Background Screening

Credit Checks That Don't Hurt Candidates

Soft-pull credit checks for employment screening. No impact on candidate credit scores. Modified credit reports returned to your dashboard.

Soft Pull

  • Zero Score Impact
  • FCRA
  • Compliant Workflows

$10

Per Soft Credit Inquiry

<1 hr

Average Turnaround

Credit Checks Built for Employment.

Two check types designed for hiring, plus full credentialing support so you can get started without the red tape.

Soft Credit Inquiry

A modified credit report for employment purposes. No credit score included. No impact on the candidate.

  • Modified credit report, employment purpose only
  • No impact on candidate credit scores
  • Payment history and open accounts
  • Outstanding balances and collections
  • Credit inquiries and public records
  • Bankruptcies and tax liens

$10 / check

Financial History

A lightweight check focused on major financial red flags. Fast, affordable, and easy to add to any package.

  • Bankruptcies, liens, and civil judgments
  • Lightweight check for basic financial red flags
  • Fast turnaround, typically same day
  • Can be added to any screening package
  • Good for roles with moderate financial access

$2 / check

Credentialing Support

Turn handles the credentialing process with credit reporting agencies. Built into your account setup at no extra cost.

  • Permissible purpose certification
  • On-site inspection coordination when required
  • State-specific restriction guidance
  • Handled end-to-end by Turn
  • No additional cost

From Credentialing to Results in 4 Steps

Turn manages the process start to finish. Results land in your dashboard without touching the candidate's credit score.

  1. Complete Credentialing
    • Turn guides you through credentialing with credit agencies, confirming permissible purpose and coordinating any required inspection.
  2. Add to Screening Package
    • Add a soft credit or financial check to any package or run it standalone, based on role requirements.
  3. Candidate Provides Consent
    • Candidates receive disclosure and provide written authorization through a mobile friendly portal.
  4. Results Appear in Dashboard
    • A modified credit report appears in your dashboard. Only soft inquiries are used, so credit scores are not affected.

What a Credit Check Shows

Employment credit checks return a modified report. No credit score is included. Turn returns only the data relevant to the hiring decision.

  • Payment History: Tracks on time, late, and missed payments across credit accounts.
  • Open Credit Lines: Active accounts such as mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit cards.
  • Collections and Balances: Accounts in collections and outstanding balances on active credit lines.
  • Public Records: Bankruptcies, tax liens, and civil judgments listed on the report.

Which Roles Need Credit Checks?

Credit checks are not required for every role. They are typically reserved for positions involving financial responsibility, access to sensitive data, or regulatory requirements. Many states restrict when employers can run credit checks, so check local laws.

  • Financial Services: Access to accounts and transactions
  • Executive and Management: Fiduciary responsibility
  • Government and Security: Clearance requirements
  • Accounting and Payroll: Access to financial systems
  • Healthcare Administration: Billing and insurance data
  • Roles with Trade Secrets: IP and proprietary access

Simple, Per-Check Pricing.

No monthly minimums. No seat fees. Pay per check, combine as needed.

Soft Credit Inquiry

  • $10 / Check
    • Modified credit report
    • Payment history and open accounts
    • Collections and public records
    • Employer names from credit file
    • No credit score included
    • Soft pull only

Financial History

  • $2 / Check
    • Bankruptcies, liens, and judgments
    • Lightweight financial screen
    • Fast turnaround, typically same day
    • Add to any package

Credit Checks Done by the Book

Credit checks in hiring are one of the more regulated areas of background screening. Turn's workflows handle disclosure, consent, permissible purpose, state restrictions, and adverse action automatically.

  • FCRA Compliant: Disclosure and signed consent are required before pulling a credit report. Adverse action is required if decisions are based on results.
  • Permissible Purpose: Employers must certify a valid purpose, such as financial responsibility, data access, or regulatory requirements.
  • State Restrictions: Some states and cities restrict or ban credit checks. Turn applies jurisdiction specific rules automatically.
  • Adverse Action: If action is taken based on results, required notices are handled through built in workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is an employment credit check?
    • A modified credit report pulled for hiring purposes. Unlike a consumer credit report, it does not include a credit score. It shows payment history, open accounts, collections, public records like bankruptcies, and self-reported employer information.
  2. Does an employment credit check affect the candidate's credit score?
    • No. Turn uses soft inquiries only. Soft inquiries do not affect credit scores and are only visible to the candidate on their own credit report. Other employers and lenders cannot see them.
  3. What is the difference between a soft credit inquiry and a financial history check?
    • A soft credit inquiry ($10) returns a full modified credit report with payment history, open accounts, collections, and public records. A financial history check ($2) is a lighter search focused on bankruptcies, liens, and judgments only.
  4. Which states restrict employer credit checks?
    • Several states and cities limit when employers can use credit checks in hiring, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and cities like New York City and Chicago. Turn's workflows apply these restrictions automatically based on the candidate's location.
  5. Do I need to be credentialed to run credit checks?
    • Yes. Credit reporting agencies require employers (or their screening provider) to complete a credentialing process that confirms your permissible purpose and business legitimacy. Turn handles this process for you during account setup, including coordinating any required on-site inspection.
  6. How far back does an employment credit check go?
    • Under the FCRA, negative credit information (collections, late payments, bankruptcies) is generally limited to a 7-year lookback for positions paying under $75,000 per year. Bankruptcies may be reported for up to 10 years. Some states have stricter limits.