Not everyone has the right to get your credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows only businesses and individuals with a legitimate business need for your credit information in connection with a business transaction that involves you, to access your credit information. This authorization, however, goes beyond prospective creditors to whom you apply for credit – such as credit card issuers and lenders. There are others who can check your credit report:

• Insurance companies (they may want credit information to decide whether to sell you insurance or change your premiums).
• Employers (who have your permission, and who may want credit information to determine whether to hire or promote you).
• Any business or individual who has your written authorization to check your credit.
• The Federal Government, if they consider you are a security risk.
• The IRS (with a subpoena).
• State and local child support enforcement agencies.
• Anyone with a court order that authorizes them access to your credit information.
• Anyone with a valid business reason to review your credit file concerning a business transaction that you initiated.

Of course, you always have the absolute right to review your own credit information. Any authorized parties may review your credit file only for a credit-related purpose. It violates federal law for someone without a legitimate credit-related purpose to request your credit file. Can I ‘block’ someone from accessing my credit report if they otherwise have the right to access my credit file under the FCRA. No. Credit files are considered public record to those who have the statutory right to access this information.