Your FCRA Rights: What Credit Bureaus Don't Want You to Know
Understanding your legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and how to use them.
Elena Rodriguez
Credit Counselor
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you powerful rights when it comes to your credit report. Here's what you need to know.
Right to Dispute
You can dispute any information you believe is inaccurate. The bureau must investigate within 30 days.
Right to Know Who Accessed Your Report
You can see everyone who has pulled your credit report in the past two years.
Right to Sue
If a bureau violates your rights, you may be able to sue. Where the violation is willful, the FCRA allows statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 per violation (15 U.S.C. § 1681n); where it is negligent, you may recover your actual damages (15 U.S.C. § 1681o). Whether either applies to your situation is a question for a lawyer.
Right to Accurate Information
Credit bureaus must follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum accuracy.
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