Here is a big reason why you should never use a credit report provided by the rental applicant for an application.
It is quite easy to get fake one. Simply by Google “Fake credit report” and fill out the on-line pdf. Here is a link to one of the sites so you can see for yourself. https://fake-credit-score.pdffiller.com/
Agents and landlords should always use a reputable online tenant screening program to avoid fakes.
You obviously want to know that the information in a completed rental application and screening report is accurate. It is also critical to know that the person submitting it is who they claim to be.
A quality screening provider will verify the information provided by the applicant and their identification. When an applicant enters their social security number into the system. The credit bureau will then check to see that the personal data of the applicant matches with what the bureau has on file (date of birth, current address, etc.) The process should then require the applicant to verify their ID. This is accomplished by answering questions that only the applicant would know the answer to such as amount of car payment, previous address or auto loan amount.
Additionally, a credit report is only one of the reports that should be considered by an agent or landlord You really need an eviction report, a criminal history report and a sex offender report to do a thorough review of an applicant.
There is no shortage of scammers out there. And once they are in a property, it is difficult and expensive to get them out. Then there is often significant damage to the property once you do get them out.
Fortunately there are high-quality tenant screening service providers that you can use. A good tenant screening service will help identify unqualified applicants before the lease is signed, saving you time and money.
Jay Apple is co-founder of TenantMagic www.tenantmagic.net