A report by an investigative consumer report agency that includes personal information on a consumer. Investigative consumer reports may be requested when applying for things such as employment or housing. The contents and limits of such reports are defined by civil statutes. For example:
- Section 1681a of the Fair Credit Reporting Act defines an “investigative consumer report” as “a consumer report or portion thereof in which information on a consumer's character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living is obtained through personal interviews with neighbors, friends, or associates of the consumer reported on or with others with whom he is acquainted or who may have knowledge concerning any such items of information. However, such information shall not include specific factual information on a consumer's credit record obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or from a consumer reporting agency when such information was obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or from the consumer.”
- California Civil Code Section 1786.2 defines an “investigative consumer report” as “a consumer report in which information on a consumer's character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living is obtained through any means. The term does not include a consumer report or other compilation of information that is limited to specific factual information relating to a consumer's credit record or manner of obtaining credit obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or from a consumer reporting agency when that information was obtained directly from a potential or existing creditor of the consumer or from the consumer.”
[Last updated in June of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team]