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Why Do Companies Request Credit Reports? Essay

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Why do some companies request credit reports? Many businesses are requesting credit report authorizations from their applicants as part of their screening process for employment. According to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the applicant must give the employer authorization in order for the employer to receive a copy of the credit report. (Rosen, 2000). Credit reports are requested by some companies to review and verify information regarding the applicant such as one’s identity, the amount of debt and also to help them to determine if one is qualified for the job. In addition the credit report contains a variety of personal information for example one’s first and last name, the social security number, current and …show more content…

( Experian Information Solutions, Inc., 2005). On the other hand the information being reviewed can help give the employer a general idea regarding the personality of the applicant for example if they are one who do or do not take care of their personal responsibilities by paying their bills and paying the bills when they are due. Also some of the information on the credit report can prove if the applicant has too many financial obligations, that will possibly disturb their job responsibilities and they do not want to risk hiring an applicant whom might steal from their company. ( Experian Information Solutions, Inc., 2005). Another worry for some businesses is they do not want to hire an applicant who cannot handle their personal obligations. (Rosen, 2000). Meanwhile if a business decides to use any of the information obtained from the credit report to make a decision to deny the applicant for employment there are some rules they must follow. They are required to provide the applicant a “pre-adverse action disclosure notice” and a copy of “A Summary of Your Rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act” a paper furnished by the “Federal Trade Commission” (FTC). (FTC Facts for Business, 1999). Next the applicant must also have a chance to review the report before the employer can deny the applicant. (Rosen,

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