The credit check portion of the report comes directly from the credit bureau. To reduce the risk of mismatches and ensure an accurate report, here are some guidelines when completing the application:
-
Full Legal Name: Enter the full legal name exactly as it appears on your official identification, including your middle name. This is critical for correctly matching with credit bureau records.
-
Date of Birth (DOB): Enter the address where you currently receive credit card or billing statements. This helps the credit bureau match your credit file correctly and should reflect your most recent and active residence.
-
Driver’s License Number: Only enter your driver’s license number if the address on your license matches the current address you’ve entered. If they do not match, it is better to leave this field blank.
-
SIN: This is an optional field. You are not required to provide them, at times they may help locate the credit file if the credit bureau is unable to find it with the provided information.
Public Record Search: Understanding Tenant Screening Report DiscrepanciesTenant screening reports aggregate data from public records, and other trusted sources using automated systems. While these systems provide fast and comprehensive results, they are not without limitations.
-
Mismatches Due to Common Names: Applicants with common names may find that their reports include information belonging to someone else with a similar name. This is flagged as a disclaimers on the report. We encourage applicants/ landlords to review the reports carefully to ensure all information is accurate.
-
Background Check Inconsistencies: Many background checks rely on name-based searches. These searches can sometimes pull in criminal records or adverse media for individuals who share your name but are unrelated to you. Since these checks don’t always use unique identifiers like your date of birth, incorrect matches may occur.
