Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Q: How do I sign up for the ScreeningWorks service
A: Simply go to the "Join" tab and follow the instructions. It will take less than 15 minutes to complete the process. Once completed, you may begin screening applicants immediately.

2. Q: Why am I having trouble signing up?
A: Several possible reasons may include:

Make sure you are entering your legal information including full name and address.

Make sure you answer each of the 5 Experian Precise ID credit questions correctly- you may attempt to pass this ID check 3 times in 24 hours. (The system will lock you out after 3 attempts, and you will need to return the next day to try again.)

The Experian Precise ID system is down and you will need to try again in a few hours. Try again here Join Now!
Make sure you do not press the browser 'Back' button or the 'Refresh' button at any point during the process. Also do not walk away from your computer for an extended period of time during the sign up process as this may lock you out of the system and you will need to start again.

3. Q: What is included in each "Applicant Screen"?
A: Depending on the state where your applicant is coming from, ScreeningWorks offers a variety of different product package combinations consisting of : Eviction - Statewide, Criminal - Statewide, Credit Evaluation, Address Search - Nationwide, Sex Offender List - Nationwide, Social Security Number Fraud Check, and OFAC - US Treasury Dept. Database Watch. The total cost is $29.95 or less. To view a full sample screening report click here. To view pricing packages for your specific state click here.

4. Q: Where does ScreeningWorks get their data?
A:

Credit Evaluation - ScreeningWorks will access and evaluate credit history from one of the three National Credit Bureaus.
Statewide Criminal, Statewide Evictions, and National Sex Offender data - ScreeningWorks receives data and information from statewide repositories, reported to by the state's courts. Data varies by state.
Address Search - Address Search is powered by a database that pulls address information from many sources, including postal address records, financial institutions, utility service providers, and many more. The result is a more comprehensive and up-to-date picture of where the applicant is moving from and where they have lived.
OFAC - "Office of Foreign Assets Control" maintained by the US Treasury Department, for more info go to http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/
SSN Fraud - provides actionable warning messages from the credit bureaus that may indicate that your applicant has committed fraudulent activity or identity theft.

5. Q: How do I pay for the ScreeningWorks service?
A: ScreeningWorks accepts all major credit cards such as American Express, VISA, MasterCard, and Discovery Card. (No checks or invoices)

6. Q: How much does each applicant screen cost?
A: $29.95 or less. Costs vary by state. Check for your state by going to our "Pricing and Product Info Tab ." You can also find a promotion code by contacting your local association or clicking here to determine if you association is an affiliate.

7. Q: Can I receive reports from different states?
A: Each time you enter a new applicant's information, you will be able to select which state to perform you screening in. Upon selecting the Screening State, a package description will be displayed along with the price for that state. This is helpful for clients who have properties in multiple states or clients who have applicants coming from different states. Please note, not all states have the same product offerings. To view the package description for your Screening State please see our "Pricing and Product Info Tab."

8. Q: How long does it take to process an applicant?
A: 90 seconds or less.

9. Q: What information do I need from my applicant to begin the screening process?
A: You will need the applicant's DOB, SSN, legal name and legal address.

10. Q: What information will you need from me, the 'screener'?
A: You will need to enter your SSN, legal name and legal address to create an account.

11. Q: Why do you need my SSN?
A: Entering your ssn is necessary in order to run an Experian Precise ID check, which will electronically verify your identify by asking you questions based on your credit history.

12. Q: Does Experian Precise ID affect my personal credit?
A: ScreeningWorks utilizes a secure Experian service to help verify and authenticate the identity of every client who uses our website to screen tenants. This does not put an inquiry on the client's credit nor does it affect the client's FICO credit score in any way.

13. Q: Do I have to commit to a certain usage amount or period of time?
A: Absolutely not. ScreeningWorks is a pay-as-you-go service.

14. Q: What type of security does ScreeningWorks utilize?
A: ScreeningWorks and RentGrow utilize some of the most advanced technology for Internet security available today. When you "Join" and access your account, sensitive information is encrypted with industry standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption. As part of our secure environment, ScreeningWorks and RentGrow undergo regular, stringent, third-party auditing and certification of all of our security practices, both real and electronic by a leading security services corporation. Credit Card information is stored and secured with an industry leading provider of electronic payment management services. This provider was chosen primarily for its stellar reputation within the industry for facilitating and completely securing electronic payments and other sensitive information.

15. Q: Do I receive the full credit report or FICO credit score?
A: No; in compliance with the National Credit Bureau's consumer information protection requirements, ScreeningWorks is unable to provide small landlords with a full credit report or a FICO credit score. In its place, ScreeningWorks has developed an easy-to-use and understand credit evaluation scale based on RentGrow's over 20 years of experience evaluating credit for millions of rental tenants. An applicant's "Credit Evaluation Risk" falls in a scale with ratings: Minimal, Elevated, or Serious Credit Risk. RentGrow uses a unique scoring system specifically geared towards evaluating credit for tenancy. Factors include: How recent was the credit problem? What type of credit problem was it? How much money was involved? And, for late payments, how late was it? This customized scoring system offers the best way to predict how they will perform as tenants at your property. See a full description of our credit evaluation.

16.Q: Does ScreeningWorks provide a recommendation of whether or not to accept an applicant?
A: No, ScreeningWorks simply provides you with comprehensive information and insight into each perspective applicant. ScreeningWorks supports your resident decision making.

17. Q: Why are Criminal Statewide and/or Eviction Statewide not included in my bundled service offering?
A: ScreeningWorks aims to provide instantaneous responses for screening applicants. There are some states within the U.S. that do not have readily available, instantaneous access to Criminal Statewide and/or Eviction Statewide data, thus they may not be offered by ScreeningWorks for those states.

18. Q: Do the Criminal Statewide and Eviction Statewide components pull information nationwide?
A: No, the Criminal and Eviction components pull information only from the state you selected when creating the account. See pricing packages for your state.

19. Q: Can I purchase only pieces (ie Criminal Statewide only) of the ScreeningWorks service?
A: No; the ScreeningWorks service was built upon extensive market research into the small landlord and property manager marketplace. This research told us that landlords prefer a complete, full picture of their applicants. See pricing packages for your state.

20.Q: What special rules should California landlords be aware of?
A: California landlords should add the following language to their residential rental applications: California applicants or residents only: Please check this box if you would like to receive a copy of an investigative consumer report or consumer credit report at no charge if one is obtained by the Landlord whenever you have a right to receive such a copy under California law [ ] check off box. CA state website

21.Q: What special rules should New York landlords be aware of?
A: New York landlords must disclose that the application information provided by the prospective tenant(s) may be used to obtain a tenant screening report. The landlord must provide the prospective tenant(s) with the name and address of the consumer reporting agency or agencies which will be used to obtain such report. NY City Council website