THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
§ 601 Short title
§ 602 Congressional findings and statement of purpose
§ 603 Definitions; rules of construction
§ 604 Permissible purposes of consumer reports
§ 605A Identity theft prevention; fraud alerts and active duty alerts
§ 605B Block of information resulting from identity theft
§ 605 Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports
§ 606 Disclosure of investigative consumer reports
§ 607 Compliance procedures
§ 608 Disclosures to governmental agencies
§ 609 Disclosures to consumers
§ 610 Conditions and form of disclosure to consumers
§ 611 Procedure in case of disputed accuracy
§ 612 Charges for certain disclosures
§ 613 Public record information for employment purposes
§ 614 Restrictions on investigative consumer reports
§ 615 Requirements on users of consumer reports
§ 616 Civil liability for willful noncompliance
§ 617 Civil liability for negligent noncompliance
§ 618 Jurisdiction of courts; limitation of actions
§ 619 Obtaining information under false pretenses
§ 620 Unauthorized disclosures by officers or employees
§ 621 Administrative enforcement
§ 622 Information on overdue child support obligations
§ 623 Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies
§ 624 Affiliate sharing
§ 625 Relation to state laws
§ 626 Disclosures to FBI for counterintelligence purposes
§ 627 Disclosures to governmental agencies for counterterrorism purposes
§ 628 Disposal of records
§ 629 Corporate and technological circumvention prohibited
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§ 601. Short title
This title may be cited as the “Fair Credit Reporting Act”.
§ 602. Congressional findings and statement of purpose [15 U.S.C. § 1681]
(a) Accuracy and fairness of credit reporting. The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The banking system is dependent upon fair and accurate credit reporting.
Inaccurate credit reports directly impair the efficiency of the banking system, and
unfair credit reporting methods undermine the public confidence which is
essential to the continued functioning of the banking system.
(2) An elaborate mechanism has been developed for investigating and evaluating the
credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, and general
reputation of consumers.
(3) Consumer reporting agencies have assumed a vital role in assembling and
evaluating consumer credit and other information on consumers.
(4) There is a need to insure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave
responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumer's right
to privacy.
(b) Reasonable procedures. It is the purpose of this title to require that consumer
reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce
for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is
fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy,
relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the
requirements of this title.
§ 603. Definitions; rules of construction [15 U.S.C. § 1681a]
(a) Definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are applicable for the
purposes of this title.
(b) The term “person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, estate,
cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or
other entity.
(c) The term “consumer” means an individual.
(d) Consumer Report
(1) In general. The term "consumer report" means any written, oral, or other
communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a
consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general
reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living which is used or expected
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to be used or collected in whole or in part for the purpose of serving as a factor in
establishing the consumer's eligibility for
(A) credit or insurance to be used primarily for personal, family, or household
purposes;
(B) employment purposes; or
(C) any other purpose authorized under section 604 [§ 1681b].
(2) Exclusions. Except as provided in paragraph (3), the term "consumer report" does
not include
(A) subject to section 624, any
(i) report containing information solely as to transactions or experiences
between the consumer and the person making the report;
(ii) communication of that information among persons related by common
ownership or affiliated by corporate control; or
(iii) communication of other information among persons related by
common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if it is clearly
and conspicuously disclosed to the consumer that the information may
be communicated among such persons and the consumer is given the
opportunity, before the time that the information is initially
communicated, to direct that such information not be communicated
among such persons;
(B) any authorization or approval of a specific extension of credit directly or
indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device;
(C) any report in which a person who has been requested by a third party to
make a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly to a consumer
conveys his or her decision with respect to such request, if the third party
advises the consumer of the name and address of the person to whom the
request was made, and such person makes the disclosures to the consumer
required under section 615 [§ 1681m]; or
(D) a communication described in subsection (o) or (x).
(3) Restriction on sharing of medical information. Except for information or any
communication of information disclosed as provided in section 604(g)(3), the
exclusions in paragraph (2) shall not apply with respect to information disclosed
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to any person related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if
the information is--
(A) medical information;
(B) an individualized list or description based on the payment transactions of the
consumer for medical products or services; or
(C) an aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment transactions for
medical products or services.
(e) The term “investigative consumer report” means a consumer report or portion
thereof in which information on a consumer's character, general reputation, personal
characteristics, or mode of living is obtained through personal interviews with
neighbors, friends, or associates of the consumer reported on or with others with
whom he is acquainted or who may have knowledge concerning any such items of
information. However, such information shall not include specific factual information
on a consumer's credit record obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or
from a consumer reporting agency when such information was obtained directly from
a creditor of the consumer or from the consumer.
(f) The term “consumer reporting agency” means any person which, for monetary fees,
dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the
practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other
information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third
parties, and which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose
of preparing or furnishing consumer reports.
(g) The term “file,” when used in connection with information on any consumer, means
all of the information on that consumer recorded and retained by a consumer
reporting agency regardless of how the information is stored.
(h) The term “employment purposes” when used in connection with a consumer report
means a report used for the purpose of evaluating a consumer for employment,
promotion, reassignment or retention as an employee.
(i) The term “medical information” --
(1) means information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or medium,
created by or derived from a health care provider or the consumer, that relates to--
(A) the past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral health or
condition of an individual;
(B) the provision of health care to an individual; or
(C) the payment for the provision of health care to an individual.
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(2) does not include the age or gender of a consumer, demographic information about
the consumer, including a consumer's residence address or e-mail address, or any
other information about a consumer that does not relate to the physical, mental, or
behavioral health or condition of a consumer, including the existence or value of
any insurance policy.
(j) Definitions Relating to Child Support Obligations
(1) The “overdue support” has the meaning given to such term in section 666(e) of
title 42 [Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 666(e)].
(2) The term “State or local child support enforcement agency” means a State or local
agency which administers a State or local program for establishing and enforcing
child support obligations.
(k) Adverse Action
(1) Actions included. The term “adverse action”
(A) has the same meaning as in section 701(d)(6) of the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act; and
(B) means
(i) a denial or cancellation of, an increase in any charge for, or a reduction
or other adverse or unfavorable change in the terms of coverage or
amount of, any insurance, existing or applied for, in connection with
the underwriting of insurance;
(ii) a denial of employment or any other decision for employment purposes
that adversely affects any current or prospective employee;
(iii) a denial or cancellation of, an increase in any charge for, or any other
adverse or unfavorable change in the terms of, any license or benefit
described in section 604(a)(3)(D) [§ 1681b]; and
(iv) an action taken or determination that is
(I) made in connection with an application that was made by, or a
transaction that was initiated by, any consumer, or in connection
with a review of an account under section
604(a)(3)(F)(ii)[§ 1681b]; and
(II) adverse to the interests of the consumer.
(2) Applicable findings, decisions, commentary, and orders. For purposes of any
determination of whether an action is an adverse action under paragraph (1)(A),
all appropriate final findings, decisions, commentary, and orders issued under
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section 701(d)(6) of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System or any court shall apply.
(l) The term “firm offer of credit or insurance” means any offer of credit or insurance to
a consumer that will be honored if the consumer is determined, based on information
in a consumer report on the consumer, to meet the specific criteria used to select the
consumer for the offer, except that the offer may be further conditioned on one or
more of the following:
(1) The consumer being determined, based on information in the consumer's
application for the credit or insurance, to meet specific criteria bearing on credit
worthiness or insurability, as applicable, that are established
(A) before selection of the consumer for the offer; and
(B) for the purpose of determining whether to extend credit or insurance
pursuant to the offer.
(2) Verification
(A) that the consumer continues to meet the specific criteria used to select the
consumer for the offer, by using information in a consumer report on the
consumer, information in the consumer's application for the credit or
insurance, or other information bearing on the credit worthiness or
insurability of the consumer; or
(B) of the information in the consumer's application for the credit or insurance,
to determine that the consumer meets the specific criteria bearing on credit
worthiness or insurability.
(3) The consumer furnishing any collateral that is a requirement for the extension of
the credit or insurance that was
(A) established before selection of the consumer for the offer of credit or
insurance; and
(B) disclosed to the consumer in the offer of credit or insurance.
(m) The term “credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer” does
not include the use of a consumer report by a person with which the consumer has an
account or insurance policy, for purposes of
(1) reviewing the account or insurance policy; or
(2) collecting the account.
(n) The term “State” means any State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of
Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States.
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(o) Excluded communications. A communication is described in this subsection if it is a
communication
(1) that, but for subsection (d)(2)(D), would be an investigative consumer report;
(2) that is made to a prospective employer for the purpose of
(A) procuring an employee for the employer; or
(B) procuring an opportunity for a natural person to work for the employer;
(3) that is made by a person who regularly performs such procurement;
(4) that is not used by any person for any purpose other than a purpose described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2); and
(5) with respect to which
(A) the consumer who is the subject of the communication
(i) consents orally or in writing to the nature and scope of the
communication, before the collection of any information for the
purpose of making the communication;
(ii) consents orally or in writing to the making of the communication to a
prospective employer, before the making of the communication; and
(iii) in the case of consent under clause (i) or (ii) given orally, is provided
written confirmation of that consent by the person making the
communication, not later than 3 business days after the receipt of the
consent by that person;
(B) the person who makes the communication does not, for the purpose of
making the communication, make any inquiry that if made by a
prospective employer of the consumer who is the subject of the
communication would violate any applicable Federal or State equal
employment opportunity law or regulation; and
(C) the person who makes the communication
(i) discloses in writing to the consumer who is the subject of the
communication, not later than 5 business days after receiving any
request from the consumer for such disclosure, the nature and substance
of all information in the consumer's file at the time of the request, except
that the sources of any information that is acquired solely for use in
making the communication and is actually used for no other purpose,
need not be disclosed other than under appropriate discovery procedures
in any court of competent jurisdiction in which an action is brought; and
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(ii) notifies the consumer who is the subject of the communication, in
writing, of the consumer's right to request the information described in
clause (i).
(p) The term “consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on
consumers on a nationwide basis” means a consumer reporting agency that regularly
engages in the practice of assembling or evaluating, and maintaining, for the purpose
of furnishing consumer reports to third parties bearing on a consumer's credit
worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity, each of the following regarding
consumers residing nationwide:
(1) Public record information.
(2) Credit account information from persons who furnish that information regularly
and in the ordinary course of business.
(q) Definitions relating to fraud alerts.
(1) The term “active duty military consumer” means a consumer in military service
who--
(A) is on active duty (as defined in section 101(d)(1) of title 10, United States
Code) or is a reservist performing duty under a call or order to active duty
under a provision of law referred to in section 101(a)(13) of title 10,
United States Code; and
(B) is assigned to service away from the usual duty station of the consumer.
(2) The terms “fraud alert” and “active duty alert” mean a statement in the file of a
consumer that--
(A) notifies all prospective users of a consumer report relating to the consumer
that the consumer may be a victim of fraud, including identity theft, or is
an active duty military consumer, as applicable; and
(B) is presented in a manner that facilitates a clear and conspicuous view of
the statement described in subparagraph (A) by any person requesting such
consumer report.
(3) The term “identity theft” means a fraud committed using the identifying
information of another person, subject to such further definition as the
Commission may prescribe, by regulation.
(4) The term “identity theft report” has the meaning given that term by rule of the
Commission, and means, at a minimum, a report--
(A) that alleges an identity theft;
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(B) that is a copy of an official, valid report filed by a consumer with an
appropriate Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, including the
United States Postal Inspection Service, or such other government agency
deemed appropriate by the Commission; and
(C) the filing of which subjects the person filing the report to criminal
penalties relating to the filing of false information if, in fact, the
information in the report is false.
(5) The term “new credit plan” means a new account under an open end credit plan
(as defined in section 103(i) of the Truth in Lending Act) or a new credit
transaction not under an open end credit plan.
(r) Credit and Debit Related Terms
(1) The term “card issuer” means--
(A) a credit card issuer, in the case of a credit card; and
(B) a debit card issuer, in the case of a debit card.
(2) The term “credit card” has the same meaning as in section 103 of the Truth in
Lending Act.
(3) The term “debit card” means any card issued by a financial institution to a
consumer for use in initiating an electronic fund transfer from the account of the
consumer at such financial institution, for the purpose of transferring money
between accounts or obtaining money, property, labor, or services.
(4) The terms “account” and “electronic fund transfer” have the same meanings as in
section 903 of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.
(5) The terms “credit” and “creditor” have the same meanings as in section 702 of the
Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
(s) The term “Federal banking agency” has the same meaning as in section 3 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
(t) The term “financial institution” means a State or National bank, a State or Federal
savings and loan association, a mutual savings bank, a State or Federal credit union,
or any other person that, directly or indirectly, holds a transaction account (as defined
in section 19(b) of the Federal Reserve Act) belonging to a consumer.
(u) The term “reseller” means a consumer reporting agency that--
(1) assembles and merges information contained in the database of another consumer
reporting agency or multiple consumer reporting agencies concerning any
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consumer for purposes of furnishing such information to any third party, to the
extent of such activities; and
(2) does not maintain a database of the assembled or merged information from which
new consumer reports are produced.
(v) The term “Commission” means the Federal Trade Commission.
(w) The term “nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency” means a consumer
reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide
basis relating to--
(1) medical records or payments;
(2) residential or tenant history;
(3) check writing history;
(4) employment history; or
(5) insurance claims.
(x) Exclusion of Certain Communications for Employee Investigations
(1) A communication is described in this subsection if--
(A) but for subsection (d)(2)(D), the communication would be a consumer
report;
(B) the communication is made to an employer in connection with an
investigation of–
(i) suspected misconduct relating to employment; or
(ii) compliance with Federal, State, or local laws and regulations, the rules
of a self-regulatory organization, or any preexisting written policies of
the employer;
(C) the communication is not made for the purpose of investigating a
consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity; and
(D) the communication is not provided to any person except--
(i) to the employer or an agent of the employer;
(ii) to any Federal or State officer, agency, or department, or any officer,
agency, or department of a unit of general local government;
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(iii) to any self-regulatory organization with regulatory authority over the
activities of the employer or employee;
(iv) as otherwise required by law; or
(v) pursuant to section 608.
(2) Subsequent disclosure. After taking any adverse action based in whole or in part on a
communication described in paragraph (1), the employer shall disclose to the
consumer a summary containing the nature and substance of the communication
upon which the adverse action is based, except that the sources of information
acquired solely for use in preparing what would be but for subsection (d)(2)(D) an
investigative consumer report need not be disclosed.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term “self-regulatory organization” includes any
self-regulatory organization (as defined in section 3(a)(26) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934), any entity established under title I of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, any board of trade designated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, and any futures association registered with such Commission.
§ 604. Permissible purposes of consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681b]
(a) In general. Subject to subsection (c), any consumer reporting agency may furnish a
consumer report under the following circumstances and no other:
(1) In response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue such an order, or a
subpoena issued in connection with proceedings before a Federal grand jury.
(2) In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates.
(3) To a person which it has reason to believe
(A) intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction
involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and
involving the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account
of, the consumer; or
(B) intends to use the information for employment purposes; or
(C) intends to use the information in connection with the underwriting of
insurance involving the consumer; or
(D) intends to use the information in connection with a determination of the
consumer's eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a
governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicant's
financial responsibility or status; or
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(E) intends to use the information, as a potential investor or servicer, or
current insurer, in connection with a valuation of, or an assessment of the
credit or prepayment risks associated with, an existing credit obligation; or
(F) otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information
(i) in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the
consumer; or
(ii) to review an account to determine whether the consumer continues to
meet the terms of the account.
(4) In response to a request by the head of a State or local child support enforcement
agency (or a State or local government official authorized by the head of such an
agency), if the person making the request certifies to the consumer reporting
agency that
(A) the consumer report is needed for the purpose of establishing an
individual’s capacity to make child support payments or determining the
appropriate level of such payments;
(B) the paternity of the consumer for the child to which the obligation relates
has been established or acknowledged by the consumer in accordance with
State laws under which the obligation arises (if required by those laws);
(C) the person has provided at least 10 days’ prior notice to the consumer
whose report is requested, by certified or registered mail to the last known
address of the consumer, that the report will be requested; and
(D) the consumer report will be kept confidential, will be used solely for a
purpose described in subparagraph (A), and will not be used in connection
with any other civil, administrative, or criminal proceeding, or for any
other purpose.
(5) To an agency administering a State plan under Section 454 of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. § 654) for use to set an initial or modified child support award.
(b) Conditions for Furnishing and Using Consumer Reports for Employment Purposes.
(1) Certification from user. A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer
report for employment purposes only if
(A) the person who obtains such report from the agency certifies to the agency
that
(i) the person has complied with paragraph (2) with respect to the consumer
report, and the person will comply with paragraph (3) with respect to the
consumer report if paragraph (3) becomes applicable; and
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(ii) information from the consumer report will not be used in violation of
any applicable Federal or State equal employment opportunity law or
regulation; and
(B) the consumer reporting agency provides with the report, or has previously
provided, a summary of the consumer's rights under this title, as prescribed
by the Federal Trade Commission under section 609(c)(3) [§ 1681g].
(2) Disclosure to Consumer.
(A) In general. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a person may not
procure a consumer report, or cause a consumer report to be procured, for
employment purposes with respect to any consumer, unless--
(i) a clear and conspicuous disclosure has been made in writing to the
consumer at any time before the report is procured or caused to be
procured, in a document that consists solely of the disclosure, that a
consumer report may be obtained for employment purposes; and
(ii) the consumer has authorized in writing (which authorization may be
made on the document referred to in clause (i)) the procurement of the
report by that person.
(B) Application by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means. If a
consumer described in subparagraph (C) applies for employment by mail,
telephone, computer, or other similar means, at any time before a
consumer report is procured or caused to be procured in connection with
that application--
(i) the person who procures the consumer report on the consumer for
employment purposes shall provide to the consumer, by oral, written,
or electronic means, notice that a consumer report may be obtained for
employment purposes, and a summary of the consumer's rights under
section 615(a)(3); and
(ii) the consumer shall have consented, orally, in writing, or electronically
to the procurement of the report by that person.
(C) Scope. Subparagraph (B) shall apply to a person procuring a consumer
report on a consumer in connection with the consumer's application for
employment only if--
(i) the consumer is applying for a position over which the Secretary of
Transportation has the power to establish qualifications and maximum
hours of service pursuant to the provisions of section 31502 of title 49,
or a position subject to safety regulation by a State transportation
agency; and
1The references in Sections 604(b)(3)(A) and 604(b)(3)(B) should be to Section 609(c)(1), not (c)(3) that no
longer exists as the result of Congress’ re-organization of Section 609(c) in 2003 (FACT Act).
July 30, 2004 15
(ii) as of the time at which the person procures the report or causes the
report to be procured the only interaction between the consumer and
the person in connection with that employment application has been by
mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means.
(3) Conditions on use for adverse actions.
