Not encountered this and if there is, my answer will be no. The logic is simple, if HR don't divulge the identity of the candidates they are interviewing, they can't expect for me to disclose to my existing employer that i am evaluating other job opportunities. If the HR insist, this is not a company I will be interested to join unless they have an extraordinary reason for this.

Your latest pay slips should already sufficient for most companies to do background checks.