Does a company need written permission to pull your credit?

Answer 1

No. They obtain the information they need to check your credit rating, when you fill out the application.

Yes & No. According to the FCRA, if you are applying for a loan, line of credit, credit card or employment, you credit can only be pulled with your written consent.

Credit Card companies, finance companies, etc., are allowed to pull you credit, but only if they send you an unsolicited offer in the mail containing a toll free phone number to permanantly take your name off of their list. These inquiries do not adversely affect your credit.