The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the federal law regulating credit reporting agencies. It is also the law that was designed to promote accuracy and ensure privacy of the information contained in the consumer report. As stated in section code 604 "you must have a legitimate business need for the information" and the "transaction must be initiated by the consumer." Further, you cannot use the consumer report for any other purpose.

• RENTAL: Intends to use the information for the purpose of real estate or rental dwelling.

• EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES: Intends to use the information for employment
  purposes. NOTE: Running credit reports for employment purposes have other laws and
  compliance procedures that must take place prior to running a credit report. Please call
  our Member Support Team to learn your obligations under federal law for pulling
  credit reports for the purpose of employment. (800) 363-5296

• COLLECTION OF DEBT: Intends to use the information for the purpose of collecting a debt that is owed. You must have entered into a prior agreement with the consumer and also provided some form of notice. Consumer does not have to authorize you to run his/her report for this purpose, assuming you have already entered into a prior agreement.

• COLLECTION OF JUDGMENT: Intends to use the information for the purpose of collecting a judgment that was awarded in a court of law. Consumer does not have to authorize you to run his/her report for this purpose; it is assumed that both parties have already entered into a prior agreement.