(A) In general. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in using a consumer
report for employment purposes, before taking any adverse action based in
whole or in part on the report, the person intending to take such adverse
action shall provide to the consumer to whom the report relates--
(i) a copy of the report; and
(ii) a description in writing of the rights of the consumer under this title, as
prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission under section 609(c)(3).1
(B) Application by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means.
(i) If a consumer described in subparagraph (C) applies for employment
by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means, and if a person
who has procured a consumer report on the consumer for employment
purposes takes adverse action on the employment application based in
whole or in part on the report, then the person must provide to the
consumer to whom the report relates, in lieu of the notices required
under subparagraph (A) of this section and under section 615(a),
within 3 business days of taking such action, an oral, written or
electronic notification--
(I) that adverse action has been taken based in whole or in part on a
consumer report received from a consumer reporting agency;
(II) of the name, address and telephone number of the consumer
reporting agency that furnished the consumer report (including
a toll-free telephone number established by the agency if the
agency compiles and maintains files on consumers on a
nationwide basis);
(III) that the consumer reporting agency did not make the decision to
take the adverse action and is unable to provide to the consumer
the specific reasons why the adverse action was taken; and
(IV) that the consumer may, upon providing proper identification, request
a free copy of a report and may dispute with the consumer reporting
agency the accuracy or completeness of any information in a report.
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(ii) If, under clause (B)(i)(IV), the consumer requests a copy of a consumer
report from the person who procured the report, then, within 3 business
days of receiving the consumer's request, together with proper identification,
the person must send or provide to the consumer a copy of a
report and a copy of the consumer's rights as prescribed by the Federal
Trade Commission under section 609(c)(3).
(C) Scope. Subparagraph (B) shall apply to a person procuring a consumer report
on a consumer in connection with the consumer's application for employment
only if--
(i) the consumer is applying for a position over which the Secretary of Transportation
has the power to establish qualifications and maximum hours of
service pursuant to the provisions of section 31502 of title 49, or a position
subject to safety regulation by a State transportation agency; and
(ii) as of the time at which the person procures the report or causes the
report to be procured the only interaction between the consumer and
the person in connection with that employment application has been by
mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means.
(4) Exception for national security investigations.
(A) In general. In the case of an agency or department of the United States
Government which seeks to obtain and use a consumer report for employment
purposes, paragraph (3) shall not apply to any adverse action by such
agency or department which is based in part on such consumer report, if
the head of such agency or department makes a written finding that–
(i) the consumer report is relevant to a national security investigation of
such agency or department;
(ii) the investigation is within the jurisdiction of such agency or department;
(iii) there is reason to believe that compliance with paragraph (3) will--
(I) endanger the life or physical safety of any person;
(II) result in flight from prosecution;
(III) result in the destruction of, or tampering with, evidence relevant
to the investigation;
(IV) result in the intimidation of a potential witness relevant to the
investigation;
(V) result in the compromise of classified information; or
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(VI) otherwise seriously jeopardize or unduly delay the investigation
or another official proceeding.
(B) Notification of consumer upon conclusion of investigation. Upon the
conclusion of a national security investigation described in subparagraph
(A), or upon the determination that the exception under subparagraph (A)
is no longer required for the reasons set forth in such subparagraph, the
official exercising the authority in such subparagraph shall provide to the
consumer who is the subject of the consumer report with regard to which
such finding was made--
(i) a copy of such consumer report with any classified information
redacted as necessary;
(ii) notice of any adverse action which is based, in part, on the consumer
report; and
(iii) the identification with reasonable specificity of the nature of the
investigation for which the consumer report was sought.
(C) Delegation by head of agency or department. For purposes of
subparagraphs (A) and (B), the head of any agency or department of the
United States Government may delegate his or her authorities under this
paragraph to an official of such agency or department who has personnel
security responsibilities and is a member of the Senior Executive Service
or equivalent civilian or military rank.
(D) Report to the Congress. Not later than January 31 of each year, the head of
each agency and department of the United States Government that
exercised authority under this paragraph during the preceding year shall
submit a report to the Congress on the number of times the department or
agency exercised such authority during the year.
(E) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall
apply:
(i) The term “classified information” means information that is protected
from unauthorized disclosure under Executive Order No. 12958 or
successor orders.
(ii) The term “national security investigation” means any official inquiry
by an agency or department of the United States Government to
determine the eligibility of a consumer to receive access or continued
access to classified information or to determine whether classified
information has been lost or compromised.
(c) Furnishing reports in connection with credit or insurance transactions that are not
initiated by the consumer.
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(1) In general. A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report relating
to any consumer pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of subsection (a)(3) in
connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the
consumer only if
(A) the consumer authorizes the agency to provide such report to such person; or
(B)(i) the transaction consists of a firm offer of credit or insurance;
(ii) the consumer reporting agency has complied with subsection (e); and
(iii) there is not in effect an election by the consumer, made in accordance
with subsection (e), to have the consumer's name and address excluded
from lists of names provided by the agency pursuant to this paragraph.
(2) Limits on information received under paragraph (1)(B). A person may receive
pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) only
(A) the name and address of a consumer;
(B) an identifier that is not unique to the consumer and that is used by the
person solely for the purpose of verifying the identity of the consumer; and
(C) other information pertaining to a consumer that does not identify the
relationship or experience of the consumer with respect to a particular
creditor or other entity.
(3) Information regarding inquiries. Except as provided in section 609(a)(5)
[§1681g], a consumer reporting agency shall not furnish to any person a record of
inquiries in connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated
by a consumer.
(d) Reserved.
(e) Election of consumer to be excluded from lists.
(1) In general. A consumer may elect to have the consumer's name and address
excluded from any list provided by a consumer reporting agency under subsection
(c)(1)(B) in connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated
by the consumer, by notifying the agency in accordance with paragraph (2) that
the consumer does not consent to any use of a consumer report relating to the
consumer in connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not
initiated by the consumer.
(2) Manner of notification. A consumer shall notify a consumer reporting agency
under paragraph (1)
(A) through the notification system maintained by the agency under paragraph
(5); or
July 30, 2004 19
(B) by submitting to the agency a signed notice of election form issued by the
agency for purposes of this subparagraph.
(3) Response of agency after notification through system. Upon receipt of notification
of the election of a consumer under paragraph (1) through the notification system
maintained by the agency under paragraph (5), a consumer reporting agency shall
(A) inform the consumer that the election is effective only for the 5-year
period following the election if the consumer does not submit to the
agency a signed notice of election form issued by the agency for purposes
of paragraph (2)(B); and
(B) provide to the consumer a notice of election form, if requested by the
consumer, not later than 5 business days after receipt of the notification of
the election through the system established under paragraph (5), in the
case of a request made at the time the consumer provides notification
through the system.
(4) Effectiveness of election. An election of a consumer under paragraph (1)
(A) shall be effective with respect to a consumer reporting agency beginning 5
business days after the date on which the consumer notifies the agency in
accordance with paragraph (2);
(B) shall be effective with respect to a consumer reporting agency
(i) subject to subparagraph (C), during the 5-year period beginning 5
business days after the date on which the consumer notifies the agency
of the election, in the case of an election for which a consumer notifies
the agency only in accordance with paragraph (2)(A); or
(ii) until the consumer notifies the agency under subparagraph (C), in the
case of an election for which a consumer notifies the agency in
accordance with paragraph (2)(B);
(C) shall not be effective after the date on which the consumer notifies the
agency, through the notification system established by the agency under
paragraph (5), that the election is no longer effective; and
(D) shall be effective with respect to each affiliate of the agency.
(5) Notification System
(A) In general. Each consumer reporting agency that, under subsection
(c)(1)(B), furnishes a consumer report in connection with a credit or
insurance transaction that is not initiated by a consumer, shall
(i) establish and maintain a notification system, including a toll-free
telephone number, which permits any consumer whose consumer
July 30, 2004 20
report is maintained by the agency to notify the agency, with
appropriate identification, of the consumer's election to have the
consumer's name and address excluded from any such list of names
and addresses provided by the agency for such a transaction; and
(ii) publish by not later than 365 days after the date of enactment of the
Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996, and not less than
annually thereafter, in a publication of general circulation in the area
served by the agency
(I) a notification that information in consumer files maintained by the
agency may be used in connection with such transactions; and
(II) the address and toll-free telephone number for consumers to use to
notify the agency of the consumer's election under clause (I).
(B) Establishment and maintenance as compliance. Establishment and
maintenance of a notification system (including a toll-free telephone
number) and publication by a consumer reporting agency on the agency's
own behalf and on behalf of any of its affiliates in accordance with this
paragraph is deemed to be compliance with this paragraph by each of
those affiliates.
(6) Notification system by agencies that operate nationwide. Each consumer reporting
agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis
shall establish and maintain a notification system for purposes of paragraph (5)
jointly with other such consumer reporting agencies.
(f) Certain use or obtaining of information prohibited. A person shall not use or obtain a
consumer report for any purpose unless
(1) the consumer report is obtained for a purpose for which the consumer report is
authorized to be furnished under this section; and
(2) the purpose is certified in accordance with section 607 [§ 1681e] by a prospective
user of the report through a general or specific certification.
(g) Protection of Medical Information
(1) Limitation on consumer reporting agencies. A consumer reporting agency shall not
furnish for employment purposes, or in connection with a credit or insurance
transaction, a consumer report that contains medical information (other than
medical contact information treated in the manner required under section
605(a)(6)) about a consumer, unless--
(A) if furnished in connection with an insurance transaction, the consumer
affirmatively consents to the furnishing of the report;
July 30, 2004 21
(B) if furnished for employment purposes or in connection with a credit
transaction--
(i) the information to be furnished is relevant to process or effect the
employment or credit transaction; and
(ii) the consumer provides specific written consent for the furnishing of the
report that describes in clear and conspicuous language the use for
which the information will be furnished; or
(C) the information to be furnished pertains solely to transactions, accounts, or
balances relating to debts arising from the receipt of medical services,
products, or devises, where such information, other than account status or
amounts, is restricted or reported using codes that do not identify, or do
not provide information sufficient to infer, the specific provider or the
nature of such services, products, or devices, as provided in section
605(a)(6).
(2) Limitation on creditors. Except as permitted pursuant to paragraph (3)(C) or regulations
prescribed under paragraph (5)(A), a creditor shall not obtain or use medical
information (other than medical contact information treated in the manner
required under section 605(a)(6)) pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit.
(3) Actions authorized by federal law, insurance activities and regulatory determinations.
Section 603(d)(3) shall not be construed so as to treat information or any
communication of information as a consumer report if the information or
communication is disclosed--
(A) in connection with the business of insurance or annuities, including the
activities described in section 18B of the model Privacy of Consumer
Financial and Health Information Regulation issued by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners (as in effect on January 1, 2003);
(B) for any purpose permitted without authorization under the Standards for
Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated by the
Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or referred to under
section 1179 of such Act, or described in section 502(e) of Public Law
106-102; or
(C) as otherwise determined to be necessary and appropriate, by regulation or
order and subject to paragraph (6), by the Commission, any Federal
banking agency or the National Credit Union Administration (with respect
to any financial institution subject to the jurisdiction of such agency or
Administration under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 621(b), or the
applicable State insurance authority (with respect to any person engaged in
providing insurance or annuities).
2 The reporting periods have been lengthened for certain adverse information pertaining to U.S. Government
insured or guaranteed student loans, or pertaining to national direct student loans. See sections 430A(f) and
463(c)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. 1080a(f) and 20 U.S.C. 1087cc(c)(3), respectively.
July 30, 2004 22
(4) Limitation on redisclosure of medical information. Any person that receives
medical information pursuant to paragraph (1) or (3) shall not disclose such
information to any other person, except as necessary to carry out the purpose
for which the information was initially disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by
statute, regulation, or order.
(5) Regulations and Effective Date for Paragraph (2)
(A) Regulations required. Each Federal banking agency and the National Credit
Union Administration shall, subject to paragraph (6) and after notice and
opportunity for comment, prescribe regulations that permit transactions
under paragraph (2) that are determined to be necessary and appropriate to
protect legitimate operational, transactional, risk, consumer, and other needs
(and which shall include permitting actions necessary for administrative
verification purposes), consistent with the intent of paragraph (2) to restrict
the use of medical information for inappropriate purposes.
(B) Final regulations required. The Federal banking agencies and the National
Credit Union Administration shall issue the regulations required under
subparagraph (A) in final form before the end of the 6-month period
beginning on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003.
(6) Coordination with other laws. No provision of this subsection shall be construed
as altering, affecting, or superseding the applicability of any other provision of
Federal law relating to medical confidentiality.
§ 605. Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports [15 U.S.C. §1681c]
(a) Information excluded from consumer reports. Except as authorized under subsection
(b) of this section, no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report
containing any of the following items of information:
(1) Cases under title 11 [United States Code] or under the Bankruptcy Act that, from
the date of entry of the order for relief or the date of adjudication, as the case may
be, antedate the report by more than 10 years.
(2) Civil suits, civil judgments, and records of arrest that from date of entry, antedate
the report by more than seven years or until the governing statute of limitations
has expired, whichever is the longer period.
(3) Paid tax liens which, from date of payment, antedate the report by more than
seven years.
(4) Accounts placed for collection or charged to profit and loss which antedate the
report by more than seven years.2
3This provision, added in September 1996, should read “paragraphs (4) and (5)....” Prior Section 605(a)(6)
was amended and re-designated as Section 605(a)(5) in November 1998. The current Section 605(a)(6), added in
December 2003 and now containing no reference to any 7-year period, is obviously inapplicable.
July 30, 2004 23
(5) Any other adverse item of information, other than records of convictions of
crimes which antedates the report by more than seven years.2
(6) The name, address, and telephone number of any medical information furnisher
that has notified the agency of its status, unless--
(A) such name, address, and telephone number are restricted or reported using
codes that do not identify, or provide information sufficient to infer, the
specific provider or the nature of such services, products, or devices to a
person other than the consumer; or
(B) the report is being provided to an insurance company for a purpose
relating to engaging in the business of insurance other than property and
casualty insurance.
(b) Exempted cases. The provisions of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) of
this section are not applicable in the case of any consumer credit report to be used in
connection with
(1) a credit transaction involving, or which may reasonably be expected to involve, a
principal amount of $150,000 or more;
(2) the underwriting of life insurance involving, or which may reasonably be
expected to involve, a face amount of $150,000 or more; or
(3) the employment of any individual at an annual salary which equals, or which may
reasonably be expected to equal $75,000, or more.
(c) Running of Reporting Period
(1) In general. The 7-year period referred to in paragraphs (4) and (6)
3 of subsection
(a) shall begin, with respect to any delinquent account that is placed for collection
(internally or by referral to a third party, whichever is earlier), charged to profit and
loss, or subjected to any similar action, upon the expiration of the 180-day period
beginning on the date of the commencement of the delinquency which immediately
preceded the collection activity, charge to profit and loss, or similar action.
(2) Effective date. Paragraph (1) shall apply only to items of information added to the
file of a consumer on or after the date that is 455 days after the date of enactment of
the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996.
(d) Information Required to be Disclosed
(1) Title 11 information. Any consumer reporting agency that furnishes a consumer
report that contains information regarding any case involving the consumer that
arises under title 11, United States Code, shall include in the report an
July 30, 2004 24
identification of the chapter of such title 11 under which such case arises if
provided by the source of the information. If any case arising or filed under title
11, United States Code, is withdrawn by the consumer before a final judgment,
the consumer reporting agency shall include in the report that such case or filing
was withdrawn upon receipt of documentation certifying such withdrawal.
(2) Key factor in credit score information. Any consumer reporting agency that furnishes
a consumer report that contains any credit score or any other risk score or
predictor on any consumer shall include in the report a clear and conspicuous
statement that a key factor (as defined in section 609(f)(2)(B)) that adversely
affected such score or predictor was the number of enquiries, if such a predictor
was in fact a key factor that adversely affected such score. This paragraph shall not
apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for
the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund
transfers, or similar methods of payments, but only to the extent that such
company is engaged in such activities.
(e) Indication of closure of account by consumer. If a consumer reporting agency is
notified pursuant to section 623(a)(4) [§ 1681s-2] that a credit account of a consumer
was voluntarily closed by the consumer, the agency shall indicate that fact in any
consumer report that includes information related to the account.
(f) Indication of dispute by consumer. If a consumer reporting agency is notified pursuant
to section 623(a)(3) [§ 1681s-2] that information regarding a consumer who was
furnished to the agency is disputed by the consumer, the agency shall indicate that
fact in each consumer report that includes the disputed information.
(g) Truncation of Credit Card and Debit Card Numbers
(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no person that accepts
credit cards or debit cards for the transaction of business shall print more than the
last 5 digits of the card number or the expiration date upon any receipt provided
to the cardholder at the point of the sale or transaction.
(2) Limitation. This subsection shall apply only to receipts that are electronically
printed, and shall not apply to transactions in which the sole means of recording a
credit card or debit card account number is by handwriting or by an imprint or
copy of the card.
(3) Effective date. This subsection shall become effective--
(A) 3 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, with respect to any cash
register or other machine or device that electronically prints receipts for credit
card or debit card transactions that is in use before January 1, 2005; and
(B) 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, with respect to any cash
register or other machine or device that electronically prints receipts for credit
card or debit card transactions that is first put into use on or after January 1, 2005.
(h) Notice of Discrepancy in Address
July 30, 2004 25
(1) In general. If a person has requested a consumer report relating to a consumer
from a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p), the request
includes an address for the consumer that substantially differs from the addresses
in the file of the consumer, and the agency provides a consumer report in
response to the request, the consumer reporting agency shall notify the requester
of the existence of the discrepancy.
(2) Regulations
(A) Regulations required. The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit
Union Administration, and the Commission shall jointly, with respect to
the entities that are subject to their respective enforcement authority under
section 621, prescribe regulations providing guidance regarding reasonable
policies and procedures that a user of a consumer report should employ
when such user has received a notice of discrepancy under paragraph (1).
(B) Policies and procedures to be included. The regulations prescribed under
subparagraph (A) shall describe reasonable policies and procedures for use
by a user of a consumer report--
(i) to form a reasonable belief that the user knows the identity of the
person to whom the consumer report pertains; and
(ii) if the user establishes a continuing relationship with the consumer, and
the user regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes
information to the consumer reporting agency from which the notice of
discrepancy pertaining to the consumer was obtained, to reconcile the
address of the consumer with the consumer reporting agency by
furnishing such address to such consumer reporting agency as part of
information regularly furnished by the user for the period in which the
relationship is established.
