Fair Credit Reporting
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) and consumer credit reports. A CRA is a business that provides credit reports to other persons. Credit reports are reports that detail your creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, and general reputation.
Ordering Copies of Your Credit Reports:
You are entitled to one free copy of your credit report from each CRA every year. You may request copies of your consumer report
by calling Equifax at 800-685-1111, Experian at 888-397-3742, and Trans Union at 800- 888-4213.
Disputing inaccurate information in your credit report:
If the information listed in your credit report is wrong, you have the right to dispute the information with the CRA and the creditor that
is reporting the inaccurate information.
Examples of inaccurate information in a credit report:
- Account is not yours,
- Account reported with a balance that was previously paid in full,
- Account reports with late payments when all payments were made timely,
- Account opened as a result of identity theft.
You should send a dispute letter to each CRA from whom you have ordered, received, and reviewed, a copy of your report if you think there are errors or wrong information. This letter should be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested.
The addresses for dispute letters to the big 3 CRA's are:
Remember to keep copies of the letters you send to the CRAs and to keep copies of your proof of mailing. The CRA must investigate your dispute and notify you of the results of their investigation within thirty days of receipt of your request.
