There was an interesting article in our local paper last week. One of our city commissioners had been sent a 1099 form from an employer in a different state. Her first thought was that it clearly was a mistake and a quick background check would clear the matter up.
How far from the truth that was.
She first contacted the company who sent her the 1099. As it turned out, this “employee” had been working there for about five years before they left. Since they had this social on file, there was not any other information they could identify.
In the process of her pre-employment screening, she had not consulted with a background check company or any background check experts to conduct criminal background checks and employee background checks.
The next step was to contact the credit bureaus. No suspicious or detrimental information had been recorded, but a flag was put on the accounts in case of any suspicious activity in the future. That was the good news.
The bad news was that in order to fix the taxes, she had to go through a rigorous process of proving who SHE was. She had to send every document she could showing her identity, as well as copies of her social security card and an affidavit stating who she was. The federal government was ok with the end result and she ahs successfully proven the 1099 and income is not hers.
As for the state revenue department, they still want their cut of this money. So they are not accepting this “proof” of stolen identity. As of this time a lawyer has been brought in to help clear up the matter.
No telling how many more hours and dollars will be spent to clear her name.
Consulting with a background check expert through a background check company to assist with criminal background checks and employee background checks can help ensure you are getting accurate information
This is another reason why background checks and pre employment screening are needed. There is often more damage than just making a bad hiring decision.
To purchase Pre-Employment Screening Services or for more information on background check experts, background checks, criminal background checks, employee background checks or pre employment screening contact us at the background check company or call 1.770.426.0547
