The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law designed to protect the integrity and privacy of your credit information. The FCRA does this by imposing rules on how a credit reporting agency (CRA) can report information about your credit. It also imposes restrictions, and obligations, on the creditors and others (called the furnishers) that provide information about you to the CRAs.
It's important to understand what the FCRA requires and prohibits so that you can ensure that your credit report is accurate. It's equally important to know what you can do if a CRA or a creditor violates your rights under the FCRA.
Get the basics on the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA
Learn how and when unpaid rent might show up on your credit reports and what you can do to protect and improve your credit.
The FCRA limits who can pull your credit report. Here are some common scenarios when someone improperly requests your report.
Learn common ways that creditors and consumer reporting agencies violate the FCRA so you can better protect your credit information.
If a credit bureau, creditor, or someone else violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can sue and get damages.
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At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.