> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vcheckglobal.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vcheckglobal.com/products/background-checks/risk-levels.md).

# Risk Levels

How Vcheck assigns High, Moderate and Informational risk levels to findings, and how to customize them.

### Customize Your Risk

We provide default risk levels to give you a solid foundation for evaluating findings, but we understand that every organization has unique needs and risk tolerance.

Our system allows you to customize the risk level for any record type. This means you can:

* Downgrade or upgrade any record risk level for your organization
* Align risk with compliance policies

To explore or modify your default finding levels, please contact your account manager for assistance.

### How We Determine Risk Levels

We know that understanding a background check requires context. Our Default Finding Level—what we call the risk level—is an automated scoring system that helps you quickly assess the severity and relevance of a finding.

**Note on situational adjustments:** Some records have a default risk level that may be adjusted based on specific circumstances. For example, an unpaid lien, an active case, or derogatory findings associated with a record may result in a higher risk level than a resolved or closed matter. Your Vcheck report will reflect the appropriate level based on the details found.

The system is designed to be straightforward and logical, categorizing every record into one of three easy-to-understand groups:

<table><thead><tr><th width="149.5078125">Risk Level</th><th width="173.19921875">What it Means</th><th>Included Record Types</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>High <i class="fa-flag" style="color:red;">:flag:</i></td><td>These are findings that are adverse and highly relevant to a hiring or compliance decision. They often involve criminal, financial distress, or serious regulatory issues.</td><td><ul><li>Adversary Proceeding</li><li>Bankruptcy</li><li>Domestic &#x26; International Criminal Records</li><li>Incarceration Records</li><li>Global and National Sanctions</li><li>Derogatory Press</li><li>Regulatory Records</li><li>Sex Offender</li><li>U.S. Tax Court Records</li><li>Non-judicial Foreclosure</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Moderate <i class="fa-flag" style="color:orange;">:flag:</i></td><td>These are findings that are adverse but less severe or may require additional context. They often include certain civil filings, minor financial records, or minor criminal/traffic offenses.</td><td><ul><li>Adverse Corporate Affiliation Finding</li><li>Domestic &#x26; International Civil Records</li><li>Domestic &#x26; International Civil Judgments</li><li>Domestic &#x26; International Tax Liens</li><li>Child Support Lien</li><li>HOA Lien</li><li>Mechanics Lien</li><li>Other Lien</li><li>PPSA Record</li><li>PPSR Record</li><li>School Lien</li><li>Social Media Screenshot Record</li><li>UCC Record</li><li>Fixture Filing Record</li><li>Eviction &#x26; Foreclosures</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Informational <i class="fa-circle-info" style="color:blue;">:circle-info:</i></td><td>These are non-adverse records that simply provide important context or verify a subject's personal history. They are crucial for verification but do not indicate risk.</td><td><ul><li>Aircraft &#x26; Vessel Ownership</li><li>Bank Account Record</li><li>Biography Record</li><li>Brokerage Account</li><li>Business Credit</li><li>Company &#x26; Ownership Records</li><li>Consumer Credit</li><li>Corporate Registration</li><li>County Traffic Record</li><li>DMV Report</li><li>Education Verification</li><li>Employment Verification</li><li>Entity &#x26; Person Affiliation</li><li>FAA Registration</li><li>FHFA Record</li><li>ICIJ Record</li><li>Management &#x26; Board of Directors Affiliation</li><li>Non-Derogatory Press</li><li>PEP Record</li><li>Pledge Record</li><li>Political Donation Record</li><li>Professional License (State &#x26; National)</li><li>Real Estate Ownership (Domestic &#x26; International)</li><li>Social Media Platform &#x26; Report</li><li>Source of Wealth</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>


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