Do you know who can look up your credit report? Did you know that it’s not just creditors and lenders who can access your credit history? There are a lot of different entities that have the right to check your credit report, and it’s important to know who they are so you can be prepared. In this article, we’ll discuss the different groups of people who have the right to look at your credit report and what you can do to protect your privacy.
What Is The Fair Credit Reporting Act?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates the credit reporting industry. The FCRA sets out rules for who can access your credit report and for what reasons.
What Info Is In A Credit Report?
Your credit report contains information about your credit history and current credit status. Lenders, employers, and landlords often use this information to decide whether to offer you a loan or lease, or to determine your eligibility for employment or housing.
Who Can Look At My Credit Report Without My Permission?
The FCRA allows certain people and organizations to access your credit report without your consent. These include creditors, insurers, landlords, employers, and other businesses that use your credit history in their decision-making process. For more information about this, read: What Are Lenders Looking For When You Apply For A Loan.
You have the right to know who has accessed your credit report in the past year and for what purpose. You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major consumer reporting agencies every 12 months by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
What If Someone Accesses My Credit Report Illegally?
If you believe that someone has accessed your credit report illegally or without authorization, you have the right to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to know who has accessed your credit report in the past six months. You can get a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies, and you are entitled to one free credit report every year from each agency.
How To Put A Fraud Alert On Your Credit Report
You can also place a fraud alert on your file if you have reason to believe that someone is trying to open accounts in your name. To find out more about how to protect your credit, visit the Federal Trade Commission website to report fraud or contact them at 1-877-382-4357.
Now you know who can access your credit report and why they would want to. If you’re ever concerned about someone viewing your information without your permission, you can always place a freeze on your credit reports with the major credit bureaus. This will prevent anyone from accessing your files unless you unfreeze them, which you can do at any time.
Erika Finn, founder of Credit Help, is an attorney who graduated from law school (JD) at University of California, Berkeley and is a member of the California Bar Association. She was a member and editor of the California Law Review and won the Prosser Prize for Legal Accounting. She holds a Master’s Degree (MFA) from the University of Southern California (USC) and a Bachelor’s degree (BA) from Indiana University- Bloomington with highest distinction.
Credit Help believes that everyone should have access to helpful, free information about how to raise their credit rating.
Articles on Credit Help are not legal advice or financial advice.