Who Can Access Your Credit Report and See Your Credit Score? The List Is Longer Than You Might Expect
- Your credit report isn't accessible to the general public.
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects your credit report privacy, but some companies, organizations, and people can still see your credit report.
- Banks, lenders, utilities, phone companies, insurance companies, and even landlords or employers are a few examples of who can review your credit reports if they have a permissible purpose under the FCRA.
- A soft credit inquiry happens when creditors give you unsolicited credit offers, or when you check to see if you’re pre-approved for a new credit card or loan. A soft inquiry has no effect on your credit score.
- A hard credit inquiry happens when you apply for credit, and could reduce your credit score by a few points.
- You can check on who accessed your credit report by looking at the inquiries section of your credit report.
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No matter what condition your personal finances are in, it’s smart to know how your credit report works—and who can access it. That’s especially important if you’re thinking about using debt relief to get rid of credit card debt.
Let’s take a closer look at who can access your credit report, how to protect your privacy and rights, and how to use this information in your everyday financial life.
Freedom Debt Relief is not a credit repair organization and doesn't provide or offer services or advice to repair, modify, or improve your credit.
Understanding Credit Report Access Rights
Your credit report contains some of the most important personal details of your financial life. Just like your bank account balance or your medical records, your credit report is sensitive, private information. Not everyone is allowed to see it. Your credit report shows your track record of paying bills, opening credit accounts, borrowing money, and other sensitive details about your personal finances, past and present. If you’ve had trouble paying bills on time, or if you have unpaid debts or a negative history with credit accounts, those details show up on your credit report.
How the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects you
You deserve to keep your credit report details private—it’s the law. You have the legal right to protect the privacy of your credit report under a federal law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA helps make sure credit reports are only accessed by trustworthy entities that have a legally valid reason (called a permissible purpose) to look at your credit history. The FCRA also has rules for banks, lenders, and other companies that might need to access your credit report for how and when they could use this sensitive information about your personal finances.
What is a permissible purpose under the FCRA?
According to the FCRA, credit reporting bureaus are only allowed to share your credit report for a few permissible purposes. These include:
Credit transactions (which might involve you applying for a new credit account, or a company reviewing your existing account or collecting a debt)
Employment purposes (such as an employee background check)
Underwriting insurance involving you (some insurance companies use credit checks to help evaluate how risky you might be as a customer)
Rental housing applications
Business transactions initiated by you, or to review your account.
These are the most common permissible purposes related to most people’s financial lives. There are a few other permissible purposes for which companies or government institutions can access a credit report, such as:
Requests from state child support enforcement agencies
Court orders or subpoenas
Determining eligibility for certain professional licenses.
Difference in who can access your credit report vs. credit score
Your credit report and your credit score are not the same thing. Your credit score is calculated based on your credit report. Also, you don’t have just one credit score—you have a few scores, based on different credit reporting agencies and different credit scoring models. (A credit scoring model is a unique way to calculate your credit score. You can also think of this as a type of credit score.)
In general, anyone who needs to access your credit history (such as lenders, creditors, and landlords) wants to see the full details on your credit report, not just your score. Your credit score is also an important sign of your overall financial strength and creditworthiness. Creditors might ask you to share your credit score as part of applying for a loan or credit card, even if they haven't yet done a hard credit inquiry yet.
Why knowing who can access your credit report matters
It’s important to understand who can access your credit report for a few big reasons:
Applying for credit: If you want to apply for a loan or a new credit card, you need to know the difference between a soft credit inquiry (which happens for something like a pre-approval for a credit card) and a hard credit inquiry (which could reduce your credit score).
Recovering from bad credit history: If you have had negative events on your credit report, like a bankruptcy or eviction, it’s important to know who might get access to that information if you want to apply for a new job or find a new place to live.
Protecting your privacy and rights: Not just anyone can ask to see your credit report. Don’t feel pressured to share your credit report or credit score with someone who makes unsolicited contact with you.
Avoid scams: Some unscrupulous companies offer credit repair services, promising to help you quickly improve your credit score by removing negative history from your credit report. Unfortunately, these are often scams. Don’t give these companies money or access to your credit report.
