal Repository & Administrative Office of Courts (AOC) - Turnaround: 24 – 72 hours
Our researchers go directly to the state repository or OC source, and receive the most current information available. Most State and AOC searches are available with a 24 hour turnaround time and these are updated daily at the source.

Federal Criminal Records - Turn Around Time: 24-72 hours
Select from among 94 Federal Judicial District Court for crimes involving federal laws. Searches are performed based on first and last name, DOB, SSN, and District.

Civil Court Records
Civil Records Searches help provide a "sanity" check on individuals who are being employed into a position of responsibility, providing valuable insight into how an individual conducts himself on a personal and/or professional basis, especially when a pattern of civil lawsuits, judgments, liens, or foreclosures are present.

In many states when a judgment has been rendered in a court action, that judgment can be filed with a local or state recording office to create a lien. Many jurisdictions refer to this lien as a Judgment Lien or an Abstract of Judgment Lien. These liens act as a public notification of the judgment and can prevent the debtor from entering into various corporate or real estate transactions until the judgment has been satisfied. The judgment itself is also a matter of public record and can be searched on the court record systems where the case was processed.

County Civil Court – Upper Court Search
County Civil Search examines the county civil courts’ index for civil lawsuits, liens, and judgments (not divorces). By searching the court of general jurisdiction, it can be determined whether the individual or business has been the defendant in a civil lawsuit and the outcome of the case. The report includes: Plaintiff, Complaint, Civil Case Type, and Judgment. *Court fees are applied.

Federal Civil, Bankrupcty, Appellate Court Records - Turn Around Time: 24-72 hours
Select from among 94 Federal Judicial District Courts for civil records involving federal laws. Searches are performed based on first and last name, DOB, SSN, and District.

Nationwide Liens and Judgments (Database) Search - Turnaround 24 hours
This nationwide database search locates current and historical records of liens and civil judgments against an individual.

Criminal Database Records

Instant criminal database searches provide a powerful and inexpensive way to widen the scope of an existing background investigation. Since no database search guarantees that it will find every criminal record, SafeGuard recommends that you use these reports as a supplement to more in-depth searches such as Criminal Court Records searches.

SuperSearch (Comprehensive National Criminal Database Search) -Turn around: Instant
As a supplement to Criminal Court Records searches, we recommend conducting a Comprehensive National Criminal Database Search or “SuperSearch”. Studies demonstrate that serial criminals often commit crimes outside of the jurisdiction where they reside. Since it would be cost prohibitive to conduct physical searches in every neighboring County or State, our Comprehensive National Criminal Database Search provides a cost effective resource to cast a “wider net”.

The SuperSearch provides instant access to the largest criminal database search available in the market today. It combines three major nationwide databases to offer over 900 million criminal records that cover 94% of all  U.S. population – all available in a single instant search. You can order a SuperSearch just like you order any other search through the simple SafeGuard online ordering system (portal).

Some of the sources include:

Read more • Court records from local, municipal, county, and State jurisdictions, incarceration records, Office
  of Inspector General, and Administrative Office of Courts;
• Nationwide registered sex offenders in 50 states plus District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico;
• Numerous national and international security and terrorism sources checked (OFAC, Interpol, etc);
• Criminal records in all 50 states (including jurisdictions and sources);
• Fugitive lists covering 50 states and Washington, DC, Guam, & Puerto Rico;
• Results may include description of criminal charges, disposition, and sentence information;

Reference and Credential Verification

SafeGuard is the leader in employment and education verifications, and offers businesses a rapid and affordable person-to-person information gathering service. SafeGuard performs all domestic verifications exclusively from professional interviewers right here in the United States—nothing is off-shored beyond U.S. privacy laws. SafeGuard does not take short cuts that compromise privacy and security as do firms that send personal data into the homes of at-home operator.

Education Verification - Turnaround: 24 – 72 hours
Our specialists will verify an applicant’s educational background, confirming dates of attendance and highest degree completed. Certain Institutions require signed releases from the applicant in order to verify these searches.

Employment Verification - Turnaround: 24 – 72 hours
Our specialists will contact the applicant’s prior employer and conduct a phone interview to verify the applicant’s previous or current employment: start date, end date, title, salary and eligibility for rehire.

DOT Employment Verification - Turnaround: 24 – 72 hours
This service verifies the applicant’s previous or current Department of Transportation (DOT) related employment; start date, end date, title, salary, eligibility.

Professional License Verification - Turnaround: 24 – 72 hours
We’ll verify licenses held licensure status, expiration date and other information as provided by the licensing agency.

Personal/ Professional Reference Verification - Turnaround: 24 – 72 hours
Our specialists are trained verify all information submitted as well as ask pertinent questions to identify any hidden issues.

