Cento Law, Court Cases, Credit Reporting Law, Law
Cento Law
Our recent oral argument before the Fifth ...
Our recent oral argument before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
CFPB, Enforcement, Law, Credit Errors, Dispute Process, e-Oscar, Investigations, Understanding the FCRA
Cento Law
CFPB Sues Experian

On January 7, 2025, the CFPB filed a lawsuit against Experian alleging that Experian violated FCRA by failing to properly conduct reinvestigations of disputed information in consumer credit files; failing to delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverified information in consumer credit files; failing to provide adequate written notice to consumers of the results of its reinvestigations; failing to prevent the improper reinsertion of previously deleted information from consumer credit files; and failing to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the credit information Experian reports on consumers. In addition, the complaint alleges that Experian committed unfair acts or practices in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 by (1) failing to convey consumers’ disputes to furnishers fully and accurately, and instead distorting, truncating, and mischaracterizing consumers’ disputes; (2) relying excessively on furnishers to resolve disputes, routinely doing nothing more than sending the dispute to a furnisher and implementing the furnisher’s response, despite having evidence of that furnisher’s unreliability; and (3) improperly reinserting tradelines into consumer credit reports due to its practice of failing to adequately match newly reported tradelines to tradelines that were previously deleted as a result of a dispute if the subsequent furnishing was from a new furnisher. The Bureau seeks, among other things, to bring Experian into compliance with the law, consumer redress, and the imposition of civil money penalties.

CFPB Sues Experian
Credit Reporting Law, Law, Cento Law, Understanding the FCRA
Cento Law
Understanding the FCRA: What Consumers Need to ...

Understanding the FCRA - Credit Reporting Law

Understanding the FCRA: What Consumers Need to Know About Credit Reporting Agencies
Credit Reporting Law, Credit Reporting History
Cento Law
Credit Bureaus Unveiled: The Power, ...
Credit Bureaus Unveiled: The Power, Consolidation, and Consumer Struggles from 1970 to Today
Credit Reporting Law, Cento Law
Cento Law
FCRA - The Fair Credit Reporting Act
FCRA - The Fair Credit Reporting Act

credit privacy

,

Who Can Access Your Credit Report?

,

Your credit report contains detailed information about your financial history, including your borrowing habits, payment history, and outstanding debts. Because this information is highly sensitive, access to your credit report is strictly regulated by federal law—primarily the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Here’s what you need to know about who can view your credit report and under what circumstances.

Who Can Access Your Credit Report?

Only certain entities with a permissible purpose under the FCRA can legally view your credit report. These include:

  • Lenders and Creditors: When you apply for a loan, credit card, mortgage, or other forms of credit, lenders check your credit report to determine your creditworthiness and set terms like interest rates.

  • Landlords and Rental Companies: Landlords may review your credit report to assess whether you’re likely to pay rent on time before approving your rental application.

  • Insurance Companies: Insurers sometimes use your credit information to help determine your eligibility for coverage and calculate your premiums.

  • Employers and Prospective Employers: Some employers, especially in roles involving financial responsibility, may request your credit report as part of a background check. However, they must obtain your written consent before accessing your report.

  • Government Agencies: Certain government bodies may access your credit report to determine your eligibility for government benefits, licenses, or for law enforcement and child support enforcement purposes.

  • Debt Collection Agencies: If you owe money, debt collectors can check your credit report to locate you or assess your ability to pay.

  • Utility and Phone Companies: These companies may review your credit report when you apply for new service accounts.

  • Existing Creditors: Companies you already have credit with may periodically review your report to manage your account or offer you additional credit.

Special Cases

  • Court Orders and Subpoenas: Your credit report can be released in response to a court order, grand jury subpoena, or for certain child support enforcement actions.

  • Prescreening for Offers: Lenders and insurers may access certain information in your credit file to make you pre-approved offers of credit or insurance (a process called prescreening). You can opt out of these prescreened offers.

  • Your Own Request: You have the right to request and view your own credit report at any time.

Who Cannot Access Your Credit Report?

Not just anyone can see your credit report. Friends, family, or random individuals cannot access your credit report unless you provide explicit written permission or a copy yourself. Any entity or person who tries to obtain your credit report without a valid, legal reason may face civil and criminal penalties.

How Is Access Tracked?

Every time your credit report is accessed, the credit bureau records who accessed it and when. This information is listed in the “inquiries” section of your report, so you can see a history of who has viewed your credit information.

Protecting Your Credit Privacy

  • Review your credit report regularly for unauthorized access or errors.

  • Dispute inaccuracies with the credit bureau if you spot any.

  • Consider a security freeze or fraud alert if you’re concerned about identity theft.

Understanding who can view your credit report empowers you to protect your financial privacy and make informed decisions about your personal information