A background check searches an applicant's criminal history as part of your Payscore screening. When an applicant receives a Pass based on your community's configured credit criteria, Payscore orders a background check for them. You receive a separate Background Report for each applicant.
How it works
The applicant passes their credit check. If the applicant receives a Pass based on your community's configured credit criteria, Payscore orders the background check and emails them an invitation. If the credit result is Conditional, Fail, or Unable to Evaluate, no background check is ordered.
The applicant completes a short form. The Complete Background Check button opens a secure form where the applicant confirms their information and provides authorization for the background report in accordance with FCRA requirements. The invitation is valid for two weeks.
The searches run. Timing depends on whether a record needs to be confirmed at the court level.
You get the report. Payscore emails you when it's ready. The applicant group stays In Progress until every background check is finished.
No action is required from you.
What's searched
SSN trace: uses the applicant's Social Security number and identifying information to identify names, aliases, address history, and jurisdictions associated with that information. These results help inform and broaden the other searches.
National criminal database: searches criminal records nationwide, including under any aliases. Any record found is confirmed at the county court before it's reported.
National sex offender registry
Global watchlist and sanctions, including OFAC
Results cover felony and misdemeanor convictions and pending cases from the last seven years, with state and local reporting rules applied. The background check does not include eviction history.
Where to find the report
You receive an email when the background check is complete. The report also appears in Completed Reports for that applicant as their Background Report. While the check is in progress, the applicant's Background Verification row shows its status.
If you use ResMan or Yardi, the Background Report PDF is also uploaded to the applicant's record in your property management system.
What's in the report
The report shows whether any records were found and lists each one: criminal court cases with their charges, dispositions, and sentences; sex offender registry records; and watchlist matches. It also shows the result of each search.
Your responsibilities
The Background Report is a consumer report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If it's any part of your reason to decline an applicant, or to approve them on different terms, you must give them a copy of the report and the required adverse action notices. Payscore does not send these notices for you.
Applicants can dispute anything in their report with Certn, the consumer reporting agency that prepared it, at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Why wasn't a background check ordered for this applicant?
Background checks are only ordered when the applicant receives a Pass based on your community's configured credit criteria.
How long does the applicant have to complete it?
Two weeks from the invitation email. After that, the background check closes without a report.
The applicant didn't get the email.
Ask them to check their spam folder for an email from [email protected]. If they still can't find it, reach out to our support team.
Does it include evictions?
No. The background check covers criminal records, the sex offender registry, and watchlists only.