@Myra-and-Steve0
The credit checks my Host/Landlord clients use are authorized by the tenant/guest (they must consent). Someone who doesn't want to do that doesn't get to rent with them. No need to get a credit history without their consent, as it is a requirement to be considered.
In general (in the U.S.), there are (3) major financial data companies that track your credit history. Your score is available to to those you have authorized to obtain it before lending to you (mortgage, car loan, credit card). Nothing new there. If you have a bad credit score, you would be more of a risk to a lender (or a Landlord) as you have a poor history of paying your bills. Would you want to rent to someone who didn't have a good track record? I think not.
Of course, these days, your personal information is everywhere (dark web) and is easily available to anyone for a fee without your consent. Not sure how you get around that. There are ways to mitigate it, but no way to eliminate it.
