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Public Sector Data Usage Guidelines

Use of Consumer Credit Report – Permissible Purpose
Use of Non-Credit Data
Developing Predictive Models
Learn More: Data Security Laws and Regulations

Government agencies require various consumer data to operate programs and complete missions. TransUnion is a leader in data governance and stewardship, and ensures that its processes for compiling, confirming and protecting data meet with all applicable laws and regulations.

Contact for Business Inquiries

Kevin Kottman
Vice President, Public Sector
TransUnion LLC
555 W. Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 443-465-7171
kevin.kottman@transunion.com

Use of Consumer Credit Report – Permissible Purpose

Government agencies are allowed to obtain and use consumer credit data (including a full Consumer Credit Report or data derived from a Consumer Credit Report) when they have a permissible purpose. Permissible purpose is defined in Section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). [15 U.S.C. § 1681b]. Read the applicable text here.

If you have questions related to a possible program or application in which you believe you need a consumer credit report under permissible purpose, please contact Kevin Kottman, Vice President, Public Sector at TransUnion: kevin.kottman@transunion.com or 443-465-7171.

  • Licensing or benefit eligibility: To determine an individual’s eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental instrumentality required by law to consider the individual’s financial responsibility or status.
  • Investigations: To determine whether to pursue further action against individuals who, for instance, misrepresent their eligibility to receive a license or benefit, or initiate business transactions with the government under false pretenses.
  • Credit evaluation: To review the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the extension of credit, or review or collection of an account of the consumer’s. 
  • Child support enforcement: For state and local agencies’ purpose of establishing an individual’s capacity to make child support payments, determining the appropriate level of such payments, or enforcing a child support order, award, agreement, or judgment.
  • Employment eligibility: Federal, state and local agencies may use credit reports for employment purposes with the consent of the applicant or employee.
  • Other instances where the government agency receives the written instruction of the consumer to whom such information relates.

Use of Non-Credit Data

Government agencies may secure non-credit consumer data (which includes public records and private, proprietary data sources) for various purposes but must comply with specific consumer privacy and data security regulations including, but not limited to, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).


If you have questions related to a possible program or application in which you believe you need a consumer credit report under permissible purpose, please contact Kevin Kottman, Vice President, Public Sector at TransUnion: kevin.kottman@transunion.com or 443-465-7171.


Government agencies may use GLBA-covered data from TransUnion for the following general purposes:

  • Combat fraud: Ability to use certain data to verify and authenticate people who use government services.
  • Investigations: Ability to use certain data to investigate suspected criminal activity related to tax collection, entitlement or service fraud, public safety and national security.
  • Other instances where the government agency receives consent from the consumer or direction from the consumer to use the data.
  • Carrying out government functions: Ability to maintain accurate records for purposes of preventing and detecting fraud, locating criminals, witnesses, victims, debtors and benefits recipients, and complying with legal obligations placed on government agencies.

Developing Predictive Models

Government agencies may secure consumer data for the development of predictive data models but must comply with the rules and regulations governing the underlying data. Depending on the data secured, this may be the FCRA, GLBA, and/or DPPA.

If you have questions related to a possible program or application in which you believe you need a consumer credit report under permissible purpose, please contact Kevin Kottman, Vice President, Public Sector at TransUnion: kevin.kottman@transunion.com or 443-465-7171.

TransUnion offers solutions for the following general purposes:

  • Identity verification: Ability to use certain data to identify possible identity theft that may put public safety, government infrastructure or government services at risk.
  • Identify fraud: Ability to use certain data to predict possible tax, entitlement or benefit fraud.
  • Ensure workforce trust: Ability to use certain data to predict possible fraud or security risk.