Credit Reports

What is a credit report? And what’s the difference between a RAP sheet and a credit report?

In California, a credit report is different from a background check and is covered by a different set of laws.[2970] A credit report contains information about your money and finances—including debts you owe (such as unpaid bills, loans, or leases), your payment history for past bills and debts, and the status of your credit accounts. Your credit report does NOT include your criminal history or other personal information about you. For this reason, this legal guide does not go into detail about the laws governing credit reports.

  1. 2970

    Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1785.1-1785.36.

Will my credit report be included in my background check?

Generally, no. Background check companies are NOT allowed to include your credit report in your regular background check, because not everyone who is allowed to see your background check is also allowed to see your credit report. When companies run your credit report, they must follow a separate set of rules that are specific to credit reports, which are not covered in this guide. The only time that your credit report and background check will be together is when someone who is ALLOWED to see both requests them together (for example, a landlord can request both at the same time, but most employers cannot see your credit report, just your criminal background check).[2971]

  1. 2971

    Cal. Civ. Code § 1786.2(c).

How do I get a copy of my credit report while I’m incarcerated?

You must mail in a request for your free credit report to the following address:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348

Include your full name, date of birth, Social Security Number and any addresses used in the last two years in a letter stating that you are requesting a free credit report. To find out how to obtain your Social Security Number, see PG. 38.

NOTE: When this guide refers to background checks or background check reports, it means information about your criminal history (and certain other personal information)—but NOT your credit report. For more information about your rights related to credit reports, here are some additional resources:

    Federal Trade Commission, Your Equal Credit Opportunity Rights at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0347-your-equal-credit-opportunity-rights
    California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Repairing Your Credit at: http://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/repair_credit10
    Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Credit & Credit Reports at: https://www.privacyrights.org/how-private-my-credit-report