Why Identity Verification Should Be the First Step in Every Background Screening Process
Every employer wants to hire the right person.
That’s why organizations invest in criminal background checks, employment and education verifications, drug screening, driving record checks, and professional license verification. These tools provide valuable information that helps employers make informed hiring decisions.
But before any of those searches begin, there’s one simple question that deserves to be answered first:
How do you know the person you’re screening is actually who they claim to be?
It’s a question many hiring teams have never had the ability to answer—until now.
The Missing First Step in Background Screening
For years, background screening has typically started with an Address History Trace (sometimes called a Social Security Trace). This search identifies names and addresses associated with the information provided by a candidate and helps determine where criminal record searches should be conducted.
It’s an incredibly valuable investigative tool and remains one of the foundational pieces of a comprehensive background screening program.
However, there’s one thing it was never designed to do:
Verify that the applicant is actually the person they claim to be.
An Address History Trace simply compiles information connected to the identifiers that have been submitted. If someone applies using another person’s identity, stolen credentials, or fraudulent identification, the background screening process may begin with incorrect information.
In other words…
Every search that follows could be built on the wrong foundation.
Think of it like building a house. Even the strongest structure can fail if the foundation isn’t solid.
Identity Verification Changes the Equation
That’s where vID Identity Verification by Cerebrum comes in.
Before the background screening process even begins, candidates securely use their smartphone to:
- Photograph a government-issued ID
- Take a live selfie
Within minutes, the technology confirms that:
- The government-issued ID is authentic
- The document hasn’t been altered or tampered with
- The individual is physically present during the verification
- The live selfie matches the photograph on the identification
Only after those steps are complete does the background screening continue.
The result?
You know you’re screening the right person.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Hiring fraud isn’t just a hypothetical concern.
In July 2025, Pennsylvania authorities arrested an individual accused of posing as a registered nurse while allegedly using multiple aliases and numerous Social Security numbers to obtain healthcare positions. According to investigators, stolen credentials were allegedly used to gain employment at several facilities.
Now imagine conducting a background check in that situation.
If the applicant submits someone else’s identifying information, your background screening process may work exactly as intended…
…but it may be screening the wrong person.
That’s the gap identity verification is designed to close.
Instead of assuming the identity submitted belongs to the applicant, employers can first confirm that the individual presenting the identification is the same person whose information is being screened.
That additional layer of confidence can make all the difference.
Strengthening Every Search That Follows
Identity verification isn’t a replacement for background screening.
It’s an enhancement.
Criminal history searches remain essential.
Employment and education verifications continue to provide valuable insight.
Driving records, professional license checks, and drug screening all remain critical pieces of the hiring process.
Identity verification simply ensures those searches begin with confidence that they’re being conducted on the correct individual.
Instead of asking:
“Does this criminal history belong to John Smith?”
You’re first answering the more important question:
“Is this actually John Smith?”
Better Protection for Employers—and Honest Candidates
Identity verification isn’t only about preventing fraud.
It also benefits legitimate applicants.
Most candidates complete the verification process in just a few minutes using their smartphone, creating a smoother, more secure hiring experience.
Employers gain greater confidence in the accuracy of their reports, while honest candidates benefit from a process built on trust and verification from the very beginning.
The Future of Background Screening Starts with Identity
As hiring fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, employers need screening solutions that evolve alongside it.
Identity verification is quickly becoming one of the smartest additions organizations can make to their hiring process—not because it replaces traditional background screening, but because it strengthens every step that follows.
At ProVerify, we’re proud to partner with Cerebrum to offer vID Identity Verification as part of a comprehensive background screening program.
Because even the most thorough background check in the world only works if it’s performed on the right person.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’d like to see how identity verification can strengthen your hiring process, we’d love to show you.
Jennifer Kerrigan
Director of Client Success
ProVerify powered by Application Verification
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