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Who Gets Your Credit Report
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a credit report may be obtained only:
- When authorized by the consumer in writing.
- When there is a legitimate business need in connection with a business transaction initiated by a consumer.
- When a consumer applies for credit.
- For the review or collection of a consumer’s account.
- To review a consumer’s account to determine whether the consumer still meets the terms of the account.
- For making “prescreened” offers of credit.
- For portfolio analysis of existing credit obligations.
- For employment purposes, including hiring and promotion decisions, when the consumer has given written permission.
- For underwriting insurance when a consumer has applied.
- For use by state and local officials in connection with determination of child support payments.
- To determine a consumer’s eligibility for a government license or other benefit when the law requires consideration of the consumer’s financial responsibility.
- When ordered by a court or federal grand jury subpoena.
- A brief credit reporting history
- FCRA restricts who can get your credit report
- File freeze exceptions allow credit card to be re-issued
- How to find out who has looked at your credit report and why
- Not just anyone can get your credit report
- Social Security number, birth date not enough to access your credit report
- Why late payments can keep you from getting a job