§ 605A. Identity theft prevention; fraud alerts and active duty alerts [15 U.S.C. §1681c-1]
(a) One-call Fraud Alerts
(1) Initial alerts. Upon the direct request of a consumer, or an individual acting on
behalf of or as a personal representative of a consumer, who asserts in good faith
a suspicion that the consumer has been or is about to become a victim of fraud or
related crime, including identity theft, a consumer reporting agency described in
section 603(p) that maintains a file on the consumer and has received appropriate
proof of the identity of the requester shall--
(A) include a fraud alert in the file of that consumer, and also provide that alert
along with any credit score generated in using that file, for a period of not
less than 90 days, beginning on the date of such request, unless the
consumer or such representative requests that such fraud alert be removed
before the end of such period, and the agency has received appropriate
proof of the identity of the requester for such purpose; and
July 30, 2004 26
(B) refer the information regarding the fraud alert under this paragraph to each
of the other consumer reporting agencies described in section 603(p), in
accordance with procedures developed under section 621(f).
(2) Access to free reports. In any case in which a consumer reporting agency includes
a fraud alert in the file of a consumer pursuant to this subsection, the consumer
reporting agency shall--
(A) disclose to the consumer that the consumer may request a free copy of the
file of the consumer pursuant to section 612(d); and
(B) provide to the consumer all disclosures required to be made under section
609, without charge to the consumer, not later than 3 business days after
any request described in subparagraph (A).
(b) Extended Alerts
(1) In general. Upon the direct request of a consumer, or an individual acting on
behalf of or as a personal representative of a consumer, who submits an identity
theft report to a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) that
maintains a file on the consumer, if the agency has received appropriate proof of
the identity of the requester, the agency shall--
(A) include a fraud alert in the file of that consumer, and also provide that alert
along with any credit score generated in using that file, during the 7-year
period beginning on the date of such request, unless the consumer or such
representative requests that such fraud alert be removed before the end of
such period and the agency has received appropriate proof of the identity
of the requester for such purpose;
(B) during the 5-year period beginning on the date of such request, exclude the
consumer from any list of consumers prepared by the consumer reporting
agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or insurance to the
consumer as part of a transaction that was not initiated by the consumer,
unless the consumer or such representative requests that such exclusion be
rescinded before the end of such period; and
(C) refer the information regarding the extended fraud alert under this paragraph
to each of the other consumer reporting agencies described in section
603(p), in accordance with procedures developed under section 621(f).
(2) Access to free reports. In any case in which a consumer reporting agency includes
a fraud alert in the file of a consumer pursuant to this subsection, the consumer
reporting agency shall--
(A) disclose to the consumer that the consumer may request 2 free copies of
the file of the consumer pursuant to section 612(d) during the 12-month
July 30, 2004 27
period beginning on the date on which the fraud alert was included in the
file; and
(B) provide to the consumer all disclosures required to be made under section
609, without charge to the consumer, not later than 3 business days after
any request described in subparagraph (A).
(c) Active duty alerts. Upon the direct request of an active duty military consumer, or an
individual acting on behalf of or as a personal representative of an active duty
military consumer, a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) that
maintains a file on the active duty military consumer and has received appropriate
proof of the identity of the requester shall--
(1) include an active duty alert in the file of that active duty military consumer, and
also provide that alert along with any credit score generated in using that file,
during a period of not less than 12 months, or such longer period as the
Commission shall determine, by regulation, beginning on the date of the request,
unless the active duty military consumer or such representative requests that such
fraud alert be removed before the end of such period, and the agency has received
appropriate proof of the identity of the requester for such purpose;
(2) during the 2-year period beginning on the date of such request, exclude the active
duty military consumer from any list of consumers prepared by the consumer
reporting agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or insurance to the
consumer as part of a transaction that was not initiated by the consumer, unless
the consumer requests that such exclusion be rescinded before the end of such
period; and
(3) refer the information regarding the active duty alert to each of the other consumer
reporting agencies described in section 603(p), in accordance with procedures
developed under section 621(f).
(d) Procedures. Each consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) shall
establish policies and procedures to comply with this section, including procedures
that inform consumers of the availability of initial, extended, and active duty alerts
and procedures that allow consumers and active duty military consumers to request
initial, extended, or active duty alerts (as applicable) in a simple and easy manner,
including by telephone.
(e) Referrals of alerts. Each consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) that
receives a referral of a fraud alert or active duty alert from another consumer
reporting agency pursuant to this section shall, as though the agency received the
request from the consumer directly, follow the procedures required under--
(1) paragraphs (1)(A) and (2) of subsection (a), in the case of a referral under
subsection (a)(1)(B);
(2) paragraphs (1)(A), (1)(B), and (2) of subsection (b), in the case of a referral under
subsection (b)(1)(C); and
July 30, 2004 28
(3) paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c), in the case of a referral under subsection
(c)(3).
(f) Duty of reseller to reconvey alert. A reseller shall include in its report any fraud alert
or active duty alert placed in the file of a consumer pursuant to this section by
another consumer reporting agency.
(g) Duty of other consumer reporting agencies to provide contact information. If a
consumer contacts any consumer reporting agency that is not described in section
603(p) to communicate a suspicion that the consumer has been or is about to become
a victim of fraud or related crime, including identity theft, the agency shall provide
information to the consumer on how to contact the Commission and the consumer
reporting agencies described in section 603(p) to obtain more detailed information
and request alerts under this section.
(h) Limitations on Use of Information for Credit Extensions
(1) Requirements for initial and active duty alerts-
(A) Notification. Each initial fraud alert and active duty alert under this section
shall include information that notifies all prospective users of a consumer
report on the consumer to which the alert relates that the consumer does
not authorize the establishment of any new credit plan or extension of
credit, other than under an open-end credit plan (as defined in section
103(i)), in the name of the consumer, or issuance of an additional card on
an existing credit account requested by a consumer, or any increase in
credit limit on an existing credit account requested by a consumer, except
in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(B) Limitation on Users
(i) In general. No prospective user of a consumer report that includes an
initial fraud alert or an active duty alert in accordance with this section
may establish a new credit plan or extension of credit, other than under
an open-end credit plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the name of
the consumer, or issue an additional card on an existing credit account
requested by a consumer, or grant any increase in credit limit on an
existing credit account requested by a consumer, unless the user
utilizes reasonable policies and procedures to form a reasonable belief
that the user knows the identity of the person making the request.
(ii) Verification. If a consumer requesting the alert has specified a
telephone number to be used for identity verification purposes, before
authorizing any new credit plan or extension described in clause (i) in
the name of such consumer, a user of such consumer report shall
contact the consumer using that telephone number or take reasonable
steps to verify the consumer's identity and confirm that the application
for a new credit plan is not the result of identity theft.
July 30, 2004 29
(2) Requirements for Extended Alerts
(A) Notification. Each extended alert under this section shall include
information that provides all prospective users of a consumer report
relating to a consumer with–
(i) notification that the consumer does not authorize the establishment of
any new credit plan or extension of credit described in clause (i), other
than under an open-end credit plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the
name of the consumer, or issuance of an additional card on an existing
credit account requested by a consumer, or any increase in credit limit
on an existing credit account requested by a consumer, except in
accordance with subparagraph (B); and
(ii) a telephone number or other reasonable contact method designated by
the consumer.
(B) Limitation on users. No prospective user of a consumer report or of a
credit score generated using the information in the file of a consumer that
includes an extended fraud alert in accordance with this section may
establish a new credit plan or extension of credit, other than under an
open-end credit plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the name of the
consumer, or issue an additional card on an existing credit account
requested by a consumer, or any increase in credit limit on an existing
credit account requested by a consumer, unless the user contacts the
consumer in person or using the contact method described in subparagraph
(A)(ii) to confirm that the application for a new credit plan or increase in
credit limit, or request for an additional card is not the result of identity
theft.
§ 605B. Block of information resulting from identity theft [15 U.S.C. §1681c-2]
(a) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency
shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the
consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not
later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of--
(1) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer;
(2) a copy of an identity theft report;
(3) the identification of such information by the consumer; and
(4) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to
any transaction by the consumer.
(b) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of
information identified by the consumer under subsection (a)--
July 30, 2004 30
(1) that the information may be a result of identity theft;
(2) that an identity theft report has been filed;
(3) that a block has been requested under this section; and
(4) of the effective dates of the block.
(c) Authority to Decline or Rescind
(1) In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block, or may rescind
any block, of information relating to a consumer under this section, if the
consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that--
(A) the information was blocked in error or a block was requested by the
consumer in error;
(B) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer,
on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer
relevant to the request to block; or
(C) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result
of the blocked transaction or transactions.
(2) Notification to consumer. If a block of information is declined or rescinded under
this subsection, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same
manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under section
611(a)(5)(B).
(3) Significance of block. For purposes of this subsection, if a consumer reporting
agency rescinds a block, the presence of information in the file of a consumer
prior to the blocking of such information is not evidence of whether the consumer
knew or should have known that the consumer obtained possession of any goods,
services, or money as a result of the block.
(d) Exception for Resellers
(1) No reseller file. This section shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency, if the
consumer reporting agency--
(A) is a reseller;
(B) is not, at the time of the request of the consumer under subsection (a),
otherwise furnishing or reselling a consumer report concerning the
information identified by the consumer; and
(C) informs the consumer, by any means, that the consumer may report the
identity theft to the Commission to obtain consumer information regarding
identity theft.
July 30, 2004 31
(2) Reseller with file. The sole obligation of the consumer reporting agency under this
section, with regard to any request of a consumer under this section, shall be to
block the consumer report maintained by the consumer reporting agency from any
subsequent use, if--
(A) the consumer, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a),
identifies, to a consumer reporting agency, information in the file of the
consumer that resulted from identity theft; and
(B) the consumer reporting agency is a reseller of the identified information.
(3) Notice. In carrying out its obligation under paragraph (2), the reseller shall
promptly provide a notice to the consumer of the decision to block the file. Such
notice shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer
reporting agency from which the consumer information was obtained for resale.
(e) Exception for verification companies. The provisions of this section do not apply to a
check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose
of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or
similar methods of payments, except that, beginning 4 business days after receipt of
information described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), a check
services company shall not report to a national consumer reporting agency described
in section 603(p), any information identified in the subject identity theft report as
resulting from identity theft.
(f) Access to blocked information by law enforcement agencies. No provision of this section
shall be construed as requiring a consumer reporting agency to prevent a Federal,
State, or local law enforcement agency from accessing blocked information in a
consumer file to which the agency could otherwise obtain access under this title.
§ 606. Disclosure of investigative consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681d]
(a) Disclosure of fact of preparation. A person may not procure or cause to be prepared an
investigative consumer report on any consumer unless
(1) it is clearly and accurately disclosed to the consumer that an investigative
consumer report including information as to his character, general reputation,
personal characteristics and mode of living, whichever are applicable, may be
made, and such disclosure
(A) is made in a writing mailed, or otherwise delivered, to the consumer, not
later than three days after the date on which the report was first requested,
and
(B) includes a statement informing the consumer of his right to request the
additional disclosures provided for under subsection (b) of this section and
the written summary of the rights of the consumer prepared pursuant to
section 609(c) [§ 1681g]; and
July 30, 2004 32
(2) the person certifies or has certified to the consumer reporting agency that
(A) the person has made the disclosures to the consumer required by paragraph
(1); and
(B) the person will comply with subsection (b).
(b) Disclosure on request of nature and scope of investigation. Any person who procures
or causes to be prepared an investigative consumer report on any consumer shall,
upon written request made by the consumer within a reasonable period of time after
the receipt by him of the disclosure required by subsection (a)(1) of this section,
make a complete and accurate disclosure of the nature and scope of the investigation
requested. This disclosure shall be made in a writing mailed, or otherwise delivered,
to the consumer not later than five days after the date on which the request for such
disclosure was received from the consumer or such report was first requested,
whichever is the later.
(c) Limitation on liability upon showing of reasonable procedures for compliance with
provisions. No person may be held liable for any violation of subsection (a) or (b) of
this section if he shows by a preponderance of the evidence that at the time of the
violation he maintained reasonable procedures to assure compliance with subsection
(a) or (b) of this section.
(d) Prohibitions
(1) Certification. A consumer reporting agency shall not prepare or furnish
investigative consumer report unless the agency has received a certification under
subsection (a)(2) from the person who requested the report.
(2) Inquiries. A consumer reporting agency shall not make an inquiry for the purpose
of preparing an investigative consumer report on a consumer for employment
purposes if the making of the inquiry by an employer or prospective employer of
the consumer would violate any applicable Federal or State equal employment
opportunity law or regulation.
(3) Certain public record information. Except as otherwise provided in section 613
[§ 1681k], a consumer reporting agency shall not furnish an investigative consumer
report that includes information that is a matter of public record and that
relates to an arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien, or outstanding
judgment, unless the agency has verified the accuracy of the information
during the 30-day period ending on the date on which the report is furnished.
(4) Certain adverse information. A consumer reporting agency shall not prepare or
furnish an investigative consumer report on a consumer that contains information
that is adverse to the interest of the consumer and that is obtained through a
personal interview with a neighbor, friend, or associate of the consumer or with
another person with whom the consumer is acquainted or who has knowledge of
such item of information, unless
July 30, 2004 33
(A) the agency has followed reasonable procedures to obtain confirmation of
the information, from an additional source that has independent and direct
knowledge of the information; or
(B) the person interviewed is the best possible source of the information.
§ 607. Compliance procedures [15 U.S.C. § 1681e]
(a) Identity and purposes of credit users. Every consumer reporting agency shall maintain
reasonable procedures designed to avoid violations of section 605 [§ 1681c] and to limit
the furnishing of consumer reports to the purposes listed under section 604 [§ 1681b] of
this title. These procedures shall require that prospective users of the information identify
themselves, certify the purposes for which the information is sought, and certify that
the information will be used for no other purpose. Every consumer reporting agency
shall make a reasonable effort to verify the identity of a new prospective user and the
uses certified by such prospective user prior to furnishing such user a consumer report.
No consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report to any person if it has
reasonable grounds for believing that the consumer report will not be used for a purpose
listed in section 604 [§ 1681b] of this title.
(b) Accuracy of report. Whenever a consumer reporting agency prepares a consumer
report it shall follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of
the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates.
(c) Disclosure of consumer reports by users allowed. A consumer reporting agency may
not prohibit a user of a consumer report furnished by the agency on a consumer from
disclosing the contents of the report to the consumer, if adverse action against the
consumer has been taken by the user based in whole or in part on the report.
(d) Notice to Users and Furnishers of Information
(1) Notice requirement. A consumer reporting agency shall provide to any person
(A) who regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information
to the agency with respect to any consumer; or
(B) to whom a consumer report is provided by the agency;
a notice of such person's responsibilities under this title.
(2) Content of notice. The Federal Trade Commission shall prescribe the content of notices
under paragraph (1), and a consumer reporting agency shall be in compliance
with this subsection if it provides a notice under paragraph (1) that is substantially
similar to the Federal Trade Commission prescription under this paragraph.
(e) Procurement of Consumer Report for Resale
July 30, 2004 34
(1) Disclosure. A person may not procure a consumer report for purposes of reselling
the report (or any information in the report) unless the person discloses to the
consumer reporting agency that originally furnishes the report
(A) the identity of the end-user of the report (or information); and
(B) each permissible purpose under section 604 [§ 1681b] for which the report
is furnished to the end-user of the report (or information).
(2) Responsibilities of procurers for resale. A person who procures a consumer
report for purposes of reselling the report (or any information in the report) shall
(A) establish and comply with reasonable procedures designed to ensure that
the report (or information) is resold by the person only for a purpose for
which the report may be furnished under section 604 [§ 1681b], including
by requiring that each person to which the report (or information) is resold
and that resells or provides the report (or information) to any other person
(i) identifies each end user of the resold report (or information);
(ii) certifies each purpose for which the report (or information) will be
used; and
(iii) certifies that the report (or information) will be used for no other
purpose; and
(B) before reselling the report, make reasonable efforts to verify the
identifications and certifications made under subparagraph (A).
(3) Resale of consumer report to a federal agency or department. Notwithstanding
paragraph (1) or (2), a person who procures a consumer report for purposes of
reselling the report (or any information in the report) shall not disclose the identity of
the end-user of the report under paragraph (1) or (2) if--
(A) the end user is an agency or department of the United States Government
which procures the report from the person for purposes of determining the
eligibility of the consumer concerned to receive access or continued access to
classified information (as defined in section 604(b)(4)(E)(i)); and
(B) the agency or department certifies in writing to the person reselling the report
that nondisclosure is necessary to protect classified information or the safety
of persons employed by or contracting with, or undergoing investigation for
work or contracting with the agency or department.
§ 608. Disclosures to governmental agencies [15 U.S.C. § 1681f]
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 604 [§ 1681b] of this title, a consumer
reporting agency may furnish identifying information respecting any consumer, limited to
July 30, 2004 35
his name, address, former addresses, places of employment, or former places of
employment, to a governmental agency.
§ 609. Disclosures to consumers [15 U.S.C. § 1681g]
(a) Information on file; sources; report recipients. Every consumer reporting agency shall,
upon request, and subject to 610(a)(1) [§ 1681h], clearly and accurately disclose to
the consumer:
(1) All information in the consumer's file at the time of the request except that--
(A) if the consumer to whom the file relates requests that the first 5 digits of
the social security number (or similar identification number) of the
consumer not be included in the disclosure and the consumer reporting
agency has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester, the
consumer reporting agency shall so truncate such number in such
disclosure; and
(B) nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require a consumer
reporting agency to disclose to a consumer any information concerning
credit scores or any other risk scores or predictors relating to the
consumer.
(2) The sources of the information; except that the sources of information acquired
solely for use in preparing an investigative consumer report and actually use for
no other purpose need not be disclosed: Provided, That in the event an action is
brought under this title, such sources shall be available to the plaintiff under
appropriate discovery procedures in the court in which the action is brought.
(3)(A) Identification of each person (including each end-user identified under
section 607(e)(1) [§ 1681e]) that procured a consumer report
(i) for employment purposes, during the 2-year period preceding the date
on which the request is made; or
(ii) for any other purpose, during the 1-year period preceding the date on
which the request is made.
(B) An identification of a person under subparagraph (A) shall include
(i) the name of the person or, if applicable, the trade name (written in full)
under which such person conducts business; and
(ii) upon request of the consumer, the address and telephone number of the
person.
(C) Subparagraph (A) does not apply if--
(i) the end user is an agency or department of the United States
Government that procures the report from the person for purposes of
July 30, 2004 36
determining the eligibility of the consumer to whom the report relates
to receive access or continued access to classified information (as
defined in section 604(b)(4)(E)(i)); and
(ii) the head of the agency or department makes a written finding as
prescribed under section 604(b)(4)(A).
(4) The dates, original payees, and amounts of any checks upon which is based any
adverse characterization of the consumer, included in the file at the time of the
disclosure.
(5) A record of all inquiries received by the agency during the 1-year period
preceding the request that identified the consumer in connection with a credit or
insurance transaction that was not initiated by the consumer.
(6) If the consumer requests the credit file and not the credit score, a statement that the
consumer may request and obtain a credit score.
