RELIABLE BACKGROUND SCREENING INDUSTRY NEWS AND ARTICLES
Industry news, helpful tips, and valuable insight from the Reliable Background Screening Team.
Reducing Background Screening & Hiring Risks in 2026
Happy New Year from Reliable Background Screening. As we begin 2026, we want to share some important updates and best practices to help organizations reduce risk, remain compliant, and strengthen their background screening and hiring processes in the year ahead. Below are key trends, reminders, and regulatory considerations to keep top of mind: Disclosure & Authorization FormsBefore conducting any background check, candidates must sign a compliant disclosure and authorization form that includes all required federal and state-specific language. Several states—including California, New York, Minnesota, and others—have additional disclosure and consent requirements beyond the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Because disclosure requirements [...]
Using the Correct Pre-Employment Forms and Processes Important Checklist for Every US-Based Business
In recent years, there has been a surge in class action lawsuits against employers and their consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) for failing to follow proper procedures during the pre-hiring process. These lawsuits often stem from technical mistakes and the financial and reputational risks to employers can be significant. Ensuring compliance with the correct forms and processes is essential to protect both your organization and your candidates. Below is a practical checklist to help employers stay aligned with key requirements: Pre-Employment Forms and Compliance Checklist Disclosure Form Must be a standalone document, separate from any application or other form. Should include the required [...]
Why Every U.S. Employer Must Understand the Adverse Action Process 6 Key Points to Reduce Risk
When any US employer considers not moving forward with a candidate because of information in their background check, the Adverse Action process comes into play. While this procedure has long been required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), many states and municipalities have recently added their own rules—making compliance more complex than ever. Employers who misunderstand or overlook these requirements risk legal challenges, fines, and damage to their reputation. To stay compliant, it is critical to understand both the federal framework and the state/local variations that apply to your hiring process. Key Best Practices for Hiring Managers Collaborate with Legal Counsel [...]
Why Criminal Monitoring Is Essential to Reducing Risk 5 Important Points
Hiring the right people and/or approving them for employment, membership or association with your company brand are only the first steps in protecting your organization. But what happens after they are hired or approved? Far too often, businesses, clubs, associations, franchise brands, property management companies and nonprofits assume that a one-time background check at the point of hire or approval is enough. The reality is that circumstances can change at any time — and those changes can put your organization, your customers, the public and your reputation at serious risk. One striking example involved a Goldman Sachs employee in Ireland. A colleague, [...]
