FAQ Series: Credit Checks

Not necessarily. The FCRA is very strict regarding the appropriateness of running credit checks for pre-employment purposes. Therefore, the first thing that the credit bureau will require is that a 3rd party "credential" the company requesting the ability to obtain credit reports. Next, once the company is credentialed, there is a requirement that the job position fall under the guidelines of the FCRA allowing a credit check. (i.e. bank employees are almost always going to require a credit check, however, if you are applying for a position as a warehouse worker, there is no reason in the view of the law for your potential employer to need to run a credit check on you).