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  3. Verification and Background Checks

How do Verification and Background checks work?

Details on different types of verifications, background checks etc.

User Access and Link Validity:

Q: How long do user access codes remain active?

A: User access codes stay active as long as your account is active.


Q: How long is the Medallion link valid?

A: Medallion Verification links expire 24 hours after they are generated. Once the link is expired, you have to generate a new link to complete the process.

Q: For testing, is there a streamlined method to sign all verification types at once?
A: Certainly. Update the default workflow to enable all verification checks and select the option to attempt all methods. Create a verification link from the portal to complete the process. Medallion handles Employment, Education, Professional License, and Criminal Background checks, with other verifications available via API calls.

Q: Are the number of attempts valid per link or per user?

A: The number of attempts is valid per user access code, allowing for multiple attempts within the specified timeframe.

Q: What should I do if I receive a "System Unavailable" message from the 7 Year Criminal Activity API for two users?

A: If you encounter a "System Unavailable" message, please log out and then log back in. If the issue continues, provide the user Access Code to our support team for further assistance.

Q: Is there a way to send a link to clients for them to go through the verification process?
A: Yes, after creating a workflow and customizing your theme, go to the Users section. There, you'll find a "Create Verification Link" button at the top right corner. If you want us to send the verification link via email from your domain, make sure your sender email is configured in the Settings.

Q: Why are my verifications not visible after users complete them?

A: Currently, only the results of the Auth DB check are displayed in the user table. To see the results of all verifications, you need to open the user profile.

Q: What steps should be taken if a client has trouble during the identity verification process, especially with scanning their ID?

A: If a client has trouble scanning their ID and cannot proceed after several attempts, trying the verification on a different device may help resolve any technical issues with their current device.

Q: Can we compare only the name and date of birth without using the SSN during the ID check process?
A: No, we donā€™t offer it as a standalone API. This process is known as a "Fuzzy match." However, if youā€™re using NodeJS, you can implement this functionality on your end.
Q. How can it be determined whether a specific check for a user is complete?

A. You can verify if a particular check is completed for a user by either:

  1. Go to the User's profile and check the Verification tab for completion.
  2. Refer to the table in the User's section and check the verification status.
 
Background Check Configuration

Q: Does Authenticate verify ID information against authoritative government databases to ensure scanned IDs are valid and accurate?
A:
Authenticate offers solutions to verify the information gathered during the "ID verification and validation" process, ensuring that the scanned ID is valid and checking the identity against authoritative databases.

Q. What are the critical fields for identity verification, and what are the ideal scores?

A. The key fields to consider for identity verification are:

  • Confidence Score for the ID submitted: This indicates the authenticity of the ID. A Confidence Score of 75 and above is considered favorable.
  • Liveness Assessment and Score of the Selfie: This ensures a live person takes the selfie. A Liveness Score of above 80 is considered favorable.
  • Face Match Score: This matches the face in the selfie with the face on the ID. A Face Match Score of above 80 is considered favorable.

After these validations, the User is eligible for Authoritative Database checks, confirming that the person on the ID is an individual listed in commercially available databases.

Q: Can specific steps or criteria be applied to all future background checks?

A: Absolutely; you can adjust your settings to ensure specific steps or criteria are automatically applied to all background checks moving forward, making the process more efficient.

Q: How can I prevent fraud when hiring workers?

A: With Authenticate, you can generate verification links, conduct background checks, and access reports. Contact us to learn more.


Q: How can I obtain a detailed report on a candidate's background, including any charges?

A: To download a comprehensive report on a candidate's background, go to the candidate's profile on our platform and select ā€˜Generate Reportā€™. This will provide you with a detailed document, including all necessary compliance information.


Q: Can the criteria for background checks be tailored to meet my organization's unique needs?

A: Definitely, you have the flexibility to customize the background check criteria to suit the specific needs and requirements of your organization, ensuring a thorough and relevant screening process.


Q: Do you ensure the name on an ID matches the account name during the background check process?

A: Yes, we conduct an authoritative database search to verify that the name on the ID matches the name provided on the Gov Id. This is a crucial step before proceeding with further searches in public databases.
 

Q. In Medallionā„¢, it says it checks databases in 40 countries. Does this mean a user's details will be checked in all those countries?

A: Not necessarily. While Medallion has the capability to access databases in 40 countries, it checks the person in the country of ID issuance. You can find the list of 40 countries here

 

Criminal Checks

Q: Why might there be discrepancies between a criminal record check and a local police check?

A: Criminal check flags and 7-year reports may not capture all details accurately. For comprehensive results, it's advisable to also conduct county and federal court checks.

Q: How are criminal background checks performed?
A: Criminal background checks are carried out by accessing various relevant databases and records to gather information on an individual's criminal history.

Q: How quickly can I receive a County Criminal check report?
A: The time it takes varies by county. For counties with digital systems, it's usually a few minutes. For others, it can take up to a few days, with an average wait time of three working days.

