It’s no secret that the current job market is competitive, if not downright rough. Unfortunately, a number of unscrupulous individuals are using this to their advantage in order to scam unsuspecting job applicants.
The scam is simple: Post a (nonexistent) job listing on Craig’s List, ask for an application, and require a credit check.
Why a credit check? Because these “job applications” are nothing more than elaborate schemes to sign up new credit report customers through an affiliate link. Some of these job listings may go as far as using the names of real companies and job hunting agencies. But if they tell you that you have to use the link on their website to apply for a credit report, it is a scam. If an “employment agency” or potential employer requires that you use a specific credit reporting service, it is a scam. Don’t just avoid these scams. Report them to your state’s Attorney General. Besides violating the terms of service for affiliate programs, advertising for a nonexistent job is illegal in most states.
And while there may be circumstances in which an employer might legitimately require a credit check for a prospective employee, it is the responsibility of the employer to obtain this information; not the applicant. The employer will already have a record of your social security number from your job application, and their human resources department will be able to perform a credit check using that information. A legitimate employer will never ask you to provide a credit report of your own.
If you just want to review your credit record (always a good idea), you should know that every U.S. citizen is entitled to one free credit report per year from each major credit reporting agency (no credit card required) which can be obtained from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s website (note the .gov address). Note: The FTC’s website is the only official government website that provides this free credit reporting service.
So avoid the scams, keep an eye on your credit, and good luck with your job hunting!