Are employers legally allowed to run a background check on me?

Yes, although they are restricted in doing so in the hiring process. Employers are allowed to use background checks when deciding whether to finalize an offer of employment, promote, reassign, or keep you on as an employee. Private background check companies are allowed to provide background checks (also called consumer reports) to anyone the agency reasonably believes will use the information “for employment purposes.”^[1874]

1. ¹⁸⁷⁴

   See 15 U.S.C. § 1681b; Cal. Civ. Code § 1786.2(f). ↑