Workplaces of Today, Beware…Embezzlement, Felonies, and Fraud, Oh My!
Employment screening and thorough criminal background check information has never been more important than in today’s workplace. On any given day in the news, a story somewhere in the country relates to embezzlement, felonies, or fraud being committed by employees. It’s hard to believe that these types of crimes happen every day and in significant quantity in the United States. Why are people stealing from the hand that feeds them? Though the answer may not seem obvious to those who would never consider committing such a crime, the motive is usually greed.
For some people who are in dire financial straits, they choose to steal rather than getting a second job. Still others may choose to steal because they cannot afford the lavish lifestyle they want. Some people take from their employers to get back at them for not being paid what they think they deserve. In any case, when people are caught for these types of crimes, their next employer needs to know before hiring them! An employment screening with a complete criminal background check is absolutely necessary.
There is no better way to assure that your company will become the victim of serious crimes than not doing due diligence prior to hiring someone. In a story out of St. Louis, MO, in September of 2009, an employee of Fenton-based Reiss Tool and Machine was convicted of embezzling more than $438,000 from her employer. She was a tenured employee with 8 years of service to the company, so she had their implicit trust. However, she was caught when an audit was done on the finances as payroll approached and the business account had insufficient funds to cover employees’ checks.
The embezzler admitted her guilt and explained that she had used company credit cards to pay her personal expenses and bills and also wrote unauthorized checks. She has not yet been sentenced, but the sentence for her crime ranges from 24 to 30 months in prison. After her prison sentence has been served, she faces the prospect of finding work. Many businesses make sure to filter out these types of employees by utilizing the services of employment screening and criminal background check firms such as Accu-Screen. They have access to the more sophisticated databases available so they can provide companies with the accurate and timely information they need.
Not only can employment background screening firms help with checking criminal background information, they can assist companies with getting drug test results, salary history, job title information from a candidate’s employment history, and verify that someone has a clean driving record. They can check every level of employee from the filing clerk to the executive. Looking at tax lien information and businesses they have owned can help you put the pieces of the puzzle together. Making informed hiring decisions has never been more thorough or accurate as it is with Accu-Screen. For over 15 years, they have been a leader in the employment screening industry and a trusted provider of background information. Don’t hire without them or you may find yourself with an embezzler on your payroll!
