{"id":6724,"date":"2022-07-15T12:47:56","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T10:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blinkx.com\/?p=6724"},"modified":"2022-07-15T12:47:56","modified_gmt":"2022-07-15T10:47:56","slug":"can-someone-run-a-background-check-without-my-permission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessfinancenews.com\/background\/can-someone-run-a-background-check-without-my-permission\/","title":{"rendered":"can someone run a background check without my permission"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Thanks to the internet, information is more readily available than ever before, leading many people to wonder, \u201cCan someone run a background check without my permission?\u201d Depending on the reason for the background check, the answer to this question can be either yes or no. And, knowing the facts about when to do a background check on someone (or when they can do one on you) can help prevent legal liabilities and costly mistakes.<\/p>\n

When applying for a job, volunteer position, or a new apartment, a background check is often required. However, depending on the state where the search is being performed, there are different rules governing who can look into whose background, and what this information can be used for. These rules are designed to protect both the individual running the check, and the person whose background is being investigated.<\/p>\n

Typically, when looking into someone\u2019s background for official and professional reasons, such as applying for a job, consent is legally required. On the other hand, when looking into someone\u2019s background for personal reasons, such as dating, permission is not typically required by law. Due to the many reasons for conducting a check, it can be difficult to understand which requires permission because there are some gray areas between personal and professional reasons. However, it is very important to know these distinctions, since in some instances, failing to seek consent before a screening can result in legal repercussions, such as a lawsuit.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still wondering, \u201ccan someone run a background check without my permission?\u201d the following information will remove the guesswork, so you can be assured you\u2019re obeying the law before looking into someone\u2019s background.<\/p>\n

Which Background Checks Can Be Run Without My Permission?<\/h2>\n

In general, outside of the employment sphere, an individual can run a background check without the consent of another for personal reasons. These personal reasons can be related to social purposes, safety, or even curiosity. However, these reasons cannot be related to professional or hiring purposes. While it may not be entirely ethical to look into someone\u2019s past, it may often be necessary for safety purposes. As long as the reasons are purely personal, and the results of the check are not being shared with an official institution or organization, there are no legal repercussions.<\/p>\n

For example, some individuals may decide to run a background check before pursuing a relationship with a partner they met online. Others may want to run a background check on a neighbor, coach, or youth leader who is left alone with their children. As long as the information obtained through the background check is not being used for official reasons, you do not need to seek prior permission before running the screening.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Since another person can look into a person\u2019s background for personal reasons, without warning, you may be worried about what the check will ultimately reveal, especially if you have a criminal record. If you\u2019re wondering\u00a0 what information on your background is publicly available, you can learn how to get a background check on yourself\u00a0 to verify that the information is correct and up to date.<\/p>\n

While there may be no legal repercussions to running a background check on a personal connection, there may be ethical or moral concerns. Often, the decision to personally conduct a background check can impact trust and relationships between friends, if the individual were to find out. Ultimately, however, it is your call to determine if running a background check on a friend, neighbor, or school peer is truly necessary.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Can a Background Check Reveal Disability, Genetic Information or Race, National Origin? What Can the Information on Religion, Disability, Genetic, National Origin, Color be Used for?<\/h2>\n

Even though a potential employer is legally allowed to conduct a screening on job applicants, federal laws still govern this activity. Most of these background check laws exist to protect the job candidates\u2019 information and privacy, and to ensure that discrimination does not occur. Ultimately, it is illegal for an employer to look into your background without your permission.<\/p>\n

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) asserts that it is illegal to run a background check on job applicants or employees to determine the person\u2019s race, national origin, color, sex, religion, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or age, and doing so can be considered discrimination.<\/p>\n

An example of this type of discrimination is when an employer only asks people of a certain religion or race for information concerning their criminal or financial history. To ensure that discrimination does not occur, employers should treat everyone equally, and not request officials checks on only certain individuals, belonging to a specific group.<\/p>\n

