§ 1681a. Definitions; rules of construction
- (a) Definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are
applicable for the purposes of this subchapter.
- (b) The term "person" means any individual, partnership, corporation,
trust, estate, cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or other entity.
- (c) The term "consumer" means an individual.
- (d) The term "consumer report" means any written, oral, or other communication
of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living which is used or expected to be used or collected in whole or in part for the purpose of serving as a factor in establishing the consumer's eligibility for (1) credit or insurance to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, or (2) employment purposes, or (3) other purposes authorized under section 1681b of this title. The term does not include (A) any report containing information solely as to transactions or experiences between the consumer and the person making the report; (B) any authorization or approval of a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device; or (C) any report in which a person who has been requested by a third party to make a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly to a consumer conveys his decision with respect to such request, if the third party advises the consumer of the name and address of the person to whom the request was made and such person makes the disclosures to the consumer required under section 1681m of this title.
- (e) The term "investigative consumer report" means 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.
- (f) The term "consumer reporting agency" means any person which, for
monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports.
- (g) The term "file", when used in connection with information on any
consumer, means all of the information on that consumer recorded and retained by a consumer reporting agency regardless of how the information is stored.
- (h) The term "employment purposes" when used in connection with a consumer
report means a report used for the purpose of evaluating a consumer for employment, promotion, reassignment or retention as an employee.
- (i) The term "medical information" means information or records obtained,
with the consent of the individual to whom it relates, from licensed physicians or medical practitioners, hospitals, clinics, or other medical or medically related facilities.
- (j) Definitions Relating to Child Support Obligations. -
- (1) Overdue support. - The term "overdue support" has the meaning given to
such term in section 666(e) of title 42.
- (2) State or local child support enforcement agency. - The term "State or
local child support enforcement agency" means a State or local agency which administers a State or local program for establishing and enforcing child support obligations.