Your FCRA Rights: What Credit Bureaus Are Required to Do

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law governing how your credit information is collected, used, and reported. Most people don't realize how powerful their rights are.

Your Right to Free Credit Reports

You're entitled to one free credit report from each bureau annually at AnnualCreditReport.com. You also get a free report if denied credit based on your report.

Your Right to Dispute

You can dispute any information you believe is inaccurate. Once filed, the bureau must: investigate within 30 days, forward your dispute to the furnisher, delete or correct inaccurate items, and notify you of results in writing.

Your Right to Adverse Action Notices

If you're denied credit because of your report, you must receive a notice telling you which bureau's report was used and how to get a free copy.

Your Right to a Credit Freeze

You can place a free security freeze on your report at any bureau, preventing new creditors from accessing it. You can lift the freeze whenever needed.

Holding Bureaus Accountable

If a bureau violates your FCRA rights, you can sue in federal court and may be entitled to actual damages, statutory damages ($100–$1,000 per violation), punitive damages, and attorney's fees.