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Review your Employment Report!

Review your Employment Report!

In the hundreds of financial education classes I have taught, we always discuss how to get receive a copy of your free credit report. But did you know there are numerous other reports out there that may contain your personal information?

Today we will talk about just one of those other reports – employment screening. If you have applied for a job in the last few years, chances are you have been asked to allow the employer to check your background. A background check can include your credit report, criminal and public court records, previous employment history, educational background, property records, marriage, birth, and death records, and, if applicable, your driving record.

When you apply for employment with an organization that conducts any sort of background or credit check, they must have your signed permission allowing them to request your personal records. If the employer is reviewing your credit report and conducting a background check you will have to sign two releases.

Much of the information reported to the potential employer comes from your credit report. However, your credit score will not be included. If the data the employer is checking is only credit related, they will typically obtain it from one of the three credit reporting agencies – Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.

If it is a background check involving anything other than your credit report, the employer will, most likely, use a specialty agency. If this is the case, you are entitled to a copy of the report that the agency creates about you.

Your are entitled to a free report from the agency that creates the file once every 12 months, or if you are denied employment based on information in the report they generated. Two of the businesses most commonly used to collect and report background information are listed below. Contact them to for your free copy today. If the companies do not have a file for you, it means that no one has requested to see your records.

For your free reports contact the following data reporters:

Lexis Nexis Personal Reports: 1-866-312-8075, or visit their website.

The Work Number: 1-866-604-6570, or visit their website.

As always, if you are struggling with obtaining employment due to financial difficulties and need help managing your debt, talk to one of our certified credit counselors today.


Published Aug 8, 2011.