You can access your own credit report for free anytime at AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only federal government-authorized free website where you can get copies of your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can get a free copy from each credit reporting agency every week. If you believe that someone has illegally or improperly accessed or used your credit report, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Soft Inquiry vs. Hard Inquiry
There are two kinds of credit inquiries.
Soft credit inquiry
A soft inquiry is allowed by anyone who has a permissible purpose. You don’t always have to give permission for soft inquiries, but the entity checking your credit has to have a valid reason for doing so.
Preliminary conversations with lenders or trying to get pre-approved for a credit card sometimes involve a soft inquiry, and it doesn’t affect your credit score.
A few examples of soft credit inquiries include:
You check your own credit score or credit report (you can do this as often as you like)
You sign up for a budgeting app that offers free credit monitoring
You check rates on loans without actually applying for a loan
A bank you already do business with checks your credit history periodically
A credit card issuer wants to send you a prescreened credit card offer and you haven’t opted out
Hard credit inquiry
A hard credit inquiry means you are actually applying for credit. A hard inquiry affects your credit score for one year, and remains visible on your credit report for two years. Most hard inquiries only reduce your credit score by around five points (or fewer).
Hard inquiries don’t just happen. When you apply for a new loan or new credit card account, the creditor asks your permission to do a hard inquiry.
A few examples of things that involve hard credit inquiries include:
You apply for a mortgage or home equity line of credit (HELOC)
You want to buy a car and apply for an auto loan at the dealership or through a bank or credit union
You request for a higher credit card limit—even though you already have the credit card, this counts as trying to borrow more money, so it typically requires a hard credit inquiry.
Some landlord credit checks result in a hard inquiry
Some new utility accounts and cell phone plans require a hard inquiry
Who Can Access Your Credit Report: 12 Examples
Before someone can review your credit report, you usually have to give them your permission. Federal and state laws prevent most people from accessing and viewing your credit report.
So who can access your credit report? Typically, the list includes lenders, creditors, utility companies, employers, landlords, and government agencies.
Let’s take a closer look at real-life examples of who can access your credit report.
Here are 12 types of companies, organizations, or individuals who might get to look behind the scenes at your credit report—and why you might need to give them permission.
1. Creditors, when you apply for a new account
If you want to borrow money, whether you’re opening a new credit card or applying for a mortgage or an auto, student, or other type of loan, you have to show that you’re creditworthy. Lenders, banks and credit card companies want to get paid back. They try not to issue credit or loans to people who are less likely to repay the money. That’s why having good credit is so important, and it’s the number one reason creditors want to see your credit report: to determine if you are creditworthy. Being creditworthy means credit reporting agencies have crunched the numbers and decided you’re likely to repay your debts.
In other words: whenever you apply for a new credit account, be ready to share your credit report. Any bank, credit card company, lender, or creditor can request a copy of your credit report and credit score. This is also called a credit inquiry, and there are two types of credit inquiries: soft and hard.
Lenders and creditors can’t pull your credit report and ding your credit score without your permission. They have to ask you for permission to check your credit report (and clarify that it will be a hard inquiry) when you apply for credit.
2. Unsolicited lenders who want to offer you credit
Have you ever received credit card offers in the mail, telling you you’re pre-approved? Even if you didn’t apply for new credit, some lenders (such as credit card companies) might look at your credit report and decide you’d be a good customer. Some credit card application websites also let you find out in advance if you’re pre-approved, without hitting your credit score.
This type of credit check can be done without your permission, because it’s a soft inquiry that doesn’t hurt your credit score. But the company has to have a valid reason (permissible purpose) to access your credit report. That includes evaluating you for a pre-approved offer.
Soft credit inquiries for this kind of credit pre-screening process can be helpful. Getting pre-screened for credit lets you see new offers for credit or try new credit products, and it doesn’t hurt your credit score. But too many credit offers can be annoying. If you’re receiving too many credit card offers, or you’re trying to cut back on your use of credit cards, you can opt out of receiving credit card offers. Reduce your unsolicited credit offers by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688), or by visiting OptOutPrescreen.com.
