Consumer Report:

Employers and potential employers often hire consumer reporting agencies to gather information about their employees or people they are thinking about hiring. A regular consumer report consists of any information contained in public records, such as your credit record, your driving record and your criminal record. See 15 U.S.C. ý 1681a(d) (2000). An investigative consumer report consists of all the public information as well as information obtained by talking to your current and former employers, landlords, creditors, acquaintances and relatives. See 15 U.S.C. ý 1681a(e) (2000). If someone decides to do an investigative report on you, they must give you written notice within three days of starting the investigation. See 15 U.S.C. ý 1681d (2000). Federal law limits what information can be put in these reports. See "Fair Credit Reporting Act."