Finance world 'attracting more applicants who fail to reveal criminal records' (From Business in Dorset)

Finance world 'attracting more applicants who fail to reveal criminal records'

9:00am Friday 30th July 2010

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THE world of finance is attracting more applicants who fail to disclose criminal records, county court judgements or bankruptcies, according to research by Powerchex, an employment screening firm.

It found that over the last 12 months one in every 200 successful applications to roles in the financial services sector failed to disclose criminal convictions.

In addition, undisclosed CCJs (county court judgments) or bankruptcies doubled to 12 per cent of total discrepancies. And a negative credit record was found on one in every 50 successful applications.

Powerchex director Alexandra Kelly was surprised.

“These are of major concern to financial companies and could determine individuals who might expose their prospective employer to opportunistic or even malicious fraud,” she said.

Jo McLean, recruitment consultant at Rock Recruitment Specialists in Christchurch, added: “I have had candidates at all levels register with me who have been reluctant and embarrassed to declare that they have CCJs against them – some at senior board level.”

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