There are strict limits on when someone can access your credit report. A person or business must prove to the credit bureau that they have a "permissible purpose" before they can get the report. These permissible purposes include:

• To evaluate a request by you for credit, such as an application for a mortgage, credit card, auto loan, or line of credit at a store,
• To review or collect on a credit account you have already opened. This can include debt collection,
• Employment-related purposes, but only in very limited circumstances in Illinois. For example, in Illinois credit reports can be requested for manager positions or positions where you are handling large sums of money, but not for many other types of jobs,
• In connection with a "firm offer" of credit or insurance, which is something more specific than just a regular advertisement for credit or insurance. It's an offer with specific terms that you will get, if you meet certain qualifications. Firm offers include "prescreened" credit card offers that you may receive in the mail,
• When you have a state or federal license or benefit,
• By an agency enforcing child support payment, or
• If you agree in writing to allow someone (whether an individual or business) to access your report. This allows that person or business to then use your report however they want.

In Illinois, most employers are not allowed to get a copy of your credit report. Most Illinois employers also cannot base employment decisions on your credit history. However, these rules don't apply for certain types of jobs. For more information, please see Can they check my credit when I apply for a job?

If someone has requested a copy of your report, that inquiry will appear on the report. When looking at your own report, you can see who has requested a copy. Creditors can also see that information and use it in evaluating you. Multiple requests for copies of your report may mean you applied to a lot of credit accounts. The creditors might think this means you are taking on too much debt.

There are two types of inquiries a company can use. A hard inquiry is where you apply for a loan and give that lender permission to pull your report. A soft inquiry is where the credit pull does not hurt your credit report. This could be if a credit card company wants to raise or lower your credit limit, if you apply for insurance, or if a lender wants to extend you an offer in the mail on a line of credit.

If someone receives your report without a permissible purpose, you can sue them. You should talk to a lawyer if you want to take this step.