This article will help you understand what a consumer credit report is, why it's important, and what type of information it provides.
Consumer credit reports provide information about a candidate’s financial history and may reveal indicators of finical irresponsibility what could affect your organization. It is recommended for any candidates that be handling cash, or accounts payable/receivable that will have access to company credit card information or client credit card information.
A Consumer Credit Report is an “Employment” credit report from one of the major credit bureaus. The report may include information on the following: current/past trade accounts, current/past lines of credit, bankruptcy, accounts in collection, payment history, addresses and names associated with the consumer, other inquiries into the Candidate’s credit history, limited information about the consumer’s employment history.
As required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, an “Employment” credit report does not include a credit score.
Orange Tree's Consumer Credit Report Process
When generating a Consumer Credit Report, Orange Tree submits a request to a major credit bureau for an “Employment” credit report on the candidate.
Understanding Consumer Credit Report Results
A summarized credit report within the Background report includes:
- A summary of the number of current and past trade accounts and lines of credit.
- The total current balance.
- Public records.
- Collection accounts.
- Address history.
A non-summarized, “raw” credit report will be separate from the Background report, and will include:
- A list of the current and past trade accounts and lines of credit.
- Credit balances.
- Public records (bankruptcy).
- Accounts in collection.
- Payment history.
- Information regarding other inquiries into the consumer’s credit.
- Employment history.
- Address history.