Who can order a credit report?

A consumer may request his or her own credit report at any time. You may not request a credit report for another consumer. Access to a consumer's credit information is regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"), and administered by the Federal Trade Commission.

Companies may request a consumer credit report from a credit reporting agency when they have a "permissible purpose" that qualifies under FCRA regulations.

The FCRA specifies those purposes as the granting of credit, the collection of a debt, the underwriting of insurance, employment purposes, for issuing a license as required by some government agencies or for a legitimate business transaction between a business and a consumer. Obtaining a credit report under false pretenses, or improper use of a credit report is a violation of federal law.