In most cases, it is illegal to request an applicant\u2019s genetic information or family medical history, except in very rare circumstances. If an organization somehow obtains this information without consent, it cannot be used to make a hiring decision. Employers can only ask questions concerning personal medical history after a conditional job offer has been made, if a medical condition could present safety risks in completing the job successfully. Other prohibited practices are outlined on the EEOC website.<\/p>\n

If you believe you were discriminated against by an employer during the hiring process, you should contact the EEOC or call an attorney to discuss your rights and options in addressing this discrimination. The EEOC is a federal agency which ensures that employers remain in compliance with applicable laws.<\/p>\n

Similarly, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects the subjects of employment checks, by requiring employers to obtain approval before conducting a pre-employment background check.4<\/sup> To do so, applicants typically sign a background check authorization form, so that the consent is on record. However, employers can also receive verbal permission to conduct a background check, even though it is preferred to have the verification of approval on paper. In some states, a signed agreement is required, so be sure to check with applicable state laws.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

Dangers of Violation (Can Someone Run a Background Check Without My Permission and Get Away With It?)<\/h2>\n

If an organization, landlord, or other entity runs a check on someone without consent, it can result in a lawsuit, as well as legal fines and penalties. However, it is important to know your rights in this situation, so you can take legal action if needed. If you are unsure of your rights, it may be wise to contact a lawyer, specifically one with experience in employment background checks.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

Similarly, if your employer runs a check that results in false information, you also have the right to dispute that information.4<\/sup> Sometimes, cheaper background check websites result in inaccurate data and mismatched records, which can prevent you from passing the check. If you find that the information generated from employee background checks is false, you must contact the company that ran the check right away.<\/p>\n

If your employers were to find something on your background check that led to them ending the job recruitment process, they are required by law to notify you. More specifically, they must provide a copy of the background report as well as a \u201cSummary of Rights\u201d to inform you on how to contact the organization that completed the report, in case there were any errors.<\/p>\n

If the organization conducting the background check does not automatically provide one after denying you the job, ask them to do so. If they still do not comply, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately.<\/p>\n

Even if a potential employer is not conducting a traditional criminal background check, (Florida and other states) you still have rights to ensure your privacy and protect your information. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers must also seek permission before conducting a consumer credit report check. In many states, there are limits to this type of check. In these states, in order to obtain a consumer credit report, the job must be related to finances, law, or a similar field, and the organization must explain why obtaining this information is vital in the hiring process.<\/p>\n

Potential employers may also conduct an \u201cinvestigative report\u201d, which could include personal interviews, social media checks, and other screening related to an individual\u2019s character and reputation. Just like criminal background checks, employers need to seek permission to do so, according to national law.<\/p>\n

However, there is some gray area concerning social media checks, since this may be technically considered public information in some states. One study shows that 73 percent of employers are not using social media to obtain background check information, as it is considered a controversial practice by many.5<\/sup> While many may consider it a corporate overreach, a company could be held legally liable for a hiring incident which could have been prevented by obtaining public information found on social media.<\/p>\n

Conducting background checks can be tricky business. Remember that anyone can conduct a background check for personal reasons without consent, while employers are legally required to receive consent before doing so. If an employer were to run background checks without the consent of employees, legal action could result.<\/p>\n

It is important for job applicants, employers, and other individuals to understand the answer to the question, \u201cCan Someone Run a Background Check Without my Permission?\u201d in order to avoid legal violations and costly fines.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thanks to the internet, information is more readily available than ever before, leading many people to wonder, \u201cCan someone run a background check without my permission?\u201d Depending on the reason for the background check, the answer to this question can be either yes or no. And, knowing the facts about when to do a background<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\ncan someone run a background check without my permission - Business Finance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/businessfinancenews.com\/background\/can-someone-run-a-background-check-without-my-permission\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"can someone run a background check without my permission - Business Finance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Thanks to the internet, information is more readily available than ever before, leading many people to wonder, \u201cCan someone run a background check without my permission?\u201d Depending on the reason for the background check, the answer to this question can be either yes or no. 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