India Records Highest Hiring Identity Fraud Among Markets Surveyed

Nearly 74% of Indian employers reported detecting identity fraud among job applicants or employees in 2025, a survey found.

What Did the Survey Reveal?

The findings emerged from research commissioned by HireRight and conducted by YouGov, covering more than 1,000 senior human resources professionals and recruitment decision-makers across multiple markets. India recorded the highest proportion of employers reporting identity fraud among the markets surveyed.

The study also identified several concerns influencing background verification practices. Protecting brand reputation was cited by 39% of respondents, while 36% highlighted workplace safety and an equal proportion identified behaviour inconsistent with corporate values.

These findings indicate that employers increasingly consider background screening important for maintaining organisational trust and workplace standards.

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How Are Employers Verifying Candidates?

The survey found that 49% of respondents considered the accuracy and quality of screening results their primary concern when selecting a background verification provider. Candidate experience was prioritised by 36%, while 32% placed greater importance on the speed of verification.

The research also found that 93% of respondents screened contingent workers before employment, indicating that verification practices extend beyond permanent staff. The findings reflect employers’ experiences with identity fraud rather than the proportion of fraudulent candidates across India’s workforce.

How Is AI Changing Recruitment?

Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities and challenges for employers seeking specialised talent. According to the survey, 52% of Indian respondents expected AI to generate additional hiring as organisations seek employees with emerging technical skills.

However, recruitment difficulties remain significant. Finding qualified candidates was cited by 33% of respondents, while 31% reported challenges attracting candidates willing to work full-time or under hybrid arrangements. Another 30% identified integrating technologies such as AI into recruitment as a challenge.

Employers must also distinguish between skills claimed by candidates and capabilities demonstrated during recruitment.

Why Is Background Verification Becoming Important?

Disha Joshi, Senior Director of International Go-to-Market at HireRight, said recruitment would increasingly depend on identifying capabilities, verifying candidate information and making timely hiring decisions. She emphasised combining technology with reliable workforce data while maintaining compliance and verification standards.

As recruitment becomes more automated, employers face the challenge of improving hiring efficiency without compromising the reliability of candidate information.

The survey highlights the importance of reliable identity checks as Indian employers adopt AI-driven recruitment practices. Faster hiring processes may improve efficiency, but accurate background screening remains essential for protecting workplace integrity, organisational reputation and informed recruitment decisions.