(b) Exempt information. The requirements of subsection (a) of this section respecting the
disclosure of sources of information and the recipients of consumer reports do not
apply to information received or consumer reports furnished prior to the effective
date of this title except to the extent that the matter involved is contained in the files
of the consumer reporting agency on that date.
(c) Summary of Rights to Obtain and Dispute Information in Consumer Reports and to
Obtain Credit Scores
(1) Commission Summary of Rights Required
(A) In general. The Commission shall prepare a model summary of the rights
of consumers under this title.
(B) Content of summary. The summary of rights prepared under subparagraph
(A) shall include a description of–
(i) the right of a consumer to obtain a copy of a consumer report under
subsection (a) from each consumer reporting agency;
(ii) the frequency and circumstances under which a consumer is entitled to
receive a consumer report without charge under section 612;
(iii) the right of a consumer to dispute information in the file of the
consumer under section 611;
(iv) the right of a consumer to obtain a credit score from a consumer
reporting agency, and a description of how to obtain a credit score;
(v) the method by which a consumer can contact, and obtain a consumer
report from, a consumer reporting agency without charge, as provided
in the regulations of the Commission prescribed under section 211(c)
of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003; and
July 30, 2004 37
(vi) the method by which a consumer can contact, and obtain a consumer
report from, a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(w),
as provided in the regulations of the Commission prescribed under
section 612(a)(1)(C).
(C) Availability of summary of rights. The Commission shall--
(i) actively publicize the availability of the summary of rights prepared
under this paragraph;
(ii) conspicuously post on its Internet website the availability of such
summary of rights; and
(iii) promptly make such summary of rights available to consumers, on request.
(2) Summary of rights required to be included with agency disclosures. A consumer
reporting agency shall provide to a consumer, with each written disclosure by the
agency to the consumer under this section--
(A) the summary of rights prepared by the Commission under paragraph (1);
(B) in the case of a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p), a
toll-free telephone number established by the agency, at which personnel
are accessible to consumers during normal business hours;
(C) a list of all Federal agencies responsible for enforcing any provision of this
title, and the address and any appropriate phone number of each such agency,
in a form that will assist the consumer in selecting the appropriate agency;
(D) a statement that the consumer may have additional rights under State law,
and that the consumer may wish to contact a State or local consumer
protection agency or a State attorney general (or the equivalent thereof) to
learn of those rights; and
(E) a statement that a consumer reporting agency is not required to remove
accurate derogatory information from the file of a consumer, unless the
information is outdated under section 605 or cannot be verified.
(d) Summary of Rights of Identity Theft Victims
(1) In general. The Commission, in consultation with the Federal banking agencies and
the National Credit Union Administration, shall prepare a model summary of the
rights of consumers under this title with respect to the procedures for remedying the
effects of fraud or identity theft involving credit, an electronic fund transfer, or an
account or transaction at or with a financial institution or other creditor.
(2) Summary of rights and contact information. Beginning 60 days after the date on
which the model summary of rights is prescribed in final form by the Commission
pursuant to paragraph (1), if any consumer contacts a consumer reporting agency
and expresses a belief that the consumer is a victim of fraud or identity theft
July 30, 2004 38
involving credit, an electronic fund transfer, or an account or transaction at or
with a financial institution or other creditor, the consumer reporting agency shall,
in addition to any other action that the agency may take, provide the consumer
with a summary of rights that contains all of the information required by the
Commission under paragraph (1), and information on how to contact the
Commission to obtain more detailed information.
(e) Information Available to Victims
(1) In general. For the purpose of documenting fraudulent transactions resulting from
identity theft, not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of a request from a
victim in accordance with paragraph (3), and subject to verification of the identity of
the victim and the claim of identity theft in accordance with paragraph (2), a business
entity that has provided credit to, provided for consideration products, goods, or
services to, accepted payment from, or otherwise entered into a commercial
transaction for consideration with, a person who has allegedly made unauthorized
use of the means of identification of the victim, shall provide a copy of application
and business transaction records in the control of the business entity, whether
maintained by the business entity or by another person on behalf of the business
entity, evidencing any transaction alleged to be a result of identity theft to--
(A) the victim;
(B) any Federal, State, or local government law enforcement agency or officer
specified by the victim in such a request; or
(C) any law enforcement agency investigating the identity theft and authorized
by the victim to take receipt of records provided under this subsection.
(2) Verification of identity and claim. Before a business entity provides any information
under paragraph (1), unless the business entity, at its discretion, otherwise
has a high degree of confidence that it knows the identity of the victim making a
request under paragraph (1), the victim shall provide to the business entity--
(A) as proof of positive identification of the victim, at the election of the
business entity–
(i) the presentation of a government-issued identification card;
(ii) personally identifying information of the same type as was provided to
the business entity by the unauthorized person; or
(iii) personally identifying information that the business entity typically
requests from new applicants or for new transactions, at the time of the
victim's request for information, including any documentation
described in clauses (i) and (ii); and
(B) as proof of a claim of identity theft, at the election of the business entity--
(i) a copy of a police report evidencing the claim of the victim of identity
theft; and
July 30, 2004 39
(ii) a properly completed--
(I) copy of a standardized affidavit of identity theft developed and
made available by the Commission; or
(II) an affidavit of fact that is acceptable to the business entity for that
purpose.
(3) Procedures. The request of a victim under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) be in writing;
(B) be mailed to an address specified by the business entity, if any; and
(C) if asked by the business entity, include relevant information about any
transaction alleged to be a result of identity theft to facilitate compliance
with this section including–
(i) if known by the victim (or if readily obtainable by the victim), the date
of the application or transaction; and
(ii) if known by the victim (or if readily obtainable by the victim), any
other identifying information such as an account or transaction
number.
(4) No charge to victim. Information required to be provided under paragraph (1)
shall be so provided without charge.
(5) Authority to decline to provide information. A business entity may decline to
provide information under paragraph (1) if, in the exercise of good faith, the
business entity determines that--
(A) this subsection does not require disclosure of the information;
(B) after reviewing the information provided pursuant to paragraph (2), the
business entity does not have a high degree of confidence in knowing the
true identity of the individual requesting the information;
(C) the request for the information is based on a misrepresentation of fact by
the individual requesting the information relevant to the request for
information; or
(D) the information requested is Internet navigational data or similar
information about a person's visit to a website or online service.
(6) Limitation on liability. Except as provided in section 621, sections 616 and 617 do
not apply to any violation of this subsection.
July 30, 2004 40
(7) Limitation on civil liability. No business entity may be held civilly liable under
any provision of Federal, State, or other law for disclosure, made in good faith
pursuant to this subsection.
(8) No new recordkeeping obligation. Nothing in this subsection creates an obligation
on the part of a business entity to obtain, retain, or maintain information or
records that are not otherwise required to be obtained, retained, or maintained in
the ordinary course of its business or under other applicable law.
(9) Rule of Construction
(A) In general. No provision of subtitle A of title V of Public Law 106-102,
prohibiting the disclosure of financial information by a business entity to
third parties shall be used to deny disclosure of information to the victim
under this subsection.
(B) Limitation. Except as provided in subparagraph (A), nothing in this
subsection permits a business entity to disclose information, including
information to law enforcement under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of
paragraph (1), that the business entity is otherwise prohibited from
disclosing under any other applicable provision of Federal or State law.
(10) Affirmative defense. In any civil action brought to enforce this subsection, it is an
affirmative defense (which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of
the evidence) for a business entity to file an affidavit or answer stating that--
(A) the business entity has made a reasonably diligent search of its available
business records; and
(B) the records requested under this subsection do not exist or are not
reasonably available.
(11) Definition of victim. For purposes of this subsection, the term “victim” means a
consumer whose means of identification or financial information has been used or
transferred (or has been alleged to have been used or transferred) without the
authority of that consumer, with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, an identity
theft or a similar crime.
(12) Effective date. This subsection shall become effective 180 days after the date of
enactment of this subsection.
(13) Effectiveness study. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this
subsection, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to
Congress assessing the effectiveness of this provision.
(f) Disclosure of Credit Scores
(1) In general. Upon the request of a consumer for a credit score, a consumer
reporting agency shall supply to the consumer a statement indicating that the
July 30, 2004 41
information and credit scoring model may be different than the credit score that
may be used by the lender, and a notice which shall include--
(A) the current credit score of the consumer or the most recent credit score of
the consumer that was previously calculated by the credit reporting agency
for a purpose related to the extension of credit;
(B) the range of possible credit scores under the model used;
(C) all of the key factors that adversely affected the credit score of the
consumer in the model used, the total number of which shall not exceed 4,
subject to paragraph (9);
(D) the date on which the credit score was created; and
(E) the name of the person or entity that provided the credit score or credit file
upon which the credit score was created.
(2) Definitions. For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply:
(A) The term “credit score” --
(i) means a numerical value or a categorization derived from a statistical
tool or modeling system used by a person who makes or arranges a loan
to predict the likelihood of certain credit behaviors, including default
(and the numerical value or the categorization derived from such analysis
may also be referred to as a “risk predictor” or “risk score”); and
(ii) does not include--
(I) any mortgage score or rating of an automated underwriting system
that considers one or more factors in addition to credit information,
including the loan to value ratio, the amount of down payment, or the
financial assets of a consumer; or
(II) any other elements of the underwriting process or underwriting decision.
(B) The term “key factors” means all relevant elements or reasons adversely
affecting the credit score for the particular individual, listed in the order of
their importance based on their effect on the credit score.
(3) Timeframe and manner of disclosure. The information required by this subsection
shall be provided in the same timeframe and manner as the information described
in subsection (a).
(4) Applicability to certain uses. This subsection shall not be construed so as to
compel a consumer reporting agency to develop or disclose a score if the agency
does not--
July 30, 2004 42
(A) distribute scores that are used in connection with residential real property
loans; or
(B) develop scores that assist credit providers in understanding the general
credit behavior of a consumer and predicting the future credit behavior of
the consumer.
(5) Applicability to credit scores developed by another person.
(A) In general. This subsection shall not be construed to require a consumer
reporting agency that distributes credit scores developed by another person
or entity to provide a further explanation of them, or to process a dispute
arising pursuant to section 611, except that the consumer reporting agency
shall provide the consumer with the name and address and website for
contacting the person or entity who developed the score or developed the
methodology of the score.
(B) Exception. This paragraph shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency
that develops or modifies scores that are developed by another person or
entity.
(6) Maintenance of credit scores not required. This subsection shall not be construed
to require a consumer reporting agency to maintain credit scores in its files.
(7) Compliance in certain cases. In complying with this subsection, a consumer
reporting agency shall--
(A) supply the consumer with a credit score that is derived from a credit
scoring model that is widely distributed to users by that consumer
reporting agency in connection with residential real property loans or with
a credit score that assists the consumer in understanding the credit scoring
assessment of the credit behavior of the consumer and predictions about
the future credit behavior of the consumer; and
(B) a statement indicating that the information and credit scoring model may
be different than that used by the lender.
(8) Fair and reasonable fee. A consumer reporting agency may charge a fair and
reasonable fee, as determined by the Commission, for providing the information
required under this subsection.
(9) Use of enquiries as a key factor. If a key factor that adversely affects the credit
score of a consumer consists of the number of enquiries made with respect to a
consumer report, that factor shall be included in the disclosure pursuant to
paragraph (1)(C) without regard to the numerical limitation in such paragraph.
(g) Disclosure of Credit Scores by Certain Mortgage Lenders
July 30, 2004 43
(1) In general. Any person who makes or arranges loans and who uses a consumer
credit score, as defined in subsection (f), in connection with an application
initiated or sought by a consumer for a closed end loan or the establishment of an
open end loan for a consumer purpose that is secured by 1 to 4 units of residential
real property (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the “lender”) shall provide
the following to the consumer as soon as reasonably practicable:
(A) Information Required under Subsection (f)
(i) In general. A copy of the information identified in subsection (f) that
was obtained from a consumer reporting agency or was developed and
used by the user of the information.
(ii) Notice under subparagraph (D). In addition to the information provided
to it by a third party that provided the credit score or scores, a lender is
only required to provide the notice contained in subparagraph (D).
(B) Disclosures in Case of Automated Underwriting System
(i) In general. If a person that is subject to this subsection uses an automated
underwriting system to underwrite a loan, that person may
satisfy the obligation to provide a credit score by disclosing a credit
score and associated key factors supplied by a consumer reporting
agency.
(ii) Numerical credit score. However, if a numerical credit score is
generated by an automated underwriting system used by an enterprise,
and that score is disclosed to the person, the score shall be disclosed to
the consumer consistent with subparagraph (C).
(iii) Enterprise defined. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “enterprise”
has the same meaning as in paragraph (6) of section 1303 of the
Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of
1992.
(C) Disclosures of credit scores not obtained from a consumer reporting agency.
A person that is subject to the provisions of this subsection and that uses a
credit score, other than a credit score provided by a consumer reporting
agency, may satisfy the obligation to provide a credit score by disclosing a
credit score and associated key factors supplied by a consumer reporting
agency.
(D) Notice to home loan applicants. A copy of the following notice, which shall
include the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer
reporting agency providing a credit score that was used:
“Notice To The Home Loan Applicant
July 30, 2004 44
“In connection with your application for a home loan, the lender must disclose to you the
score that a consumer reporting agency distributed to users and the lender used in connection
with your home loan, and the key factors affecting your credit scores.
“The credit score is a computer generated summary calculated at the time of the request
and based on information that a consumer reporting agency or lender has on file. The scores
are based on data about your credit history and payment patterns. Credit scores are important
because they are used to assist the lender in determining whether you will obtain a loan. They
may also be used to determine what interest rate you may be offered on the mortgage. Credit
scores can change over time, depending on your conduct, how your credit history and
payment patterns change, and how credit scoring technologies change.
“Because the score is based on information in your credit history, it is very important that
you review the credit-related information that is being furnished to make sure it is accurate.
Credit records may vary from one company to another.
“If you have questions about your credit score or the credit information that is furnished to
you, contact the consumer reporting agency at the address and telephone number provided
with this notice, or contact the lender, if the lender developed or generated the credit score.
The consumer reporting agency plays no part in the decision to take any action on the loan
application and is unable to provide you with specific reasons for the decision on a loan
application.
“If you have questions concerning the terms of the loan, contact the lender.”
(E) Actions not required under this subsection. This subsection shall not require
any person to–
(i) explain the information provided pursuant to subsection (f);
(ii) disclose any information other than a credit score or key factors, as
defined in subsection (f);
(iii) disclose any credit score or related information obtained by the user
after a loan has closed;
(iv) provide more than 1 disclosure per loan transaction; or
(v) provide the disclosure required by this subsection when another person
has made the disclosure to the consumer for that loan transaction.
(F) No Obligation for Content
(i) In general. The obligation of any person pursuant to this subsection
shall be limited solely to providing a copy of the information that was
received from the consumer reporting agency.
(ii) Limit on liability. No person has liability under this subsection for the
content of that information or for the omission of any information
within the report provided by the consumer reporting agency.
July 30, 2004 45
(G) Person defined as excluding enterprise. As used in this subsection, the term
“person” does not include an enterprise (as defined in paragraph (6) of section
1303 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act
of 1992).
(2) Prohibition on Disclosure Clauses Null and Void
(A) In general. Any provision in a contract that prohibits the disclosure of a credit
score by a person who makes or arranges loans or a consumer reporting agency
is void.
(B) No liability for disclosure under this subsection- A lender shall not have liability
under any contractual provision for disclosure of a credit score pursuant to this
subsection.
§ 610. Conditions and form of disclosure to consumers [15 U.S.C. § 1681h]
(a) In General
(1) Proper identification. A consumer reporting agency shall require, as a
condition of making the disclosures required under section 609 [§ 1681g], that
the consumer furnish proper identification.
(2) Disclosure in writing. Except as provided in subsection (b), the disclosures
required to be made under section 609 [§ 1681g] shall be provided under that
section in writing.
(b) Other Forms of Disclosure
(1) In general. If authorized by a consumer, a consumer reporting agency may make
the disclosures required under 609 [§ 1681g]
(A) other than in writing; and
(B) in such form as may be
(i) specified by the consumer in accordance with paragraph (2); and
(ii) available from the agency.
(2) Form. A consumer may specify pursuant to paragraph (1) that disclosures under
section 609 [§ 1681g] shall be made
(A) in person, upon the appearance of the consumer at the place of business of
the consumer reporting agency where disclosures are regularly provided,
during normal business hours, and on reasonable notice;
(B) by telephone, if the consumer has made a written request for disclosure by
telephone;
July 30, 2004 46
(C) by electronic means, if available from the agency; or
(D) by any other reasonable means that is available from the agency.
(c) Trained personnel. Any consumer reporting agency shall provide trained personnel to
explain to the consumer any information furnished to him pursuant to section 609
[§ 1681g] of this title.
(d) Persons accompanying consumer. The consumer shall be permitted to be accompanied
by one other person of his choosing, who shall furnish reasonable identification. A
consumer reporting agency may require the consumer to furnish a written statement
granting permission to the consumer reporting agency to discuss the consumer's file in
such person's presence.
(e) Limitation of liability. Except as provided in sections 616 and 617 [§§ 1681n and
1681o] of this title, no consumer may bring any action or proceeding in the nature of
defamation, invasion of privacy, or negligence with respect to the reporting of
information against any consumer reporting agency, any user of information, or any
person who furnishes information to a consumer reporting agency, based on
information disclosed pursuant to section 609, 610, or 615 [§§ 1681g, 1681h, or
1681m] of this title or based on information disclosed by a user of a consumer report
to or for a consumer against whom the user has taken adverse action, based in whole
or in part on the report, except as to false information furnished with malice or willful
intent to injure such consumer.
§ 611. Procedure in case of disputed accuracy [15 U.S.C. § 1681i]
(a) Reinvestigations of Disputed Information
(1) Reinvestigation Required
(A) In general. Subject to subsection (f), if the completeness or accuracy of any
item of information contained in a consumer's file at a consumer reporting
agency is disputed by the consumer and the consumer notifies the agency
directly, or indirectly through a reseller, of such dispute, the agency shall,
free of charge, conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether
the disputed information is inaccurate and record the current status of the
disputed information, or delete the item from the file in accordance with
paragraph (5), before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on
which the agency receives the notice of the dispute from the consumer or
reseller.
(B) Extension of period to reinvestigate. Except as provided in subparagraph
(C), the 30-day period described in subparagraph (A) may be extended for
not more than 15 additional days if the consumer reporting agency receives
information from the consumer during that 30-day period that is relevant to
the reinvestigation.
(C) Limitations on extension of period to reinvestigate. Subparagraph (B) shall
not apply to any reinvestigation in which, during the 30-day period
July 30, 2004 47
described in subparagraph (A), the information that is the subject of the
reinvestigation is found to be inaccurate or incomplete or the consumer
reporting agency determines that the information cannot be verified.