Q: What's included in the 7-year criminal activity report?
A: The 7-year report covers various offenses, categorized broadly as:
  • CRIMINAL: General criminal behavior.
  • TRAFFIC: Traffic law violations.
  • CRIMINAL/TRAFFIC: Offenses that fall under both criminal and traffic categories.
  • INFRACTION: Minor legal violations.
  • SEX OFFENDER: Sexual offense-related crimes.
  • NON-TRAFFIC: Offenses not related to traffic.
  • WARRANT: Matters involving the issuance of warrants.
  • ORDINANCE: Local law or ordinance violations.
  • ARREST: Cases where an arrest was made, regardless of outcome.
  • CRIMINAL/ABSCONDER: Cases involving absconding criminal charges or convictions.
  • PATRIOT: Offenses related to national security or terrorism, like those under the Patriot Act.
Remember, the naming and categories can vary by area, so this list is a general overview.

Govt ID Verification 

Q: How can I fix a middle name error during the verification process?

A: If encountering a middle name error, you can edit the user profile and select a checkbox indicating the absence of a middle name to resolve the issue.

Q. Does the user need to use the phone for the ID verification process?

A: Yes, an ID Card must be validated via a handheld device.

Q: What is the verification process for government-issued IDs?

A: The verification process involves uploading a scanned copy of the government-issued ID. Our system then verifies the document's authenticity and checks if the provided information matches that on the ID.

Q: How can verification failures due to poor lighting be prevented?
A: To prevent failures caused by lighting issues:
    1. Ensure the ID is captured in well-lit conditions.
    2. The image should be clear, focused, and free from blurs.
    3. Avoid any glare or shadows on the ID.
    4. Make sure the ID's edges are fully visible and not cropped.

Q: How does the platform authenticate government-issued IDs?

A: Government-issued IDs are authenticated by analyzing the document for authenticity and comparing the provided information against the ID's data.

Q: Which types of government-issued IDs can be verified on the platform?
A: Our platform accepts a range of government-issued IDs for verification, including but not limited to driver's licenses, passports, and national identification cards.

Q. Does AuthenticateĀ® support verification of Emirates IDs for businesses?

A. AuthenticateĀ® covers 6,500+ government-issued IDs from over 200 countries and territories.

Q: What to do if the user exceed the allowed attempts for government ID or selfie verification?
A: Once the user reach the limit, they can't try again with the same link. A new link will need to be generated for another attempt.
 

Quiz Verification 

Q: Is biometric data required for knowledge-based verification?

A: No, biometric data collection is not required for the knowledge-based verification quiz.

Q: Can the knowledge-based authentication quiz questions be customized for my organization?
A: No, the quiz questions are standardized and cannot be customized to specific organizational needs.

Financial Account Verification 

Q: How is financial account verification work?

A: Financial account verification involves connecting with financial institutions' systems to verify the account owner's details and activity.

Q: Is a Mastercard necessary for identity confirmation during financial account verification?
A: No, a Mastercard is not required. We can verify account owner details with any financial institution in the United States.

Q: Are there specific requirements for financial account verification, like a minimum account balance or transaction history?
A: For financial account verification, there are no specific requirements, such as a minimum account balance or transaction history. The focus is on confirming the account owner's details and activity.

SSN Verification 

Q: Can an individual's SSN be verified directly through the platform?

A: Yes, once the functionality is released, direct verification of an individual's SSN will be possible on the platform. We will notify users when it becomes available.

Q: Is collecting an SSN mandatory for verification purposes?
A: Collecting an SSN is not mandatory for all verification processes. It's an optional step that can enhance the verification process, depending on your specific requirements.
 
Q: For the SSN check in Medallionā„¢, does it require users to take a picture of their SSN card or just type in their SSN?
A: Currently, you need to enter the user's SSN manually when creating or updating a profile. The portal does not yet offer the option to upload a picture of the SSN card.

Additional Checks 

Q: Why are sex offender or watch list searches not visible on the platform?

A: These searches are accessible only via API. After completing the Medallion, you can use the user's Access Code to initiate these checks through the API. A no-code solution would require a feature request and scheduling.

Q: What additional verification checks can be performed beyond basic identity verification?
A: Beyond basic identity verification, you can conduct criminal background checks, sex offender searches, watchlist screenings, and more, depending on your needs.

Q: How can we ensure the first and last names provided during registration match the driver's license for validation?
A: There are two methods:
    • Utilize the Auth DB check in your workflow, which verifies that the name and DOB on the ID match those provided by the user, followed by an authoritative database search (limited to the US).
    • After completion, use the Get Test Results API to retrieve OCR data from the ID for manual matching.

Q. How can an MVR background check be run for a user who has completed identity verification through Medallion?

A. If a user has completed identity verification through Medallionā„¢, you can run the MVR background check by following these steps:

  1. Navigate to the User's profile.
  2. Select the option to run the MVR background check from the top right corner.
  3. If the User has already uploaded their driver's license during the ID verification process, the information will be pre-populated so that the check can be run.
Q. Is there an option to search for users by their names?
A: Currently you can search the user with the User Access Code. So while creating the user you might have to note the user access code for searching purpose. We are working on this and will keep you posted once this is implemented.
Q: Is it possible to run a KYB (Know Your Business) check on a business?
A: KYB check is possible by verifying the users associated with the business.