CAIVRS - The Credit Alert Interactive System

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What is CAIVRS?

CAIVRS is a Federal government database of delinquent Federal debtors that allows federal agencies to reduce the risk to federal loan and loan guarantee programs. CAIVRS alerts participating Federal lending agencies when an applicant for credit benefits, or for a position of trust in support of the administration of a Federal credit program, has a Federal lien, judgment or a Federal loan that is currently in default or foreclosure, or has had a claim paid by a reporting agency.

What does it do?

CAIVRS allows authorized employees of participating Federal agencies to access a database of delinquent Federal borrowers for the purpose of pre-screening direct loan applicants for credit worthiness, and permits approved private lenders acting on the Government’s behalf to access the delinquent borrower database for the purpose of pre-screening the credit worthiness of applicants for Federally guaranteed loans. 

How does it work?

CAIVRS has delinquent borrower records from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Authorized users may access CAIVRS via the Internet or “touch tone,” telephone and be prompted to enter their CAIVRS Access code (an Agency assigned identification number or lender ID).  The system will verify the authorization number and then prompt the caller to enter the SSN of the applicant.  If the applicant’s SSN is not in the database, the caller will receive a clear confirmation code.  If there is a record of default for the borrower whose SSN was entered, the caller will be given the name of the Agency reporting the default, the case number of the defaulted debt, the type of delinquency (default, claim, foreclosure, lien or judgment) and a telephone number to call for further information or assistance. 

How can lenders access CAIVRS via the Internet?

Internet Access for FHA Approved Lenders

FHA lender staff currently accessing CAIVRS via the telephone who have FHA Connection User Ids will need to request that their FHA Connection Application Coordinator update their FHA Connection profile to include CAIVRS. FHA lender staff that does not have FHA Connection User Ids should access the FHA Connection at: https://entp.hud.gov/clas/index.cfm, and select Registering to Use the FHA Connection to request a User ID and access to CAIVRS.

Internet Access for Non-FHA Participating Agency Lenders

Non-FHA lender staff currently accessing CAIVRS via the telephone will need to request access from HUD’s Internet site at https://entp.hud.gov/caivrs/public/home.html, and select Registering Lender User ID from the main menu. Each non-FHA lender must request at least one Application Coordinator User ID as well as a Standard User ID for each individual user.

How does CAIVRS relate to Government Financial Management?

Federal law prevents “delinquent Federal debtors from obtaining Federal loans or loan insurance guarantees.”  CAIVRS provides a single repository of delinquent Federal debtor records with easy access through a variety of media for pre-screening applicants for Federal benefits.  Most credit bureau reports do not identify insured debts as being delinquent Federal debts.  By participating in CAIVRS, Federal lending agencies have ready access to an interdepartmental database of delinquent Federal debts that provide Federal financial managers with the information necessary to comply with the U.S. Code requirements.

What is required for participation in CAIVRS?

In order to participate in CAIVRS, a Federal government agency must identify target program(s), publish System of Records Notice in the Federal Register amending appropriate Privacy Act Systems of Records, and work with HUD to enter into an Interagency Agreement and a Computer Matching Agreement.

How has CAIVRS benefited the participating Agencies?

Since 1987, over 31 million borrowers have been pre-screened through CAIVRS.  As a direct result of participating in CAIVRS, HUD alone has avoided over $12 billion in potential claims and over $4 billion in potential losses.  USDA and VA have also realized significant claim and loss avoidance benefits.  Additionally, participating Agencies have realized cash collections of delinquent debts on an annual average in excess of $6 million.

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