Posted on 10/31/2009 5:34:00 PM PDT by hsmomx3
I have been job-hunting for some time now and applying for jobs online.
I applied for one job in particular which is an office job and received the following email in response to my application and resume:
"I have reviewed your resume and I am very interested in hiring you. Before I can setup an appointment, I would need your recent credit score. Your credit score is required because the position you applied for includes handling company cash and using a company credit card. Don't worry, if your score is low for a legitimate reason, you will have an opportunity to explain why."
Does this sound legitimate to you? I am hesitant to give information such as this.
“I am hesitant to give information such as this.”
What is it?
A lot of companies are starting to include credit ratings in their background checks.
They do so with the assumption that if someone has horrible credit, numerous defaults, and is potentially facing bankruptcy, that they may not be a stable employee.
Whether that is legal or ethical is another issue. Personally, I don’t think it should be a factor if you have bad credit but it has had no effect on your job performance in the past. But that is very difficult to ascertain, so I’m a bit divided on the issue.
It is legitimate. You don’t have to worry about that showing as a credit check, from what I understand. They are getting the score, which is separate from your credit history as it is an interpreted version of your history, coupled with other information.
There have been studies that show that the more financially risky someone is, the less reliable they are in other areas.
I frankly think these scans go way too far, and should be banned unless the person handles cash or is directly responsible for finances.
I’ve seen ones like that mentioned, I think it is a scam. My current employer asked for permission to run my credit/etc.
Yep, sounds legit to me given the position. You need to make sure the information is accurate, though.
I’d certaily get the name of the company and three business references before I gave them any more information if they’re a company you don’t readily recognize. Also check on the Better Business Bureau site and see if they’re listed for anything. Also call the Secretary of State’s office and see if have any complaints for compliance issues or scams.
I guess it depends on one’s credit score. I’d be happy to give mine if I were interviewing (it’s already saving me thousands on insurance). As to what it means...While nothing is absolute, to me a good score means that the person is less likely to be distracted at work by bill collectors, less likely to have marital strife (since money is often a key reason marriages break up), and less likely to steal from me to pay debts.
I’m all for it...in my case, but maybe not if I had a lousy score.
My best hire ever was a 50-something ex-engineer who just couldn't keep his finances straight, and had a bankruptcy. He ran circles around 30 year olds in the office on tech matters. He taught himself SQL, Database Admin and Oracle programming in 6 weeks! If I had run a stupid credit check I would have likely passed him up for some 20-something Millenial a**hole who had no loyalty, would have taken our training and taken the next job offer to come along.
You've had no personal contact at all, so you really don't know anything about who these people are. If you have one of those consumer protection guys on your local news, I'd be tempted to send off an e-mail and see what they say.
Let’s face it, the background checks that most companies run are a waste of time. They’ll catch the obvious warning signs (like a criminal record), but they have no way to gauge how good of an employee you’ll be. It’s pretty much a crap shoot.
And I agree, companies could pass up a great employee by finding someone has a bad credit rating for no other reason than a recent divorce.
Are Dumb?! /s
Don’t give your frickin’ SS# or credit score to someone or anyone for that matter.
It sounds like you haven’t even interviewed with them. Why would they want to hire you without some handshaking and face time?
Besides, if they want to know your credit score they will pay for it as part of your background check.
Don’t answer any more of their emails.
On the other hand, you might call his brother in Nigeria.
I never give my SS# out and did not in this instance. I checked them out with the BBB and they could not be found. I even did a search at the BBB using the company web address and again, nothing could be found.
If they want your information, they will pay to get it as part your background check.
No one ever asks for stuff like that without an interview.
Someone is trying to take advantage of a desperate situation, real or perceived.
What kind of job is this again?
Yep. That 55-year old programer came up with a brillian concept which nearl doubled our revenue. I gave him a huge raise. But a year later he was back to living paycheck to paycheck. Just the way he was. Dream employee but horrid with his own finances.
Telecommuting is extremely common these days, particularl for tech jobs. Half the jobs on Dice are telecommuting.
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