Empoyers Who Request Credit Reports!!!

bluesky, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2003

Time for me to hang my stethoscope, then. I have the *worst* credit.

:cool:

I don't think I'd want to work for someone who operates on the premise that their employees are like credit risks, sorry.

Brownms46 · Dec 21, 2003

Sorry I disagree with your husband, and have talked with several different financial advisors who say that, you shouldn't have your credit checked unless it necessary! Too many inquires is NOT a good thing!

Also yes, delinquent items do stay on your credit report for seven years, but over time, and on time payments, they lose their value on your FICO score! You can also ask a company you have made an agreement with to remove the item from your credit report! You MUST however get this in writing, when you have reached an agreement with whomever you owe!

Also on another point made here, about getting your credit report. If you have been turned down for credit, you can request for free a copy of your report from all three agencies, but seperately.

The only one you can't start an investigation online I think is the one out of California. Equifax, I have found to be the most accurate, and for me is the easiest to deal with. but even they have mistakes. The one out of McAllen, Texas, for me has been the least up to date.

I also used to think you were ok, if you put an explanation in your credit file, but have discovered, that this is about useless, depending on who is looking, as some tend to just look at the score and nothing esle.

And as for employers looking at people moving around as being stable, that is a joke! Traveling nurses move around constantly, and many have bought homes, cars, and anything else ...continuing to pay their bills with NO problems! So moving around has nothing to do with stability, for some that is how they make their living! If some was not paying their child support, in many states they wouldn't have a license! Plus would have warrents out for them.

I feel that background checks for criminal records, references from previous employers, and co-workers, and the BON should be MORE than enough! And I wouldn't work for any agency, or company, who didn't also feel that was enough!

And ANYONE checking your credit without your permission is against the law!!! And EVERYTIME my credit is checked I'm notified, so the first person who checks my credit WITHOUT my permission, can look for me to file charges against them!

Sheri257 · Dec 21, 2003

Originally posted by Brownms46
Also yes, delinquent items do stay on your credit report for seven years, but over time, and on time payments, they lose their value on your FICO score! You can also ask a company you have made an agreement with to remove the item from your credit report! You MUST however get this in writing, when you have reached an agreement with whomever you owe!

I've found that works best with collection agencies. But I haven't had much luck with major creditors like banks and such. Even if you get it removed, it can show up again.

Mostly because all of these major creditor databases are shared with the credit agencies, and those are updated on a monthly basis. The stuff tends to show up regardless of any agreements, and it's a real hassle to correct it.

But who knows? Maybe it's worth a shot anyway.

Brownms46 · Dec 21, 2003

Originally posted by Louisepug
Ironically(?) enough, my credit is really bad due to medical bills in the past (surgeries, etc.). The insurance companies really wronged me in some ways, and I have also had money issues too. What would a future employer think of someone with bad credit because of medical bills? As far as bad credit with credit cards etc, I am fine on this, and have paid those bills on time. Just wondering, this thread got me a bit concerned:o . Also, does anyone know if they do credit checks on nurses in Ohio, Illinois, or Florida? Thanks so much! Louisepug

Creditors do look on medical bills differently than credit card bills, and the like.

Louisepug, please don't let this thread worry you!

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 21, 2003

Originally posted by mjlrn97
Here in Oregon where I live, employers don't often do credit checks, but auto insurance companies do.......which ALSO sucks. I've been driving since I was 14, and I've never had an accident or a serious traffic offense. So why am I not offered the lowest insurance rates? Yep, you guessed it: lousy credit. Seems a safe driving record (I mean, one speeding ticket in 21 years?) doesn't make one a safe driver. In other words, you can be a hazard on the road, but if you have good credit, you get the best rates. Go figure.

No SH*T! THAT makes NO sense at all......Good credit=good driver? :roll Wait until I tell my husband-the King of Bi-annual car accidents.He is a lousy driver but his credit is golden...He'll love this.....Oh! I NEVER heard of this...I am so befuddled......

Brownms46 · Dec 21, 2003

Originally posted by lizz
I've found that works best with collection agencies. But I haven't had much luck with major creditors like banks and such. Even if you get it removed, it can show up again.

Mostly because all of these major creditor databases are shared with the credit agencies, and those are updated on a monthly basis. The stuff tends to show up regardless of any agreements, and it's a real hassle to correct it.

But who knows? Maybe it's worth a shot anyway.

I had an old utility bill on my credit, and the amount was very small, but it was affecting my score. I had no idea it was on there, until a few years back I took some advice given to me, and started checking my credit report. I paid it, and asked them to remove it. It took a couple of months, but it was gone. Also I got three erroneous items removed from my credit report. When I called one of the companies who put it on there, they had NO idea how it got there!!!!

While credit agenices are investigating a item on your credit report, they will remove it for 30 days, while they determine if it is true or not. You CAN clean up your own report, but it takes time, and it MUST be in writing! Any company that can't prove what they have put on your report, MUST do so within 30 days, if I'm not mistaken, or take it off!

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by Peppermint
I can tell that you sooo one of those people whose parents paid their bills for them,never had to work hard or go to urban school,and has ALWAYS been rich or had some kind of suburban priviledge that never even out you near this type normal hard-working ADULT situation regardless of past circumstances.

The point the poster was trying to make has NOTHING to do with finances and is concentrated on the FACT that there is absolutely no correlation between wealth and clinical care.Needless to say a violation that some cooperate swine peice of filth came up with to get a bonus or something.

Now why would you make such a statement? My husband and I have golden credit-both of us raised by middle class blue collar parents.My childhood ended early when my father got cancer in his 40's and could not work-I remember food baskets being delivered to the house...Things were very bad for a very long time-but they NEVER resorted to "credit" After dad died my mom prided herself on being able to keep a home and PAY HER BILLS-every month-on time....I learned during my first marriage to an abusive drug addict that people ARE willing to work WITH you..If you go to them first and make an effort...I have NEVER had a problem-have always paid my own bills-on time....Getting into trouble with your credit is NOT a "normal hardworking adult situation" If you can't find a job in your choosen field then you shovel cow crap and make your minumum payments....And-credit checks are common in this area in various nursing fields...We can come into contact with a patient's personal belonging..In mursing homes,hospitals and doctor's offices.....If you have nothing to hide-congratualtions..If you have bad credit then you better fix it.The other poster is correct-that is best done yourself...by writing letters and setting up payment plans.....Sheesh-you make paying your bills sound like something dirty.....

Sheri257 · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by Brownms46
I had an old utility bill on my credit, and the amount was very small, but it was affecting my score. I had no idea it was on there, until a few years back I took some advice given to me, and started checking my credit report. I paid it, and asked them to remove it. It took a couple of months, but it was gone. Also I got three erroneous items removed from my credit report. When I called one of the companies who put it on there, they had NO idea how it got there!!!!

Utility bills are usually fairly easy that way. So are collection agencies. Anything that's small collections is removable. And you can certainly correct errors.

I was talking about major banks and such. Even if you pay those off, good luck getting the deliquency off your credit report. It will show the payment, and that helps, but the bad record is still there.

I've never been able to successfully get an an entire credit record removed from a major creditor. But someone else might have better luck.

SharonH, RN · Dec 22, 2003

#1: Using one's credit history as a measure of determining job suitablility is just plain WRONG. I don't buy the argument that it is a measure of stability or a means of determing if one is at risk of committing a crime. There a lot of people who have had hard times in the past or who are just plain financially illiterate and that has nothing to do with what type of employee someone is. I refused to allow one potential employer to check my credit history as it is none of their business (and I have excellent credit) because it is a matter of principle. I was not considered for the job and that is just fine with me.

#2: Brownsm46 is correct that too many credit checks will affect your credit if they are in within a specified time period. It lowers your credit rating.

#3: I pull my credit report once a year just to check. I think it is the best way to guard against identity theft and erroneous reporting. In Georgia, it is the law that you can obtain your credit report once a year for FREE or anytime that you are turned down for credit. I would advise all to do this, check with Equifax and see if your state allows you to do this before you use one of those for fee credit monitoring services.

I guard my credit like a hawk because it really can affect every measure of your life. I think this is one of this situations where all should be very proactive. Good luck CeCI RN.

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by lizz
Even insurance companies check credit these days before they issue policies. Supposedly better credit means less risk for them.

I found that out back in '96...30 days after I had closed on a house. The insurance co. who had been doing business with me for years, cancelled the rider because I had filed for bankruptcy three years before. I called my agent and raised hell, calling the decision "arbitrary and unfair". I then informed him that his underwriters had better change their minds, or I would take the coverage on my car's as well as my son's and my business..elsewhere. Well, believe it or not, they did...and I got my coverage back...plus an apology.

Like the old saying goes: "money talks"...and they listened!

Brownms46 · Dec 22, 2003

You're right there are those people out there, who won't work with you, or don't want to know anything, but when you're sending the payment. But MANY will work with you, and if not I would continue going up the ladder!

There is a company that I used my credit card to buy something from them. They decided to IGNORE my request to stop their services, and tacked on another service and charge AFTER I told them to stop! I called my credit card company, and also wrote a letter to the head of the company! ALL the charges were refunded!!!

I once forgot to make a credit card payment, and I called the company, and told them I had just forgot! I have about 6 credit cards, and I pay them all online, waay before they are due, and waaaay more than the monthly amt. They didn't charge me a late fee, and said not to worry!

Another time another card was over the limit d/t the first company above I post about. I called my credit card company, and told them I was over my limit, and had NEVER been before, as I didn't know these people were going to charge my account, and I had not given them permission to charge it either! They took away the over the limit fee the same day!

I also got a rate increase on one of my cards, and I called the company, and told them I didn't feel I should have received a higher rate. They lowered the rate that day, but I had to get someone above the person I was first talking to, to get this done!

Keeping working on whatever the problem is, and keep going higher:)!

Brownms46 · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by SharonMH31
#1: Using one's credit history as a measure of determining job suitablility is just plain WRONG. I don't buy the argument that it is a measure of stability or a means of determing if one is at risk of committing a crime. There a lot of people who have had hard times in the past or who are just plain financially illiterate and that has nothing to do with what type of employee someone is. I refused to allow one potential employer to check my credit history as it is none of their business (and I have excellent credit) because it is a matter of principle. I was not considered for the job and that is just fine with me.

#2: Brownsm46 is correct that too many credit checks will affect your credit if they are in within a specified time period. It lowers your credit rating.

#3: I pull my credit report once a year just to check. I think it is the best way to guard against identity theft and erroneous reporting. In Georgia, it is the law that you can obtain your credit report once a year for FREE or anytime that you are turned down for credit. I would advise all to do this, check with Equifax and see if your state allows you to do this before you use one of those for fee credit monitoring services.

I guard my credit like a hawk because it really can affect every measure of your life. I think this is one of this situations where all should be very proactive. Good luck CeCI RN.

I totally agree with every word you wrote! But that is no surprise:D!