Substance Abuse Testing - Turnaround: 24–72 hours

Our national network of collection sites ensures availability to all United States and International work-sites, as well as uniform service for all employees in multi-site companies. Emergency after-hours coordination of collections and breath alcohol testing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All positive results are automatically confirmed through Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry. A MRO (Medical Review Officer who is a medical doctor and an expert in the substance abuse field) will review any screenings with positive results. We also work with a network of certified professionals that perform onsite urine, breath, hair and oral fluid collections, as well as point of collection testing. All test samples are processed within 24-72 hours at SAMHSA certified labs.

24/7 Collection
SafeGuard has a network of over 15,000 collection sites across the nation. We have the capability to expand our network to accommodate new employee locations or company preferences.

Random Testing
Based on the employer's criteria, SafeGuard will provide a random selection of employees to be tested for a given frequency, in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Urinalysis (5, 9, 10 Panel- with and without expanded opiates)
Amphetamines, Barbituraes, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Marijuana Metab., Methadone, Methaqualone, Opiates, PCP, and Propoxyphene. Includes collection, initial screen, confirmation GC/MS screen if needed, and MRO.

DOT 5 Panel Urinalysis
Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, PCP and Marijuana Includes collection, initial screen, confirmation GC/MS screen if needed, and MRO. Review all according to DOT Regulations 49 CFR Part 40.

Hair, Saliva, and other testing
Hair, Saliva, and other tests are available to meet your organization’s specific needs.

Homeland Security (OFAC SDN) - Turnaround: Instant

Federal law specifies that everyone within the U.S. are responsible for ensuring that they do not undertake business dealings with an individual or entity listed by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC).

Often referred to as the “Patriot Act Search” OFAC SDN stands for Office of Foreign Assets Control, Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. The Office of Foreign Assets Control is part of the U. S. Treasury. It is the official body that determines whether or not an entity or individual is permitted to do business with the United States.

The OFAC SDN is a list of individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries. It also lists individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific. This list was primarily designed for use by financial institutions; they are not permitted to deal with anyone on the list. A similar restriction applies to insurance companies. It is safe to assume that employers, also, would prefer not to hire someone on the SDN list.

International Background Checks

Available in over 200 countries, Canada, and U.S. territories, SafeGuard provides access to employment, education, and reference verifications, criminal records, local (city) or district level, provincial level and federal criminal records. Information available is subject to the local laws, privacy regulations, and legal provisions. These services are customized to meet specific needs of our clients and requirements of the countries specified. Please contact a SafeGuard sales consultant for a complete review of your needs.

International Criminal Searches - Turnaround: 7 – 15 days

Most countries provide for three tiers within the justice system. These tiers are usually comprised of a local (city) or district level, provincial level and federal level. When available, the local or district level usually yields the most significant data. Court files are typically stored and archived manually with very little automation. Some jurisdictions allow access to police records that are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and / or Central Criminal Justice Agencies as it conforms to local data privacy regulations and legal provisions. Some of these agencies may require a request directly from the applicant. *Signed agreements are required.

International Employment, Education, and Reference Verifications - Turnaround: 7 – 15 days
Our specialists will verify an applicant’s educational background confirming dates of attendance and highest degree completed; contact the applicant’s prior or current employers; verify licenses held and licensure status and other information as provided by the licensing agency. Our specialist are trained to conduct phone interviews and confirm the accuracy of all relative information as well as ask pertinent questions to identify any hidden issues. Signed Release may be required.

International Watch List (GlobalChek) - Turnaround: 1 – 2 days
Read more GlobalChek widens the scope of your International Search by providing an in-depth range of International screens. Also, as some countries and localities don’t allow physical criminal record checks due to local privacy laws or lack of centralized record systems, GlobalChek provides the best alternative for comprehensive screening of your employees.

Requirements: International Authorization Form; Copy of ID (Passport, License, National ID, etc.) must be uploaded or faxed in order to complete search.

Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) and FBl Electronic Fingerprinting Services.

Many Ohio employers, both public and private, are required under Ohio Law to perform fingerprint based background checks on new hires and individuals obtaining professional licenses.

Read moreSafeGuard is a licensed provider for processing electronic fingerprint based background checks through the Ohio Attorney General's Office's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) and the FBI. These agencies compare fingerprints received against a database of criminal fingerprints to determine if there is a criminal record. SafeGuard's systems utilize hardware and software approved by the State of Ohio Attorney General's Office.

State Driving History Records - Turnaround: Instant;
(Exceptions: Alaska, Georgia: 24 hours; Pennsylvania: 16 days + requires notarizes affidavit).

