Hi. I'm not sure if this question should go in the employment law or consumer law forum. I just started looking for jobs after graduating from college last spring. I took a couple of years off before going to college and during that time I was involved with a guy who did some things that might have messed up my credit history. Will employers look at my credit history? Or I guess my question is whether it's legal for them to get my credit report? Thanks.
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The Editor, Mark Bernardin, is an attorney living in MA. Please send your suggestions or comments to: TheEditor@malawforum.com
Disclaimer
The answers and information provided on this site are for informational purposes only and are NOT substitutes for professional legal advice. Before making legal decisions, you should discuss your specific circumstances with an attorney.
Credit checks for job applicants
Yes, though it is not a universal practice, it is legal for employers in Massachusetts to run credit checks on potential employees or job applicants. However, the Fair Credit Reporting Act mandates that employers ask for and receive written permission from applicants prior to obtaining a credit report or other credit information from a consumer reporting agency.
The Federal Trade Commission (the federal version of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation) actually encourages those in the job market to obtain a free copy of their credit reports (call 877-322-8228) in advance of applying for any position. The idea is to inform yourself of any issues that may exist in your credit history and to allow yourself time to fix any problems, if possible, or to at least develop an explanation that you can share with prospective employers. Good luck on the job hunt.