Who Can Request to See Your Credit Report?
While the general public can’t see your credit report or score, some people and companies have a legal right to access that information. That includes lenders, creditors, landlords, employers, insurance companies, government agencies and utility providers.
Here’s what you need to know about your rights and theirs.
- Lenders, banks, utility companies, landlords and government agencies are able to view your credit information.
- That said, they can’t do so unless they have a legitimate reason or written permission from you.
- As a rule of thumb, the general public — including friends and family — can’t access this information.
Who can see your credit report
Your credit score and report can be accessed for a variety of reasons. However, as a rule of thumb, if you have an ongoing financial relationship with an individual or company, there’s a good chance they’ll be able to obtain that information. Here are a few of the most common examples:
Lenders
Whenever you apply for a new form of financing, the lender will pull a copy of your credit report and check your credit score before deciding whether to approve you. This information helps them predict how likely you are to repay your debts, so it’s often a very important part of your application.
Lenders that check credit reports include mortgage lenders, credit card companies, auto lenders and personal loan providers.
Banks
Banks have the option to check your credit whenever you open a new account with them or an account is up for renewal. They can also do so if they extend you credit, like a credit card, mortgage or overdraft protection, which is sometimes offered as a line of credit.
Student loan servicers
It’s a common misconception that credit scores are never considered for student loans. While it’s rarer than with other forms of lending, there are a few occasions when creditworthiness comes into play, including:
- If you are a student who is interested in taking out a federal PLUS loan
- If you are a parent who is interested in taking out a federal parent loan
If you are applying for financing with a private student loan lender
Landlords
When you apply for rental housing, landlords want to ensure you’ll be able to pay your rent. Your credit report will tell them if you have a history of late or missed payments, as well as if any of your debts have gone into collections or resulted in bankruptcy.
On the other hand, if you have a clean credit history, potential landlords will see that too.
Employers
While not every state allows this practice, some potential employers review credit reports during the job application process, especially for jobs dealing with money and finances. However, if an employer wants to pull your credit, they have to get written permission from you first.
They’re also limited in what they can access. For example, an employer can’t see your credit score.
Insurance companies
If you’re shopping for home or car insurance, insurance companies typically check credit reports to determine your creditworthiness.
Credit scores, as well as other information related to your payment history, can affect whether you’re approved for insurance and how much you’ll pay for your policy — though regulations on how insurance companies can use that information vary by state. For example, auto insurers in Maryland can use your credit score to help determine your premiums when you take out a new policy, but they can’t increase the cost of renewing your policy because your credit score has dropped.
Government agencies
If you apply for public assistance or are required to pay child support, those government agencies can check your credit report. They also use credit reports to validate your personal information.
Law enforcement groups can also get a copy of your credit report information if they secure a court order.
Utility companies
If you need utility services, water, electric and gas companies will check your credit history to verify that you’re able to pay for your services. They may require a deposit or a letter of guarantee if you have a poor credit history. In some situations, you can even be denied service.
Who can’t see your credit report
Not just anyone can request a copy of your credit report. Unless there’s a legitimate reason for it, most people cannot see your credit history. The general public — including family, friends and other people — can’t just request a copy of your report from a credit bureau.
People who try to access your credit report without permission or a legal reason can be subject to criminal and civil penalties. If you suspect that someone has been illegally requesting your credit report, you can submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Laws protecting your credit privacy
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which was passed in 1970, establishes the legal guidelines around how and when your credit information can be accessed. It outlines the requirements that must be met by entities trying to obtain credit information, details how credit reporting agencies can share that information, provides identity theft protections and allows for consumer access to credit reporting.
The FCRA protects you by limiting who can access your credit information — and granting you the legal right to your own data. The credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, need to abide by these laws, as does any other group that compiles consumer reports.
How to access your credit report and credit score
You can receive a free copy of your credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only entity authorized to provide you with copies of your reports from the three credit bureaus. However, these reports don’t include your credit score.
There are several ways to see your credit score. LendingTree Spring is a tool that lets you monitor your score and helps you find ways to improve by delivering personalized improvement insights straight to your inbox.
Your bank or credit card issuer may also offer a credit reporting tool that tracks your score and alerts you when there’s a change.
Learn more about your credit score
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