Your credit report can't be obtained by just anyone, even if they want to perform a soft credit check instead of a hard one. The FCRA lays out in what situations a credit reporting bureau can provide others access to your report.
Credit reporting agencies regularly collect data from public records and report the information to interested parties.
Credit bureaus can sell the information on your credit report to: Lenders. Potential employers. Insurance companies.
While your next employer may take a look at your credit history, unlike lenders, they cannot see your credit score (or your credit account numbers). This is one of the most common myths about credit scores.
You can access someone else's credit report by directly contacting one of the credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian). Each of these bureaus technically gives their ratings independently, but all three of the scores should be quite similar for the same person.
Key Takeaways
People often can't view your credit report without your express permission. Lenders, financial institutions, and individuals may check your credit report to decide on loans, extending credit, or rent applications.
Certain individuals can check your credit with your permission, including landlords and employers. Banks, insurers, lenders, and utility companies may also pull a credit report if you've applied for credit or service with them.
AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB's website. Don't be fooled by look-alike sites.
At least eleven states have passed laws prohibiting employers from pulling credit reports at all or restricting how and when employers may use them to make hiring or other job decisions. Those states are: California.
It is always a stupid idea to tell people your credit score, how much you earn, how much you paid for your house, in fact any financial information. Some might view that information as showing you are well off and will try to borrow money from you or try to sell you things you don't want.
Credit ratings are typically public information that's readily available online. They're often publicized when they're attached to bonds or mentioned in press releases. If you want a specific rating, Google the company's name and credit rating.
If they want more detailed information provided in a consumer report, however, they generally must seek a court order or subpoena. See § 1681b (a)(1). The USA PATRIOT Act expanded federal agencies' access to credit reports.
When you request a copy of your credit report, you will see a list of anyone who has requested your credit report within the past year, including lenders, credit card companies, or landlords who have requested your report.
The three nationwide credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — collect this information and put it in your credit report. Read Checking Your Credit Report to learn how to order your report for free.
It also includes soft credit checks, but only you can see these. Financial associations and links with other people – for example if you have a joint bank account or mortgage with someone.
Don't be fooled by look-alikes.
Lots of sites promise credit reports for free. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them.
Dial the USSD code *565*8# on your mobile phone to get instant Credit reports from CRC Credit Bureau.
No, checking your credit report does not hurt your credit. And checking your credit score doesn't hurt your credit either. These actions are considered "soft pulls" which don't affect your credit score.
The most common ways of getting a tenant's credit report are directly through one of the three major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) or through a tenant screening platform like Avail.
The credit report access keys on the license are your name, address, and date of birth, all of which are essentially public information. The driver's license number itself is not relevant, since the credit bureaus don't use that as an identifier.
While the general public can't see your credit report, some groups have legal access to that personal information. Those groups include lenders, creditors, landlords, employers, insurance companies, government agencies and utility providers.
Individuals and businesses who do not have a legitimate legal reason or explicit permission cannot access your credit report. This list includes: The general public. Family members (even if you're married and share accounts)
There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.
You cannot remove legitimate hard inquiries from your credit report. Fortunately, hard inquiries have a minimal impact on your credit, and they fall off your credit report after two years. If your credit report contains a hard inquiry that you don't recognize, you have the right to dispute it.