DOT Background Screening

This search is conducted by running the applicant’s social security number through a database, which will populate a list of previous residences in which the applicant has lived. This data is compiled from applicants’ utility bills, credit and loan applications, and the like. Any alias or maiden names previously used by the applicant will also appear in this search. Should any additional areas or names appear within the previous 7 years, the client will be notified and asked whether they would like additional searches on each additional name and area. This search also verifies the validity of the social security number provided by the applicant.

This search is a building block of every background investigation!

Why is this search so important?

• Verifies the validity of the social security number and issue date
• Provides a list of names and aliases used
• Provides a list of addresses reported and associated with the applicant

Statewide Searches are available in most states.

A search of statewide criminal convictions for misdemeanors and felonies in a state. Most states require a statewide statutory fee to conduct this search. New York State searches are conducted through the Office of Court Administration. (See Pros and Cons Below)

Statewide

• PROS
  • Generally, felony & misdemeanor records throughout the entire state
  • Comprehensive, includes many jurisdictions and several towns and villages
  • Eliminates need to search counties as it covers ALL jurisdictions with most states, with some exceptions
• CONS
  • Statutory Fees ($96 in NY!), generally less in others
  • Requires additional due-diligence if an adverse record is found
  • Not available in several states
  • Not all areas are reporting to state, some smaller towns/jurisdictions not reporting

This is a criminal search at the federal level. Federal crimes include bank robbery, drug trafficking, embezzlement, crimes that cross state lines and crimes that occur on federal property such as a military base. The federal-level criminal convictions search is based upon jurisdiction of residency.

• Misdemeanor – A minor crime, punishable by fine or confinement in other than prison (local jail/county correctional facility.) EXAMPLES INCLUDE:  petit larceny, DWI, assault, battery
• Felony – A serious crime that is punishable by more than one year of imprisonment up to death by execution. EXAMPLES INCLUDE:  rape, murder, burglary, serious drug-related offenses

The National Sex Offender Registry consist of all States, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Indian Country for levels 2 and 3.  We conduct statewide Sex Offender Registry searches through the National database based on the areas the applicant has resided in within the last 7 years.  In New York State, we search for Levels 1, 2, and 3 in the Sex Offender Registry.

Information on Level 1 offenders is not available in all states when conducting research as the Sex Offender Registry Board does not have the authority to disseminate information identifying Level 1 offenders in certain states.  Level 1 offender information is, however, available via written request in New York State through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. (Which is covered by Alliance Risk Group when searching New York.)

In addition, Level 1 offenses, in which a conviction was obtained, may appear in a Statewide Criminal Search result in other states depending on the reporting of each individual state. Please contact a representative from Alliance for more information about a state or area.

The sex offender registry search is conducted by the exact name, date of birth, and area. Should an applicant appear on the registry, the client will promptly be notified.

Searches a national database to identify criminal convictions. The National Criminal Search identifies possible adverse findings or criminal records throughout various jurisdictions in the United States. It is an ideal way to uncover information from multiple jurisdictions because everything from traffic and moving violations to serious criminal offenses are recorded. The National Criminal Search is a vital tool to quickly discover where a person may have a possible criminal record.

Multi-jurisdictional (National)

• PROS
  • “National” Coverage
  • Fast Turnaround Time
• CONS
  • Not comprehensive
  • Often not accurate and missing information
  • Does not limit liability
  • Requires additional research

Have your existing employees been arrested post hire? Mitigate risk, maintain a safe work environment and avoid lawsuits with OverwatchSM continuous criminal monitoring. OverwatchSM is a solution which can proactively alert you to criminal activity among your existing workforce including embezzlement, theft, assault and more. According to some studies, nearly 12% of an employers’ workforce may be arrested, in some cases repeatedly, within the next five years. In many industries, that statistic is just too dangerous to overlook. In addition to pre-hire background screening, potential criminal activity should be monitored throughout the course of employment. Mitigate risk with OverwatchSM continuous criminal monitoring – Email sales@allianceriskgroup.com.

The driver’s license history search is conducted by running the applicant’s driver’s license number through the DMV database. This search will verify the status of an applicant’s driver’s license as valid, suspended, or other. It will also populate a list of any traffic infractions by the applicant, such as DWI’s, speeding, accidents, failures to appear in court, etc. Should any adverse findings be discovered, the report will be flagged, so the client will be alerted.

This search allows US firms to ensure they are not doing business with individuals or firms being sanctioned by the US or individuals involved in terrorist, narcotics and other disreputable activities that could negatively affect the company. All organizations both big and small need to be OFAC compliant.