(2) Prompt Notice of Dispute to Furnisher of Information
(A) In general. Before the expiration of the 5-business-day period beginning on
the date on which a consumer reporting agency receives notice of a dispute
from any consumer or a reseller in accordance with paragraph (1), the
agency shall provide notification of the dispute to any person who provided
any item of information in dispute, at the address and in the manner
established with the person. The notice shall include all relevant
information regarding the dispute that the agency has received from the
consumer or reseller.
(B) Provision of other information. The consumer reporting agency shall
promptly provide to the person who provided the information in dispute all
relevant information regarding the dispute that is received by the agency
from the consumer or the reseller after the period referred to in subparagraph
(A) and before the end of the period referred to in paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Determination That Dispute Is Frivolous or Irrelevant
(A) In general. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a consumer reporting agency
may terminate a reinvestigation of information disputed by a consumer
under that paragraph if the agency reasonably determines that the dispute
by the consumer is frivolous or irrelevant, including by reason of a failure
by a consumer to provide sufficient information to investigate the disputed
information.
(B) Notice of determination. Upon making any determination in accordance
with subparagraph (A) that a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, a consumer
reporting agency shall notify the consumer of such determination not later
than 5 business days after making such determination, by mail or, if
authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by any other means available
to the agency.
(C) Contents of notice. A notice under subparagraph (B) shall include
(i) the reasons for the determination under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) identification of any information required to investigate the disputed
information, which may consist of a standardized form describing the
general nature of such information.
(4) Consideration of consumer information. In conducting any reinvestigation under
paragraph (1) with respect to disputed information in the file of any consumer, the
consumer reporting agency shall review and consider all relevant information
submitted by the consumer in the period described in paragraph (1)(A) with
respect to such disputed information.
July 30, 2004 48
(5) Treatment of Inaccurate or Unverifiable Information
(A) In general. If, after any reinvestigation under paragraph (1) of any
information disputed by a consumer, an item of the information is found to
be inaccurate or incomplete or cannot be verified, the consumer reporting
agency shall–
(i) promptly delete that item of information from the file of the consumer,
or modify that item of information, as appropriate, based on the results
of the reinvestigation; and
(ii) promptly notify the furnisher of that information that the information
has been modified or deleted from the file of the consumer.
(B) Requirements Relating to Reinsertion of Previously Deleted Material
(i) Certification of accuracy of information. If any information is deleted
from a consumer's file pursuant to subparagraph (A), the information
may not be reinserted in the file by the consumer reporting agency
unless the person who furnishes the information certifies that the
information is complete and accurate.
(ii) Notice to consumer. If any information that has been deleted from a
consumer's file pursuant to subparagraph (A) is reinserted in the file, the
consumer reporting agency shall notify the consumer of the reinsertion
in writing not later than 5 business days after the reinsertion or, if
authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by any other means
available to the agency.
(iii) Additional information. As part of, or in addition to, the notice under
clause (ii), a consumer reporting agency shall provide to a consumer in
writing not later than 5 business days after the date of the reinsertion
(I) a statement that the disputed information has been reinserted;
(II) the business name and address of any furnisher of information
contacted and the telephone number of such furnisher, if reasonably
available, or of any furnisher of information that contacted the
consumer reporting agency, in connection with the reinsertion of
such information; and
(III) a notice that the consumer has the right to add a statement to the
consumer's file disputing the accuracy or completeness of the
disputed information.
(C) Procedures to prevent reappearance. A consumer reporting agency shall
maintain reasonable procedures designed to prevent the reappearance in a
consumer's file, and in consumer reports on the consumer, of information
that is deleted pursuant to this paragraph (other than information that is
reinserted in accordance with subparagraph (B)(i)).
July 30, 2004 49
(D) Automated reinvestigation system. Any consumer reporting agency that
compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis shall
implement an automated system through which furnishers of information to
that consumer reporting agency may report the results of a reinvestigation
that finds incomplete or inaccurate information in a consumer's file to other
such consumer reporting agencies.
(6) Notice of Results of Reinvestigation
(A) In general. A consumer reporting agency shall provide written notice to a
consumer of the results of a reinvestigation under this subsection not later
than 5 business days after the completion of the reinvestigation, by mail or,
if authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by other means available to
the agency.
(B) Contents. As part of, or in addition to, the notice under subparagraph (A), a
consumer reporting agency shall provide to a consumer in writing before
the expiration of the 5-day period referred to in subparagraph (A)
(i) a statement that the reinvestigation is completed;
(ii) a consumer report that is based upon the consumer's file as that file
is revised as a result of the reinvestigation;
(iii) a notice that, if requested by the consumer, a description of the
procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the
information shall be provided to the consumer by the agency,
including the business name and address of any furnisher of
information contacted in connection with such information and the
telephone number of such furnisher, if reasonably available;
(iv) a notice that the consumer has the right to add a statement to the
consumer's file disputing the accuracy or completeness of the
information; and
(v) a notice that the consumer has the right to request under subsection
(d) that the consumer reporting agency furnish notifications under
that subsection.
(7) Description of reinvestigation procedure. A consumer reporting agency shall
provide to a consumer a description referred to in paragraph (6)(B)(iii) by not
later than 15 days after receiving a request from the consumer for that description.
(8) Expedited dispute resolution. If a dispute regarding an item of information in a
consumer's file at a consumer reporting agency is resolved in accordance with
paragraph (5)(A) by the deletion of the disputed information by not later than 3
business days after the date on which the agency receives notice of the dispute
from the consumer in accordance with paragraph (1)(A), then the agency shall
not be required to comply with paragraphs (2), (6), and (7) with respect to that
dispute if the agency
July 30, 2004 50
(A) provides prompt notice of the deletion to the consumer by telephone;
(B) includes in that notice, or in a written notice that accompanies a confirmation
and consumer report provided in accordance with subparagraph (C), a
statement of the consumer's right to request under subsection (d) that the
agency furnish notifications under that subsection; and
(C) provides written confirmation of the deletion and a copy of a consumer
report on the consumer that is based on the consumer's file after the
deletion, not later than 5 business days after making the deletion.
(b) Statement of dispute. If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, the consumer
may file a brief statement setting forth the nature of the dispute. The consumer
reporting agency may limit such statements to not more than one hundred words if it
provides the consumer with assistance in writing a clear summary of the dispute.
(c) Notification of consumer dispute in subsequent consumer reports. Whenever a statement
of a dispute is filed, unless there is reasonable grounds to believe that it is frivolous or
irrelevant, the consumer reporting agency shall, in any subsequent report containing
the information in question, clearly note that it is disputed by the consumer and
provide either the consumer's statement or a clear and accurate codification or
summary thereof.
(d) Notification of deletion of disputed information. Following any deletion of information
which is found to be inaccurate or whose accuracy can no longer be verified or any
notation as to disputed information, the consumer reporting agency shall, at the
request of the consumer, furnish notification that the item has been deleted or the
statement, codification or summary pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section to
any person specifically designated by the consumer who has within two years prior
thereto received a consumer report for employment purposes, or within six months
prior thereto received a consumer report for any other purpose, which contained the
deleted or disputed information.
(e) Treatment of Complaints and Report to Congress
(1) In general. The Commission shall--
(A) compile all complaints that it receives that a file of a consumer that is
maintained by a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p)
contains incomplete or inaccurate information, with respect to which, the
consumer appears to have disputed the completeness or accuracy with the
consumer reporting agency or otherwise utilized the procedures provided
by subsection (a); and
(B) transmit each such complaint to each consumer reporting agency involved.
(2) Exclusion. Complaints received or obtained by the Commission pursuant to its
investigative authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act shall not be
subject to paragraph (1).
July 30, 2004 51
(3) Agency responsibilities. Each consumer reporting agency described in section
603(p) that receives a complaint transmitted by the Commission pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) review each such complaint to determine whether all legal obligations
imposed on the consumer reporting agency under this title (including any
obligation imposed by an applicable court or administrative order) have
been met with respect to the subject matter of the complaint;
(B) provide reports on a regular basis to the Commission regarding the
determinations of and actions taken by the consumer reporting agency, if
any, in connection with its review of such complaints; and
(C) maintain, for a reasonable time period, records regarding the disposition of
each such complaint that is sufficient to demonstrate compliance with this
subsection.
(4) Rulemaking authority. The Commission may prescribe regulations, as appropriate
to implement this subsection.
(5) Annual report. The Commission shall submit to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial
Services of the House of Representatives an annual report regarding information
gathered by the Commission under this subsection.'.
(f) Reinvestigation Requirement Applicable to Resellers
(1) Exemption from general reinvestigation requirement. Except as provided in paragraph
(2), a reseller shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
(2) Action required upon receiving notice of a dispute. If a reseller receives a notice
from a consumer of a dispute concerning the completeness or accuracy of any item
of information contained in a consumer report on such consumer produced by the
reseller, the reseller shall, within 5 business days of receiving the notice, and free
of charge–
(A) determine whether the item of information is incomplete or inaccurate as a
result of an act or omission of the reseller; and
(B) if (i) the reseller determines that the item of information is incomplete or
inaccurate as a result of an act or omission of the reseller, not later than 20
days after receiving the notice, correct the information in the consumer
report or delete it; or
(ii) if the reseller determines that the item of information is not incomplete or
inaccurate as a result of an act or omission of the reseller, convey the notice of
the dispute, together with all relevant information provided by the consumer, to
each consumer reporting agency that provided the reseller with the information
that is the subject of the dispute, using an address or a notification mechanism
specified by the consumer reporting agency for such notices.
July 30, 2004 52
(3) Responsibility of consumer reporting agency to notify consumer through reseller. Upon the
completion of a reinvestigation under this section of a dispute concerning the completeness
or accuracy of any information in the file of a consumer by a consumer reporting
agency that received notice of the dispute from a reseller under paragraph (2)--
(A) the notice by the consumer reporting agency under paragraph (6), (7), or (8) of
subsection (a) shall be provided to the reseller in lieu of the consumer; and
(B) the reseller shall immediately reconvey such notice to the consumer, including any
notice of a deletion by telephone in the manner required under paragraph (8)(A).
(4) Reseller reinvestigations. No provision of this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting
a reseller from conducting a reinvestigation of a consumer dispute directly.
§ 612. Charges for certain disclosures [15 U.S.C. § 1681j] See also 16 CFR Part 610
69 Fed. Reg. 35467 (06/24/04)
(a) Free Annual Disclosure
(1) Nationwide Consumer Reporting Agencies
(A) In general. All consumer reporting agencies described in subsections (p) and
(w) of section 603 shall make all disclosures pursuant to section 609 once
during any 12-month period upon request of the consumer and without charge
to the consumer.
(B) Centralized source. Subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to a consumer
reporting agency described in section 603(p) only if the request from the
consumer is made using the centralized source established for such purpose in
accordance with section 211(c) of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions
Act of 2003.
(C) Nationwide Specialty Consumer Reporting Agency
(i) In general. The Commission shall prescribe regulations applicable to each
consumer reporting agency described in section 603(w) to require the establishment
of a streamlined process for consumers to request consumer reports
under subparagraph (A), which shall include, at a minimum, the establishment
by each such agency of a toll-free telephone number for such requests.
(ii) Considerations. In prescribing regulations under clause (i), the
Commission shall consider–
(I) the significant demands that may be placed on consumer reporting
agencies in providing such consumer reports;
(II) appropriate means to ensure that consumer reporting agencies can
satisfactorily meet those demands, including the efficacy of a
system of staggering the availability to consumers of such
consumer reports; and
July 30, 2004 53
(III) the ease by which consumers should be able to contact consumer
reporting agencies with respect to access to such consumer reports.
(iii) Date of issuance. The Commission shall issue the regulations required
by this subparagraph in final form not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003.
(iv) Consideration of ability to comply. The regulations of the Commission
under this subparagraph shall establish an effective date by which each
nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency (as defined in section
603(w)) shall be required to comply with subsection (a), which
effective date--
(I) shall be established after consideration of the ability of each
nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency to comply with
subsection (a); and
(II) shall be not later than 6 months after the date on which such
regulations are issued in final form (or such additional period not to
exceed 3 months, as the Commission determines appropriate).
(2) Timing. A consumer reporting agency shall provide a consumer report under
paragraph (1) not later than 15 days after the date on which the request is received
under paragraph (1).
(3) Reinvestigations. Notwithstanding the time periods specified in section 611(a)(1),
a reinvestigation under that section by a consumer reporting agency upon a
request of a consumer that is made after receiving a consumer report under this
subsection shall be completed not later than 45 days after the date on which the
request is received.
(4) Exception for first 12 months of operation. This subsection shall not apply to a
consumer reporting agency that has not been furnishing consumer reports to third
parties on a continuing basis during the 12-month period preceding a request
under paragraph (1), with respect to consumers residing nationwide.
(b) Free disclosure after adverse notice to consumer. Each consumer reporting agency that
maintains a file on a consumer shall make all disclosures pursuant to section 609
[§ 1681g] without charge to the consumer if, not later than 60 days after receipt by
such consumer of a notification pursuant to section 615 [§ 1681m], or of a
notification from a debt collection agency affiliated with that consumer reporting
agency stating that the consumer's credit rating may be or has been adversely
affected, the consumer makes a request under section 609 [§ 1681g].
(c) Free disclosure under certain other circumstances. Upon the request of the consumer,
a consumer reporting agency shall make all disclosures pursuant to section 609
[§ 1681g] once during any 12-month period without charge to that consumer if the
consumer certifies in writing that the consumer
4 The Federal Trade Commission increased the maximum allowable charge to $9.00, effective January 1,
2002. 66 Fed. Reg. 63545 (Dec. 7, 2001).
July 30, 2004 54
(1) is unemployed and intends to apply for employment in the 60-day period
beginning on the date on which the certification is made;
(2) is a recipient of public welfare assistance; or
(3) has reason to believe that the file on the consumer at the agency contains
inaccurate information due to fraud.
(d) Free disclosures in connection with fraud alerts. Upon the request of a consumer, a
consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) shall make all disclosures
pursuant to section 609 without charge to the consumer, as provided in subsections
(a)(2) and (b)(2) of section 605A, as applicable.
(e) Other charges prohibited A consumer reporting agency shall not impose any charge
on a consumer for providing any notification required by this title or making any
disclosure required by this title, except as authorized by subsection (f).
(f) Reasonable Charges Allowed for Certain Disclosures
(1) In general. In the case of a request from a consumer other than a request that is
covered by any of subsections (a) through (d), a consumer reporting agency may
impose a reasonable charge on a consumer
(A) for making a disclosure to the consumer pursuant to section 609 [§ 1681g],
which charge
(i) shall not exceed $8;4 and
(ii) shall be indicated to the consumer before making the disclosure; and
(B) for furnishing, pursuant to 611(d) [§ 1681i], following a reinvestigation
under section 611(a) [§ 1681i], a statement, codification, or summary to a
person designated by the consumer under that section after the 30-day
period beginning on the date of notification of the consumer under
paragraph (6) or (8) of section 611(a) [§ 1681i] with respect to the
reinvestigation, which charge
(i) shall not exceed the charge that the agency would impose on each
designated recipient for a consumer report; and
(ii) shall be indicated to the consumer before furnishing such information.
(2) Modification of amount. The Federal Trade Commission shall increase the amount
referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(I) on January 1 of each year, based proportionally
on changes in the Consumer Price Index, with fractional changes rounded to the
nearest fifty cents.
July 30, 2004 55
§ 613. Public record information for employment purposes [15 U.S.C. § 1681k]
(a) In general. A consumer reporting agency which furnishes a consumer report for
employment purposes and which for that purpose compiles and reports items of
information on consumers which are matters of public record and are likely to have
an adverse effect upon a consumer's ability to obtain employment shall
(1) at the time such public record information is reported to the user of such
consumer report, notify the consumer of the fact that public record information is
being reported by the consumer reporting agency, together with the name and
address of the person to whom such information is being reported; or
(2) maintain strict procedures designed to insure that whenever public record
information which is likely to have an adverse effect on a consumer's ability to
obtain employment is reported it is complete and up to date. For purposes of this
paragraph, items of public record relating to arrests, indictments, convictions,
suits, tax liens, and outstanding judgments shall be considered up to date if the
current public record status of the item at the time of the report is reported.
(b) Exemption for national security investigations. Subsection (a) does not apply in the case
of an agency or department of the United States Government that seeks to obtain and use
a consumer report for employment purposes, if the head of the agency or department
makes a written finding as prescribed under section 604(b)(4)(A).
§ 614. Restrictions on investigative consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681l]
Whenever a consumer reporting agency prepares an investigative consumer report, no
adverse information in the consumer report (other than information which is a matter of
public record) may be included in a subsequent consumer report unless such adverse
information has been verified in the process of making such subsequent consumer report, or
the adverse information was received within the three-month period preceding the date the
subsequent report is furnished.
§ 615. Requirements on users of consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681m]
(a) Duties of users taking adverse actions on the basis of information contained in consumer
reports. If any person takes any adverse action with respect to any consumer that is
based in whole or in part on any information contained in a consumer report, the
person shall
(1) provide oral, written, or electronic notice of the adverse action to the consumer;
(2) provide to the consumer orally, in writing, or electronically
(A) the name, address, and telephone number of the consumer reporting
agency (including a toll-free telephone number established by the agency
if the agency compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide
basis) that furnished the report to the person; and
July 30, 2004 56
(B) a statement that the consumer reporting agency did not make the decision
to take the adverse action and is unable to provide the consumer the
specific reasons why the adverse action was taken; and
(3) provide to the consumer an oral, written, or electronic notice of the consumer's
right
(A) to obtain, under section 612 [§ 1681j], a free copy of a consumer report on
the consumer from the consumer reporting agency referred to in paragraph
(2), which notice shall include an indication of the 60-day period under
that section for obtaining such a copy; and
(B) to dispute, under section 611 [§ 1681i], with a consumer reporting agency
the accuracy or completeness of any information in a consumer report
furnished by the agency.
(b) Adverse Action Based on Information Obtained from Third Parties Other than
Consumer Reporting Agencies
(1) In general. Whenever credit for personal, family, or household purposes
involving a consumer is denied or the charge for such credit is increased either
wholly or partly because of information obtained from a person other than a
consumer reporting agency bearing upon the consumer's credit worthiness, credit
standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or
mode of living, the user of such information shall, within a reasonable period of
time, upon the consumer's written request for the reasons for such adverse action
received within sixty days after learning of such adverse action, disclose the
nature of the information to the consumer. The user of such information shall
clearly and accurately disclose to the consumer his right to make such written
request at the time such adverse action is communicated to the consumer.
(2) Duties of Person Taking Certain Actions Based on Information Provided by
Affiliate
(A) Duties, generally. If a person takes an action described in subparagraph
(B) with respect to a consumer, based in whole or in part on information
described in subparagraph (C), the person shall
(i) notify the consumer of the action, including a statement that the consumer
may obtain the information in accordance with clause (ii); and
(ii) upon a written request from the consumer received within 60 days after
transmittal of the notice required by clause (I), disclose to the
consumer the nature of the information upon which the action is based
by not later than 30 days after receipt of the request.
(B) Action described. An action referred to in subparagraph (A) is an adverse
action described in section 603(k)(1)(A) [§ 1681a], taken in connection
with a transaction initiated by the consumer, or any adverse action
described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 603(k)(1)(B) [§ 1681a].
July 30, 2004 57
(C) Information described. Information referred to in subparagraph (A)
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), is information that
(I) is furnished to the person taking the action by a person related by
common ownership or affiliated by common corporate control to
the person taking the action; and
(II) bears on the credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity,
character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of
living of the consumer; and
(ii) does not include
(I) information solely as to transactions or experiences between the
consumer and the person furnishing the information; or
(II) information in a consumer report.
(c) Reasonable procedures to assure compliance. No person shall be held liable for any
violation of this section if he shows by a preponderance of the evidence that at the
time of the alleged violation he maintained reasonable procedures to assure
compliance with the provisions of this section.
(d) Duties of Users Making Written Credit or Insurance Solicitations on the Basis of
Information Contained in Consumer Files
(1) In general. Any person who uses a consumer report on any consumer in connection
with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer,
that is provided to that person under section 604(c)(1)(B) [§ 1681b], shall provide
with each written solicitation made to the consumer regarding the transaction a
clear and conspicuous statement that
(A) information contained in the consumer's consumer report was used in
connection with the transaction;
(B) the consumer received the offer of credit or insurance because the
consumer satisfied the criteria for credit worthiness or insurability under
which the consumer was selected for the offer;
(C) if applicable, the credit or insurance may not be extended if, after the
consumer responds to the offer, the consumer does not meet the criteria
used to select the consumer for the offer or any applicable criteria bearing
on credit worthiness or insurability or does not furnish any required
collateral;
(D) the consumer has a right to prohibit information contained in the
consumer's file with any consumer reporting agency from being used in
July 30, 2004 58
connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by
the consumer; and
(E) the consumer may exercise the right referred to in subparagraph (D) by
notifying a notification system established under section 604(e) [§ 1681b].
(2) Disclosure of address and telephone number; format. A statement under paragraph
(1) shall--
(A) include the address and toll-free telephone number of the appropriate
notification system established under section 604(e); and
(B) be presented in such format and in such type size and manner as to be
simple and easy to understand, as established by the Commission, by rule,
in consultation with the Federal banking agencies and the National Credit
Union Administration.
(3) Maintaining criteria on file. A person who makes an offer of credit or insurance to
a consumer under a credit or insurance transaction described in paragraph (1)
shall maintain on file the criteria used to select the consumer to receive the offer,
all criteria bearing on credit worthiness or insurability, as applicable, that are the
basis for determining whether or not to extend credit or insurance pursuant to the
offer, and any requirement for the furnishing of collateral as a condition of the
extension of credit or insurance, until the expiration of the 3-year period
beginning on the date on which the offer is made to the consumer.
(4) Authority of federal agencies regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices not
affected. This section is not intended to affect the authority of any Federal or
State agency to enforce a prohibition against unfair or deceptive acts or practices,
including the making of false or misleading statements in connection with a credit
or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer.
(e) Red Flag Guidelines and Regulations Required
(1) Guidelines. The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union
Administration, and the Commission shall jointly, with respect to the entities that
are subject to their respective enforcement authority under section 621–
(A) establish and maintain guidelines for use by each financial institution and
each creditor regarding identity theft with respect to account holders at, or
customers of, such entities, and update such guidelines as often as
necessary;
(B) prescribe regulations requiring each financial institution and each creditor
to establish reasonable policies and procedures for implementing the
guidelines established pursuant to subparagraph (A), to identify possible
risks to account holders or customers or to the safety and soundness of the
institution or customers; and
July 30, 2004 59
(C) prescribe regulations applicable to card issuers to ensure that, if a card
issuer receives notification of a change of address for an existing account,
and within a short period of time (during at least the first 30 days after
such notification is received) receives a request for an additional or
replacement card for the same account, the card issuer may not issue the
additional or replacement card, unless the card issuer, in accordance with
reasonable policies and procedures--
(i) notifies the cardholder of the request at the former address of the
cardholder and provides to the cardholder a means of promptly
reporting incorrect address changes;
(ii) notifies the cardholder of the request by such other means of communication
as the cardholder and the card issuer previously agreed to; or
(iii) uses other means of assessing the validity of the change of address, in
accordance with reasonable policies and procedures established by the
card issuer in accordance with the regulations prescribed under
subparagraph (B).
(2) Criteria
(A) In general. In developing the guidelines required by paragraph (1)(A), the
agencies described in paragraph (1) shall identify patterns, practices, and
specific forms of activity that indicate the possible existence of identity
theft.
(B) Inactive accounts. In developing the guidelines required by paragraph
(1)(A), the agencies described in paragraph (1) shall consider including
reasonable guidelines providing that when a transaction occurs with
respect to a credit or deposit account that has been inactive for more than 2
years, the creditor or financial institution shall follow reasonable policies
and procedures that provide for notice to be given to a consumer in a
manner reasonably designed to reduce the likelihood of identity theft with
respect to such account.
(3) Consistency with verification requirements. Guidelines established pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall not be inconsistent with the policies and procedures required
under section 5318(l) of title 31, United States Code.
(f) Prohibition on Sale or Transfer of Debt Caused by Identity Theft
(1) In general. No person shall sell, transfer for consideration, or place for collection
a debt that such person has been notified under section 605B has resulted from
identity theft.
(2) Applicability. The prohibitions of this subsection shall apply to all persons
collecting a debt described in paragraph (1) after the date of a notification under
paragraph (1).
July 30, 2004 60
(3) Rule of construction. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit--
(A) the repurchase of a debt in any case in which the assignee of the debt
requires such repurchase because the debt has resulted from identity theft;
(B) the securitization of a debt or the pledging of a portfolio of debt as
collateral in connection with a borrowing; or
(C) the transfer of debt as a result of a merger, acquisition, purchase and
assumption transaction, or transfer of substantially all of the assets of an
entity.
(g) Debt collector communications concerning identity theft. If a person acting as a debt
collector (as that term is defined in title VIII) on behalf of a third party that is a
creditor or other user of a consumer report is notified that any information relating to
a debt that the person is attempting to collect may be fraudulent or may be the result
of identity theft, that person shall--
(1) notify the third party that the information may be fraudulent or may be the result
of identity theft; and
(2) upon request of the consumer to whom the debt purportedly relates, provide to the
consumer all information to which the consumer would otherwise be entitled if
the consumer were not a victim of identity theft, but wished to dispute the debt
under provisions of law applicable to that person.
(h) Duties of Users in Certain Credit Transactions
(1) In general. Subject to rules prescribed as provided in paragraph (6), if any person
uses a consumer report in connection with an application for, or a grant,
extension, or other provision of, credit on material terms that are materially less
favorable than the most favorable terms available to a substantial proportion of
consumers from or through that person, based in whole or in part on a consumer
report, the person shall provide an oral, written, or electronic notice to the
consumer in the form and manner required by regulations prescribed in
accordance with this subsection.
(2) Timing. The notice required under paragraph (1) may be provided at the time of
an application for, or a grant, extension, or other provision of, credit or the time of
communication of an approval of an application for, or grant, extension, or other
provision of, credit, except as provided in the regulations prescribed under
paragraph (6).
(3) Exceptions. No notice shall be required from a person under this subsection if–
(A) the consumer applied for specific material terms and was granted those
terms, unless those terms were initially specified by the person after the
transaction was initiated by the consumer and after the person obtained a
consumer report; or
July 30, 2004 61
(B) the person has provided or will provide a notice to the consumer under
subsection (a) in connection with the transaction.
(4) Other notice not sufficient. A person that is required to provide a notice under
subsection (a) cannot meet that requirement by providing a notice under this
subsection.
(5) Content and delivery of notice. A notice under this subsection shall, at a minimum–
(A) include a statement informing the consumer that the terms offered to the
consumer are set based on information from a consumer report;
(B) identify the consumer reporting agency furnishing the report;
(C) include a statement informing the consumer that the consumer may obtain
a copy of a consumer report from that consumer reporting agency without
charge; and
(D) include the contact information specified by that consumer reporting agency
for obtaining such consumer reports (including a toll-free telephone
number established by the agency in the case of a consumer reporting
agency described in section 603(p)).
(6) Rulemaking
(A) Rules required. The Commission and the Board shall jointly prescribe
rules.
(B) Content. Rules required by subparagraph (A) shall address, but are not
limited to–
(i) the form, content, time, and manner of delivery of any notice under this
subsection;
(ii) clarification of the meaning of terms used in this subsection, including
what credit terms are material, and when credit terms are materially
less favorable;
(iii) exceptions to the notice requirement under this subsection for classes
of persons or transactions regarding which the agencies determine that
notice would not significantly benefit consumers;
(iv) a model notice that may be used to comply with this subsection; and
(v) the timing of the notice required under paragraph (1), including the
circumstances under which the notice must be provided after the terms
offered to the consumer were set based on information from a
consumer report.
July 30, 2004 62
(7) Compliance. A person shall not be liable for failure to perform the duties required
by this section if, at the time of the failure, the person maintained reasonable
policies and procedures to comply with this section.
(8) Enforcement
(A) No civil actions. Sections 616 and 617 shall not apply to any failure by any
person to comply with this section.
(B) Administrative enforcement. This section shall be enforced exclusively under
section 621 by the Federal agencies and officials identified in that section.
§ 616. Civil liability for willful noncompliance [15 U.S.C. § 1681n]
(a) In general. Any person who willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed
under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount
equal to the sum of
(1) (A) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or
damages of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000; or
(B) in the case of liability of a natural person for obtaining a consumer report
under false pretenses or knowingly without a permissible purpose, actual
damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or $1,000,
whichever is greater;
(2) such amount of punitive damages as the court may allow; and
(3) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the
costs of the action together with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the
court.
(b) Civil liability for knowing noncompliance. Any person who obtains a consumer report
from a consumer reporting agency under false pretenses or knowingly without a
permissible purpose shall be liable to the consumer reporting agency for actual
damages sustained by the consumer reporting agency or $1,000, whichever is greater.
(c) Attorney's fees. Upon a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or
other paper filed in connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faith
or for purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorney's
fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading,
motion, or other paper.
§ 617. Civil liability for negligent noncompliance [15 U.S.C. § 1681o]
(a) In general. Any person who is negligent in failing to comply with any requirement
imposed under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an
amount equal to the sum of
July 30, 2004 63
(1) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure; and
(2) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the
costs of the action together with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the
court.
(b) Attorney's fees. On a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or
other paper filed in connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faith
or for purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorney's
fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading,
motion, or other paper.
§ 618. Jurisdiction of courts; limitation of actions [15 U.S.C. § 1681p]
An action to enforce any liability created under this title may be brought in any
appropriate United States district court, without regard to the amount in controversy, or in
any other court of competent jurisdiction, not later than the earlier of (1) 2 years after the
date of discovery by the plaintiff of the violation that is the basis for such liability; or (2) 5
years after the date on which the violation that is the basis for such liability occurs.
§ 619. Obtaining information under false pretenses [15 U.S.C. § 1681q]
Any person who knowingly and willfully obtains information on a consumer from a
consumer reporting agency under false pretenses shall be fined under title 18, United States
Code, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
§ 620. Unauthorized disclosures by officers or employees [15 U.S.C. § 1681r]
Any officer or employee of a consumer reporting agency who knowingly and willfully
provides information concerning an individual from the agency's files to a person not
authorized to receive that information shall be fined under title 18, United States Code,
imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
§ 621. Administrative enforcement [15 U.S.C. § 1681s]
(a) (1) Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission. Compliance with the requirements
imposed under this title shall be enforced under the Federal Trade Commission
Act [15 U.S.C. §§ 41 et seq.] by the Federal Trade Commission with respect to
consumer reporting agencies and all other persons subject thereto, except to the
extent that enforcement of the requirements imposed under this title is specifically
committed to some other government agency under subsection (b) hereof. For the
purpose of the exercise by the Federal Trade Commission of its functions and
powers under the Federal Trade Commission Act, a violation of any requirement
or prohibition imposed under this title shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act
or practice in commerce in violation of section 5(a) of the Federal Trade
Commission Act [15 U.S.C. § 45(a)] and shall be subject to enforcement by the
Federal Trade Commission under section 5(b) thereof [15 U.S.C. § 45(b)] with
respect to any consumer reporting agency or person subject to enforcement by the
Federal Trade Commission pursuant to this subsection, irrespective of whether
July 30, 2004 64
that person is engaged in commerce or meets any other jurisdictional tests in the
Federal Trade Commission Act. The Federal Trade Commission shall have such
procedural, investigative, and enforcement powers, including the power to issue
procedural rules in enforcing compliance with the requirements imposed under
this title and to require the filing of reports, the production of documents, and the
appearance of witnesses as though the applicable terms and conditions of the
Federal Trade Commission Act were part of this title. Any person violating any of
the provisions of this title shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the
privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act as
though the applicable terms and provisions thereof were part of this title.
(2) (A) In the event of a knowing violation, which constitutes a pattern or practice
of violations of this title, the Commission may commence a civil action to
recover a civil penalty in a district court of the United States against any
person that violates this title. In such action, such person shall be liable for
a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 per violation.
(B) In determining the amount of a civil penalty under subparagraph (A), the
court shall take into account the degree of culpability, any history of prior
such conduct, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business,
and such other matters as justice may require.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a court may not impose any civil penalty on a
person for a violation of section 623(a)(1) [§ 1681s-2] unless the person has been
enjoined from committing the violation, or ordered not to commit the violation, in
an action or proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission,
and has violated the injunction or order, and the court may not impose any
civil penalty for any violation occurring before the date of the violation of the
injunction or order.
(b) Enforcement by other agencies. Compliance with the requirements imposed under this
title with respect to consumer reporting agencies, persons who use consumer reports
from such agencies, persons who furnish information to such agencies, and users of
information that are subject to subsection (d) of section 615 [§ 1681m] shall be
enforced under
(1) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. § 1818], in the case of
(A) national banks, and Federal branches and Federal agencies of foreign
banks, by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;
(B) member banks of the Federal Reserve System (other than national banks),
branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than Federal branches,
Federal agencies, and insured State branches of foreign banks),
commercial lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and
organizations operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve
Act [12 U.S.C. §§ 601 et seq., §§ 611 et seq], by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System; and
July 30, 2004 65
(C) banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (other than members
of the Federal Reserve System) and insured State branches of foreign
banks, by the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
(2) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. § 1818], by the
Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, in the case of a savings association
the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
(3) the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.], by the Administrator of
the National Credit Union Administration [National Credit Union Administration
Board] with respect to any Federal credit union;
(4) subtitle IV of title 49 [49 U.S.C. §§ 10101 et seq.], by the Secretary of
Transportation, with respect to all carriers subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface
Transportation Board;
(5) the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 [49 U.S.C. Appx §§ 1301 et seq.], by the
Secretary of Transportation with respect to any air carrier or foreign air carrier
subject to that Act [49 U.S.C. Appx §§ 1301 et seq.]; and
(6) the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 [7 U.S.C. §§ 181 et seq.] (except as
provided in section 406 of that Act [7 U.S.C. §§ 226 and 227]), by the Secretary
of Agriculture with respect to any activities subject to that Act.
The terms used in paragraph (1) that are not defined in this title or otherwise defined in section
3(s) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. §1813(s)) shall have the meaning
given to them in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. § 3101).
(c) State Action for Violations
(1) Authority of states. In addition to such other remedies as are provided under State
law, if the chief law enforcement officer of a State, or an official or agency
designated by a State, has reason to believe that any person has violated or is
violating this title, the State
(A) may bring an action to enjoin such violation in any appropriate United
States district court or in any other court of competent jurisdiction;
(B) subject to paragraph (5), may bring an action on behalf of the residents of
the State to recover
(i) damages for which the person is liable to such residents under sections
616 and 617 [§§ 1681n and 1681o] as a result of the violation;
(ii) in the case of a violation described in any of paragraphs (1) through (3) of
section 623(c), damages for which the person would, but for section
623(c) [§ 1681s-2], be liable to such residents as a result of the violation;
or
(iii) damages of not more than $1,000 for each willful or negligent violation; and
July 30, 2004 66
(C) in the case of any successful action under subparagraph (A) or (B), shall
be awarded the costs of the action and reasonable attorney fees as
determined by the court.
(2) Rights of federal regulators. The State shall serve prior written notice of any
action under paragraph (1) upon the Federal Trade Commission or the appropriate
Federal regulator determined under subsection (b) and provide the Commission or
appropriate Federal regulator with a copy of its complaint, except in any case in
which such prior notice is not feasible, in which case the State shall serve such
notice immediately upon instituting such action. The Federal Trade Commission
or appropriate Federal regulator shall have the right
(A) to intervene in the action;
(B) upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein;
(C) to remove the action to the appropriate United States district court; and
(D) to file petitions for appeal.
(3) Investigatory powers. For purposes of bringing any action under this subsection,
nothing in this subsection shall prevent the chief law enforcement officer, or an
official or agency designated by a State, from exercising the powers conferred on
the chief law enforcement officer or such official by the laws of such State to
conduct investigations or to administer oaths or affirmations or to compel the
attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence.
(4) Limitation on state action while federal action pending. If the Federal Trade
Commission or the appropriate Federal regulator has instituted a civil action or an
administrative action under section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act for a
violation of this title, no State may, during the pendency of such action, bring an
action under this section against any defendant named in the complaint of the
Commission or the appropriate Federal regulator for any violation of this title that
is alleged in that complaint.
(5) Limitations on State Actions for Certain Violations
(A) Violation of injunction required. A State may not bring an action against a
person under paragraph (1)(B) for a violation described in any of
paragraphs (1) through (3) of section 623(c), unless
(i) the person has been enjoined from committing the violation, in an
action brought by the State under paragraph (1)(A); and
(ii) the person has violated the injunction.
(B) Limitation on damages recoverable. In an action against a person under
paragraph (1)(B) for a violation described in any of paragraphs (1) through
(3) of section 623(c), a State may not recover any damages incurred before
the date of the violation of an injunction on which the action is based.
July 30, 2004 67
(d) Enforcement under other authority. For the purpose of the exercise by any agency
referred to in subsection (b) of this section of its powers under any Act referred to in
that subsection, a violation of any requirement imposed under this title shall be
deemed to be a violation of a requirement imposed under that Act. In addition to its
powers under any provision of law specifically referred to in subsection (b) of this
section, each of the agencies referred to in that subsection may exercise, for the
purpose of enforcing compliance with any requirement imposed under this title any
other authority conferred on it by law.
(e) Regulatory authority
(1) The Federal banking agencies referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection
(b) shall jointly prescribe such regulations as necessary to carry out the purposes
of this Act with respect to any persons identified under paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (b), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall
have authority to prescribe regulations consistent with such joint regulations with
respect to bank holding companies and affiliates (other than depository
institutions and consumer reporting agencies) of such holding companies.
(2) The Board of the National Credit Union Administration shall prescribe such
regulations as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act with respect to any
persons identified under paragraph (3) of subsection (b).
(f) Coordination of Consumer Complaint Investigations
(1) In general. Each consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) shall
develop and maintain procedures for the referral to each other such agency of any
consumer complaint received by the agency alleging identity theft, or requesting a
fraud alert under section 605A or a block under section 605B.
(2) Model form and procedure for reporting identity theft. The Commission, in
consultation with the Federal banking agencies and the National Credit Union
Administration, shall develop a model form and model procedures to be used by
consumers who are victims of identity theft for contacting and informing creditors
and consumer reporting agencies of the fraud.
(3) Annual summary reports. Each consumer reporting agency described in section
603(p) shall submit an annual summary report to the Commission on consumer
complaints received by the agency on identity theft or fraud alerts.
(g) FTC regulation of coding of trade names. If the Commission determines that a person
described in paragraph (9) of section 623(a) has not met the requirements of such
paragraph, the Commission shall take action to ensure the person's compliance with
such paragraph, which may include issuing model guidance or prescribing reasonable
policies and procedures, as necessary to ensure that such person complies with such
paragraph.
§ 622. Information on overdue child support obligations [15 U.S.C. § 1681s-1]
July 30, 2004 68
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a consumer reporting agency shall
include in any consumer report furnished by the agency in accordance with section 604
[§ 1681b] of this title, any information on the failure of the consumer to pay overdue support
which
(1) is provided
(A) to the consumer reporting agency by a State or local child support enforcement
agency; or
(B) to the consumer reporting agency and verified by any local, State, or
Federal government agency; and
(2) antedates the report by 7 years or less.
§ 623. Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies
[15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2]
(a) Duty of Furnishers of Information to Provide Accurate Information
(1) Prohibition
(A) Reporting information with actual knowledge of errors. A person shall not
furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting
agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the
information is inaccurate.
(B) Reporting information after notice and confirmation of errors. A person
shall not furnish information relating to a consumer to any consumer
reporting agency if
(i) the person has been notified by the consumer, at the address specified by
the person for such notices, that specific information is inaccurate; and
(ii) the information is, in fact, inaccurate.
(C) No address requirement. A person who clearly and conspicuously specifies
to the consumer an address for notices referred to in subparagraph (B)
shall not be subject to subparagraph (A); however, nothing in subparagraph
(B) shall require a person to specify such an address.
(D) Definition. For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “reasonable cause to
believe that the information is inaccurate” means having specific knowledge,
other than solely allegations by the consumer, that would cause a reasonable
person to have substantial doubts about the accuracy of the information.
(2) Duty to correct and update information. A person who
July 30, 2004 69
(A) regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information to
one or more consumer reporting agencies about the person's transactions
or experiences with any consumer; and
(B) has furnished to a consumer reporting agency information that the person
determines is not complete or accurate, shall promptly notify the consumer
reporting agency of that determination and provide to the agency any
corrections to that information, or any additional information, that is
necessary to make the information provided by the person to the agency
complete and accurate, and shall not thereafter furnish to the agency any
of the information that remains not complete or accurate.
(3) Duty to provide notice of dispute. If the completeness or accuracy of any information
furnished by any person to any consumer reporting agency is disputed to such
person by a consumer, the person may not furnish the information to any consumer
reporting agency without notice that such information is disputed by the consumer.
(4) Duty to provide notice of closed accounts. A person who regularly and in the
ordinary course of business furnishes information to a consumer reporting agency
regarding a consumer who has a credit account with that person shall notify the
agency of the voluntary closure of the account by the consumer, in information
regularly furnished for the period in which the account is closed.
(5) Duty to Provide Notice of Delinquency of Accounts
(A) In general. A person who furnishes information to a consumer reporting
agency regarding a delinquent account being placed for collection, charged
to profit or loss, or subjected to any similar action shall, not later than 90
days after furnishing the information, notify the agency of the date of
delinquency on the account, which shall be the month and year of the
commencement of the delinquency on the account that immediately
preceded the action.
(B) Rule of construction. For purposes of this paragraph only, and provided
that the consumer does not dispute the information, a person that furnishes
information on a delinquent account that is placed for collection, charged
for profit or loss, or subjected to any similar action, complies with this
paragraph, if--
(i) the person reports the same date of delinquency as that provided by the
creditor to which the account was owed at the time at which the
commencement of the delinquency occurred, if the creditor previously
reported that date of delinquency to a consumer reporting agency;
(ii) the creditor did not previously report the date of delinquency to a
consumer reporting agency, and the person establishes and follows
reasonable procedures to obtain the date of delinquency from the
creditor or another reliable source and reports that date to a consumer
reporting agency as the date of delinquency; or
July 30, 2004 70
(iii) the creditor did not previously report the date of delinquency to a
consumer reporting agency and the date of delinquency cannot be
reasonably obtained as provided in clause (ii), the person establishes
and follows reasonable procedures to ensure the date reported as the
date of delinquency precedes the date on which the account is placed
for collection, charged to profit or loss, or subjected to any similar
action, and reports such date to the credit reporting agency.
(6) Duties of Furnishers Upon Notice of Identity Theft-Related Information
(A) Reasonable procedures. A person that furnishes information to any
consumer reporting agency shall have in place reasonable procedures to
respond to any notification that it receives from a consumer reporting
agency under section 605B relating to information resulting from identity
theft, to prevent that person from refurnishing such blocked information.
(B) Information alleged to result from identity theft. If a consumer submits an
identity theft report to a person who furnishes information to a consumer
reporting agency at the address specified by that person for receiving such
reports stating that information maintained by such person that purports to
relate to the consumer resulted from identity theft, the person may not
furnish such information that purports to relate to the consumer to any
consumer reporting agency, unless the person subsequently knows or is
informed by the consumer that the information is correct.
(7) Negative Information
(A) Notice to Consumer Required
(i) In general. If any financial institution that extends credit and regularly
and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information to a consumer
reporting agency described in section 603(p) furnishes negative
information to such an agency regarding credit extended to a customer,
the financial institution shall provide a notice of such furnishing of
negative information, in writing, to the customer.
(ii) Notice effective for subsequent submissions. After providing such notice,
the financial institution may submit additional negative information to
a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) with respect
to the same transaction, extension of credit, account, or customer
without providing additional notice to the customer.
(B) Time of Notice
(i) In general. The notice required under subparagraph (A) shall be
provided to the customer prior to, or no later than 30 days after,
furnishing the negative information to a consumer reporting agency
described in section 603(p).
July 30, 2004 71
(ii) Coordination with new account disclosures. If the notice is provided to
the customer prior to furnishing the negative information to a
consumer reporting agency, the notice may not be included in the
initial disclosures provided under section 127(a) of the Truth in
Lending Act.
(C) Coordination with other disclosures- The notice required under subparagraph
(A)--
(i) may be included on or with any notice of default, any billing statement,
or any other materials provided to the customer; and
(ii) must be clear and conspicuous.
(D) Model Disclosure
(i) Duty of board to prepare. The Board shall prescribe a brief model
disclosure a financial institution may use to comply with subparagraph
(A), which shall not exceed 30 words.
(ii) Use of model not required. No provision of this paragraph shall be
construed as requiring a financial institution to use any such model
form prescribed by the Board.
(iii) Compliance using model. A financial institution shall be deemed to be
in compliance with subparagraph (A) if the financial institution uses
any such model form prescribed by the Board, or the financial
institution uses any such model form and rearranges its format.
(E) Use of notice without submitting negative information. No provision of this
paragraph shall be construed as requiring a financial institution that has
provided a customer with a notice described in subparagraph (A) to
furnish negative information about the customer to a consumer reporting
agency.
(F) Safe harbor. A financial institution shall not be liable for failure to
perform the duties required by this paragraph if, at the time of the failure,
the financial institution maintained reasonable policies and procedures to
comply with this paragraph or the financial institution reasonably believed
that the institution is prohibited, by law, from contacting the consumer.
(G) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) The term “negative information” means information concerning a customer's
delinquencies, late payments, insolvency, or any form of default.
(ii) The terms “customer” and “financial institution” have the same meanings as
in section 509 Public Law 106-102.
July 30, 2004 72
(8) Ability of Consumer to Dispute Information Directly with Furnisher
(A) In general. The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration,
and the Commission shall jointly prescribe regulations that
shall identify the circumstances under which a furnisher shall be required to
reinvestigate a dispute concerning the accuracy of information contained in
a consumer report on the consumer, based on a direct request of a consumer.
(B) Considerations. In prescribing regulations under subparagraph (A), the
agencies shall weigh--
(i) the benefits to consumers with the costs on furnishers and the credit
reporting system;
(ii) the impact on the overall accuracy and integrity of consumer reports of
any such requirements;
(iii) whether direct contact by the consumer with the furnisher would likely
result in the most expeditious resolution of any such dispute; and
(iv) the potential impact on the credit reporting process if credit repair
organizations, as defined in section 403(3) [15 U.S.C. §1679a(3)],
including entities that would be a credit repair organization, but for
section 403(3)(B)(i), are able to circumvent the prohibition in
subparagraph (G).
(C) Applicability. Subparagraphs (D) through (G) shall apply in any circumstance
identified under the regulations promulgated under subparagraph
(A).
(D) Submitting a notice of dispute- A consumer who seeks to dispute the
accuracy of information shall provide a dispute notice directly to such
person at the address specified by the person for such notices that--
(i) identifies the specific information that is being disputed;
(ii) explains the basis for the dispute; and
(iii) includes all supporting documentation required by the furnisher to
substantiate the basis of the dispute.
(E) Duty of person after receiving notice of dispute. After receiving a notice of
dispute from a consumer pursuant to subparagraph (D), the person that
provided the information in dispute to a consumer reporting agency shall--
(i) conduct an investigation with respect to the disputed information;
(ii) review all relevant information provided by the consumer with the notice;
July 30, 2004 73
(iii) complete such person's investigation of the dispute and report the
results of the investigation to the consumer before the expiration of the
period under section 611(a)(1) within which a consumer reporting
agency would be required to complete its action if the consumer had
elected to dispute the information under that section; and
(iv) if the investigation finds that the information reported was inaccurate,
promptly notify each consumer reporting agency to which the person
furnished the inaccurate information of that determination and provide
to the agency any correction to that information that is necessary to
make the information provided by the person accurate.
(F) Frivolous or Irrelevant Dispute
(i) In general. This paragraph shall not apply if the person receiving a notice
of a dispute from a consumer reasonably determines that the dispute is
frivolous or irrelevant, including--
(I) by reason of the failure of a consumer to provide sufficient
information to investigate the disputed information; or
(II) the submission by a consumer of a dispute that is substantially the
same as a dispute previously submitted by or for the consumer,
either directly to the person or through a consumer reporting
agency under subsection (b), with respect to which the person has
already performed the person's duties under this paragraph or
subsection (b), as applicable.
(ii) Notice of determination. Upon making any determination under clause
(i) that a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, the person shall notify the
consumer of such determination not later than 5 business days after
making such determination, by mail or, if authorized by the consumer
for that purpose, by any other means available to the person.
(iii) Contents of notice. A notice under clause (ii) shall include--
(I) the reasons for the determination under clause (i); and
(II) identification of any information required to investigate the
disputed information, which may consist of a standardized form
describing the general nature of such information.
(G) Exclusion of credit repair organizations. This paragraph shall not apply if
the notice of the dispute is submitted by, is prepared on behalf of the
consumer by, or is submitted on a form supplied to the consumer by, a
credit repair organization, as defined in section 403(3), or an entity that
would be a credit repair organization, but for section 403(3)(B)(i).
July 30, 2004 74
(9) Duty to provide notice of status as medical information furnisher. A person whose
primary business is providing medical services, products, or devices, or the
person's agent or assignee, who furnishes information to a consumer reporting
agency on a consumer shall be considered a medical information furnisher for
purposes of this title, and shall notify the agency of such status.
(b) Duties of Furnishers of Information upon Notice of Dispute
(1) In general. After receiving notice pursuant to section 611(a)(2) [§ 1681i] of a
dispute with regard to the completeness or accuracy of any information provided
by a person to a consumer reporting agency, the person shall
(A) conduct an investigation with respect to the disputed information;
(B) review all relevant information provided by the consumer reporting
agency pursuant to section 611(a)(2) [§ 1681i];
(C) report the results of the investigation to the consumer reporting agency;
(D) if the investigation finds that the information is incomplete or inaccurate,
report those results to all other consumer reporting agencies to which the
person furnished the information and that compile and maintain files on
consumers on a nationwide basis; and
(E) if an item of information disputed by a consumer is found to be inaccurate
or incomplete or cannot be verified after any reinvestigation under
paragraph (1), for purposes of reporting to a consumer reporting agency
only, as appropriate, based on the results of the reinvestigation promptly–
(i) modify that item of information;
(ii) delete that item of information; or
(iii) permanently block the reporting of that item of information.
(2) Deadline. A person shall complete all investigations, reviews, and reports
required under paragraph (1) regarding information provided by the person to a
consumer reporting agency, before the expiration of the period under section
611(a)(1) [§ 1681i] within which the consumer reporting agency is required to
complete actions required by that section regarding that information.
(c) Limitation on liability. Except as provided in section 621(c)(1)(B), sections 616 and
617 do not apply to any violation of--
(1) subsection (a) of this section, including any regulations issued thereunder;
(2) subsection (e) of this section, except that nothing in this paragraph shall limit,
expand, or otherwise affect liability under section 616 or 617, as applicable, for
violations of subsection (b) of this section; or
July 30, 2004 75
(3) subsection (e) of section 615.
(d) Limitation on enforcement. The provisions of law described in paragraphs (1) through
(3) of subsection (c) (other than with respect to the exception described in paragraph
(2) of subsection (c)) shall be enforced exclusively as provided under section 621 by
the Federal agencies and officials and the State officials identified in section 621.
(e) Accuracy Guidelines and Regulations Required
(1) Guidelines. The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union
Administration, and the Commission shall, with respect to the entities that are
subject to their respective enforcement authority under section 621, and in
coordination as described in paragraph (2)--
(A) establish and maintain guidelines for use by each person that furnishes
information to a consumer reporting agency regarding the accuracy and
integrity of the information relating to consumers that such entities furnish
to consumer reporting agencies, and update such guidelines as often as
necessary; and
(B) prescribe regulations requiring each person that furnishes information to a
consumer reporting agency to establish reasonable policies and procedures
for implementing the guidelines established pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(2) Coordination. Each agency required to prescribe regulations under paragraph (1)
shall consult and coordinate with each other such agency so that, to the extent
possible, the regulations prescribed by each such entity are consistent and
comparable with the regulations prescribed by each other such agency.
(3) Criteria. In developing the guidelines required by paragraph (1)(A), the agencies
described in paragraph (1) shall--
(A) identify patterns, practices, and specific forms of activity that can
compromise the accuracy and integrity of information furnished to
consumer reporting agencies;
(B) review the methods (including technological means) used to furnish
information relating to consumers to consumer reporting agencies;
(C) determine whether persons that furnish information to consumer reporting
agencies maintain and enforce policies to assure the accuracy and integrity
of information furnished to consumer reporting agencies; and
(D) examine the policies and processes that persons that furnish information to
consumer reporting agencies employ to conduct reinvestigations and
correct inaccurate information relating to consumers that has been
furnished to consumer reporting agencies.
July 30, 2004 76
§ 624. Affiliate sharing [15 U.S.C. § 1681s-3]
(a) Special Rule for Solicitation for Purposes of Marketing
(1) Notice. Any person that receives from another person related to it by common
ownership or affiliated by corporate control a communication of information that
would be a consumer report, but for clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of section
603(d)(2)(A), may not use the information to make a solicitation for marketing
purposes to a consumer about its products or services, unless--
(A) it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed to the consumer that the
information may be communicated among such persons for purposes of
making such solicitations to the consumer; and
(B) the consumer is provided an opportunity and a simple method to prohibit
the making of such solicitations to the consumer by such person.
(2) Consumer Choice
(A) In general. The notice required under paragraph (1) shall allow the
consumer the opportunity to prohibit all solicitations referred to in such
paragraph, and may allow the consumer to choose from different options
when electing to prohibit the sending of such solicitations, including
options regarding the types of entities and information covered, and which
methods of delivering solicitations the consumer elects to prohibit.
(B) Format. Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the notice required under
paragraph (1) shall be clear, conspicuous, and concise, and any method
provided under paragraph (1)(B) shall be simple. The regulations
prescribed to implement this section shall provide specific guidance
regarding how to comply with such standards.
(3) Duration
(A) In general. The election of a consumer pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) to
prohibit the making of solicitations shall be effective for at least 5 years,
beginning on the date on which the person receives the election of the
consumer, unless the consumer requests that such election be revoked.
(B) Notice upon expiration of effective period. At such time as the election of a
consumer pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) is no longer effective, a person
may not use information that the person receives in the manner described
in paragraph (1) to make any solicitation for marketing purposes to the
consumer, unless the consumer receives a notice and an opportunity, using
a simple method, to extend the opt-out for another period of at least 5
years, pursuant to the procedures described in paragraph (1).
(4) Scope. This section shall not apply to a person–
July 30, 2004 77
(A) using information to make a solicitation for marketing purposes to a
consumer with whom the person has a pre-existing business relationship;
(B) using information to facilitate communications to an individual for whose
benefit the person provides employee benefit or other services pursuant to
a contract with an employer related to and arising out of the current
employment relationship or status of the individual as a participant or
beneficiary of an employee benefit plan;
(C) using information to perform services on behalf of another person related
by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, except that this
subparagraph shall not be construed as permitting a person to send
solicitations on behalf of another person, if such other person would not be
permitted to send the solicitation on its own behalf as a result of the
election of the consumer to prohibit solicitations under paragraph (1)(B);
(D) using information in response to a communication initiated by the
consumer;
(E) using information in response to solicitations authorized or requested by
the consumer; or
(F) if compliance with this section by that person would prevent compliance
by that person with any provision of State insurance laws pertaining to
unfair discrimination in any State in which the person is lawfully doing
business.
(5) No retroactivity. This subsection shall not prohibit the use of information to send
a solicitation to a consumer if such information was received prior to the date on
which persons are required to comply with regulations implementing this
subsection.
(b) Notice for other purposes permissible. A notice or other disclosure under this section
may be coordinated and consolidated with any other notice required to be issued
under any other provision of law by a person that is subject to this section, and a
notice or other disclosure that is equivalent to the notice required by subsection (a),
and that is provided by a person described in subsection (a) to a consumer together
with disclosures required by any other provision of law, shall satisfy the requirements
of subsection (a).
