The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates the use of information on a consumer's personal and financial condition. The most typical transaction which this Act would cover would be where a person applies for a personal loan or other consumer credit. Consumer credit is credit for personal, family, or household use, and not for business or commercial transactions. Also, this Act can apply when a person applies for a job or even a policy of insurance when certain investigations are made of the applicant.
Investigative Consumer Reports are special types of consumer report not commonly used by credit and collection professionals. This report differs from the typical report used for the extension of consumer credit because it is can include information regarding a consumer's character, general reputation, and personal characteristics obtained through interviews with neighbors, friends, business associates, etc.
