Category: Enough to be Dangerous

credit score, employers, HubPages

From: Greg Fisher [mailto:greg@creditscoring.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 12:46 PM
To: Pia Chatterjee, public relations manager, HubPages
Subject: credit score, employers, HubPages

See this message and your response at https://blog.creditscoring.com/?p=2417.  

You published, “Being denied a job based on a credit score is not uncommon, especially if the position requires employees to handle customer personal information such as credit card numbers.”

Asked for your source, your writer said: “Wow. Are you actually getting feisty over this? Ask Carol Biaggi, she says it in the youtube video. My company does check.”

However, in the video, Ms. Biaggi says, merely, “Your credit can be the difference between getting or not getting that mortgage, car loan, credit card, or even that job you want as even employers are looking more and more at credit history.”

Your writer does not name her company.

The consumer reporting agencies do not provide credit scores for employment purposes.  Indeed, elsewhere, one of the people in the video on your page even calls it horribly false, and the myth of the decade.

What correction will you make?

—
Greg Fisher
The Credit Scoring Site
creditscoring.com
PO Box 342
Dayton, Ohio  45409-0342

creditscoring.com beats Federal Reserve again

Trend (views)

(+103) creditscoring.com:

1993 – 2005 – 2027 – 2540 – 2672 – 2702 – 2805

(+58) The Federal Reserve:

554 – 643 – 716 – 1109 – 1194 – 1207 – 1265

(+101) – creditscoring.com (Video 2):

161 – 207 – 308

credit score, employers, promotions, Gannett, Detroit Free Press

From: Greg Fisher [mailto:greg@creditscoring.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 6:52 AM
To: Jennifer Dixon, staff writer, Detroit Free Press, Gannett
Subject: credit score, employers, Gannett, Detroit Free Press

See this message and your response at https://blog.creditscoring.com/?p=2393.

You wrote, “They will likely take a hit to their credit score, which can affect jobs because some employers check credit scores before hiring or promoting workers.

Who is your source regarding credit score use by employers?

—
Greg Fisher
The Credit Scoring Site
creditscoring.com
PO Box 342
Dayton, Ohio  45409-0342

News tip on a silver platter: Experian uses the jobs and credit scores myth again

First, Experian gets blasted by a U.S. senator and the FTC over its goofy FreeCreditReport.com ads.

Next, in a brilliant, original marketing strategy, Experian creates a whole new thing (with another band) at FreeCreditScore.com.

Then, on August 9, from its FreeCreditScore.com Twitter account, Experian tweets

http://mashable.com/2011/08/09/lin… to help get you closer to that job offer (the one that requires a background check complete with credit score!).

[direct link to the Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/FCSdotcom/status/100998248868741120]

Meanwhile, John Peace, the guy in charge (who just passed the second anniversary of his resignation), is knighted.

Journalists, news organizations, bloggers (at least the ones with guts)–here’s your chance.  Your question for Experian: What job offer requires a credit score?

Ask it, and then just step back and let the fun begin!

But wait, there’s more.  And, even more.  And more, still.

[Direct link to the Tweet:

McClatchy repeats credit score employers myth through multiple media outlets

[see the previous exchange, and another McClatchy writer’s honorable response to a similar dispute)

From: Greg Fisher [mailto:greg@creditscoring.com]
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 12:24 PM
To: Claudia Buck, personal finance writer/columnist, Sacramento Bee, McClatchy Co.
Cc: Peter Tira, communications director, The McClatchy Company; Elaine Lintecum, treasurer, McClatchy Co.; Scott Lebar, senior editor, McClatchy Co., Sacramento Bee; Jerry Egan, deputy business editor, McClatchy Co., Sacramento Bee; Mary Lynne Vellinga, Sacramento Bee, McClatchy Co.; Cheryl Dell, publisher and president, Sacramento Bee, McClatchy Co.; George Le Masurier, publisher, The Olympian, McClatchy Co.; Mark Owings, president and publisher, Bellingham Herald, McClatchy Co.; Bruce G. Ray, president & publisher, The Tribune, McClatchy Co.; Rufus Friday, president and publisher, Lexington Herald-Leader, McClatchy Co.
Subject: RE: credit score, employers, McClatchy Co., Sacramento Bee, FICO claim III

The information you prepared is repeated on these pages:

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/25/1736898/loan-rejections-soon-to-come-with.html

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/07/25/2115361/loan-rejections-soon-to-come-with.html

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/07/25/1981488/loan-rejections-soon-to-come-with.html

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/07/25/1578870/loan-rejections-soon-to-come-with.html

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/07/25/1694742/loan-rejections-soon-to-come-with.html

http://www.kentucky.com/2011/07/25/1823496_loan-rejections-soon-to-come-with.html

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/PFP-LOANREJECTION_5636804/PFP-LOANREJECTION_5636804/

http://www.tnj.com/personal-finance/loan-rejections-soon-come-explanation

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110731/wire/110729669?p=3&tc=pg

http://www.lakewyliepilot.com/2011/07/25/1203490/loan-rejections-soon-to-come-with.html

http://www.loansafe.org/loan-rejections-soon-to-come-with-explanation

Are you there?

—

Greg Fisher
The Credit Scoring Site
creditscoring.com
PO Box 342
Dayton, Ohio  45409-0342

[previous exchange attached]

credit score, employers, American Public Media

Sometimes, it gets nasty.

In 2009, American Public Media responded regarding the notion of employers using credit scores.

