Credit screening is designed to screen service applicants to determine their credit risk based on 3 criteria:
- Social Security Number (SSN) verification
- Deposit decisions based upon credit risk
- Payment experience with other utility providers
Each of these criterion reflects the credit risk associated with GCEC providing service to the applicant. Understanding that each member is, in fact, applying for services on credit is important in protecting our membership’s assets since service is provided and then customers are billed for the service.
It cannot be stressed enough that proper identification begins with the person taking the application. The more demographic information entered into the CIS screen, such as home telephone number, place of employment, work telephone number, cell numbers, spouse’s employer and their work number, and a nearby relative not living with them and their phone number, the less will be charged off. Good demographic information leads not only to assuring the identification of fraudulent applicants, but also the ability to pursue individuals who do not pay their bill and become bad debt. The elimination of bad debt begins with the detail provided during application screening.
Who Will Be Screened Using the ONLINE Utility Exchange?
Homeowners
If the applicant indicates they own their home, or are in the process of purchasing their home, the homeowner and their spouse, if applicable, must be screened to determine their identity and credit risk. Our deposit decision will reflect the decision on the applicant who poses the greater credit risk in the case of husband and wife.
Renters
If the applicant indicates they rent their home, each person responsible for the lease of the rental unit will be screened and the deposit decision will reflect the decision on the applicant who poses the greater credit risk among those responsible for the lease. For example, 4 people are renting an apartment, and 3 pose no risk, but 1 poses high risk scores a maximum deposit. The deposit shall be the maximum deposit.
This same policy shall also apply to student housing, except any person under the age of 18 years of age shall obtain the guarantee of their parent or another adult as a co-signor. The parent or co-signor shall also be screened.