Summary

Consumer Reports from Creditsafe provide access to consumer credit information provided by Equifax to help organizations make informed decisions when they have a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 


The reports consolidate consumer credit, identity, employment, inquiry, collection, public record, and trade payment information into a single report format to support credit risk assessment, fraud prevention, and due diligence where permitted by law.


What the Product Is

Consumer Reports are consumer credit information reports available through Creditsafe and provided by Equifax. They are designed to help organizations evaluate consumer credit history and related risk factors when they have a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), such as a legitimate business need in connection with a consumer-initiated business transaction or another legally permitted use.


Information is presented in a structured report that enables users to review key credit, identity, and financial history information in one place.


Depending on the product configuration and information available within the consumer's credit file, Consumer Reports may include:

  • Credit risk scores
  • Identity and fraud indicators
  • Identification information
  • Employment information
  • Public records
  • Collection accounts
  • Credit inquiry history
  • Trade accounts and payment history

Who It Is Designed For

Consumer Reports are designed for organizations that require consumer credit information for permissible purposes under the FCRA. Examples include organizations evaluating credit risk, reviewing existing accounts, supporting collections activities, or conducting due diligence in connection with a consumer-initiated business transaction or another legally permitted use.

Key Features and Capabilities

Credit Risk Scores

Consumer Reports may include one or more industry-standard credit risk scores depending on the product configuration. Available scoring models can include:

  • FICO® Risk Score 8
  • FICO® Score 5
  • VantageScore®

These scores generally range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating lower predicted credit risk. Reports may also include reason codes that explain the primary factors influencing the score.

Identity and Fraud Indicators

Consumer Reports may include identity information and Identity Scan® data to help identify potential fraud risks. Depending on the information available, Identity Scan can identify indicators such as:

  • Fraud victim alerts
  • Misused Social Security numbers
  • Suspicious addresses
  • Suspicious phone numbers
  • Other identity-related risk indicators

These indicators help organizations identify potential identity theft or application fraud risks during the review process.

Identification Information

Consumer Reports may include identifying information associated with the consumer, including:

  • Current and previous names
  • Current and historical addresses
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number information
  • Other identifying information available within the credit file

Employment Information

When available, Consumer Reports may include current and historical employment information, including employer information and employment history reported within the consumer's credit file.

Collection Accounts

Consumer Reports may include collection account information that provides visibility into delinquent obligations placed with collection agencies.

Available information may include:

  • Original collection amount
  • Current balance
  • Reporting dates
  • Collection agency information
  • Collection status

Public Records

Consumer Reports may include public record information that can affect creditworthiness, such as:

  • Bankruptcies
  • Judgments
  • Tax liens

Availability of public record information depends on the information contained within the consumer's credit file.

Credit Inquiry History

Consumer Reports may include recent credit inquiry history, helping organizations understand recent credit-seeking activity and identify potential indicators of increased credit exposure.

Trade Accounts and Payment History

Consumer Reports may include trade account information and payment history that help organizations evaluate financial stability and repayment behavior.

Available information may include:

  • Account balances
  • Credit limits
  • High credit amounts
  • Payment ratings
  • Delinquency history
  • Account status
  • Historical payment activity

High-Level Benefits

Consumer Reports help organizations:

  • Access consumer credit information through a consolidated report.
  • Evaluate consumer credit risk using established credit scoring models.
  • Review identity and fraud indicators during the decision-making process.
  • Gain visibility into consumer identification, employment, public records, collections, inquiries, and trade account history.
  • Make more informed business decisions using comprehensive consumer credit information.

Important Limitations and Considerations

  • Consumer Reports may only be accessed and used for permissible purposes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other applicable laws.
  • Availability of report sections and data elements depends on the information contained within the consumer's credit file and the specific product configuration.
  • Some scoring models and report features may vary based on the report ordered.
  • Organizations using Consumer Reports are responsible for complying with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including FCRA obligations and adverse action requirements where applicable.
  • Customer-specific pricing, implementation details, and eligibility requirements are provided during the sales and onboarding process.