Claimant Background Profiles (10-Point Investigation Plan)

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It is often times difficult to accurately assess whether that candidate or claimant is being truthful with their employment background or insurance claim.  When facts are needed to support hiring, or lack of hiring decision as well as prove or disprove whether a claimant is truthfully disclosing their accident or alleged injury.

Either way, an error in judgment and a bad decision based on incomplete information can cost you and your company. (lost revenue, lawsuits and fines)

We dig into the information so you don’t have to and you can feel secure with making a better, informed decision. Here’s what is included in our 10-Point Investigation Plan

:

  1. Prior Claims
  2. Driving Record
  3. Professional Networking Sites (LinkedIn, ZoomInfo, Plaxo, Craigslist)
  4. Social Networking Sites (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, MySpace, Pinterest)
  5. Business Filings (Corporations / Fictitious Business Names / DBAs)
  6. Business Phone Listings
  7. Website Ownership
  8. Professional Licenses
  9. Civil and Criminal Case Search
  10. Bankruptcy & Judgments

We can help you locate, verify and preserve information that can be altered or destroyed by an employee or claimant.  Often times we are asked to preserve social media profiles before claimants delete them after they meet with their attorney or have their deposition taken.

This product is offered on a national basis and is a great snapshot at the onset of litigation, when suspicions of fraudulent claims arise and prior to surveillance / subrosa investigations.

Get the Whole Picture of Every Claimant with Background Profiles–Exclusively from Santoni Investigations.

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Grey Market-Diverted Goods (Parallel Imports)- “What, its not counterfeit?”

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In a world where all the buzz is about counterfeit goods; the real question is how many of the suspected counterfeit goods are really “grey market/diverted goods.”  The Alliance for Grey Market and Counterfeit Abatement reports that $40 billion of tech products are sold on the grey market each year.

According to Wikipedia a parallel import is a non-counterfeit product imported from another country without the permission of the intellectual property owner. Parallel imports are often referred to as grey product, and are implicated in issues of international trade, and intellectual property.

Brand owners are always watching or monitoring their Intellectual Property (Trademarks, Domain Names, Patents, Copyrights) and when they come up with leads that they believe are possibly counterfeit they take action.  They will get advice from an attorney and then conduct some sort of investigation, whether it is internal or they enlist that help of a third party investigation firm specializing in the intellectual property investigations (trademark infringement, online protection, anti-counterfeiting & undercover buys).

When the products purchased end up with the brand expert for review after a formal buy report and investigation report have been drafted and the chain of custody has been properly signed there comes a moment of truth.

First, can the brand expert determine first if the product is in fact counterfeit?

Second, if the product turns out to be genuine how did it end up in the hands of an unauthorized retailer or distributor within their supply chain?

In the ever changing and ultra-competitive business environment supply chains can be become very complex as companies try to maximize distribution channels and optimize revenues and profits.  As companies grow it is become increasingly important that to thoroughly screen, track and audit contract manufacturers and partners that help them execute on their business plans.

Companies can use a trusted investigation firm to handle due diligence background checks on vendors and partners.  Employment background checks on their new employees.  Trademark and domain name monitoring to see who is registering marks that could be infringing and who is registering and using domain names that contain their marks or brands and are selling their products.  Undercover investigations on contract manufactures to insure that business agreements are being kept and that product is not being sold out the backdoor.  Companies should also be mindful of the ways they can mitigate risk in their operations.  Keeping their employees safe, mitigating accidents that can cause business stoppage and investigating claims and theft can mitigate insurance costs.

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Making Good Hiring Decisions: What Employers Need to Know and Do Before Hiring- Webinar

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I was honored to be a guest speaker of Linda Duffy, President/Founder, of Ethos Human Capital Solutions and Marla Merhab Robinson of Merhab Robinson & Jackson yesterday as they tackled many issues surrounding the hiring process.  We covered many of the key issues below.  If you missed the webinar you can listen to the whole thing by clicking here.

Here’s what we covered:

  • Use of ADA Hiring Guidelines
  • The rational for pre-placement physicals and when to use them
  • The risks and benefits of pre-employment drug testing
  • What should be included in pre-hire background checks
  • The at-will language and paperwork you need to complete to be in compliance with every new hi

The attendees asked some great questions following the webinar.  The top concerns amongst the employers and HR professionals were the new I-9 Forms and how to maintain compliance.  Whether or not conducting Worker’s Compensation searches as part of a pre-employment background check is useful and or legal.  Also, one key point that was discussed was the difference between job descriptions and essential job functions.

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