The Fair Credit Reporting Act
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.
Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Online Form
Demand Collection Agency Cease Contact
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
More Legal Issues
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Corporations Car Accidents Criminal Law Debt Management Disability Law Divorce & Family Law
Learn About Our Team
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Need a Lawyer? We Can Help
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Describe Your Case
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
Get Connected
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Hire an Attorney
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
Nolo Legal Dictionary
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.
Are You an Attorney?
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On
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.
- Briefly tell us about your case
- Provide your contact information
- Choose attorneys to contact you
Copyright ©2025 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Consumer Health Data Notice.
Your Privacy Choices