This guide explains the why and how of background checks. It also tells you what can be covered in a background report, your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Earlier this year, Illinois enacted the Employee Credit Privacy Act, which prohibits the use of credit histories or credit reports in making employment decisions. As with most employment laws, the Act doesn't apply to all employers or all employees, so please take a look at what the law requires.
You are entitled to request one free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. While prices may vary when requesting a credit score from these or other companies, the score is an additional cost and is not included in the free credit report unless ordered.
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
800-685-1111
Request a fraud alert online, or call 1-888-766-0008
2 Baldwin Place
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
800-888-4213
Request a fraud alert online: fvad@transunion.com or 800-680-7289
955 American Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60173
888-397-3742
To add a fraud alert or 888-397-3742
Sun-Times columnist, Terry Savage, recommends Consumer Credit Counseling Services (800-388-2227) for helpful advice to review your credit history or debt issues.
Another of our MoneySmart Week programs, Getting Through Tough Financial Times, had some useful information we wanted to share with you from the University of Illinois Extension.
The Check Your Credit Report fact sheet
New rules governing credit card companies went in to effect Monday, February 22, 2010. To find out how the new laws will affect you, the Federal Citizen Information Center created these summaries and explanations:
