The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. There are many types of consumer reporting agencies, including credit bureaus that gather and sell information about your creditworthiness to creditors, employers, landlords, and other businesses. The FCRA gives you specific rights, which are summarized below. You may have additional rights under state law.
Here is a list of how the FCRA can help you, the consumer:
• Accurate Reporting – If the information in your file has been used against you, you must be notified.
• Report Access – You have the right to have full disclosure of your file. You may request and obtain all the information about you in the files of a consumer reporting agency.
• Score Access – You have the right to ask for a credit score.
• Removal of Outdated Information – You have the right to dispute inaccurate information. Consumer reporting agencies must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information.
• Protected Access – Access to your file is limited. A consumer reporting agency may provide information about you only to people with a valid need, usually to consider an application with a creditor, insurer, employer, landlord, or other business. Employers must have your consent to have your report provided to them.
• Limit Unsolicited Credit Offers – You can limit prescreened credit and insurance offers you get based on information in your credit report. You can opt out with the nationwide credit bureaus at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).
• Seek Damages – You may seek damages from violators who violate the FCRA.
• Maintain Medical Information Privacy – You are protected from having medical information in a consumer report.
• Additional Rights – Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have additional rights. For more information about additional rights, visit www.ftc.gov/credit.