OFAC Searches include:

• U.S. Patriot Act Searches – Searches a government “terrorist” list of individuals wanted for questioning involving possible financial crimes.
• Nonproliferation Sanctions – The United States imposes sanctions under various legal authorities against foreign individuals, private entities, and governments that engage in proliferation activities.
• Parties Engaged in Proliferation Sanction List – Sanction List that focuses on foreign individuals, private entities, and government agencies that engage in proliferation activities.

Infinity Screening continuously screens employees during their employment on a bi-yearly, yearly or quarterly basis. Also referred to as “continuous screening” it is a post-hire background investigation that continuously investigates employees at various intervals, post-hire, throughout the employee’s time with the company.

Depending on the package, Alliance can conduct the following screenings:

• SSN Verification
• Address History
• Sex Offender Registry
• Drivers’ License Search
• Statewide Complete Convictions
• Countywide Felony Convictions
• Federal Criminal Convictions
• US Patriot Act (Government Terrorist Watch List)

This service allows organizations to gather up-to-date information concerning their employees and assist organizations in their decision-making processes regarding promotions, transfers etc.  Infinity screening also gives an organization legal recourse if the employee attempts to defraud or manipulate the company.

Education verifications are conducted by contacting the applicants’ educational institutions in which they received their highest degree. Current enrollment may also be verified for internships, applicants who are minors, and per client request. The information we obtain includes, but may not be limited to, graduation date, degree received, major(s), GPA, and honors claimed. This information is obtained through the registrar’s office or guidance office, depending on the type of institution. General Education Diplomas may also be verified. Five attempts at verification will be made. Should we find a discrepancy in the information provided by the applicant and the information provided by the educational facility, the report will be flagged, and the responsibility will fall on the applicant should he/she wish to dispute such discrepancy.

E-Verify is used to verify an applicant’s legal eligibility to work in the United States, as either a U.S. citizen or a foreign citizen with necessary authorization. This verification requires a signed I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form) from the new hire. This form is then submitted to the Social Security Administration and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to determine whether the information matches government records and whether the new hire is authorized. We are required to conduct the E-Verify searches within 3+/- business days from the employees start date. This verification process may only be conducted once an applicant is hired. A dispute process is built into the verification system.

Alliance proudly serves all industries with state-of-the-art drug testing services, including electronic chain of custody and monitoring. Alliance prides itself on working with clients to ensure that the entire investigative process is seamless and compliant. We offer hair drug testing, alcohol testing, and oral fluid testing.

Alliance Risk Group offers the following drug screening services:

• Random Drug Screening
• Pre-employment Drug Screening
• Reasonable Suspicion
• Post-Accident
• Return to Work

Drug testing comes in four forms:  urine, hair, blood, oral fluid. We offer hair (5, 5+, 9+, 12) and urine (5, 9, 10, 10+) testing panel drug screenings at either Labcorp or Quest.

LENS is an automated reporting system. It reviews the driver license records of your organization’s drivers and reports changes to you by email, on DMV business days.

LENS can notify you about the following events when they post to your drivers’ license records:

• Accidents (Reportable)
• Convictions
• Expirations
• HazMat (Hazardous Material) endorsement changes
• MedCert (Medicat Certification) status changes
• Point and Insurance Reduction Program Completions
• License Status Changes
• Suspensions and Revocations

LENS data service gathers daily information from DMV’s drivers’ license file and reports new information.

Benefits include:

• Confidence in the credentials of your drivers
• Determination of a driver’s license status immediately
• Ability to produce an abstract at any time (including CDL abstracts)
• Identification of problem drivers
• Pre-employment screening
• Preparation for DOT & Insurance audits

Employment verifications are conducted by contacting the applicants’ current and previous employers. Typically, we will verify applicants’ previous employment over the past 7 to 10 years. The information we obtain includes, but is not limited to position held, hire and termination date, wage/salary, type/status, and reason for leaving. This information is verified through the Human Resources department in which employee records are kept. Per company policy, many entities are only able to verify the position held and start and end date for employees. However, the effort to obtain all information will always be made. Our efforts include 5 attempts to contact the employers. Should we find a discrepancy in the information provided by the applicant and the information provided by the employer, the report will be flagged, and the responsibility will fall on the applicant should he/she wish to dispute such discrepancy. We also flag an employment verification if we were unable to compete the verification for whatever reason.

49 CFR Verifications – The Federal 49 CFR search verifies the safety performance history of all the applicants driving positions within the past three years. During this verification process, we ask each employer to fill out a 49 CFR form for the applicants driving positions which outline the applicant’s performance history, dates of employment, previous accidents and drug and alcohol information.

*If you would like information on full DOT requirements, please contact our office and we can provide you with our DOT partners’ contact information.