Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that sets rules for consumer reports. Credit bureaus, background-check companies, data furnishers, and businesses that use reports all have responsibilities under the law.

What does the FCRA protect?

The FCRA gives consumers rights when information in a report is inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, or connected to the wrong person. It also addresses how reports may be obtained and how businesses must respond when a report contributes to an adverse decision.

Problems that may involve the FCRA

• Accounts or debts that do not belong to you.
• Someone else’s information mixed into your file.
• An account reported with an inaccurate balance or status.
• A credit inquiry or report pulled without a lawful purpose.
• False or outdated information in an employment or tenant report.
• A report that remains inaccurate after a proper dispute.

What should you preserve?

Keep copies of the report showing the problem, notices or adverse-action letters, dispute correspondence, supporting account records, and a timeline of what happened. Do not send Social Security numbers, full account numbers, passwords, or other sensitive information through this website.

When should you speak with an attorney?

Consider a review when an inaccurate report has affected your ability to obtain credit, employment, housing, or another important opportunity, especially when the reporting company or furnisher did not correct the problem after receiving information about it. The strength of a potential claim depends on the facts, the reports, the dispute process, and the applicable law.

Raburn Kaufman represents consumers in FCRA matters from Baton Rouge and nationwide. A case review is free, confidential, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.