Your Credit Rights

Your consumer rights regarding your credit file are ensured by several federal laws. In addition, state law which also apply. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) was designed specifically to help ensure that credit bureaus furnish businesses with correct and complete information to use when evaluating your application or your credit worthiness.

The FCRA protects consumers by requiring credit bureaus to adopt reasonable procedures regarding confidentiality, accuracy and proper use of your credit information. In summary, the FCRA states:

• You have the right to know the name of anyone who received your credit report in the last year for most purposes and in the last two years for employment purposes;
• At your request, a credit reporting agency must provide you with your credit file. You are entitled to one free report per year if a) you are unemployed and plan to seek employment in 60 days, b) you are on welfare or c) your report is inaccurate due to fraud. If you have been denied credit, you also may request a free copy of your credit report, as long as the credit file is requested within 60 days of denial notification;
• Inaccurate information must be corrected or deleted by the credit reporting agency, usually within 30 days after you successfully dispute the information;
• A credit reporting agency may not report negative information, in most cases, that is more than seven years old, or in the case of bankruptcies, 10 years old;
• Your consent is required for reports that are provided to employers, or for reports that contain medical information; and,
• Access to your file is limited only to those with a need recognized by the FCRA-;usually to consider an application with a creditor, insurer, employer, landlord or other business. For the complete text of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. §§1681-1681u and your rights thereunder, go to the Federal Trade Commission's web site www.ftc.gov.