The prevalence of fraud and deception have become rampant in today's society, making it difficult to trust anyone blindly. Whether it's hiring an employee, renting a property, getting a job, or even dating someone online, it is essential to verify the person's identity, qualifications, and background before establishing any alliance. Background checks have become a critical tool in this regard, not just for individuals but also for organizations across industries. Policymakers and law enforcement agencies alike have recognized the importance of background checks in preventing fraud and protecting public safety.
What is a background check?
A background check is a process of verifying the authenticity of a person's claims of identity, education, employment history, criminal records, financial stability, and other relevant information. It is an investigative process conducted by professionals to ensure that an individual or organization can trust the person they are dealing with and that the person is not concealing any relevant details that could indicate a risk. Typically, a background check consists of gathering information from various sources, such as public records, databases, and other sources, to create a comprehensive report on an individual or organization's background.
Importance of background checks
Background checks serve an array of purposes in today's society, including:
1. Preventing fraud:
Fraudulent activities can cause significant financial loss to an individual, organization, or community. Fraudsters use their deceptive tactics to extract personal information, deceive people, and extract money, which can be devastating for the victim. Background checks thus serve as an essential tool in preventing fraudulent activities by identifying potential risks and warning potential victims.
2. Ensuring Public Safety:
Background checks are instrumental in ensuring the safety and security of the public. For instance, employers who conduct a background check on their potential employees safeguard themselves and society from potential violent or criminal tendencies in the workplace. Government agencies, such as law enforcement teams and security agencies, depend heavily on background checks to vet potential hires, investigate crimes, and maintain public trust.
3. Safeguarding Children:
Background checks are essential in ensuring the safety of children. Organizations and individuals, operating in the childcare, education, and healthcare sectors, require comprehensive background checks before admitting applicants into their practices, daycare centers, and educational institutions. Such checks enable employers to vet potential hires and ensure that they are safe to work around children.
4. Protecting Businesses:
Background checks protect businesses from potential losses that may arise from hiring fraudulent employees or partners. They assist in verifying prospective clients and partners' financial stability and any past transgressions, enabling businesses to establish trust and maintain healthy relationships with their partners.
Cases where background checks have had a significant impact
There are various scenarios where background checks have had a significant impact. Here are some real-life examples:
1. The man who conned the UK government
In 1987, John Stonehouse, a former UK cabinet minister who served in the 1960s and 1970s, was convicted of more than 18 charges, including fraud and embezzlement. He had faked his own death by leaving his clothes on a beach in Miami to evade his debts and escape criminal proceedings. Stonehouse's attempt to escape failed as the authorities conducting a background check on him before releasing him from prison detected the fraudulent activity. Background checks thus prevented Stonehouse from escaping prosecution and helped get him convicted.
2. CBS anchor who fabricated his life achievements
Brian Williams, the former anchor of NBC News, lied about his wartime experience while covering the Iraq war. While discussing a military operation in Iraq in 2003, Williams claimed he was aboard a Chinook helicopter that had been hit by the enemy, forcing it to make an emergency landing. He repeated this false claim several times over the following years, even on David Letterman's show. The network's background checkers eventually scrutinized his claim and found that he had fabricated the entire story. Despite his apologies, Williams was suspended from the network for six months, highlighting the importance of background checks in maintaining journalistic ethics and trust.
3. The Hollywood scandal of Harvey Weinstein
In 2017, numerous allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against producer Harvey Weinstein, sparking the #MeToo(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_Too_movement) campaign. The exposure of the scandal highlighted the need for background checks in the entertainment industry to prevent the rise of predators and to protect vulnerable artists. Background checks can be helpful in evaluating an individual's character and reputation and thus can assist in keeping the workplace free from exploitation and abuse.
In conclusion, background checks are instrumental in today's society due to their role in preventing fraud and protecting public safety. Organizations and individuals alike need to prioritize conducting comprehensive background checks before establishing any relationships. The real-life examples of John Stonehouse, Brian Williams, and Harvey Weinstein emphasize the critical role played by background checks in safeguarding society's security and trust. While some might consider it intrusive and a violation of privacy, the benefits of conducting background checks outweigh the potential drawbacks. Background checks help ensure that individuals are not intentionally concealing relevant information that could indicate risk and that everyone in society can trust each other.
