Background checks have become an increasingly vital part of our society in recent years. Employers, landlords, and even romance-seekers frequently use these checks to ensure they’re not hiring criminals, leasing to evicted tenants, or dating someone with a dangerous history. Governments also often use these checks to approve permits and licenses, giving them the power to safeguard public safety. Why are background checks so important in today’s society? In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of background checks and why they’ve become so crucial for our safety and security.
Preventing Fraud
Perhaps one of the most significant reasons why background checks are important is their potential for preventing fraud. By conducting a thorough background check, businesses and individuals can identify potential fraudsters and avoid any costly scams. For example, when an employer screens a prospective employee, they can identify any previous instances of theft, embezzlement or other fraudulent behavior. This can significantly reduce the risk of financial loss to the company.
Background checks can also help to prevent fraud in the rental market. Landlords can use these checks to verify an applicant’s rental history, employment status, and credit history. By doing so, they can ensure that the tenant will be a responsible and reliable person to occupy their property. This can save a landlord from having to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent, or damage to their property. Overall, background checks are an essential tool in the prevention of fraud, safeguarding businesses and individuals from significant financial losses.
Protecting Public Safety
Another crucial aspect of background checks is their ability to protect public safety. By vetting potential employees, volunteers, and contractors, companies and organizations can prevent individuals with criminal histories from coming into contact with children, the elderly, or other vulnerable people. When hiring people to work for childcare centers, schools, or hospitals, the safety of the patients or children is of the utmost importance.
Similarly, background checks can help ensure that employees working in sensitive positions such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, or government officials are not criminals themselves or involved in suspicious activities. By screening these employees, governments can ensure that those tasked with protecting the public have clean records and are worthy of the trust that’s placed in them.
Reducing Liability
Background checks can also help reduce liability for employers and landlords. An employer or landlord could be held liable if they hire or lease to someone with a history of posing a danger to others, leading to injury or harm. By conducting thorough checks before hiring, employers can identify potential risks and limit their liability in the event of an accident or incident. Similarly, landlords can reduce their liability by ensuring that their tenants will not damage their property or cause harm to other residents.
Real-Life Examples
There are numerous examples of how background checks have saved lives and prevented fraud in our society. One such example is the case of John Hinckley Jr., the man who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Hinckley had a history of mental illness and had been hospitalized several times before the shooting. Unfortunately, this information was not discovered during a routine background check when he purchased the gun he used. As a result, he was able to walk into a store and buy the pistol legally.
Another example is the case of Jeffrey Dahmer, a notorious serial killer who brutalized and murdered 17 young men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer was initially arrested in 1981 for indecent exposure, and again in 1986 for attempted rape. Despite these incidents, he was able to continue living his life without intervention. Had a background check been conducted when he applied for his later jobs, it is possible that his crimes could have been uncovered sooner, and many lives could have been saved.
Conclusion
Overall, background checks have become essential tools for maintaining our safety and security in today’s society. They help businesses and individuals prevent fraud, protect public safety, and reduce liability. Real-life examples of the consequences of not conducting these checks highlight how vital they are to our everyday lives. Whether it’s for screening a prospective employee, a tenant, or even a potential romantic partner, background checks help to ensure that we interact safely with those around us.
