What is the difference between a consumer report and an investigative report?

As a rule of thumb, the distinction between the two types of investigations can be thought of as simply verifying the specific facts about education, employment or other information the applicant has provided to the employer (“consumer report”) versus obtaining more general character or personal information through …

Is a consumer report the same as a background check?

These background checks are also known as consumer reports. Simply put, a consumer report background check contains your personal and financial information. Your personal information could cover your general lifestyle, your reputation and impressions about your character.

Is an investigative consumer report a credit check?

Investigative consumer reports are not really used to evaluate your creditworthiness. If fact, information from your credit report cannot be used in an investigative report. Anytime an investigative report is pulled about you, a notification is sent through the mail asking your permission.

What shows up on a consumer report?

What is a Consumer Report? A consumer report contains information about your personal and credit characteristics, character, general reputation, and lifestyle. Some employers only want an applicant’s or employee’s credit payment records; others want driving records and criminal histories.

What do employers look for in Consumer Reports?

Hundreds of companies provide employment background checks and qualify as consumer reporting agencies. Employment reports often include credit checks, criminal background checks, public records–such as bankruptcy filings and other court documents–and information related to your employment history.

What is not included in an investigative consumer report?

The term does not include a consumer report or other compilation of information that is limited to specific factual information relating to a consumer’s credit record or manner of obtaining credit obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or from a consumer reporting agency when that information was obtained …

What do employers look for in consumer reports?

How far back does an investigative consumer report go?

Some important points about this information are outlined below. Employers should be aware that California law generally limits an investigative consumer report inquiry regarding public records to the past seven years (10 years for bankruptcy filings).

How far back does a consumer report go?

seven years
California law follows the FCRA’s general seven-year rule as the limit for reporting most negative information on an employment background check. In California, criminal convictions can only be reported for seven years unless another law requires employers to look deeper into your background.

Do I want a copy of my consumer report?

But you will have to order the specialty consumer reports individually from each reporting company. Not all companies are required to provide a free copy of your annual report, although under federal law all consumer reporting companies must provide you with a copy of your report for a reasonable fee.

What do employers look for in a consumer report?

A consumer report contains information about your personal and credit characteristics, character, general reputation, and lifestyle. Some employers only want an applicant’s or employee’s credit payment records; others want driving records and criminal histories.

Can I pull my own consumer report?

You can order reports – including your annual free reports – from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion at annualcreditreport.com – and we recommend that you check your report with each company at least once per year . But you will have to order the specialty consumer reports individually from each reporting company.

Can I do a consumer report on myself?

The three “central source” methods are, (1) online at (2) by telephone at 1-877-322-8228; or (3) by mailing a request to the central source at “Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.” (Note – Consumer disclosure requests for credit reports …

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