Investigative Consumer Report for School

nurz2be · Dec 6, 2007

Does anyone know what an investigative consumer report is? I have to give my permission to have on done on me and I don't even know what it is. Thanks in advance.

It is a specific type of credit report. It is more thorough than a regular credit report from lets say a company like Equifax.

Article

I found this article above to explain it a little more in detail.

What is a Consumer Report?

A consumer report contains information about your personal and credit characteristics, character, general reputation, and lifestyle. To be covered by the FCRA, a report must be prepared by a consumer reporting agency (CRA)-a business that assembles such reports for other businesses.

Employers often do background checks on applicants and get consumer reports during their employment. Some employers only want an applicant's or employee's credit payment records; others want driving records and criminal histories. For sensitive positions, it's not unusual for employers to order investigative consumer reports-reports that include interviews with an applicant's or employee's friends, neighbors, and associates. All of these types of reports are consumer reports if they are obtained from a CRA.

Applicants are often asked to give references. Whether verifying such references is covered by the FCRA depends on who does the verification. A reference verified by the employer is not covered by the Act; a reference verified by an employment or reference checking agency (or other CRA) is covered. Section 603(o) provides special procedures for reference checking; otherwise, checking references may constitute an investigative consumer report subject to additional FCRA requirements.

Kynlee · Dec 6, 2007

I have been googling it and have become so confused. For Nursing School purposes do they call your former employers? How do they know who your friends are? I'm still a little confused....maybe you can get me straightened out. Thanks for your help!

Kynlee · Dec 6, 2007

I Am Soooo Confused!

Krissiana · Dec 6, 2007

Wow... that is strange that they are doing that! Or is that common to get into nursing school? I've never heard of that...

Hope it all goes well for you.

caliotter3 · Dec 6, 2007

This is the first time that I have heard of a nursing school engaging in this practice. It might get more popular as schools get harder and harder to get into, and they look for more and more ways to weed out applicants. I would think the traditional criteria would be enough. After all, these investigative consumer reports are not done for nothing; they cost the school money. What a shame that it has come to this.

Added thought: I would cross this school off my list. Go somewhere where they are not so intrusive.

nurz2be · Dec 6, 2007

I have been googling it and have become so confused. For Nursing School purposes do they call your former employers? How do they know who your friends are? I'm still a little confused....maybe you can get me straightened out. Thanks for your help!

Kynlee,

Well they call your former employers, ask them who you used as references plus who you gave the school as references and they call them as well. They can look into your MVR, driving record, mostly looking to see how "responsible" you are in different areas of your life besides just paying your bills through a credit report. I have not yet heard of a school doing this but I have heard of companies doing this if you have a "sensitive" job. I know if you get a government job, most of the time, they do these. My husband has a county job and they did one with him. Try not to worry too much about it though.

Kynlee · Dec 6, 2007

I am in Missouri and all of the schools that I have checked in to does this I've even checked in Kansas. I'm just not sure what information they are looking at....freaks me out!