The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gave birth to the term “investigative consumer report.” The term 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.
A consumer who is the subject of an Investigative Consumer Report can require the Consumer Reporting Agency (such as a private investigative agency) to disclose the content of the report in writing. The disclosure must be provided to the consumer not later than five business days after receiving the demand. The disclosure must include the nature and substance of all information in the consumer’s file at the time the demand was received.
Mentioned above is the term “Consumer Reporting Agency”. A CRA is any person or entity 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.
Source: Learning Shop USA, learningshopusa.com
