INDIANAPOLIS -- As thousands of unemployed Hoosiers struggle to find jobs, many are running into another roadblock when potential employers check their credit scores.

Companies routinely check credit scores during the interview process and take the numbers into account when hiring, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

Donna Burns has experience as a bookkeeper, accounting assistant and secretary, but been unemployed for three years, and blames her poor credit score.

"When they tell me I don't qualify for the job because of my credit score, even though I have 15 years experience in the field, I have an associate's degree as a bookkeeper, it's very frustrating," said the 43-year-old mother of two, who has been taking low-paying jobs outside her field. "I'm giving up. I have no hope left of getting a job to sustain me and my family."

Prospective employers may also put added weight on the score because she's in the financial field.

"An employer may screen for credit because they want to make sure that person has demonstrated fiscal responsibility in their personal life if they're going to give them access to millions of pieces of data that contain other people's financial information," said Shannon Weaver, and employment specialist with Beacon Hill Staffing Group.

According to the National Council of State Legislatures, Indiana is one of 16 states that has considered putting limits on credit checks for employment.

The bill didn't pass, but some lawmakers said it may be brought up again in the future.

"I think the idea of limiting the use of the credit score in all aspects of employment and business is a good idea," said Rep. Jeb Bardon, D-Indianapolis. "We need to take a hard look at that."