 TITLE: Do Employers Check Credit Scores? CONTENT: What Employers Can See on Your Credit Report\n--------------------------------------------\nThe modified credit report a potential employer can access will disclose personal information such as your name, address and Social Security number. It contains details about the debt you've incurred, including your mortgage, credit card debt and student loans as well as your payment history of those debts.\nSo, why might a potential employer want to access your credit report? An employer may do this for several reasons. If a job requires managing money, a credit report may indicate lack of financial responsibility or it may show financial distress that increases risk of fraud or theft.\nBy eliminating potential employees who have certain credit red flags, an employer can reduce its risk in hiring. If a credit report shows several late payments or something more severe, an employer may interpret that to mean an applicant may have poor organizational skills and follow through.\nAn employer must get consent from an applicant before running their credit. If an applicant is rejected based on information found in a credit report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that the applicant be told and given an opportunity to dispute the information.\nIf you have a healthy credit history with minimal debt and no late payments, that may tell a potential employer that you have the responsibility and maturity it takes to thrive in the position they are looking to fill. A credit report that indicates responsible money management and organizational skills works in your favor, so it's important to know what's on your credit report and what you can do to improve it.\nEssentially, a credit report helps a potential employer evaluate how trustworthy and responsible you are. It's particularly useful if you're applying for a job that will require you to work with sensitive customer data or manage financial information. END