3. Creditors you already do business with
Any financial company where you’re already a credit card or insurance customer can check your credit report. Case in point: Your credit card issuer periodically reviews and adjusts your credit limit, even without your requesting it.
Accessing your credit report in these ways won’t hurt your credit score, and creditors don’t need your permission.
4. Banks, when you open an account
Let’s say you want to open a checking account at a local bank. That financial institution can review your credit report. You give your permission when you apply.
Along with checking your credit report, banks can also check a different type of history: your banking history. This is done with a ChexSystems report. ChexSystems keeps track of negative events in people’s banking history—such as having an account closed for too many overdrafts or suspected fraudulent banking activity.
ChexSystems is not a credit reporting bureau, but it works in a similar way: by keeping track of negative events and showing banks which customers are trustworthy, and which might be too risky. If you have a negative history on your ChexSystems report, you may be denied a bank account. Like with your credit report, you have the right to request a free copy of your ChexSystems report, and the right to dispute inaccurate information.
5. Landlords, when you apply to rent
Applying to rent an apartment or rental property? The landlord or rental company might check your credit report to see if you’ve ever defaulted on a financial obligation. The landlord must get your permission to review your credit report by asking you to sign an authorization form.
Evictions don’t appear on credit reports unless someone owes back rent and the landlord sent the unpaid debt to collections. In that case, the unpaid financial obligation could appear on a credit report.
6. Employers, when you apply for a job or clearance
When you apply for a job, that prospective employer may look at your credit report before they decide whether to hire you. An existing employer may also check your credit report periodically to renew your security credentials. In both cases, the employer needs your permission. Existing employees might already have given blanket permission by signing an authorization form.
It might not seem fair that someone’s job offer could be taken away due to a credit report. After all, people who have had financial trouble in their past are often strongly motivated to work hard at their next job. Some employers want to gauge whether new hires can handle the company’s money.
Not every employer does these credit report background checks. Some states have laws limiting how employers can use credit reports in employee background checks. Some (such as Colorado) make it illegal for employers to use credit reports when hiring for almost all jobs, while other states have some exceptions. For example, some states allow employers to check credit reports when hiring only for certain managerial jobs, or jobs that involve handling money.
If you’re looking for a new job, you might want to check your credit report, and be prepared to explain any negative history to an employer.
7. Utilities, internet providers, and phone companies
Moving? You’re going to need utility services like electric and gas, phone, and internet. Before creating your account, these utility providers may check your credit report to review your history of paying bills. If you have negative information on your credit report or if you decline to allow them to check your credit, they may require a cash deposit.
If you’re asked to pay a deposit for utilities, here are some ideas to try:
Use a letter of guarantee: Some utilities let you have service without a deposit if you get a letter of guarantee. This is kind of like getting a cosigner on a loan: you need a family member or friend to sign a letter agreeing to pay your utility bill in case you can’t.
Get prepaid phone service: Mobile phone service is an example of a utility that often offers prepaid service for people who don’t want a long-term contract, or who don’t have good-enough credit to qualify. This is like paying a deposit, except you just pay for your phone service in advance each month.
8. Government agencies
Banks, lenders and credit card companies are not the only institutions that can access your credit report. Some government agencies can check your credit, too. Here are a few examples of situations when the government can access your credit report:
Getting a government security clearance: If you have a military or civilian job that requires a security clearance, expect the government to access your credit report as part of applying for a job, applying for clearance, or keeping your security clearance up to date after you’re hired.
Evaluation by state child support agencies: If you owe child support or are being evaluated by your state’s child support enforcement agency, the state government might access your credit report as part of determining how much child support you can afford, or other processes.
Getting government benefits and licenses: Some government agencies might require a credit report check to see if you are eligible for certain benefits and licenses.
9. Insurance companies
Having good credit might help you save money on insurance. That’s because many insurance companies check your credit report as part of underwriting and pricing insurance coverage.
