Why it comes first
Every downstream search is only as good as the identity it is attached to. Traditional screening matches on name, date of birth, and SSN — identifiers that are shared, mistyped, and stolen. That is the root cause of reports containing another person's record.
What the process checks
- Document authenticity — security features, fonts, and tampering signals on the ID.
- Liveness — confirming a real person is present, not a photo, mask, or deepfake.
- Face match — comparing the live capture to the document portrait.
- SSN trace — validating issuance and associated address history.
- Device and session signals for fraud patterns.
Ethur includes ID and biometric verification in every background check, which is how the platform holds a 0% false-positive rate on returned records.
Frequently asked
Is biometric verification legal for hiring?
Yes, with proper notice and consent. States with biometric privacy laws, notably Illinois, require specific written disclosures and retention policies.
Does it replace the criminal search?
No. It makes the criminal search trustworthy by guaranteeing the records belong to the right person.