What are Identity Checks?

Identity Checks are a type of electronic identification check designed to verify a prospective employee’s identity. Rather than relying solely on physical documents like passports or driving licences, Identity Checks work by cross-referencing the applicant’s personal details, such as name, date of birth, and address history, against a range of secure, authoritative data sources.

• Information held by credit referencing agencies

• Electoral roll

• Telephone databases

These checks provide a digital footprint of the individual, offering a more robust and efficient way of confirming identity than manual checks alone. This not only enhances accuracy but also reduces the risk of identity fraud, misrepresentation, or the employment of individuals using false identities.

Identity checking is an essential part of the recruitment process because it gives employers extra assurance that their employees are who they say they are. It can also be beneficial for employers who carry out other pre-employment checks on prospective employees as it ensures the results match the person’s identity.