Confidential Credit Report: Fill & Download for Free

When applying for jobs, you make sure your resume and cover letter are well written, up to date, and targeted to show that you are the best candidate for the position. When you go to an interview, you do thorough research on the company beforehand and practice answering typical interview questions. However, one thing you might not think to prepare for is an employment credit check.In addition to background check, some employers also run credit checks on applicants and use that information to make hiring decisions. A National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) survey reports 95 percent of employers conducted some type of employment background screening, 31 percent ran credit checks on some applicants, and 16 percent checked the credit of all applicants. A CareerBuilder survey reported that 29% of employers who responded checked credit. Most background screening occurred after a conditional job offer.Most often,employers check the credit of those applying for jobs that deal with money. For example, jobs that require confidentiality and financial integrity (including positions in banking, accounting, and investing) will likely require credit checks. The best way to prepare for an employment credit check is to know what is in yours.What is and what is Not Included in an Employment Credit CheckAn employment credit check is one of many common background checks. Employers who check an applicant's credit typically use a third-party company. An employment credit report includes identifying information, such as your name, address, previous names and addresses, and Social Security number.It also shows the debt you have incurred, including credit card debt, mortgage and car payments, student and other loans, and your payment history of those debts and loans—including late payments.However, there is certain information that is not included in an employment credit report. For example, your date of birth is not included on the report. It also does not include your credit score.Laws Restricting Credit ChecksThe Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the federal legislation that sets the standards for employment screenings, including credit checks.Under the FCRA, here are some things employers must do (or must not do) when conducting a credit check on a potential or current employee:The employer must get your written approval. Before an employer conducts a credit check on you, the company must notify you in writing and get your written authorization. If you do not consent to the credit check, the employer might go forward with the interview process, but he or she may also reject your application on the spot.The report can’t include old information. Generally, the credit report cannot include negative information that is seven or more years old. It also cannot include bankruptcies that are more than 10 years old.There are laws regarding bankruptcy information. According to the FCRA, you cannot be discriminated against solely because you filed for bankruptcy. However, bankruptcies are public record, so it is easy for employers to obtain the information.You must be told if the report is used against you. If the employer does not hire you because of the report, the company must inform you. The employer also must give you the contact information for the third-party agency used to get your credit report.You can see what is in the report. You have a right to receive a copy of your credit report for free. You also are entitled to a free report any time it is used against you by an employer.You can dispute the information. If the data in the report is inaccurate, you can dispute the findings.Legal Issues with Credit ChecksThe Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) oversees employer practices regarding applicant credit checks. If you suspect that an employer has used credit checks to negatively impact candidates because of race, ethnicity, age or gender, you can report the organization to the EEOC.Most states allow employers to utilize credit reports in a fair and equitable manner within the hiring process. However, some locations have regulated the use of credit reports and placed restrictions on how the information can be used. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and other states have statutes on the books limiting the use of credit reports. In these states, the use of credit checks is restricted to specified occupations or situations where financial transactions or confidential information are involved. Many other states have legislation pending that might prohibit the use of credit reports by employers, or place restrictions on their use.In addition, some localities also have restrictions and prohibitions on job applicant credit checks. For example, New York City prohibits credit checks on most job applicants. Exceptions include top-level executive candidates with fiduciary responsibilities, and applicants who would manage assets or oversee financial agreements worth more than $10,000. Chicago and Philadelphia also are among cities that restrict the use of employment credit checks.How to Prepare for a Credit CheckThe best way to prepare for a credit check is to get a copy of your credit report as soon as possible. This way, you can check for any issues or errors, and dispute them before an employer sees them.You are legally entitled to one free copy of your credit report every year from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies.If you know that a credit check is going to turn up questionable issues, it’s a good idea to be honest with the company and address those issues up front, but only when you know for sure that the employer intends to do a check. It is best to mention such issues on a "need to know" basis. When the employer asks permission to run the check, you should explain as succinctly and honestly as possible what they might find, and what you have done to rectify the situation.Particularly if you went through a period of unemployment, or some other financial hardship—which so many of us have—the hiring manager might make a case for offering you a job despite what they find out about your past.I hope this helps someone, put a smile on your face and raises your hope that you can give that dream job a shot.Have a fulfilled life of yours.

I worked for Nationwide Insurance MANY years ago. One of my jobs was to file confidential credit reports. One couple’ last name was ETTER. The named their son Peter. Peter ETTER. I can imagine what hell he went through in school.

In the year 2000, my wife and I bought a used car for $15,000. We paid $11,000 up front and financed the $4000 balance through the dealer with B of A. The car and loan were in my wife’s name but I wrote the checks for the payments. All payments were delivered to the bank seven to ten days before the due date. About six months later, I received a bonus and decided to pay the loan off.I calculated the balance, but knew that I would probably be a bit off depending on exactly how the interest was calculated. I went to the branch where I had made the previous payments. B of A refused to accept payoff because to do so would require them to reveal the balance to me, and since the loan was in my wife’s name, that would be a violation of confidentially. There were veiled threats to have me arrested.I went to another branch the next day and they accepted the payment without question. We received the title and cancelled note in the mail a few days later.Response to comments (added Dec 20) —Several comments to the effect that I lost my temper in the first B of A office are based on an incorrect assumption. I never raised my voice and used only conversational language. I was incredulous, but always in control of myself and calm. I asked the loan officer to repeat the statement to be sure that I understood her. She stated it again, then indicated that by paying off the loan (and thus learning the balance) I was ‘probably violating a law and she would follow through’.I put my checkbook and the loan coupon booklet in my pocket and left the building.There is no law or privacy practice that prevents any person from paying off another’s loan. Loan balances are not protected information; the credit bureaus know a loan balance from the time the loan is taken, and they will reveal it to anyone who receives a credit report.Twice before, I had paid off someone else’s loan (though not at B of A) and the issue was never raised. As I indicated in the original response, the next day I went to another branch and paid off the loan with no incident or feedback.The real point of the post is that B of A trains its people poorly and seems to equip them with a ‘customer hostile’ attitude.(12/24/2017) Corrected a typo.