CRB Direct Reviews 

This website presents itself in a way that looks like the official DBS service, and it appeared at the top of Google when I searched. I’m a single person setting up a small business. A legitimate site would normally make it clear if it was aimed at large organisations needing frequent checks. Nothing on the site indicated this, and the layout made it seem like the correct place for an individual to apply.

I completed the form but stopped before uploading any documents, meaning no DBS check could have been processed. Despite this, I was charged nearly £90. I have emailed the company twice asking for a refund and have had no response at all.

Given the number of similar reviews, I am asking CRB Direct to take responsibility and refund me as soon as possible.
I tried contacting them twice via their webite and it only gave me the option of completing my order. I found their contact details on this website.

Very good communication system albeit a little bit slow on response at times, having said that all my questions were answered and the overall experience with CRB was very good.

****CARE NEEDED- PROCEED WITH CAUTION!**** Needed an enhanced DBS as self employed and for working in antenatal. The whole application process was (although fairly straightforward, not transparent). The pricing structure was not given, and no option to click 'basic' or 'enhanced' in the application so when price came up of £86.50, which is high in itself (even for an enhanced disclosure), i assumed that this was for an enhanced disclosure. Further in the process, and AFTER paying the £86.50, youre taken to the verification page where youre told that you either use an independent verification company or their 'trusted' one for ANOTHER fee of £15! A day or 2 later, i was happy to receive an email saying the DBS was complete but imagine my shock when i read, 'basic'! I contacted CRB direct, (they only have a contact form, no call facilities) to explain and request a cancellation and to restart the process of enhanced and to use the ££ already paid. Next day "Vicky" responded with generic responses which went back and forth and appeared very AI (cold and no customer care), basically they couldnt do anything and said i could make a new application with them and pay again. So i was charged over £100 for a basic DBS which is of no use to me.
Ive since completed my ENHANCED application elsewhere, at a charge (all in including verification) of £64! They received my completed DBS back within 2 days. I DO NOT RECOMMEND CRB DIRECT!

I registered with CRB Direct because I was trying to arrange a single Enhanced DBS check for myself as a sole trader. Unfortunately, I ended up paying a £45 “Corporate annual account fee”, which I did not feel was made clear enough at the point of registration/payment.

I cancelled (or tried to) on the same day, within hours of creating the account, because I realised this was not what I needed. I tried to use their platform first, but after clicking submit I was redirected with no clear confirmation that my request had gone through. I then emailed support the same evening and received an automated acknowledgement confirming my email had been received.

Despite this, I did not receive a proper response until I followed up through their ticketing system several weeks later. I was then told the fee was non-refundable because the account had already been created and was active.

I accept that I should have read the Terms and Conditions more carefully before paying, but I also feel the process could be much clearer, especially for sole traders or individuals who only need one DBS check. In my experience, the registration flow made it too easy to think I was simply starting a DBS application, when I was actually paying for a corporate account fee.

This service may be suitable for actual corporate businesses processing multiple DBS checks, but in my opinion it is not suitable for individual sole traders who only need one DBS check. If you are a sole trader, I would strongly advise looking at alternative providers unless you are happy to pay an annual corporate account fee on top of the cost of your single DBS check.

I would not use this service again. I am leaving this review so others know to read everything very carefully before paying.

Ross made what was a really complex subject (for me) very easy to understand and guided me to make the correct independent decisions that were the right call for my organisation. Without him I would have been guessing. Polite, courteous and easy to talk to. Thanks Ross!

Ross has been very helpful, with constant communication over the last few days to clarify various points regarding my application, which has now been submitted. Thank you, Ross!

Ross was so helpful today. We had several online chats and resolved all the issues. Thank you Ross you are an Ace at customer service.

Helpful guiding through the requirements and process

This team is so helpful! Any queries/questions/concerns they are there to help. Very responsive and extremely detailed and meticulous.

The website was user friendly. My queries were answered promptly.

10stars very good

Supportive, helpful and rapid responses. Thank you!

Kathryn was very prompt and guided really well providing me with guidelines where I needed them. Excellent support and service!

Very disappointed

Very good service and very easy to use. I was very happy with progress.

Ease of application and smooth process with outstanding customer service