The Difference Between DISA’s Financial Investigative Services (FIS) and Background Checks

Background Check 101

Background checks help employers ensure a safe hire every time. DISA Global Solutions provides a comprehensive line of background check services, including a Financial Investigative Services (FIS) division that provides in-depth background investigations on individuals and companies that goes well beyond the traditional “background check”. Choosing and implementing the right screening process is imperative to maintain compliance and industry standards.

Traditional Background Checks

DISA’s background check or background check services are fully automated and can be easily combined with drug and alcohol testing programs or other service offerings. DISA’s unique service offerings include customized product packages, individual products, online ordering, automatic renewal notices, and applicant entry. When ordering a background check, employers can build from a number of products, including:

  • Criminal History Checks (Federal, State, and County)
  • Civil Searches (Federal and County)
  • SSN Validity Checks
  • Employment Verifications
  • I-9 and E-Verify
  • State Driving Records
  • Professional Licenses and Credentials
  • Credit Reports
  • Adverse Action Notices
  • Personal Reference Verifications
  • Government Sanctions Lists
  • Sex Offender Searches
  • DOT Testing History

Go Beyond–DISA’s FIS Division

FIS investigations extend beyond the initial areas of a client request. Through preliminary investigations, FIS uncovers information on where an individual has lived, current and prior business affiliations, and makes additional search suggestions. Unlike traditional employment backgrounds, FIS background investigations can often go back 10 years, 20 years, or longer. FIS investigations extend past the employment screening world to cover a wide variety of industries, including real estate investment, private equity, hedge fund, and the financial industry to assist our clients in determining the creditworthiness of an individual from the investment perspective.

Our searches on companies identify corporate registrations, both foreign and domestic, as well as if they are in good standing with the Secretary of State. We also identify mergers, revealing name changes on a company that could potentially impact a deal, along with their officers and directors that could have a liability stake. Through our investigations, we uncover if anything of a derogatory nature has been filed against them or their business. The FIS division offers even more on the county/state, federal, and nationwide database level, such as:

  • Bankruptcy
  • Judgments
  • Tax Liens
  • Officer & Director Search
  • Sanctions
  • Regulatory Licensing and Violations
  • Media Search – Local & National Publications
  • Credit Report (Single Bureau/Triple Merge)


Additionally, for a deeper level of search, FIS can:

  • Investigate to determine other sources of income
  • Investigate to determine other business interests and hobbies
  • Investigate for any business interests the subject may have under an assumed name or alter ego
  • Interview the subject, as well as any supplied references
  • Develop personal and business references not provided.
  • Investigate unreported liabilities relative to the subject’s financial statement
  • Investigate to determine the validity and accuracy of the subject’s resume


How Can DISA Help?

Organizations owe it to themselves and their customers to ensure the safety of their company as well as prevent the costs of fraud, embezzlement, theft, etc. Our professionals can help you navigate the complexities of building a background check program that encompasses all of your industry needs and compliance. Whether you need a traditional background check or a more in-depth search from our FIS division, our experts can ensure you create a customized screening.

Are you an employer and still have questions regarding employment screening?

DISA can help! Get answers directly from DISA’s subject matter experts with ‘Ask DISA’

Visit www.askdisa.com to ask your questions today.

About DISA Global Solutions

Founded in 1986, DISA is the industry-leading provider of employee screening and compliance services. Headquartered in Houston, with more than 35 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada, DISA’s comprehensive scope of services includes drug and alcohol testing, background check, occupational health, and transportation compliance. DISA assists employers in making informed staffing decisions while building a culture of safety in their workplace.

DISA Global Solutions aims to provide accurate and informative content for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The reader retains full responsibility for the use of the information contained herein. Always consult with a professional or legal expert.