Everyone assumes that their credit report will be reviewed by lenders when they apply for a loan. What they do not know is that there may be dozens of people who have looked at their report without them even knowing about it. Many also do not realize that a credit report contains a lot of personal information that has nothing to do with how well they have paid their bills.

Before we get into who is looking at your credit report, lets take a minute to talk about the information that is included on your report. In addition to keeping track of your credit accounts and how well you pay your bills, your credit report contains:

* Court activity including criminal convictions, bankruptcy, tax liens and lawsuits.

* Personal information including your social security number, past and present addresses, past and present employers, the name of your spouse and telephone numbers.

Shocking? What is even more shocking is who is looking at your credit report. While many will tell you that they are going to pull a credit report, they do not necessarily have to. Soft inquiries do not require permission. Soft inquiries include all reports ran that are not the result of you applying for a loan. Credit card companies may run your report before extending a credit offer to you. In addition, the following people may also be looking at your report:

* Landlords: If you have ever tried to rent an apartment, you know first hand how grueling the paper work can be. Many require credit checks, background checks and references. If your credit is less than perfect, you may have problems renting a home.

* Employers: Almost half of all employers run credit checks on applicants and new employees. What are they looking for? In most cases, they are looking to confirm past employment and addresses that you have included on your application. But your financial and personal information is there for them to view as well.

* Insurance companies: Your life, auto, homeowner and health insurance premiums can be greatly affected by your credit report. If your report is less than favorable, you could end up paying more for insurance. Why? Studies have shown a link between low credit scores and insurance claims. It seems that people who are struggling financially are more apt to file a claim.

* Utility companies: Utility companies will often run your credit report and ask for a deposit before they will hook you up. If your credit score is low, your deposit will be high.

If you have a bad credit report, you can be sure that it is affecting your life in many ways. Your ability to secure employment and provide the basic necessities for your family can either be made easier or harder thanks to the information contained in your credit report. Your credit report also dictates how much you will pay for certain services. It might be time that you learn what other people know about you.