Here is the last part of that exchange:

From: Judson, George
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 12:45 PM
To: greg@creditscoring.com
Subject: Marketplace

Mr. Fisher,

Regarding Janet Babin’s feature on FICO scores on Marketplace Money the weekend of April 17, we have confirmed that employers do not receive credit scores when they obtain credit reports for screening job applicants. We’ll correct this on Marketplace Money and in our archives at www.marketplace.org.

George Judson
Managing editor
Marketplace
[email address]
[telephone number]

From: creditscoring.com [mailto:greg@creditscoring.com]
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 11:17 AM
To: Judson, George; Babin, Janet; Robideau, Brad
Cc: Ira Rheingold, National Association of Consumer Advocates; Burt Flickinger, Strategic Resource Group; Steven Wagner, Experian; TessVigeland; Brad Anderson, Best Buy; ‘Andy Bessette’; Susan Boren, Spencer Stuart; ‘George Buckley’; Gordon Crawford; mail@kpcc; Patrick J. Denzer; Janet M. Dolan; Ian R. Friendly; Kling, Bill; Schmitt, Christina; news@unc.edu; wunc@wunc.org; info@naca.net; Ian Lyngklip; DeVonna Joy; Susan Henson, Experian; Jarrett Crowell
Subject: RE: credit score, employers VIII, exactly V

For the feature, who was your source for the information regarding credit score use by employers?

Who confirmed that employers do not receive credit scores?

From: Judson, George
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 2:46 PM
To: creditscoring.com
Subject: RE: credit score, employers VIII, exactly V

None of your business. Take your obsession elsewhere.

See the 7/25/11 message to APM.

Fox corrects, then repeats, credit score employers myth

In November, Adam Levin, chairman and co-founder of Credit.com and former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs appeared on something from the Fox Business Network called FBN Live.  

Levin said, “Employers are not allowed–nor do they–look at credit scores; that’s an urban myth.” (37:00)

Interviewer Tracy Byrnes responds: “Wait! Can you say that again? So, in theory, your employer is not supposed to look at your score?”

Levin explains that credit reports for employment purposes do not even contain credit scores.

However, the title of the web page for the video is “Don’t Let Your Credit Score Hurt Your Job Hunt – We take a look at how a bad credit score could hurt your job prospects.”

And, last month, in a conversation about about money and human emotion, the Fox Business host had this exchange with an author and “CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional” who has a “passion for helping people”* (1:45):

GUEST:  It’s a stressful time.

HOST: Well, especially because, now, you know, you go for a new job and your new employer’s looking at your credit score. 

GUEST: Yes!

HOST:  It’s everywhere.

GUEST:  Agh! 

HOST: Right?

GUEST: It’s true.  It’s true.

The web page for that video is titled, “Emotions Behind Our Financial Decisions – Financial advisor and author Karen Lee offers insight into understanding the emotions behind our financial decisions.”

But another unfortunate action brings the circus full-circle.  Even Credit.com states: “Your credit score is a determining factor in your mortgage and auto loan terms, credit card rates and insurance premiums. Some employers and landlords also take your score into consideration.”

*see all the clichés: “passion,” “helping people,” etc.

credit score, employers, Forbes, 2011-07-20

From: Greg Fisher [mailto:greg@creditscoring.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 11:43 PM
To: Heather Struck, reporter, Forbes; Heather Struck, reporter, Forbes
Subject: credit score, employers, Forbes, 2011-07-20

See this message and your response at https://blog.creditscoring.com/?p=2274, https://blog.creditscoring.com/?cat=134 and https://blog.creditscoring.com/?tag=forbes.

You wrote

But one’s creditworthiness, as reflected in a FICO score or a credit report, now affects a lot more than the ability to borrow money or buy something on credit. It can affect whether you get a job, what you pay for insurance, and even how your personal relationships work out.

and

Employment consultants say a troubling credit score may cause hiring officers to more closely question an applicant. Vic Tanon, chief simplicity officer at Emplicity, an organization that consults in hiring practices across the U.S., says a bad credit rating is likely to be more of a factor in certain industries like financial services.

Who is your source regarding credit score use by employers?

—
Greg Fisher
The Credit Scoring Site
creditscoring.com
PO Box 342
Dayton, Ohio  45409-0342

credit score, employers, Washington Post

From: Greg Fisher [mailto:greg@creditscoring.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2011 9:06 AM
To: Andrew Alexander, ombudsman, reader representative, Washington Post; Andrew Alexander, ombudsman, reader representative, Washington Post
Subject: credit score, employers, Washington Post

See this message and your response at https://blog.creditscoring.com/?p=2263.  

You published, “A credit score can determine whether or not you get a job or what interest rate your auto loan will come with, for example.”

Who is your source regarding credit score use by employers?

—
Greg Fisher
The Credit Scoring Site
creditscoring.com
PO Box 342
Dayton, Ohio  45409-0342

credit score, employers, CBS MoneyWatch.com

See the video that includes clips of a senator, a congressman, a governor and The Early Show on CBS.

From: Greg Fisher [mailto:greg@creditscoring.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 8:47 AM
To: Dan Kadlec, contributor, CBS MoneyWatch
Subject: credit score, employers, CBS MoneyWatch.com

See this message and your response at https://blog.creditscoring.com/?p=2258, https://blog.creditscoring.com/?tag=cbs and  https://blog.creditscoring.com/?tag=nationalamusements.

You wrote, “In the real world you’ll want and need a potential employer or landlord or auto dealer who runs a credit check on you to find a good score that testifies to your dependability.”

Who is your source regarding credit score use by employers?

—
Greg Fisher
The Credit Scoring Site
creditscoring.com
PO Box 342
Dayton, Ohio  45409-0342