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Unbelievable credit score/employers mess video |
AP reports legislator said employers use credit scores
Maryland Delegate replies that the Associated Press made an error with one word
Influence > Media > News agencies > AP > March 1, 2010
3/16/2010
Consumer reporting agencies TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian all state that they do not provide credit scores for employment purposes. Despite that claim, the Associated Press quoted a Maryland state legislator saying that employers base hiring decisions on the scores. The legislator replied to creditscoring.com that the AP reporter made an error.
The syndicated report, written by Kathleen Miller, appeared in early March, 2010. It states: "'We are in the great recession and this creates a vicious cycle,' Reznik said. 'People lose their jobs, that naturally precipitates them getting behind on bills, their credit scores go down, they are trying to find a job to pay off the bills, and employers won’t hire them because of their credit score.'”
Saturation: The AP's broad reach
The story swept the nation.
On Delegate Reznik's YouTube channel, a video transcription says
Weve[SIC] had a very exciting week in my office. My credit history in employment bill, House Bill 175, has received a lot of press in the last several days all over the country. There have been stories about the issue on CNN, Time Magazine, MSNBC, Huffington Post, and numerous other national publications. Locally my bill has been discussed on WTOP and in the Baltimore Sun among other news outlets."
In a legislature committee meeting in another state, a TransUnion official stated, "There's no such thing as a credit score in employment."
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From: Greg Fisher
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 12:11 AM
To: Kirill Reznik
Subject: credit score, employers, Maryland, Reznik, Associated Press
You said, "People lose their jobs, that naturally precipitates them getting behind on bills, their credit scores go down, they are trying to find a job to pay off the bills, and employers won't hire them because of their credit score."
What indicates that employers use credit scores?
Greg Fisher
The Credit Scoring Site
PO Box 342
Dayton, Ohio 45409-0342
937-681-3224
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From: Greg Fisher
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 9:34 AM
To: Kirill Reznik
Cc: Catherine Pugh
Subject: RE: credit score, employers, Maryland, Reznik, Associated Press II
Please reply.
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From: Greg Fisher
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 8:49 AM
To: Kirill Reznik
Cc: Michael G. (Mike) Lenett; Catherine E. Pugh
Subject: RE: credit score, employers, Maryland, Reznik, Associated Press III
Please reply.
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From: Reznik, Kirill Delegate
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 8:57 AM
To: Greg Fisher
Cc: Catherine Pugh
Subject: RE: credit score, employers, Maryland, Reznik, Associated Press II
Dear Mr. Fisher,
With all due respect to your constant emailing demanding an answer from me, I want to remind you that, if you do have an issue with it, you should speak to your state legislators in Ohio.
Nowhere in the bill nor in my testimony on the bill do I refer to credit scores. The bill specifically refers to credit history and credit report. The reporter made a slight error with one word, which in no way negates the need for the bill or the thrust of the article.
I sincerely hope that you are now satisfied with being responded to so I can return to working with my constituents, and not someone else's.
Sincerely,
Del. Kirill Reznik
___________________________________
Delegate Kirill Reznik, District 39
House Office Building
[address]
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone:[phone] or [phone]
Fax: [fax] or [fax]
Email: [email]
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From: Greg Fisher
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 2:17 PM
To: Reznik, Kirill Delegate
Cc: Michael G. (Mike) Lenett; Catherine E. Pugh; Kathleen Miller; Associated Press corrections
Subject: RE: credit score, employers, Maryland, Reznik, other instances
You said: "Historically, minorities have had poor credit scores. Is that an excuse that employers could be using not to hire a minority?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Fs9N0oOVM (3:44)
Also, regarding three consumer reporting agencies that compile and maintain files on consumers on a nationwide basis, you wrote:
These companies are the sole arbiter of your credit score, and as a result, single-handedly determine whether or not you are able to buy a car, buy a house, and yes, even get a job.
The reason is because they offer to sell your credit report and credit score to employers who want to do background checks on potential new hires or existing employees.
What indicates that employers use credit scores?
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Follow the employers and credit scores story at The Credit Scoring Site and on the Credit Score Blog.
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