What Is Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?

Under FCRA, an individual gets some consumer rights like fair treatment by banks, lenders, and creditors. These parties’ violation of Fair Credit Reporting Act can result in lower credit scores, higher loan interest rates, and denial of credit. The law benefits for consumers include accessing their credit information and disputing incomplete or inaccurate details.

How Does FCRA Work?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act definition suggests a federal law passed in 1970 in the U.S. to regulate the collection of credit, payment history, and financial status of a consumer. Credit reporting agencies manage these records of consumers from time to time.

Key Takeaways

  • Fair Credit Reporting Act or FCRA is federal legislation of the U.S. enacted in 1970 to regulate the collection, dissemination, and use of a consumer’s credit, payment history, and financial position.When applying for a mortgage or a loan, banks and credit unions often check the consumer’s credit reports.FCRA regulations ensure that consumers have some rights, are in optimal authority, and are aware of exercising them.Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax are the three most renowned credit reporting bureaus reporting consumer credit information.

Every person leaves a paper trail and digital footprint of transaction history, credit score, debt, and other crucial details whenever they make a transaction. The credit reports are information that is highly private and confidential.

FCRA is followed by credit reporting agencies responsible for accumulating consumer data and selling it to third parties for reference and background check. They quintessentially gather consumer information like their addresses, employment details, sources of income, payment history, previous loans, current debts, etc.

Credit reporting bureaus keep a strict eye on consumers’ credit reports and records. FCRA puts specific regulations to maintain consumer privacy. For example, how well they are maintained, how many people have access to them, and how long they hold them. It also questions the need for it and the use for others to access these credit reports, including the consumer.

Even though the act may sometimes seem unnecessary or lengthy to follow, it safeguards consumer finances and the credit system.

Purpose Of FCRA

The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enforces FCRA regulations. The primary purpose of Fair Credit Reporting Act is to make sure the consumer is well informed about their credit scores, debts, previous loans, and current financial status in the creditorsCreditorsA creditor refers to a party involving an individual, institution, or the government that extends credit or lends goods, property, services, or money to another party known as a debtor. The credit made through a legal contract guarantees repayment within a specified period as mutually agreed upon by both parties. read more market. It also empowers them to take appropriate actions in case of any discrepancies in the said credit information.

People take loans and mortgages for personal reasons and medical emergencies. In doing so, consumer credit bureaus, such as Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, banks, and credit unions, verify consumer credit history to determine their creditworthinessCreditworthinessCreditworthiness is a measure of judging the loan repayment history of borrowers to ascertain their worth as a debtor who should be extended a future credit or not. For instance, a defaulter’s creditworthiness is not very promising, so the lenders may avoid such a debtor out of the fear of losing their money. Creditworthiness applies to people, sovereign states, securities, and other entities whereby the creditors will analyze your creditworthiness before getting a new loan.read more.

For instance, two brothers took individual loans. One was sincere with financial planningFinancial PlanningFinancial planning is a structured approach to understanding your current and future financial goals and then taking the necessary measures to accomplish them. Because this does not begin and end in a specific time frame, it is referred to as an ongoing process.read more and money management, while the other did not care much about it. In comparison, the smart brother always paid monthly installments without any delay. The other brother missed deadlines, and interest rates grew, penalties were charged. He finally went broke, eventually facing legal issues and bankruptcy.

Sometime later, both brothers applied for another loan from another bank. All banks were happy to lend money to the smart one, but they did not entertain the other and rejected his loan application. The bank had credit reports of both of them, showing how the other took installments for granted.

It is an easy to comprehend example of how credit reports determine one’s worthiness and financial status.

Tip: It is not only essential to have a credit report secured but to have a good credit score as well.

Consumer Rights Under FCRA

FCRA regulations work under complex terms and guidelines, and not everyone can remember each of them. With that said, an individual may exercise consumer rights under FCRA for the following reasons –

  • Gain access to credit reports while restricting access to others, excluding landlords, insurers, creditors, and employers (consumer consent required)Get all the information a credit reporting agency has on its file, primarily for freeAsk the consumer reporting agencies for a credit score (may incur a charge for it)Request a free copy of the credit report from a credit bureau every 12 monthsIdentity theft victims can place a security freeze or fraud alert on the credit reportBe informed about any adverse actions, such as denial of insurance, credit, loan, or employment due to credit historyDispute any willful or negligent wrong information on the credit report to the consumer reporting agency. The data must be corrected or deleted within one and a half monthsFile a lawsuit against any credit reporting bureau for the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act violation and inappropriate and unfair use of the credit report and data

Recently, at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, many credit bureaus offered access to free weekly credit reports until 20th April 2021. They have also announced a free credit report extension till April 2022.

Fair Credit Reporting Act Violations

The consumers may exercise their rights to sue the state, legal institutions, and federal court for damages and non-granted access to their credit reports. The FCRA violation may result in fines and further penalties. The most common breaches of FCRA include –

  • The credit bureau duplicating credit records with someone having a similar Social Security NumberBureaus messing up personal data and critical information with people of similar first and last namesThe creditor reporting late payments even when these have been made on timeCreditors sharing credit records with potential identity theft accountsThe creditor inappropriately filing information like balance due, past debts, and credit scoresCredit reporting agencies violating consumer privacy by sharing credit records with anybody without any legal permission, warrant, or need

There is a whole list of FCRA violations with legal charges, penalties, and damages paid. However, there are remedies available to willful violations, such as –

  • Claiming for basic damages that fluctuate between $100 to $1000 or moreClaiming for provable damages with no limit to the compensationSuing the consumer reporting agency, credit bureau, creditor, or user of consumer information like a bank or credit union in the federal courtClaiming for punitive damages and legal fees

This has been a guide to what is a fair credit reporting act. Here we discuss how does FCRA works along with purposes, consumer rights, and violations. You may also learn more about financing from the following articles –

FCRA governs credit reporting agencies’ collection, use, and disclosure of consumer credit information to third parties. Also, it assures that personal data and other sensitive information in documents created by such entities are accurate, private, and transparent.

Individuals may utilize their consumer rights under the FCRA for the following reasons:#1 – Access credit reports as per requirement#2 – Request a free copy of the credit report every 12 months#3 – Place a security freeze on the credit report#4 – Dispute willful or negligent wrong credit information#5 – Sue bureau, creditor, or user of consumer information like a bank or credit union in the federal court for not treating them fairly.

The consumer may sue the state, legal institutions, and federal court for damages ranging from $100 to $1000 and sometimes more, depending upon the harm done.

  • Carbon CreditCarbon CreditCarbon credits are exchangeable certificates issued by a government or regulating authority, requiring companies or organizations to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases over a specific period.read moreCommercial CreditCommercial CreditCommercial credit is an on-demand loan credit facility pre-approved by the bank for urgent cash requirements or working capital needs. Unlike loans where the borrower is charged with interest on the entire loan, this helps pay interest only on the withdrawn amount.read moreTypes of CreditTypes Of CreditTrade credit, bank credit, revolving credit, open credit, installment credit, mutual credit, and service credit are some of the different types of credit.read more