It is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act to access credit without consent, barring criminal investigation under warrant.  Every time, however, that your credit is checked, it is required for the credit center to send you written notification of your credit check.\n\nIt is not discrimination, however.  People use that word way too much, and use it incorrectly.  It is discrimination if no one else in the office experienced the credit check, and there is something that differentiates you from others in the office that is covered under federal and state laws.\n\nIt is illegal and punishable not only under criminal action but also civil action.