Essay on Chapter 10: Our Data and Our Money from the book Our Data, Ourselves: A Personal Guide to Digital Privacy

By Jacqueline D. Lipton

The title of the Fair Credit Reporting Act is somewhat misleading: it governs not just credit reports, but also background checks or "consumer reports" often used by employers in hiring decisions and landlords in deciding whether to rent an apartment to a particular individual. See FCRA Compliance for Employers at Business News Daily for details on the kinds of information included and the requirements for employers requesting such reports. Did you know that information on your credit rating and other background details could be used in making these decisions affecting you? Do you think this is fair to prospective employees? Do you have any other thoughts on this practice?