Who can look at my credit report?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act stipulates that lenders to whom a consumer has applied for a loan can view credit reports — for example, credit card companies and financial institutions supplying auto loans and mortgages. But the list continues: landlords, utility companies, phone companies, hospitals, doctors, dentists, insurance companies, credit unions, finance companies, banks, retailers, department stores, credit card companies, car dealers, mortgagers, investigators, lawyers, courts — most anyone who can give the bureaus just cause can view your credit report.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act stipulates that lenders to whom a consumer has applied for a loan can view credit reports—for example, credit card companies and financial institutions supplying auto loans and mortgages. But the list continues: landlords, utility companies, phone companies, hospitals, doctors, dentists, insurance companies, credit unions, finance companies, banks, retailers, department stores, car dealers, investigators, lawyers, courts—anyone with a “permissible purpose” can view your credit report.
Federal and provincial laws are very specific as to who can review your credit file and for what purpose. An individual or company may only obtain a copy of your credit file with your consent or after having told you that they will be reviewing your file. A company must have a legitimate business reason and a permissible purpose, as stated in government regulations, to obtain your credit file. A credit reporting agency may only provide a copy of your file when the request relates to a permissible purpose as provided for under law.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act stipulates that lenders to whom a consumer has applied for a loan can view credit reports — for example, credit card companies and financial institutions supplying auto loans and mortgages. But the list continues: landlords, utility companies, phone companies, hospitals, doctors, dentists, insurance companies, credit unions, finance companies, banks, retailers, department stores, credit card companies, car dealers, mortgagers, investigators, lawyers, courts — most anyone with a permissible purpose can view your credit report.
