How Background Checks Help Prevent Fraud and Protect Public Safety

Background checks are an essential part of the hiring process for most industries today. They serve to verify the accuracy of information provided on resumes and applications, ensure that candidates meet the required qualifications for the job, and screen for any potential red flags or warning signs. But beyond the hiring process, background checks also play a critical role in preventing fraud and protecting public safety.

In this article, we’ll explore why background checks are an integral tool in fraud prevention and public safety, how they work, and some real-life examples of how background checks have made a difference.

Why Background Checks Are Essential

The potential for fraud and other forms of deception is a real risk for businesses, organizations, and the wider community. Fraud can take many forms, from financial and identity theft to insider trading and bribery. These practices can cause significant economic harm to businesses and individuals alike, and can also put public safety at risk.

Background checks are an important tool to help prevent fraud from happening in the first place. By conducting a thorough background check, employers can verify information provided by candidates, such as their education and employment history, previous criminal record, and creditworthiness. This helps ensure that the candidate is who they say they are, has the experience and qualifications necessary for the job, and is not hiding any red flags or potential warning signs.

In addition to helping prevent fraud, background checks are also crucial in protecting public safety. Employers in certain industries, such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement, are responsible for hiring individuals who can be trusted with sensitive information and have direct access to vulnerable populations. Background checks are used to screen for any past criminal history or other factors that could pose a risk to safety. This ensures not only that the employee is trustworthy but also protects the public from potential harm.

How Background Checks Work

Background checks typically involve several steps, depending on the type of check being conducted and the information being sought. Some of the most common components of background checks include:

- Criminal record check. This is one of the most critical components of a background check, particularly for positions working with vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly. Criminal record checks involve running a check against local, state, and federal criminal records databases to see if the candidate has any past convictions or pending charges.
- Reference check. This involves contacting the candidate's previous employers, colleagues, or other references to verify the accuracy of information on their application or resume. This can help uncover any red flags or potential concerns.
- Educational verification. This checks the candidate's educational background, such as degrees or certifications, to ensure that they have the appropriate qualifications for the job.
- Employment verification. This checks the candidate's previous employment history and job titles to ensure they have the necessary experience for the job.

Real-Life Examples of Background Check Success Stories

Background checks have played a significant role in preventing fraud and protecting public safety. Here are some examples of how background checks have made a vital difference:

- Healthcare Fraud Prevention. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts background checks on healthcare providers who enroll in Medicare. In 2019 alone, these background checks prevented over 32,000 fraudsters from enrolling as providers, saving the government over $340 million.
- Law Enforcement. Background checks are a crucial part of the hiring process for law enforcement, particularly for those entering the FBI. One example of success in this area was in 2011 when a background check found that an FBI agent candidate had connections to a Russian spy. The candidate was immediately dismissed and prevented from causing any harm.
- Education. Teachers are entrusted with caring for and educating students, so background checks are critical. In 2012, a background check uncovered a long history of sexual misconduct accusations against a teacher, ultimately leading to the revocation of his teaching license and preventing future harm to students.
- Financial Services. In 2019, an executive at a major financial services firm was found to have falsified his educational credentials on his resume. This was uncovered by a routine background check and prompted his firing, ultimately preventing any potential harm caused by the employee.

Conclusion

Background checks are a vital tool in preventing fraud and protecting public safety. They serve as a critical step in the hiring process by verifying the accuracy of information provided by candidates, screening for any potential red flags, and ensuring that the candidate meets the necessary qualifications for the job. Beyond that, background checks help safeguard vulnerable populations by preventing individuals with a history of criminal activity from working in positions where they could cause harm.

While background checks are not a perfect solution, they are an important part of the hiring process that can help prevent fraud and keep the public safe. As we've seen from the examples above, when taken seriously and conducted thoroughly, background checks can make a vital difference.