People with good credit are sometimes rated by insurers as being lower-risk, and that means they’re cheaper to insure. If you have negative credit history, this could be seen by insurance companies as a sign you’re a riskier customer who’s more likely to file a claim for a car crash or other expensive situation.
The laws for how insurance companies can access your credit report differ by state. Some states, like California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, don’t allow insurance companies to use your credit report for pricing or offering insurance.
10. Law enforcement, with a subpoena or court order
If a judge or court issues an order, or a federal grand jury issues a subpoena for your credit report, the reporting agency will provide it. Law enforcement authorities can get your credit history with a court order.
11. Debt collection companies
If you don’t pay your bills on time or at all, eventually a debt collection company will probably be in contact. Debt collectors can access your credit report to decide how to contact you to retrieve what you owe. Going through a debt settlement program could help you put an end to debt collection calls.
Even if you have delinquent debts that have gone to collections, you still have rights and options. There are limits on how debt collectors can contact you, and how they can treat you. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) forbids debt collectors from harassing you, threatening you, using profane or obscene language, contacting you outside of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., or keep contacting you if you ask them to stop or refer them to an attorney who represents you.
12. Debt relief programs
Sometimes the people who can access your credit report aren’t trying to evaluate you for a new loan or offer you a job. Some people are just here to help. If you’re struggling with your bills and need help with debt relief, you might want to share your credit report with these professionals. If you enroll in a debt resolution program, they can check your credit to help you figure out the best path forward.
How to Find Out Who Accessed Your Credit Report
If someone accesses your credit report, that’s not supposed to be a secret. You have the right to know who looks at your credit report, when, and why. The three major credit reporting companies, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax, must maintain a record of who accesses your credit reports and when the credit inquiries happened. The names and dates are in the inquiries section of your credit report.
If you want to see who accessed your credit report, follow these steps:
Request a free copy of your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Check the list of inquiries—which could include hard and soft inquiries.
This list of names on the inquiries section could include banks, credit card companies, employers, or landlords.
You might recognize some of the names but not all. This list of inquiries could include anyone you gave permission to check your credit report (such as employers or new credit applications). It could also include creditors that did pre-screening with soft inquiries (without having to ask your permission).
If you see unauthorized access or an inquiry from a name you don’t recognize, this could be a sign you’re at risk of identity theft. You might want to set up a credit freeze to prevent anyone from accessing your credit reports. Most of the time, if a creditor can’t access your credit report, they won’t be able to process a new application for credit. That’s how a credit freeze could help you prevent fraud. To freeze your credit, contact the credit bureaus separately:
Freezing and unfreezing your credit is free, and it’s easy to do it online once you set up an account on each of those sites.
Who
Your credit report isn’t accessible to everyone, and even companies and government agencies can’t just pull your credit report for no reason. Your credit report and any of the information in it can’t be given to anyone without a permissible purpose as specified in the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
The general public isn't allowed to access or view your credit report. If hackers, fraudsters, or criminals try to access your credit report without your permission or a legally permissible purpose, they can be prosecuted and penalized. Your family can’t access your credit report, either. (Parents can check to find out if their minor child has a credit report.)
If you believe a person or organization has been asked for or checked your credit report illegally, immediately contact any one of the three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. You don’t have to contact all three. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two to place an initial fraud alert on your credit report. This fraud alert tells businesses to check with you before opening a new account in your name.
In general, it’s a good idea to check your own credit reports regularly. You can do this for free every week at annualcreditreport.com, and it will show you any unusual activity or unfamiliar accounts.
Insights into debt relief demographics
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during September 2025. The data provides insights about key characteristics of debt relief seekers.
Credit utilization and debt relief
How are people using their credit before seeking help? Credit utilization measures how much of a credit line is being used. For example, if you have a credit line of $10,000 and your balance is $3,000, that is a credit utilization of 30%. High credit utilization often signals financial stress. We have looked at people who are seeking debt relief and their credit utilization. (Low credit utilization is 30% or less, medium is between 31% and 50%, high is between 51% and 75%, very high is between 76% to 100%, and over-utilized over 100%). In September 2025, people seeking debt relief had an average of 73% credit utilization.
