A credit history record search (report) is recommended for anyone applying for a financial position. Credit history through a FCRA compliant background check lets the potential employer see if the applicant is responsible with their personal finances. If a prospective candidate has serious credit issues and trouble paying their bills on time, would you want them working for your organization in a financial capacity? When an individual has poor financial management skills, their propensity to steal from their employer may increase. Your organization has the right to know who you are putting into sensitive positions that require trust.

There is a misconception that checking an employee’s credit worthiness is an “invasion of privacy.” A pre-employment credit report that a potential employer receives is much different than one seen by a creditor. The inquiry made is considered a “soft” inquiry which will have no bearing on the applicant’s FICO score. More and more, employers are requesting this search in addition to a typical criminal background check.

At Employers Choice Screening, employment credit history checks are conducted in full compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and all applicable county, state and federal laws. This FCRA compliant background check is recommended for any applicant that will be handling cash, such as point of sale cashiers, or accounts payable/receivables clerks that will have access to company credit card information or client credit card information. We also recommend running this search on anyone that has access to sensitive information such as social security numbers (SSN), date of birth, or client login information.

Please note that the FCRA requires that a signed release and disclosure form be completed by the applicant prior to a credit history report being ordered. Our FCRA compliant background checks can include a Credit History report. Our reports reveal tax liens, bankruptcies, items placed for collections, late payments, and charge offs.