Free Fair Credit Reporting Act FAQs | Free Fair Credit Reporting Act Legal FAQs

What Effect Will A Judgment Or Debt Have On My Credit?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:59:31 GMT

An unpaid judgment will have a significant effect on your credit. In addition, other debts that are not judgments can still be reported on your credit report.

How Do I Find The Cra (Consumer Reporting Agency) That Has My Report?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:05:02 GMT

The three major national credit bureaus are:

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
(800) 685-1111.
Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013
(888) EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
Trans Union
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
(800) 916-8800

In addition, anyone who takes action against you in response to a report supplied by a CRA - such as denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment - must give you the name, address, and telephone number of the CRA that provided the report.

Do I Have A Right To Know What's In My Report?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:07:52 GMT

Yes, if you ask for it. The CRA must tell you everything in your report, including medical information, and in most cases, the sources of the information. The CRA also must give you a list of everyone who has requested your report within the past year -- two years for employment related requests.

Is There A Charge For My Report?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:09:42 GMT

Sometimes. There's no charge if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance or employment, and you request your report within 60 days of receiving the notice of the action. The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the CRA. In addition, you're entitled to one free report a year (1) you're unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days, (2) you're on welfare, or (3) your report is inaccurate because of fraud. Otherwise, a CRA may charge you up to $9 for a copy of your report.

What Can I Do About Inaccurate Or Incomplete Information?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:16:15 GMT

Under the new law, both the CRA and the information provider have responsibilities for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your report. To protect all your rights under this law, contact both the CRA and the information provider.

First, tell the CRA in writing what information you believe is inaccurate. CRAs must reinvestigate the items in question - usually within 30 days -- unless they consider your dispute frivolous. They also must forward all relevant data you provide about the dispute to the information provider. After the information provider receives notice of a dispute from the CRA, it must investigate, review all relevant information provided by the CRA, and report the results to the CRA. If the information provider finds the disputed information to be inaccurate, it must notify all nationwide CRAs so that they can correct this information in your file.

When the reinvestigation is complete, the CRA must give you the written results and a free copy of your report if the dispute results in a change. If an item is changed or removed, the CRA cannot put the disputed information back in your file unless the information provider verifies its accuracy and completeness, and the CRA gives you a written notice that includes the name, address, and phone number of the provider.

Second, tell the creditor or other information provider in writing that you dispute an item. Many providers specify an address for disputes. If the provider then reports the item to any CRA, it must include a notice of your dispute. In addition, if you are correct - that is, if the information is inaccurate - the information provider may not use it again.

What Can I Do If The Cra Or Information Provider Won't Correct The Information I Dispute?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:17:11 GMT

A reinvestigation may not resolve your dispute with the CRA. If that's the case, ask the CRA to include your statement of the dispute in your file and in future reports. If you request, the CRA also will provide your statement to anyone who received a copy of the old report in the recent past. There usually is a fee for this service. If you tell the information provider that you dispute an item, a notice of your dispute must be included anytime the information provider reports the item to a CRA.

Can My Employer Get My Report?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:18:18 GMT

Only if you say it's okay. A CRA may not supply information about you to your employer, or to a prospective employer, without your consent.

Can Creditors, Employers, Or Insurers Get A Report That Contains Medical Information About Me?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:19:09 GMT

Not without your approval.

What Should I Know About "Investigative Consumer Reports"?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:20:05 GMT

Investigative consumer reports” are detailed reports that involve interviews with your neighbors or acquaintances about your lifestyle, character, and reputation. They may be used in connection with insurance and employment applications. You'll be notified in writing when a company orders such a report. The notice will explain your right to request certain information about the report from the company you applied to. If your application is rejected, you may get additional information from the CRA. However, the CRA does not have to reveal the sources of the information.

How Long Can A Cra Report Negative Information?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:23:10 GMT

Seven years. There are certain exceptions:

Information about criminal convictions may be reported without any time limitation.
Bankruptcy information may be reported for 10 years.
Information reported in response to an application for a job with a salary of more than $75,000 has no time limit.
Information reported because of an application for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance has no time limit.
Information about a lawsuit or an unpaid judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer.

Can Anyone Get A Copy Of My Report?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:24:59 GMT

No. Only people with a legitimate business need, as recognized by the FCRA. For example, a company is allowed to get your report if you apply for credit, insurance, employment, or to rent an apartment.

How Can I Stop A Cra From Including Me On Lists For Unsolicited Credit And Insurance Offers?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:25:57 GMT

Creditors and insurers may use CRA file information as a basis for sending you unsolicited offers. These offers must include a toll-free number for you to call if you want to remove your name and address from lists for two years; completing a form that the CRA provides for this purpose will keep your name off the lists permanently.

Do I Have The Right To Sue For Damages?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:26:48 GMT

You may sue a CRA, a user or -- in some cases -- a provider of CRA data, in state or federal court for most violations of the FCRA. If you win, the defendant will have to pay damages and reimburse you for attorney fees to the extent ordered by the court.

Are There Other Laws I Should Know About?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:36:25 GMT

Yes. If your credit application was denied, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act requires creditors to specify why -- if you ask. For example, the creditor must tell you whether you were denied because you have "no credit file" with a CRA or because the CRA says you have "delinquent obligations." The ECOA also requires creditors to consider additional information you might supply about your credit history. You may want to find out why the creditor denied your application before you contact the CRA.

Free Chex Systems FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Chex Systems FAQs

Free Collections FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Collections FAQs

Free Creditor Remedies in Bankruptcy FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Creditor Remedies in Bankruptcy FAQs

Free Debt Collections FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Debt Collections FAQs

Free Enforcement of Judgments FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Enforcement of Judgments FAQs

Free Fair Debt Collection Practices Act FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Fair Debt Collection Practices Act FAQs

Free Identity Theft FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Identity Theft FAQs

Free Judicial Remedies FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Judicial Remedies FAQs

Free Mortgage Foreclosure FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Mortgage Foreclosure FAQs

Free Non-Judicial Remedies FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Non-Judicial Remedies FAQs

Free Secured Transactions FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Secured Transactions FAQs

Free Types of Creditors FAQs

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:16:33 GMT

Free Types of Creditors FAQs