According to statistics published in Business Day, nearly 50% of individuals lie about themselves and their qualifications when applying for a job. This is clearly fraud and poses the risk of a company employing an individual who may prove to be incompetent for a position or the employment of an applicant with a criminal record which could result in the company suffering losses from fraud, theft or other negative activities. Black Hawk Investigations helps clients manage this risk by gathering intelligence on the applicant prior to they being considered for employment. We are able to obtain the following information on an individual when conducting a detailed pre employment investigation:

- Deed Registry Searches to establish ownership of property
- Registrar of Company search to determine any interests in entities
- The credit profile of the applicant to determine their credit status
- Verification of the applicant’s driver’s licence
- Verification of the applicant’s Identity Number
- Verification of their marital status
- Check whether the applicant has a criminal record
- Verify the applicant’s matric certificate
- Verify the academic qualifications of the applicant
- Verify the employment history of the applicant
- Verify the firearm licence of an applicant if needs be

However should a company require a standard check, we can then provide the following information:

- The credit profile on the applicant
- Verification of the applicant’s driver’s licence
- Verification of the applicant’s Identity Number
- Check whether the applicant has a criminal record
- Verify the academic qualifications if the applicant
- Verify the employment history of the individual

In addition to these database checks, a polygraph test in administered on potential applicants to help ascertain information which cannot be obtained through normal investigative methods.

All of the above information is compiled into a report and handed to the client but they are not allowed to keep or show the results of the investigation to the applicant due to the sensitive nature of some of the information. Once the client has privately examined the information, the report is given back to Black Hawk Investigations to be electronically stored and secured with a password. Pre employment investigations are not just a prudent business practice but an essential tool in security risk management and loss control.

Please note that we will only conduct pre employment investigations if the potential candidates for the position have been informed of such investigations either in writing or verbally.