Are your credit reports available to anyone who asks? Certainly they are not. Under section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), access to your credit reports is limited to specific situations, which are referred to as "permissible purposes." They are:

1. In response to a court order
2. For the purposes of disclosure to the consumer
3. As part of a legitimate business transaction which includes extending credit, reviewing the credit report of an existing customer, and collecting a debt
4. For employment screening purposes
5. As part of the insurance underwriting process
6. In connection with screening requirements of a consumer’s eligibility for a license granted by the government
7. In response to a request by state or local child support enforcement authorities to determine an individual’s capacity to pay child support
8. To determine the risk and valuation of loans for the purposes of investing or servicing