Q: Why do you need so much information?

 

A:Filing methods for degree information may differ by country or even by province. Some languages, such Japanese and Hebrew, may have two or more correct spellings for a name when it is translated from the native tongue to English. Since telephone systems and telephone numbers change over time, we are more likely to be able to locate a school’s telephone number if we have the school’s address and vice-versa. Also, some schools require verification requests be submitted by mail; giving us the school’s address in the application will speed up this process. Schools may file their information several different ways- by name, by date of graduation and then by name, by student identification number, or seat number. The more information we are given, the faster we will be able to complete your verification request.

 

Q: If I give you all of the contact information for the employer or the academic institution overseas, couldn’t I just do the international verification myself?

 

A: Sure, but you may not want to do an international verification more than once. Most of these verifications require multiple outgoing and incoming telephone calls, often in the middle of the night due to time zone differences, returning voice mail messages, at least one or more faxes, and so on. We take care of all of this for you at flat fee. On occasion, translations, employer or in-country agent charges for difficult searches may apply. You will be notified when this occurs.

 

Q: Why can’t I just accept a copy of an employer’s reference letter or copy of a Diploma supplied from an applicant as proof of their proof of their credentials?

 

A:Any document can be forged with a computer. We see them all the time. The only way to be sure that someone has the employment credentials they claim is to get a confirmation from the employer directly.  Recently during a project for a US based accounting firm, ISS verified over 500 applicant’s employment and educational history, this included several thousand employment and education individual verifications.  The results were staggering, 65% of them resulted in substantial discrepancies.  Of those that came back with discrepancies most provided false or misleading background information about their actual level of education to total fabrication of ever attending the institution all together. In some instances foreign companies or institutions never existed.

 

Q: Why do some international verifications take so long as compared to the US?

 

A: In most cases delivery is made within 5-10 business days. Some causes for delays outside our control are holidays, war, civil unrest, strikes, records are old, poorly organized or archived, a signed release is required, a response will only be made by regular mail, employer relocates and is difficult to find, etc.  In some cases it is determined the organization has gone out of business or has been acquired by another.

 

Q: Do you always complete your international employment verifications?

 

A: Unfortunately, some verifications cannot be completed. Employers may not respond to verification requests for a variety of internal reasons. In addition, records may have been lost or destroyed. Political or social upheavals or natural disasters may make verification in an area problematic. World political events can make verifications in a country impossible, even if prior verifications were not a challenge.

  

Q: Do you charge full price if you are unable to complete your international employment verification?

 

A: Yes. We are unable to control the outcome of our lengthy and concerted efforts, as we are totally dependent on the cooperation of an overseas employer or academic institution. However, we have still incurred very high costs for a very reasonably priced product. In fact, “no hit” verifications are more work and more costly than completed verifications.

 

Q: Why do I need to offer employer contact information? As a background check agency, isn’t that your job?

 

A: In some countries, overseas employers may be difficult to locate even through Internet resources. International employment verifications are priced to verify supplied information not to skip trace and locate an employer. The more information you supply to us, the higher the chances of your verification being completed and delivered in a timely manner. Should locate services be required, locate services are available feel free to give us a call for a free quote.