In today's society, background checks have become an essential part of preventing fraud and protecting public safety. The world is constantly changing, and as technology advances, so does the ability for criminals to commit fraudulent acts. By conducting background checks, employers, landlords, and other organizations can gain valuable information about their potential employees, tenants, and business partners. In this article, we will explore the importance of background checks in our society and discuss how they help prevent fraud and protect public safety.
Background checks are an important tool for employers to use when hiring new employees. According to a recent study, over 50% of employers stated they conduct background checks on all job applicants. The reason for this is simple, a background check provides employers with information about a candidate's past criminal history, work history, and education. This information is critical when making hiring decisions as it helps to ensure the safety of other employees and the company.
Businesses must conduct background checks due to the potential for fraudulent activity in the workplace. For example, a criminal with a history of embezzlement could easily manipulate financial records, steal company funds, and cover their own tracks for long periods. Without a background check, a company would not know about the individual's criminal past and would be at risk for financial loss, legal problems, and damage to their reputation.
However, the use of background checks goes beyond the workplace. Landlords conducting background checks on potential tenants can determine if the applicant has a history of violent or destructive behavior. This information can help keep other tenants safe and prevent damage to the property. Additionally, it can help landlords identify if an applicant has a history of paying rent on time, which can help prevent financial losses and property damage.
Background checks are also important for organizations working with vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. For instance, background checks are mandatory for anyone working with children in schools and daycare centers. This requirement is essential for ensuring the safety of children in these environments. A background check can reveal if an individual has a history of sexual abuse or other harmful behaviors that would make them unsuitable for working with children or vulnerable adults.
In addition to preventing fraud, background checks also help protect the privacy of individuals. While some may argue that background checks violate an individual's privacy, one must consider the greater good. Privacy is an essential right, but it can be overridden in situations where it is in the interest of public safety.
Let's look at some real-life examples of how background checks have helped prevent fraud and protect public safety. In 2018, a man with a history of mental illness opened fire at a Maryland newspaper, killing five and injuring several others. After the attack, it was found that the man had a history of making violent threats on social media and was prohibited from owning a firearm. However, he was able to purchase a gun because the background check loophole meant that no background check was required for the purchase.
The man in question was able to slip through the cracks because the laws surrounding background checks are inconsistent and incomplete. If stronger background check measures were in place, this tragic event could have potentially been avoided.
In another example, a hospital in Illinois hired a nurse who had a history of alcoholism and drug abuse. The nurse later stole medication from the hospital and injected patients with saline instead of the prescribed medication. This resulted in the death of several patients. The hospital had failed to do a background check on the nurse and missed the important information about her past addiction issues. Had they conducted a proper background check, they may have been able to prevent the tragedy from happening.
In conclusion, background checks are an essential part of preventing fraud and protecting public safety in today's society. They provide valuable information about an individual's criminal history, work history, and education. This information is critical when making hiring decisions, managing rentals, and working with vulnerable populations. By conducting background checks, we can help prevent tragic events like the Maryland shooting and the hospital tragedy in Illinois. While some may argue that background checks violate an individual's privacy, it's essential to consider the overall well-being and safety of our society as a whole. Background checks are here to stay as a necessary step in protecting our safety and our communities.
