### Question
Can you define what consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis means?


### Answer
**Consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis** is defined as the following in *15 U.S.C. § 1681a*:

> a consumer reporting agency that regularly engages in the practice of assembling or evaluating, and maintaining, for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties bearing on a consumer's credit worthiness,[3](#1681a_3_target) credit standing, or credit capacity, each of the following regarding consumers residing nationwide:


(1) Public record information

#### Citation:
  - *15 U.S.C. § 1681a*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 40-DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE > SUBCHAPTER III-CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES**

