There are tight restrictions on who can check your credit and under what conditions thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The law controls credit reporting and makes sure that only companies with a defined, authorized purpose—and not members of the public—are able to check your credit report without a written authorization.
The circumstances surrounding the release of your financial information vary widely. It’s critical to understand the circumstances surrounding credit checks in order to protect your privacy and ensure that no unnecessary information about you is being disclosed. Continue reading to learn who can view your reports, what authorization (if any) they require, and how to maintain the privacy of your personal data.
No, someone cannot run your credit report without your knowledge or consent. This is made possible by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a law that shields customers’ credit information from unlawful access.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For instance, when you apply for a loan or credit card, a lender may obtain your credit report without your consent. Furthermore, if you are applying for a job that requires a credit check, a potential employer might be able to obtain your credit report.
Here are some of the things you can do to protect your credit report:
- Review your credit reports regularly. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) once a year. You can also get a free copy of your credit report from Experian every 30 days.
- Dispute any errors on your credit report. If you find any errors on your credit report, you can dispute them with the credit bureau.
- Freeze your credit report. This will prevent anyone from accessing your credit report without your permission.
- Be careful about who you share your personal information with. Only share your personal information with people you trust.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind:
- A hard inquiry on your credit report can lower your credit score by a few points. However, this effect is usually temporary.
- A soft inquiry on your credit report will not affect your credit score. Soft inquiries occur when you check your own credit report or when a lender pre-approves you for a loan or credit card.
- You can get a free credit score from Experian every month. This can help you track your credit health over time.
If you are concerned about someone running your credit report without your permission, you can contact the credit bureaus directly. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fair-credit-reporting-act
- Experian: https://www.experian.com/
- Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/
- TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/
Here are some additional tips for protecting your credit report:
- Be careful about what you post on social media. Identity thieves can use information you post on social media to steal your identity.
- Use strong passwords and keep them in a safe place. Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts.
- Shred any documents that contain your personal information before you throw them away.
- Be careful about opening emails from unknown senders. These emails could contain phishing scams that are designed to steal your personal information.
- Be aware of the signs of identity theft. If you think you may be a victim of identity theft, contact your creditors and the credit bureaus immediately.
By following these tips, you can help protect your credit report and your identity.
Who Can Access My Credit Report?
The lender or company you are dealing with may request access to your credit reports when you apply for something, such as a new credit line, a job, or an apartment rental. They take this action to assess your risk as a customer and learn more about your previous financial transactions. In these cases, most entities are required to ask for your permission before pulling your credit reports.
The following are instances of organizations that frequently ask for authorization to run a credit check in connection with an application or the start of a business relationship:
- Banks and other lenders
- Utility companies
- Insurance companies
- Landlords
- Employers
How Do I Know if My Credit Was Checked?
Your credit reports contain a section that details exactly who has examined your credit and when. By routinely checking your credit, you can ensure that no one is obtaining your personal information without your consent and learn who is viewing your credit reports. It can also help you avoid letting any fraudsters open bogus accounts under your name.
To find out how many inquiries, if any, are included in your credit file, you can obtain a free copy of your credit reports and scores from Experian and learn more about how to read your credit reports.
Did you give anyone Permission to pull your Credit Reports??
FAQ
Can someone run your credit without you knowing about it explain?
Can you tell if someone ran your credit report?
Can someone run a credit check on me?
Can someone pull my credit report without permission?
But if you think that someone’s pulled a hard inquiry of your credit without permission, you’ll want to act quickly to make sure that it’s taken care of correctly — it could be a sign of fraud or identity theft. Who can check my credit? Who can check my credit? Not just anyone can pull your credit reports.
Is it illegal to run a credit check on someone?
The act lists legal reasons why someone’s credit can be checked; therefore, it is illegal for an individual or organization to check someone’s credit report for any other purpose. We’ll do a deep dive into when it’s OK to run a credit check on someone, and what to do if you suspect someone has pulled your credit report without permission.
Who can check my credit report without my permission?
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. In some circumstances, government agencies may request your credit report without your permission.
Should you run a credit report on someone?
There are a handful of legal reasons to run a credit report on someone. This umbrella term used in the FCRA describes when a credit reporting agency can provide a credit report. “Proxy” is a legal term for someone with the authority to represent someone else.