Must employers inform you if you were not hired because of negative info on your credit or criminal check?

Sheryl S asked:


Banks and credit card companies are required to tell you why they didn’t approve you, and if it’s a credit report, they have to tell you which agency. Does an employer have to do the same, if their basis for not hiring you is negative credit information or something in your criminal background check?

If they aren’t required to tell you, are you permitted to ask? (I don’t mean your job references, I just mean the criminal and credit checks).