N
The Daily Insight Hub

Does it cost money to run a credit check?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on January 26, 2026

The least expensive way to run a credit check is to run it yourself. If you hire a service to conduct the credit check, background check, and eviction report for you, it can cost anywhere from $29.99 or more for one person, and from $19.99 to $34.99 for each additional tenant.

Is it legal for an employer to run a credit check?

What are your legal rights as a job applicant? Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers can’t go checking your credit history behind your back. They must have written consent before pulling an applicant’s credit history.

Why do employers perform credit checks?

Employers use credit checks to gauge your trustworthiness and aptitude at managing money. A hiring committee may think employees who can skillfully oversee their own finances would do the same for high-stakes projects at work. Companies that run credit checks see a limited version of your credit report.

What happens when a company checks your credit?

The credit check counts as a “soft inquiry” on your credit, so it won’t take points off your credit score, the way a credit card application might. The credit reports also won’t show other soft inquiries on your credit, so potential employers won’t be able to see if other employers have checked on you.

Can a credit card company charge a convenience fee?

The legal convenience fee amount that can be charged is determined by the credit card companies. Some credit card companies are strict in their allowance of extra fees. Mastercard, for example, allows convenience fees only for government, education, and tax-related payments.

How to calculate credit card processing fees for small businesses?

To work credit card processing charges for retailers, you need to add the card machine price to the on-going credit card processing fees, such as merchant service charges and credit card transaction charges. Sound easy? Well, you also need to do a bit more brainwork to calculate the credit card processing costs for your individual business.

Do you pay a fee when you use a credit card?

You may be charged a convenience fee when you use a credit card but that’s not the same as credit card surcharges. Each credit card brand has its own guidelines for convenience fees. Surcharges are the fees that cover the cost of a card transaction.

Why do merchants charge for credit card processing?

The main reason merchants add credit card surcharges is to compensate for high credit card processing costs. Consumers generally frown upon extra fees, especially if you’re one of the only businesses in your local area to charge fees.