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credit report - mrequests for my credit history

I checked again (annulacreditreport.com) my credit report to make sure there is nothing funny going on. There isn't.

However, there is a list of companies who have taken a look at my credit report. The key said something like "these companies have a legal right to look, but the fact they made an inquiry won't be told to others". Or some such language. I recognize most of these companies, like my credit card company undoubtedly doing a periodic check to see that I have not turned into a deadbeat.

But, AMEX has been looking frequently, like every month. I don't have an AMEX card, I don't want and AMEX card. I keep throwing away their junk mail (sometimes three in a single day).

What gives AMEX the right to check my credit history?

Reply to
Gil Faver
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In article , "Gil Faver"

Reply to
John A. Weeks III

Here in Alaska, it is illegal to check credit without the written consent of the borrower. Of course, that law is violated everyday, but federal law allowing such practice?

Elizabeth Richardson

Reply to
Elizabeth Richardson

I was under the impression that a company that wants to market to a given consumer can check their credit an unlimited number of times. Those types of inquiries do not count against the consumer. The consumer has the option of marking their credit record (at the big three databases) such that it does not allow marketing credit checks. I have done that, and I haven't gotten a credit card offer in the mail in years (other than from companies that I already have accounts with to get more cards).

-john-

Reply to
John A. Weeks III

That consent is often buried in something you signed somewhere.

Reply to
Chris Cowles

Well, the OP says it is AMEX checking, that he has never done business with AMEX, and never intends to do so. If that is the case, I doubt very seriously that AMEX has his signature somewhere approving credit checks.

Elizabeth Richardson

Reply to
Elizabeth Richardson

I think it's a matter of technicalities on this one. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the relevant legal body for what credit agencies can and cannot do.

My limited understanding of the act is that an actual "credit check" cannot be done without prior approval. As was mentioned elsewhere, approval is often buried in CC agreements, bank disclosures, and employment contracts. Subsidiaries of companies that you have given approval to can also access your credit info.

However, there is a loophole that makes it perfectly legal to engage in the activities the OP was referring to (which is not actually a "credit check"). The marketing companies (like AMEX) don't actually obtain your credit score, SSN, deliquencies, etc and therefore do not actually perform a "credit check". They just get a broad list of, say, "everyone in experion's database that has a credit score over 600". Because the data is "en masse" and not specifically invasive, it is not a violation of the FCRA. That's also the reason that a real credit check is run if you fill out and return one of those pre-approval offers (you give written approval when you apply). If they had already obtained all of your credit info, why would they need to run another check?

Reply to
kastnna

Elizabeth Richardson wrote on [Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:19:12 -0600]:

Ever filled out a free sweepstkes entry? taken a survey? Any number of things

Reply to
Justin

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