In today's fast-paced society, background checks have become an essential tool in finding out information about individuals who are applying for jobs, loans, or even volunteering positions. Conducting a background check involves looking into an individual's history to uncover any criminal records, financial troubles or other key pieces of information that could pose a risk for a particular role or situation. Thanks to technology, background checks have become increasingly easy and accessible – making them a critical aid in preventing fraud and ensuring public safety.

Protecting Businesses

For businesses, conducting background checks on employees, contractors, and even customers, can uncover important information that could potentially protect them from fraud. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), fraud can result in significant financial losses for companies. ACFE’s Report to the Nations 2020 Global Study on Occupational Fraud and Abuse found that organizations lose a median of 5% of their annual revenues to fraud. Therefore, using pre-employment background checks for a company’s hiring process is a helpful tool to identify a prospective employee’s criminal history, education, and past employment. According to a study conducted by HR.com, more than 90% of U.S employers conduct background checks on employees before hiring them. Employers can efficiently research the criminal history of prospective staff and see if that individual has a history of fraudulent activity or other criminal offenses.

Ensuring Public Safety

Protecting public safety has been a critical role of background checks. Background checks, in conjunction with fingerprinting, are mandatory for any applicants of the healthcare industry. This includes licensed medical professionals, such as nurses and doctors, supporting staff, and even caregivers in home settings. In addition, individuals who work in the education industry, such as teachers and individuals who assist with student activities, are required to undergo background checks. The purpose of these checks is to protect children from individuals who might have the potential to harm them because of their history of child abuse or neglect. Similarly, government officials and contractors working in national security positions require thorough background checks. In these roles, an individual with a criminal record could pose a risk to national security, making them unfit for such positions.

Real-Life Examples

The importance of background checks shows up in everyday life. For Instance, ridesharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, perform a background check on any driver who applies to work for them. This check involves looking up public criminal records, sex offender databases, driving history records, and vehicle registration to verify the authenticity of the given information. The search ensures that the drivers do not have a history of violent or sexual crimes. In countries where ride-hail apps operate, this has been a critical point in ensuring a safer ride for the passengers.

In response to random acts of violence, many employers and public places now conduct background checks to verify the history of any individual that needs access to sensitive locations such as military bases, airports, and government buildings. For example, background checks are a requirement for obtaining a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) pass, which is necessary for entering secure airports. The SIDA pass also enables the background check authority to conduct a criminal history check on the individual. The background check agency must ensure that the individual is not a known security risk to aviation.

Criminal Activities

Criminals often change their name or address to avoid detection from the criminal justice system. A criminal who wishes to erase their past and create a new identity can move to a new city, establish a new identity, and re-enter the community under a new name with no question from the people around them. This makes background checks an essential tool for both private individuals and government agencies. They need to verify that an individual's name, social security number, and address are legitimate. Therefore, The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) maintains an electronic database that contains crime data related to missing or wanted persons, gang-related activities, and other criminal offenses that may require investigations. The NCIC provides investigative leads for law enforcement agencies and criminal justice organizations, making it an important tool for tracking down fugitives or people of interest.

Relevance in the Real World

Background checks help detect potential fraud and mitigate risks. In today’s society, companies can’t afford to run the risk of hiring fraudulent employees. Nor is the public well-served by having individuals unsuitable for sensitive positions, whether in government, education, or healthcare. It means that frequent background checks are necessary to prevent, detect, and mitigate the risks of fraud and other crimes.

Moreover, it is important that the accuracy of the information provided during a background check process is guaranteed. Errors can be made, and therefore, an individual has the right to review and dispute their information under The Fair Credit Reporting Act. In general, background checks have become an essential tool in many areas of life, protecting businesses and ensuring the safety and well-being of the public. Properly conducted background checks can keep criminals at bay, keep businesses on track and keep the community safe and secure.