background check and personal info security

[uniwelder]

We just advertised one of our rental houses and have been corresponding with a potential tenant that might be a good fit.  However, he says he is wary of using Zillow's application process to do the criminal and credit background check, due to internet security issues and personal data hacks.  This person says they are retired from a career in IT, says they have been subject to 6 prior data breaches, and has their credit frozen.  I asked him to suggest another method or online system, but he has only mentioned forwarding me a credit report from Experian/Equifax and showing proof of income through his social security. 

As a landlord, background checks I have run were more rudimentary prior to relying more heavily Zillow.  I would manually look up court case info from where they lived previously and accepted self run credit reports. 

Does this person have a valid concern or simply trying to hide their past?  What personal information gets exposed during a background check that isn't already publicly or readily available?  I'm assuming that just with their name, SS#, and birthdate, all the relevant info from a quick online background check will show up.  Does this actually expose them to any additional risk of information leaking out or getting hacked?  Anyone have a preferred and secure method for doing a background check?

[Zamboni]

I think it could be valid.

I was appalled at the amount of personal information probed to rent . . . buying had a much greater amount of privacy.

But, he could unfreeze his credit report easily so that you could do a quick check on that. I unfreeze my credit reports routinely and then just refreeze. It's easy. I would be wary of not doing at least that credit pull directly myself.

[uniwelder]

But, he could unfreeze his credit report easily so that you could do a quick check on that. I unfreeze my credit reports routinely and then just refreeze. It's easy. I would be wary of not doing at least that credit pull directly myself.

Can you clarify the last sentence?  Potential tenant has suggested providing a report that he pulled himself.  Are you suggesting to be wary of that situation?  I am. 

It seems he does not want to give me permission to a credit check that I pull on him, regardless of how easy it might be for him to unfreeze/refreeze.

[Michael in ABQ]

Unfreezing your credit report literally takes about one minute per credit bureau. If this guy created an account to freeze his credit, it's just a matter of logging back in and clicking two buttons. I just did it yesterday. It's basically instantaneous and you can schedule it to only be unfrozen for one day or as long as you want (a thaw as some put it).

[Greenstache]

We use SmartMove, powered by TransUnion, for all of our credit and background screening.  I really like it and so do our prospective tenants, because we send them the link and then they enter the information directly into the system themselves, then the results are sent directly to us and to them.  We use the Premium screening and it's only $41.99, which we have tenants pay directly to SmartMove.

Sounds like it would be the perfect solution here - you don't need to collect any payment or SSN data, but can be sure you have a full, current credit and background check.  Highly recommend!

[uniwelder]

If he agreed to unfreeze his credit, is there a particular method to pull his credit history that someone with fear of hacks would be ok with? At this point, I’m curious whether he has a valid internet security concern or if he’s just trying to hide his past. Should I just write him off and move on to the next potential tenant?

I just saw the post mentioning Smartmove. If he entered his information there, does that create another weak point for hacking of personal data?

edited to add-- I went to the MySmartMove website.  From what I'm understanding, TransUnion would already have all his credit information, so they're just searching public databases for court cases in addition to that.  I find it hard to believe there really would be added personal risk in having his information spread more across the internet.  I'll give this to him as an option, and if he rejects it, then I'll just move on.

[Zamboni]

Yeah don't go with a tenant who won't let you do basic due diligence regardless of the reason. It's a huge red flag.

[Greenstache]

Yes, TransUnion already has his information - this simply would allow the credit report to come to you directly (no risk of it being altered by the applicant), and he wouldn't have to give out his SSN to you or Zillow. 

For what it's worth, our current tenants are IT folks working in secure government facilities, and the prior tenants were also in IT doing security consulting and assessments, and they all felt this was a safe approach.

[swashbucklinstache]

I'd move on if there's any more hesitation about the background check part. Except for housing/jobs etc. it's legal to do a background check on anyone at any time without their consent so I'm not really seeing the security risk.

I'd accept a self run credit report if I sat next to them while they ran it I guess. Free once a year and all.

In some areas you can't use criminal history though.

[uniwelder]

Yes, TransUnion already has his information - this simply would allow the credit report to come to you directly (no risk of it being altered by the applicant), and he wouldn't have to give out his SSN to you or Zillow. 

For what it's worth, our current tenants are IT folks working in secure government facilities, and the prior tenants were also in IT doing security consulting and assessments, and they all felt this was a safe approach.

Good timing.  I was just coming back to write an update.  When I proposed MySmartMove as a method, he replied back that he is simply going to hold off from his move and wait to buy a house in the area instead.  No mention of security concerns, etc.  Thanks everyone for the advice and information!