AJC, and credit score and job applications paranoia irony

Right in Equifax’s hometown, in an interview piece on chairman and CEO Richard F. “Rick” Smith, a writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution asks, “Is there too much paranoia about credit scores, which can affect everything from loan and job applications to insurance premiums?”

Apparently, he missed the story about Equifax/employers/scores, so the irony of the notion of paranoia is painfully accentuated.

‘Dude’s on vacation.

Employers, scores and WBIR 10 News at Five

WBIR TV-10, Knoxville asks, “Did you know that many potential employers check your credit score?”

And, the people at the East Tennessee Gannett television station want you to tell them what you think.  Their website says, “Selected comments will air on Wednesday’s 10 News at Five.” 

Here is one comment that may or may not make it on the air:

GregFisher wrote:

Consumer reporting agency Equifax stated, “We do not knowingly provide scores for pre employment screening.”

Experian stated, “Experian’s business policy prevents the inclusion of credit scores with an employment report, at Experian called Employment Insight.”

And, in Oregon, a TransUnion official testified, “There’s no such thing as a credit score in employment.”

http://tinyurl.com/ylqv76y

Who is your source regarding credit score use by employers?


UPDATE, 3/3/2010, 10 pm

It didn’t make it.

What did make it was one that said, “A low credit score does not mean someone will not be a valuable or trustworthy employee.”

That’s another one to add to the video compilation.

Into the Audience – Credit scores and employers, CNM

The internet:  A place where almost anybody can write almost any nonsense. 

Here’s a good example.  CNM News Network’s piece on credit scores states, “Currently, employers can pull a job applicant’s credit report, but don’t have access to the actual score.”

However, the title is “Foreclosures and Job Hunting Don’t Mix as Employers Check Credit Scores.”

Watch as the publisher reacts to a comment on its page:

Your article says that employers don’t have access to credit scores, but your title screams that employers check them.

What gives?  Who told you that employers check credit scores?

Greg Fisher

Continue reading Into the Audience – Credit scores and employers, CNM