The federal 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 credit-worthiness to creditors, employers, landlords and other businesses. The FCRA gives consumers specific rights as summarized below; you may have additional rights under state law:
- You must be told if information in your file has been used against you.
- You can find out what is in your file.
- You have a right to know your credit score.
- You can dispute inaccurate information with the consumer reporting agency.
- Inaccurate information must be corrected or deleted.
- Outdated negative information may not be reported.
- Access to your file is limited.
- Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have additional rights.
For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission website or view an updated copy of the act here.
