Report reveals gaps in identity verification processes and rising discrepancies across candidate credentials

HireRight, a leading provider of global background screening services and workforce risk management solutions, highlights findings from its 2025 Global Benchmark Report* that put the spotlight on growing challenges around identity fraud and candidate discrepancies during the hiring process.

Despite widespread reports of identity fraud being on the rise, only three in five survey respondents globally said their company conducts identity checks as part of their pre-employment screening program. Alarmingly, one in six respondents reported that their business had already experienced identity fraud during hiring, while another three in 10 were unsure if it had occurred.

Adding to the challenge, the rise of generative AI tools has made it easier for candidates to misrepresent themselves—whether by fabricating credentials, altering identification documents, or generating convincing but misleading application materials. This evolution underscores the importance of comprehensive and technology-driven identity verification as a critical safeguard in the hiring process.

For organizations that do verify candidate identity, most rely on third-party background screening and identity verification providers. However, one in six globally still conduct these checks in-house, often with only one-time training for staff. In North America, this approach was more common than in EMEA and APAC, where annual or periodic training is typical.

Beyond identity verification, the report revealed that more than three-quarters of respondents globally uncovered candidate discrepancies in the past 12 months. Nearly two in five reported finding, on average, at least one discrepancy in every 20 candidates screened, with 13% saying they discovered one in every five candidates.

Key findings include:

• By company size: Enterprise organizations (5,000+ employees) were far more likely to detect candidate discrepancies than small to medium-sized businesses. Only 7% of enterprise respondents said they found no discrepancies in the past year, compared with 41% of SMBs.
• By region: Employment verifications remain the area most likely to reveal discrepancies across all regions—reported by 72% of respondents in APAC and 64% in EMEA.
• Education credentials: Discrepancies were especially prevalent in EMEA, where nearly half (47%) of respondents reported finding issues, compared to lower rates in North America and APAC.
• Criminal records and drug testing: These also remained notable areas of concern, with 36-40% of respondents reporting discrepancies in criminal record checks and nearly four in 10 reporting positive drug test results.

“These findings underscore that identity fraud and candidate misrepresentation continue to present real risks for employers worldwide,” said Euan Menzies, President and CEO of HireRight. “While many companies are taking steps to verify identities and screen thoroughly, there are still significant gaps. Employers that fail to strengthen their identity verification processes or overlook recurring discrepancy patterns could face costly consequences, from compliance failures to reputational harm.”

The 2025 Global Benchmark Report is based on responses from more than 1,000 HR, risk, and talent acquisition professionals worldwide. The full report, including additional insights into background screening trends and workforce challenges, is available for download at https://www.hireright.com/resources/2025-global-benchmark-report.

About HireRight

HireRight is a leading global provider of technology-driven workforce risk management and compliance solutions. We provide comprehensive background screening, verification, identification, monitoring, and drug and health screening services for approximately 34,000 customers worldwide. We offer our services via a global platform that tightly integrates into our customers’ human capital management systems, enabling highly effective and efficient workflows for workforce hiring, onboarding, and monitoring. In 2024, we screened more than 60 million job applicants, employees, and contractors for our customers and processed more than 120 million screens. For more information, visit www.hireright.com.

*HireRight’s Global Benchmark Report was released in June 2025.

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“These findings underscore that identity fraud and candidate misrepresentation continue to present real risks for employers worldwide,” said Euan Menzies, President and CEO of HireRight.