Fair Credit Reporting Act

Given that in the United States, most activities center around debt and credit management, a consumer’s credit report is perhaps one of his or her most important financial documents. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) defines the procedures for managing credit reporting. It provides protection and guidelines for credit reporting agencies as well as users of credit reports. There are a number of authentication services, including ones used by eBay (in conjunction with VeriSign), that verify the identity of a buyer using a combination of public and nonpublic information, including credit report information.

Because a credit report gives authenticity not only to a consumer’s identity but also to his or her credit worthiness, a rating can be assigned for the given application. Many of these services must comply with the FCRA.

Electronic Communications Privacy Act regulates the monitoring of online information unless specific legal directives make exceptions.

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, 18 U.S.C. 1001, established felony penalties for breaking into federal interest computer systems and penalties for illegally obtained computer password trafficking. Essentially this law clarified that unauthorized computer entry was considered illegal. In the early 1980s, entry into U.S. federal computer systems was not considered illegal.

Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides guidance on how confidential patient information can be treated and accessed.