This report covers driving records individually in each state. These reports can include records of: driving under the influence, revoked license, suspended license, accidents, and minor traffic violations. Because driving records are held in state bureaus and have access to all counties in the state and sometimes other states, they can be very useful for general screening purposes. Unless otherwise specified and an additional fee is paid, records are only searched back 3 years. Some State fees may apply and vary be individual State. Available in most States and most Canadian Provinces.

Commercial Driving License Information System (CDLIS) - Turnaround: Instant
The Commercial Driver's License Information searches for any prior licenses, current CDL and up to three prior licenses held by said individual. Provides user with: Present Jurisdictional State and Driver’s License Number, Name, DOB, Social Security Number Match, Up to Three Previously held CDL Numbers, AKA Information. Complies with FMCSA requirements (§ 391.21-391.27).

Read moreMandated by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (CMVSA) of 1986, CDLIS supports the issuance of commercial driver licenses (CDLs) by the jurisdictions, and assists jurisdictions in meeting the goals of the basic tenet "that each driver, nationwide, have only one driver license and one record through the cooperative exchange of commercial driver information between jurisdictions.

FACTS™ - Fraud and Abuse Control Tracking System

“Two-Thirds of Providers with Final Actions Imposed by State Medicaid Agencies In 2004 and 2005 were not found in the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Exclusions Database.” Source: Memorandum Report to the Director, Medicaid Integrity Program, by the Deputy Inspector General for Evaluation and Inspections -August 5, 2008
FACTS™ (Fraud and Abuse Control Tracking System)acquires, aggregates, links and publishes sanctions and disciplinary actions. Sanctions includes any type of official conviction, debarment, decree, denial, disciplinary action, disqualification, exclusion, expulsion, hindrance, order, penalty, probation, reprimand, sanction, suspension, termination or any type of adverse action taken against a certificate holder, registrant or license/licensee.

FACTS™ also contains information from all 50 states on individuals who have been the subject of State licensing board sanctions. This information is helpful in assisting healthcare companies avoid other potential liabilities and risks of employing or contracting with individuals who have been subject to performance of behavior problems elsewhere.

Download Info

The FACTS™ database contains information from over 700 agency sources. This includes OIG, GSA, DEA, FDA, ORI, PHS, and Tricare, as well as state agencies. Each action by an agency is reported separately. An individual or entity may be the subject of adverse action by more than one agency for the same or different events.

FACTS™ includes full taxonomy by state/district/ commonwealth /territory against all boards, agencies or regulatory entities that issue certificates, registrations or licenses (i.e. approximately 830, considerably more than just MDs and DOs alone) to practice or deliver healthcare goods or services (i.e. persons, professionals, and entities).

FACTS™ meets the JCAHO’s ten evaluation principles for the Joint Commission standards to be considered a primary source reporter.

Read moreFACTS™ is both NCQA and URAC accredited/certified. Only a handful of data providers across the country can claim that distinction.

Our approach and discipline associated with primary source verification has been evaluated, challenged and approved by the most reputable organizations in healthcare.

Credit Bureau Services

Employment Credit Report -Turnaround: Instant
Credit Bureaus maintain credit information on approximately 215 million U.S. consumers, providing the most current, comprehensive and accurate credit information available in the industry. The Employment Credit Report provides address and employment history, social security fraud and public records search, along with a financial summary. Public records can include bankruptcies, liens, judgments and collections. This credit report is specifically formatted for employment purposes only and complies with FCRA requirements.

Tenant Credit Report -Turnaround: Instant
Read more Credit reports include address and employment history, social security fraud and public records search, along with a financial summary. Public records can include bankruptcies, liens, judgments and collections. This credit report is available with or without FICO score.

Tax Credit Qualification Service

SafeGuard’s Tax Credit Qualification Service is a unique service that helps you to determine if an applicant, or employee, has personal or geographic factors that qualify your business for a tax credit worth up to $9,000.

SafeGuard’s Tax Credit Qualification Service helps businesses owners and human resource executives implement an easy-to-manage system for taking advantage of employer tax credits designed to offset labor costs.

The service enables organizations to easily make the most of work opportunity tax credits (WOTC), disaster recovery and empowerment zone credits, research and development credits and thousands of other state and federal government incentives for a full capital recovery program.

How it works

SafeGuard’s Tax Credit Qualification Service will match your applicant or employee data against more than 1000 available state and federal government incentives. The results are instant.

Read more

I-9 Eligibility Verification

Verify work eligibility status through the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration.

SafeGuard’s I-9 Eligibility Verification collects the necessary information for compliance with the  I-9 form; this data is used to check work eligibility status through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

Key Benefits:

• Verify I-9 eligibility from right within the SafeGuard portal, no need to login to multiple sites;
Read more • The results are instant and remain part of your applicants profile for easy storage and retrieval.