Skeletons in the Closet

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 Skeletons in the Closet

Skeletons in the Closet

At National Inquiry Agency, we know that Everyone has skeletons in their closets.

The phrase “skeletons in the closet” refers to a person’s hidden or embarrassing secrets that they would rather keep hidden from others. These secrets can range from relatively minor indiscretions to serious crimes or other unethical behaviour. In many cases, the fear of these secrets being exposed can be a source of anxiety and stress for the individual.

What are “Skeletons in the Closet”?

“Skeletons in the closet” can refer to a wide range of secrets or past behaviour that a person may be ashamed of or wish to keep hidden.

Some common examples include:

  1. Criminal Behaviour: This can include past arrests, convictions, or involvement in illegal activities such as drug use or theft.
  2. Infidelity: Affairs, one-night stands or any other sexual misconduct in which a person may have been involved.
  3. Financial Misconduct: This can include issues such as bankruptcy, embezzlement, or other forms of fraud.
  4. Family Secrets: These could include things like a family history of mental illness, addiction or abuse.

Whether it’s that embarrassing Facebook photo that you don’t want anyone to see or a Criminal Record that has not been disclosed on a person’s employment check, knowing whom you have employed today will save you and your business the embarrassment and money loss tomorrow.

The intricacies of investigating someone’s personal and employment history through a background check are not only intriguing but greatly assist when making business decisions, whether it be to employ someone or to go into partnership with another person.

A client company asked National Inquiry Agency to investigate a Worker’s Compensation Claim as there were some issues starting to arise regarding tasks the person was assigned to. The petty cash tin, for instance, was short, and although this could not be directly pointed to the staff member, this person was directly responsible for the petty cash, which was held in a locked safe.

It was then discovered during the investigation that a relative (with a different surname) was hired by the employee and that this relationship was not disclosed at the time of the contract agreement being signed off.

Upon further investigation of this person’s employment documentation, it was revealed that the CV presented to the company at the time for the vacant position was falsified and “beefed up” to gain the role.

The CV stated that this person had a substantial amount of experience in the field, such as previously running successful businesses, as well as claimed they had worked in senior management positions. Our investigations unveiled that this person had previously filed for bankruptcy and had never held a position as a manager in previous roles. None of this information was previously disclosed in the CV.

Knowledge is POWER.

Knowing an individual’s past behaviours is a GREAT indicator of future behaviour.

If the company had known previously of this information, which was now to hand, this person would not have been employed due to these indiscretions, and this, in turn, would have saved this company time and money.

Background checks

A background check is very important, especially when entering a business partnership or employing personnel responsible for managing company finance. A background check is a type of investigation that involves verifying the information provided by an individual or organization.

What is Included in a Background Check?

The information included in a background check can vary depending on the purpose of the investigation. Some of the most common types of information that may be included in a background check include:

  1. Criminal History: A background check may include a check of an individual’s criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and any outstanding warrants.
  2. Employment History: An employer may conduct a background check to verify an applicant’s employment history and to check for any discrepancies or gaps in their employment history.
  3. Education and Credentials: A background check may include a check of an individual’s educational credentials, including degrees, certifications, and licenses.
  4. References: A background check may include contacting an individual’s references to verify their work history, personal character, or other aspects of their background.

Why are Background Checks Important?

Background checks are important for individuals and organizations to assess the risk of potential hires, tenants, or partners. They can help identify any red flags or warning signs that may indicate potential issues or problems. For employers, background checks can help minimize the risk of hiring someone who may be a liability or pose a risk to the organization or its employees.

Legal Considerations

While background checks can be an important tool, it is important to be aware of the legal considerations involved. In many jurisdictions, there are laws and regulations that govern the use of background checks. For example, some jurisdictions require employers to obtain written consent before conducting a background check, while others may restrict the types of information that can be included in a background check.

Background checks are important for individuals and organizations to assess the risk of potential hires, tenants, or partners. They can help identify any red flags or warning signs that may indicate potential issues or problems. While it is important to be aware of the legal considerations involved, a well-conducted background check can provide valuable information and help to minimize risk.

National Inquiry Agency’s private investigation techniques in Australia are widely used to gather information, evidence, and intelligence for legal, corporate, and personal purposes. Our private investigators are skilled professionals who employ a range of techniques and tools to uncover information and solve complex cases. In this article, we will discuss some of the most commonly used private investigation techniques in Australia.

  1. Surveillance – Surveillance is one of the most common private investigation techniques used in Australia. It involves observing and monitoring the activities of an individual, group, or organization to gather information and evidence. Surveillance can be conducted in various ways, including video and audio recordings, photographs, and written reports. Private investigators use various tools and equipment, such as cameras, and binoculars to conduct surveillance.

This can be carried out to determine whether an employee is turning to work on time, is leaving early, breaching contract or is fraudulently using sick leave to holiday.

  1. Background checks – Background checks are another commonly used private investigation technique in Australia. This technique involves gathering information about a person’s past, including their criminal history, employment history, education, and financial records. Private investigators use various databases and public records to conduct background checks.
  2. Computer and mobile phone forensics – In today’s digital age, computer, and mobile phone forensics have become critical investigation techniques in Australia. Private investigators can recover data from devices, analyse it, and provide insights into a person’s activities, communication, and behaviour. This technique can be used in cases of fraud, cybercrime, and other criminal activities.
  3. Undercover operations – Undercover operations involve infiltrating a group or organization to gather information and evidence. Private investigators may pose as employees, customers, or members of a group to gain access to sensitive information or observe suspicious activities. This technique is commonly used in corporate investigations, espionage cases, and criminal investigations. National Inquiry Agency has been asked in the past to test the customer service of employees, to check on whether they are performing in the absence of senior staff and keep an eye on employees.
  4. Interviewing and interrogating – Interviewing and interrogating are essential private investigation techniques used in Australia. Private investigators may conduct interviews with witnesses, suspects, and persons of interest to gather information and evidence. They may also use interrogation techniques to obtain information from uncooperative or hostile individuals.

In conclusion, National Inquiry Agency, private investigation techniques in Australia are diverse and highly specialized. Our private investigators use various tools and techniques to gather information and evidence to solve complex cases. Whether it is surveillance, background checks, computer, and mobile phone forensics, undercover operations, or interviewing and interrogating, private investigators have the skills and expertise to provide valuable insights and solutions to their clients.

MAKE A WISE DECISION today contact National Inquiry Agency.

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