Background checks are an essential tool in today's society for protecting public safety and preventing fraud. From employers screening job candidates to landlords checking tenant backgrounds, background checks have become a standard practice in many areas of our lives. But what exactly are background checks, and why are they so important? In this article, we will explore the benefits and significance of background checks in today's world.
What is a background check?
A background check is a process of examining a person’s records to verify their identity, criminal history, and any other relevant information. Depending on the purpose of the check, a background check may include criminal records, driving records, employment history, education records, and even credit history. Background checks may be conducted by an individual or a company, such as an employer or landlord, or by a third-party background screening company.
Why are background checks important?
Background checks are important for a variety of reasons, but perhaps the most significant is the protection of public safety. For example, employers conduct background checks to ensure that their employees do not pose a threat to the workplace. This is especially important in jobs that involve working with vulnerable populations, such as children or the elderly.
Background checks can also help prevent fraud. For example, a landlord might use a background check to verify a tenant's income and rental history to ensure that they can afford the rent and have a reliable rental history. This can help prevent dishonest tenants from taking advantage of landlords and harming the overall housing market.
Finally, background checks can help prevent identity theft. By verifying a person's identity through a background check, individuals and companies can ensure that they are conducting business with the person they believe they are dealing with, not an imposter.
Real-life examples
To understand the importance of background checks in real-life situations, consider the following examples:
Example 1: The Uber driver who was found to have a criminal record.
In 2016, Uber was fined $7.6m by the California Public Utilities Commission for allowing drivers with criminal records, as well as those who did not have proper driver’s licenses, to drive for the company. This series of events highlights the importance of background checks for ride-sharing companies like Uber. With background checks in place, Uber could have prevented these drivers from being able to work for the company, ensuring public safety.
Example 2: The fake doctor who ran an illegal clinic.
In 2017, a man in Florida was arrested for posing as a doctor and running an illegal clinic. The man had no medical license, but he had managed to get a job as a medical assistant at a local hospital. He then used his position to steal a doctor’s identity and set up his own clinic. A background check could have prevented this from happening, as the hospital might have discovered that he had no medical license.
Example 3: The dishonest tenant who lied on their rental application.
A landlord in California discovered that a tenant had lied on their rental application and did not have the income they claimed to have. The tenant was evicted, but not before causing damage to the property and skipping out on rent. A background check that verified the tenant's income could have prevented this situation from happening, protecting the landlord from financial harm.
Conclusion
In today's society, background checks have become a crucial tool for preventing fraud and protecting public safety. By examining a person's records, businesses and individuals can verify their identity, criminal history, and other relevant information. This can help prevent dishonest employees, fake doctors, and dishonest tenants from causing harm to themselves, their communities, and the general public. To ensure that these benefits are fully realized, it is essential that background checks continue to be conducted with rigorous standards and oversight.
