Background checks have become an essential tool in today's society due to the increasing need for public safety and security. They help prevent fraud and protect public safety by uncovering information about people's criminal history, employment history, and education. Thanks to advances in technology and data management techniques, background checks have become faster, more reliable, and less expensive than ever before.
Here's how background checks work, why they're important, and how they help prevent fraud and protect public safety.
How background checks work
Background checks are the process of collecting and analyzing information about a person's personal, professional, or criminal past. This information can come from a variety of sources, including public records, credit reports, employment history, and references. The goal of a background check is to uncover information that can help employers, landlords, or other decision-makers make informed decisions about the person they're considering.
Here are some of the components of a typical background check:
1. Criminal history: This involves checking a person's criminal record by reviewing local, state, and federal criminal databases. The information collected might include arrest records, convictions, and even warrants.
2. Employment history: This involves verifying the person's past employment, job titles, and responsibilities. It may also check the person's education history, including degrees earned and educational institutions attended.
3. Credit history: This involves reviewing a person's credit history to look for any red flags, such as a history of bankruptcy or missed payments.
Why are background checks important?
Background checks help prevent fraud and protect public safety in a variety of ways:
1. Protecting employers: Employers who conduct background checks can help protect their company from potential fraud or other criminal activity by screening job applicants before they're hired. By performing due diligence before hiring an employee, companies can avoid costly problems down the line, such as losses due to theft, fraud, or embezzlement.
2. Protecting the general public: Background checks can help protect the general public by screening candidates for positions that have the potential to put the public at risk. For example, background checks are conducted for people who want to become nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. These checks help ensure that people who have a history of drug abuse or violent behavior aren't working in positions that require them to interact with vulnerable individuals.
3. Protecting tenants: Landlords who perform background checks on potential tenants can screen out people who have a history of causing property damage or engaging in other problematic behavior. This can help ensure that the community remains safe and habitable for everyone who lives there.
How background checks help prevent fraud and protect public safety
Background checks help prevent fraud and protect public safety by uncovering information that might not be readily apparent during the application process. For example, if someone applies for a job as a bank teller, the employer might not realize that the applicant has a history of theft or fraud unless they conduct a background check. By uncovering this information before hiring the person, the employer can avoid potential losses due to embezzlement or other fraudulent activity.
Background checks can also help protect public safety by uncovering information that isn't related to criminal activity. For example, an employer might conduct a credit check on a job applicant to help determine their level of responsibility or financial stability. If the person has a history of missed payments or financial instability, the employer might think twice before hiring them for a position that requires a lot of financial responsibility.
Real-life examples
Here are some real-life examples of how background checks have helped prevent fraud and protect public safety:
1. Uber: In 2018, Uber announced that it had removed over 25 drivers from its platform after conducting a background check and discovering that the drivers had criminal records. By removing these drivers, Uber helped protect its passengers from potential harm.
2. Wells Fargo: In 2017, Wells Fargo announced that it had fired over 5,000 employees after conducting a thorough investigation into fraudulent banking practices. By taking swift action, Wells Fargo helped prevent further losses due to fraud and protected its customers from potential harm.
3. Connecticut: In 2015, Connecticut passed a law requiring background checks for all gun purchases, including those made online and at gun shows. This law helped prevent people with a history of violence or mental illness from obtaining firearms.
Conclusion
Background checks are an essential tool in today's society due to their ability to help prevent fraud and protect public safety. By collecting and analyzing information about a person's personal, professional, and criminal past, background checks can uncover information that might not be readily apparent during the application process. Through real-life examples, we can see that background checks have become an indispensable part of ensuring public safety and preventing fraud.
