Background checks have become an integral part of modern society. Whether it is an employer who wants to know more about a potential employee before hiring them or a landlord who wants to know if a potential tenant has a history of criminal activity, background checks help people make informed decisions. The importance of background checks is rooted in their ability to prevent fraud and protect public safety. This article explores why background checks are essential in today's society and how they help to prevent fraud and protect public safety.
Preventing Fraud
One of the most significant benefits of background checks is their ability to prevent fraud. Background checks are conducted to verify the identity of an individual and provide information about their past behavior. This information can help organizations and individuals identify individuals who have a history of fraud or deceit, which can prevent them from committing similar crimes in the future.
In many cases, employers conduct background checks on applicants to verify their qualifications. This helps to prevent job seekers from lying on their resumes or providing misleading information about their education or work experience. Similarly, landlords can conduct background checks on potential tenants to determine if they have a history of evictions or unpaid debts. By conducting background checks, employers and landlords can prevent themselves from being victims of fraud or deceit.
Protecting Public Safety
Background checks also play a critical role in protecting public safety. This includes everything from verifying the identity of individuals who work with children to ensuring that commercial drivers or pilots have a history of safe driving or flying. Background checks are designed to help prevent individuals who may pose a threat to public safety from obtaining positions or licenses that could put the public at risk.
A prime example of this is the background checks conducted on those who want to purchase firearms. Federal law requires that all firearms dealers conduct a background check on each potential buyer to ensure that they are not prohibited from owning a firearm. The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) provides firearms dealers with instant access to criminal records and other data that help them determine if a potential buyer is legally able to purchase a firearm. This system has helped to prevent countless individuals who pose a threat to public safety from obtaining firearms.
Real-Life Examples
Background checks are not just a theoretical concept; they have a real impact on people's lives. Whether it is preventing someone from being hired for a particular job or stopping a potentially dangerous individual from obtaining a firearm, background checks have real-world consequences. Here are two examples:
1. The San Bernadino shootings in December 2015 were carried out by a husband and wife who each had a history of radicalism and terrorism. However, they were able to purchase several firearms legally because their background checks did not uncover their histories. This tragedy highlights the importance of conducting thorough background checks, especially when it comes to individuals who want to purchase firearms.
2. In 2019, a Pennsylvania woman was arrested for posing as a nurse and administering medical treatments to patients. An investigation revealed that she had used fake credentials to gain employment at several healthcare facilities. Had background checks been conducted to verify her credentials, these fraudulent activities could have been prevented.
Conclusion
In conclusion, background checks are essential in today's society because they help prevent fraud and protect public safety. By verifying an individual's identity and providing information about their past behavior, background checks allow employers, landlords, and other organizations to make informed decisions. This helps prevent fraud and other illegal activities, while also ensuring that potentially dangerous individuals do not obtain positions or licenses that could put the public at risk. As we continue to navigate the challenges of our modern world, background checks will continue to play a vital role in maintaining safety and security.