Here are some interesting numbers:
| Credit utilization bucket | Percent of debt relief seekers |
|---|---|
| Over utilized | 30% |
| Very high | 32% |
| High | 19% |
| Medium | 10% |
| Low | 9% |
The statistics refer to people who had a credit card balance greater than $0.
You don't have to have high credit utilization to look for a debt relief solution. There are a number of solutions for people, whether they have maxed out their credit cards or still have a significant part available.
Collection accounts balances – average debt by selected states.
Collection debt is one example of consumers struggling to pay their bills. According to 2023, data from the Urban Institute, 26% of people had a debt in collection.
In September 2025, 30% of debt relief seekers had a collection balance. The average amount of open collection account debt was $3,203.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average collection debt balance.
| State | % with collection balance | Avg. collection balance |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 23 | $4,899 |
| Montana | 24 | $4,481 |
| Kansas | 32 | $4,468 |
| Nevada | 32 | $4,328 |
| Idaho | 27 | $4,305 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a collection account balance over $0.
If you’re facing similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Seeking help is a good first step to managing your debt.
Support for a Brighter Future
No matter your age, FICO score, or debt level, seeking debt relief can provide the support you need. Take control of your financial future by taking the first step today.
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Author Information
Written by
Ben Gran
Ben Gran is a personal finance writer with years of experience in banking, investing and financial services. A graduate of Rice University, Ben has written financial education content for Business Insider, The Motley Fool, Forbes Advisor, Prudential, Lending Tree, fintech companies, and regional banks like First Horizon.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
What is the FCRA?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law enacted in 1970 that aims to protect the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of the details within consumer credit files—meaning the credit reports issued by credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This law governs how and when credit reporting agencies can gather, access, employ, and share the data they collect on consumers like you and me. The FCRA also prevents your credit report from being accessed by third parties unless they have a legally permissible purpose.
The FCRA provides several important rights to consumers, among them:
You must be told if information in your credit report has been used against you, such as to deny you credit.
You have the right to know what is in your credit file and to have free access to your credit report.
You have the right to ask for a credit score.
You're entitled to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information in your credit report.
Consumer reporting agencies cannot report outdated information.
No one without a permissible purpose can legally look at your credit report.
Is it illegal to check someone else’s credit report?
Yes, for the general public and most third parties, it is against the law to gain access to and view a credit report. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a credit bureau is only allowed to provide information about you to certain outsiders that have a valid need (called “permissible purpose”). Here are some examples of permissible purposes:
Your credit card company wants to review your eligibility for a limit increase.
A bank you don’t do business with wants to prescreen you for an offer.
A landlord wants to check your credit when you apply to rent an apartment.
You apply for a security clearance.
You sign up for cable TV or open a new bank account.
You apply for a loan.
A new employer wants to check your credit as a condition of employment.
A judge issues a court order for your credit report as part of a legal case.
You default on a debt and the collection agency is trying to collect what you owe.
Is your credit report public information?
No. Your credit report and the information within it aren't public information. In other words, the general public isn't permitted to access or view your credit report. Those who attempt to gain your credit report without your permission or a legally permissible purpose can be penalized and prosecuted.
Can someone run my credit without permission?
Companies can sometimes run your credit without permission, but only as part of a soft inquiry, and with a valid reason, such as screening you for credit offers. These soft inquiries shouldn’t affect your credit score. But if you want to apply for credit, you need to give permission for a hard inquiry, which does reduce your score by a few points.
Can family members check my credit report?
Family members—even your spouse—cannot check your credit report unless you give them written permission.
What’s the difference between credit report and credit score access?
Your credit report is your history with credit accounts.
Your credit score is a number based on the information in your credit report.
When you get your free credit reports, you don’t also get free credit scores. But there are many sources of free credit scores online. If you want access to your credit score, you could check with your own bank or credit card issuer, or a free credit score website. Don’t enter a credit card number. If you hit a payment screen, close it and start over.
Credit Score
