>How that is true? I've been asked for credit report when getting a credit card, renting apartment, signing up for phone service, signing up for internet service, signing up for the TV service, buying a car, buying any of the kitchen appliances, getting a mortgage, buying life insurance, buying car insurance... You get the idea. What kind of "average American" does none of these things? It's certainly not an average American I have ever met or heard of.
How does that make you a customer? This has uses for the companies you buy things from, but not for you directly. I live in a country with no credit reports (credit is given using other metrics) and in do way do I see this as you being the customer or consumer in this case.
That's something that allows me to access easy credit. If I don't have one (e.g. as a new immigrant I didn't have any credit record) I do not get access to credit, instead I have to prepay stuff, use very expensive credit (12% APR instead of 3% APR, that sort of thing), large security deposits etc. Clearly having credit reports make my life easier (and cheaper). How that's not being a customer?
Because I, and many people worldwide, can do all that without credit reports. If it weren't for the credit agencies banks would find another way to determine what credit to give you without additional costs to you.
How does that make you a customer? This has uses for the companies you buy things from, but not for you directly. I live in a country with no credit reports (credit is given using other metrics) and in do way do I see this as you being the customer or consumer in this case.