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Erin Donaghue - Top10 Writer

Erin Donaghue

Investigative Journalist

Erin Donaghue is a criminal and social justice reporter, with an MA in journalism and over a decade of experience reporting and editing for various news outlets. In addition to Top10.com, Erin's work has been featured in publications such as the Washington Post, USA Today, CBSNews.com, and Huffington Post.

Posts by Erin Donaghue

10 Things to Do When a Background Check is Run on You

Just about anyone can be the subject of a background check. But do you know what to do when you suspect someone may have run a background check on you...

An employer or financial institution can run background checks on you.

How to Cheat a Background Check: 10 Common Ways People Try

It's best practice to fact-check job applicants' resumes. But what happens if they know how to cheat a background check? And can you spot it?

Employer discovering how people cheat background checks.

Basic Background Check: 10 Useful Searches It Commonly Excludes

Do you know what's missing from your basic background check? Here are 10 useful add-on searches that will bring your basic background check to the nex...

A man doing a basic background check

10 Reasons to Run a Background Check Before Saying "I Do"

Getting married is one of the most exciting times in a person's life—but it isn't without risks. So, is it normal to run a background check on your pa...

Excited woman being proposed to.

10 Reasons You Need a Detailed Background Check When Hiring Executives

Hiring a candidate for a senior executive position requires more than just due diligence—you need to conduct a detailed background check.

Group of colleagues performing a detailed background check of a potential candidate in an office.

10 Signs You Should Run a Background Check on Your Spouse

Don't let your doubts linger. Discover which signs to look out for that can suggest you should run a background check on your spouse.

Man hiding his phone screen from his spouse suggesting possible cheating that could warrant a background check.

10 Background Check Red Flags

Do you know what to look for when running a background check? We do. Here are 10 common causes for concern when considering a new employee.

Man conducting a job interview with potential employee

HR Background Checks Do’s and Dont’s

Background checks are an essential part of the hiring and retention processes of many organizations. As an employer, they can help you form a full pic...

10 Employee Background Check Best Practices

Top 10 Best Background Check Sites & Services in 2023 - Uncover the Truth

According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than five million fraud reports were filed in 2022, causing $8.8 billion in fraud losses. This include...

Top 10 Best Background Check Sites & Services

10 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score for a Better Background Check

We’ve all been there—you’re applying for a job, but you want to improve your credit score before it shows up in a background check.

Smiling person pointing at their credit card.