[dsl]

It's not a credit check like a car dealership would do.

The background check may query credit reporting agencies or other financial records to confirm data and expand the search (i.e. you had a credit card issued in a state so they will expand criminal searches to that state). These types of queries fall under laws that govern credit checks, so they have to disclose and obtain permission.

[commandar]

While true, that's not a universal. It's not uncommon for companies in, e.g., finance to run a literal credit check for some positions.