(c) User requirements. Requirements with respect to the use by a person of information
received from another person related to it by common ownership or affiliated by
corporate control, such as the requirements of this section, constitute requirements
with respect to the exchange of information among persons affiliated by common
ownership or common corporate control, within the meaning of section 625(b)(2).
July 30, 2004 78
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term “pre-existing business relationship” means a relationship between a
person, or a person's licensed agent, and a consumer, based on--
(A) a financial contract between a person and a consumer which is in force;
(B) the purchase, rental, or lease by the consumer of that person's goods or
services, or a financial transaction (including holding an active account or
a policy in force or having another continuing relationship) between the
consumer and that person during the 18-month period immediately
preceding the date on which the consumer is sent a solicitation covered by
this section;
(C) an inquiry or application by the consumer regarding a product or service
offered by that person, during the 3-month period immediately preceding
the date on which the consumer is sent a solicitation covered by this
section; or
(D) any other pre-existing customer relationship defined in the regulations
implementing this section.
(2) The term “solicitation” means the marketing of a product or service initiated by a
person to a particular consumer that is based on an exchange of information
described in subsection (a), and is intended to encourage the consumer to
purchase such product or service, but does not include communications that are
directed at the general public or determined not to be a solicitation by the
regulations prescribed under this section.
§ 625. Relation to State laws [15 U.S.C. § 1681t]
(a) In general. Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), this title does not annul,
alter, affect, or exempt any person subject to the provisions of this title from
complying with the laws of any State with respect to the collection, distribution, or
use of any information on consumers, or for the prevention or mitigation of identity
theft, except to the extent that those laws are inconsistent with any provision of this
title, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency.
(b) General exceptions. No requirement or prohibition may be imposed under the laws of
any State
(1) with respect to any subject matter regulated under
(A) subsection (c) or (e) of section 604 [§ 1681b], relating to the prescreening
of consumer reports;
July 30, 2004 79
(B) section 611 [§ 1681i], relating to the time by which a consumer reporting
agency must take any action, including the provision of notification to a
consumer or other person, in any procedure related to the disputed
accuracy of information in a consumer's file, except that this subparagraph
shall not apply to any State law in effect on the date of enactment of the
Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996;
(C) subsections (a) and (b) of section 615 [§ 1681m], relating to the duties of a
person who takes any adverse action with respect to a consumer;
(D) section 615(d) [§ 1681m], relating to the duties of persons who use a
consumer report of a consumer in connection with any credit or insurance
transaction that is not initiated by the consumer and that consists of a firm
offer of credit or insurance;
(E) section 605 [§ 1681c], relating to information contained in consumer
reports, except that this subparagraph shall not apply to any State law in
effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform
Act of 1996;
(F) section 623 [§ 1681s-2], relating to the responsibilities of persons who
furnish information to consumer reporting agencies, except that this
paragraph shall not apply
(i) with respect to section 54A(a) of chapter 93 of the Massachusetts
Annotated Laws (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer
Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996); or
(ii) with respect to section 1785.25(a) of the California Civil Code (as in
effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer Credit Reporting
Reform Act of 1996);
(G) section 609(e), relating to information available to victims under section
609(e);
(H) section 624, relating to the exchange and use of information to make a
solicitation for marketing purposes; or
(I) section 615(h), relating to the duties of users of consumer reports to
provide notice with respect to terms in certain credit transactions;
(2) with respect to the exchange of information among persons affiliated by common
ownership or common corporate control, except that this paragraph shall not
apply with respect to subsection (a) or (c)(1) of section 2480e of title 9, Vermont
Statutes Annotated (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer Credit
Reporting Reform Act of 1996);
July 30, 2004 80
(3) with respect to the disclosures required to be made under subsection (c), (d), (e),
or (g) of section 609, or subsection (f) of section 609 relating to the disclosure of
credit scores for credit granting purposes, except that this paragraph--
(A) shall not apply with respect to sections 1785.10, 1785.16, and 1785.20.2 of
the California Civil Code (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair
and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003) and section 1785.15
through section 1785.15.2 of such Code (as in effect on such date);
(B) shall not apply with respect to sections 5-3-106(2) and 212-14.3-104.3 of
the Colorado Revised Statutes (as in effect on the date of enactment of the
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003); and
(C) shall not be construed as limiting, annulling, affecting, or superseding any
provision of the laws of any State regulating the use in an insurance
activity, or regulating disclosures concerning such use, of a credit-based
insurance score of a consumer by any person engaged in the business of
insurance;
(4) with respect to the frequency of any disclosure under section 612(a), except that
this paragraph shall not apply–
(A) with respect to section 12-14.3-105(1)(d) of the Colorado Revised Statutes
(as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003);
(B) with respect to section 10-1-393(29)(C) of the Georgia Code (as in effect
on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
of 2003);
(C) with respect to section 1316.2 of title 10 of the Maine Revised Statutes (as
in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003);
(D) with respect to sections 14-1209(a)(1) and 14-1209(b)(1)(i) of the
Commercial Law Article of the Code of Maryland (as in effect on the date
of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003);
(E) with respect to section 59(d) and section 59(e) of chapter 93 of the General
Laws of Massachusetts (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair
and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003);
(F) with respect to section 56:11-37.10(a)(1) of the New Jersey Revised
Statutes (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate
Credit Transactions Act of 2003); or
July 30, 2004 81
(G) with respect to section 2480c(a)(1) of title 9 of the Vermont Statutes
Annotated (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate
Credit Transactions Act of 2003); or
(5) with respect to the conduct required by the specific provisions of--
(A) section 605(g);
(B) section 605A;
(C) section 605B;
(D) section 609(a)(1)(A);
(E) section 612(a);
(F) subsections (e), (f), and (g) of section 615;
(G) section 621(f);
(H) section 623(a)(6); or
(I) section 628.
(c) Definition of firm offer of credit or insurance. Notwithstanding any definition of the
term “firm offer of credit or insurance” (or any equivalent term) under the laws of
any State, the definition of that term contained in section 603(l) [§ 1681a] shall be
construed to apply in the enforcement and interpretation of the laws of any State
governing consumer reports.
(d) Limitations. Subsections (b) and (c) do not affect any settlement, agreement, or
consent judgment between any State Attorney General and any consumer reporting
agency in effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform
Act of 1996.
§ 626. Disclosures to FBI for counterintelligence purposes [15 U.S.C. § 1681u]
(a) Identity of financial institutions. Notwithstanding section 604 [§ 1681b] or any other
provision of this title, a consumer reporting agency shall furnish to the Federal
Bureau of Investigation the names and addresses of all financial institutions (as that
term is defined in section 1101 of the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 [12
U.S.C. § 3401]) at which a consumer maintains or has maintained an account, to the
extent that information is in the files of the agency, when presented with a written
request for that information, signed by the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, or the Director's designee in a position not lower than Deputy Assistant
Director at Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in Charge of a Bureau field office
designated by the Director, which certifies compliance with this section. The Director
July 30, 2004 82
or the Director's designee may make such a certification only if the Director or the
Director's designee has determined in writing, that such information is sought for the
conduct of an authorized investigation to protect against international terrorism or
clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such an investigation of a United
States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first
amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
(b) Identifying information. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 604 [§ 1681b] or
any other provision of this title, a consumer reporting agency shall furnish identifying
information respecting a consumer, limited to name, address, former addresses,
places of employment, or former places of employment, to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation when presented with a written request, signed by the Director or the
Director's designee, which certifies compliance with this subsection. The Director or
the Director's designee in a position not lower than Deputy Assistant Director at
Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in Charge of a Bureau field office designated
by the Director may make such a certification only if the Director or the Director's
designee has determined in writing that such information is sought for the conduct of
an authorized investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine
intelligence activities, provided that such an investigation of a United States person is
not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to
the Constitution of the United States.
(c) Court order for disclosure of consumer reports. Notwithstanding section 604
[§ 1681b] or any other provision of this title, if requested in writing by the Director of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or a designee of the Director in a position not
lower than Deputy Assistant Director at Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in
Charge of a Bureau field office designated by the Director, a court may issue an order
ex parte directing a consumer reporting agency to furnish a consumer report to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, upon a showing in camera that the consumer report
is sought for the conduct of an authorized investigation to protect against
international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such an
investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of
activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
The terms of an order issued under this subsection shall not disclose that the order is
issued for purposes of a counterintelligence investigation.
(d) Confidentiality. No consumer reporting agency or officer, employee, or agent of a
consumer reporting agency shall disclose to any person, other than those officers,
employees, or agents of a consumer reporting agency necessary to fulfill the
requirement to disclose information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation under this
section, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has sought or obtained the identity
of financial institutions or a consumer report respecting any consumer under
subsection (a), (b), or (c), and no consumer reporting agency or officer, employee, or
agent of a consumer reporting agency shall include in any consumer report any
information that would indicate that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has sought
or obtained such information or a consumer report.
July 30, 2004 83
(e) Payment of fees. The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall, subject to the availability
of appropriations, pay to the consumer reporting agency assembling or providing
report or information in accordance with procedures established under this section a
fee for reimbursement for such costs as are reasonably necessary and which have
been directly incurred in searching, reproducing, or transporting books, papers,
records, or other data required or requested to be produced under this section.
(f) Limit on dissemination. The Federal Bureau of Investigation may not disseminate
information obtained pursuant to this section outside of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, except to other Federal agencies as may be necessary for the approval
or conduct of a foreign counterintelligence investigation, or, where the information
concerns a person subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to appropriate
investigative authorities within the military department concerned as may be
necessary for the conduct of a joint foreign counterintelligence investigation.
(g) Rules of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit
information from being furnished by the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to
a subpoena or court order, in connection with a judicial or administrative proceeding
to enforce the provisions of this Act. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
authorize or permit the withholding of information from the Congress.
(h) Reports to Congress. On a semiannual basis, the Attorney General shall fully inform
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Banking,
Finance and Urban Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Select
Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate concerning all requests made pursuant to subsections (a), (b),
and (c).
(i) Damages. Any agency or department of the United States obtaining or disclosing any
consumer reports, records, or information contained therein in violation of this
section is liable to the consumer to whom such consumer reports, records, or
information relate in an amount equal to the sum of
(1) $100, without regard to the volume of consumer reports, records, or information
involved;
(2) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the disclosure;
(3) if the violation is found to have been willful or intentional, such punitive damages
as a court may allow; and
(4) in the case of any successful action to enforce liability under this subsection, the
costs of the action, together with reasonable attorney fees, as determined by the
court.
(j) Disciplinary actions for violations. If a court determines that any agency or
department of the United States has violated any provision of this section and the
court finds that the circumstances surrounding the violation raise questions of
July 30, 2004 84
whether or not an officer or employee of the agency or department acted willfully or
intentionally with respect to the violation, the agency or department shall promptly
initiate a proceeding to determine whether or not disciplinary action is warranted
against the officer or employee who was responsible for the violation.
(k) Good-faith exception. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, any consumer
reporting agency or agent or employee thereof making disclosure of consumer
reports or identifying information pursuant to this subsection in good-faith reliance
upon a certification of the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to provisions of
this section shall not be liable to any person for such disclosure under this title, the
constitution of any State, or any law or regulation of any State or any political
subdivision of any State.
(l) Limitation of remedies. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the remedies
and sanctions set forth in this section shall be the only judicial remedies and
sanctions for violation of this section.
(m) Injunctive relief. In addition to any other remedy contained in this section, injunctive
relief shall be available to require compliance with the procedures of this section. In
the event of any successful action under this subsection, costs together with
reasonable attorney fees, as determined by the court, may be recovered.
§ 627. Disclosures to governmental agencies for counterterrorism purposes [15 U.S.C. §1681v]
(a) Disclosure. Notwithstanding section 604 or any other provision of this title, a
consumer reporting agency shall furnish a consumer report of a consumer and all
other information in a consumer's file to a government agency authorized to conduct
investigations of, or intelligence or counterintelligence activities or analysis related
to, international terrorism when presented with a written certification by such
government agency that such information is necessary for the agency's conduct or
such investigation, activity or analysis.
(b) Form of certification. The certification described in subsection (a) shall be signed by
a supervisory official designated by the head of a Federal agency or an officer of a
Federal agency whose appointment to office is required to be made by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c) Confidentiality. No consumer reporting agency, or officer, employee, or agent of
such consumer reporting agency, shall disclose to any person, or specify in any
consumer report, that a government agency has sought or obtained access to
information under subsection (a).
(d) Rule of construction. Nothing in section 626 shall be construed to limit the authority
of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under this section.
(e) Safe harbor. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, any consumer reporting
agency or agent or employee thereof making disclosure of consumer reports or
other information pursuant to this section in good-faith reliance upon a certification
July 30, 2004 85
of a governmental agency pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not be liable
to any person for such disclosure under this subchapter, the constitution of any State,
or any law or regulation of any State or any political subdivision of any State.
§ 628. Disposal of records [15 U.S.C. §1681w]
(a) Regulations
(1) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the
Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, and the
Commission with respect to the entities that are subject to their respective
enforcement authority under section 621, and the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and in coordination as described in paragraph (2), shall issue final
regulations requiring any person that maintains or otherwise possesses consumer
information, or any compilation of consumer information, derived from consumer
reports for a business purpose to properly dispose of any such information or
compilation.
(2) Coordination. Each agency required to prescribe regulations under paragraph (1)
shall–
(A) consult and coordinate with each other such agency so that, to the extent
possible, the regulations prescribed by each such agency are consistent and
comparable with the regulations by each such other agency; and
(B) ensure that such regulations are consistent with the requirements and
regulations issued pursuant to Public Law 106-102 and other provisions of
Federal law.
(3) Exemption authority. In issuing regulations under this section, the Federal banking
agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, the Commission, and the
Securities and Exchange Commission may exempt any person or class of persons
from application of those regulations, as such agency deems appropriate to carry
out the purpose of this section.
(b) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed--
(1) to require a person to maintain or destroy any record pertaining to a consumer
that is not imposed under other law; or
(2) to alter or affect any requirement imposed under any other provision of law to
maintain or destroy such a record.
§ 629. Corporate and technological circumvention prohibited [15 U.S.C. §1681x]
The Commission shall prescribe regulations, to become effective not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this section, to prevent a consumer reporting agency from
July 30, 2004 86
circumventing or evading treatment as a consumer reporting agency described in section
603(p) for purposes of this title, including--
(1) by means of a corporate reorganization or restructuring, including a merger, acquisition,
dissolution, divestiture, or asset sale of a consumer reporting agency; or
(2) by maintaining or merging public record and credit account information in a
manner that is substantially equivalent to that described in paragraphs (1) and (2)
of section 603(p), in the manner described in section 603(p).
See also 16 CFR Part 611
69 Fed. Reg. 8531 (02/24/04)
69 Fed. Reg. 29061 (05/20/04)
Legislative History
House Reports: No. 91-975 (Comm. on Banking and Currency) and
No. 91-1587 (Comm. of Conference)
Senate Reports: No. 91-1139 accompanying S. 3678 (Comm. on Banking and Currency)
Congressional Record, Vol. 116 (1970)
May 25, considered and passed House.
Sept. 18, considered and passed Senate, amended.
Oct. 9, Senate agreed to conference report.
Oct. 13, House agreed to conference report.
Enactment: Public Law No. 91-508 (October 26, 1970):
Amendments: Public Law Nos. 95-473 (October 17, 1978)
95-598 (November 6, 1978)
98-443 (October 4, 1984)
101-73 (August 9, 1989)
102-242 (December 19, 1991)
102-537 (October 27, 1992)
102-550 (October 28, 1992)
103-325 (September 23, 1994)
104-88 (December 29, 1995)
104-93 (January 6, 1996)
104-193 (August 22, 1996)
104-208 (September 30, 1996)
105-107 (November 20, 1997)
105-347 (November 2, 1998)
106-102 (November 12, 1999)
107-56 (October 26, 2001)
108-159 (December 4, 2003)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
§ 601 Short title
§ 602 Congressional findings and statement of purpose
§ 603 Definitions; rules of construction
§ 604 Permissible purposes of consumer reports
§ 605A Identity theft prevention; fraud alerts and active duty alerts
§ 605B Block of information resulting from identity theft
§ 605 Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports
§ 606 Disclosure of investigative consumer reports
§ 607 Compliance procedures
§ 608 Disclosures to governmental agencies
§ 609 Disclosures to consumers
§ 610 Conditions and form of disclosure to consumers
§ 611 Procedure in case of disputed accuracy
§ 612 Charges for certain disclosures
§ 613 Public record information for employment purposes
§ 614 Restrictions on investigative consumer reports
§ 615 Requirements on users of consumer reports
§ 616 Civil liability for willful noncompliance
§ 617 Civil liability for negligent noncompliance
§ 618 Jurisdiction of courts; limitation of actions
§ 619 Obtaining information under false pretenses
§ 620 Unauthorized disclosures by officers or employees
§ 621 Administrative enforcement
§ 622 Information on overdue child support obligations
§ 623 Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies
§ 624 Affiliate sharing
§ 625 Relation to state laws
§ 626 Disclosures to FBI for counterintelligence purposes
§ 627 Disclosures to governmental agencies for counterterrorism purposes
§ 628 Disposal of records
§ 629 Corporate and technological circumvention prohibited
July 30, 2004 3
§ 601. Short title
This title may be cited as the “Fair Credit Reporting Act”.
§ 602. Congressional findings and statement of purpose [15 U.S.C. § 1681]
(a) Accuracy and fairness of credit reporting. The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The banking system is dependent upon fair and accurate credit reporting.
Inaccurate credit reports directly impair the efficiency of the banking system, and
unfair credit reporting methods undermine the public confidence which is
essential to the continued functioning of the banking system.
(2) An elaborate mechanism has been developed for investigating and evaluating the
credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, and general
reputation of consumers.
(3) Consumer reporting agencies have assumed a vital role in assembling and
evaluating consumer credit and other information on consumers.
(4) There is a need to insure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave
responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumer's right
to privacy.
(b) Reasonable procedures. It is the purpose of this title to require that consumer
reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce
for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is
fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy,
relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the
requirements of this title.
§ 603. Definitions; rules of construction [15 U.S.C. § 1681a]
(a) Definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are applicable for the
purposes of this title.
(b) The term “person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, estate,
cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or
other entity.
(c) The term “consumer” means an individual.
(d) Consumer Report
(1) In general. The term "consumer report" means any written, oral, or other
communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a
consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general
reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living which is used or expected
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to be used or collected in whole or in part for the purpose of serving as a factor in
establishing the consumer's eligibility for
(A) credit or insurance to be used primarily for personal, family, or household
purposes;
(B) employment purposes; or
(C) any other purpose authorized under section 604 [§ 1681b].
(2) Exclusions. Except as provided in paragraph (3), the term "consumer report" does
not include
(A) subject to section 624, any
(i) report containing information solely as to transactions or experiences
between the consumer and the person making the report;
(ii) communication of that information among persons related by common
ownership or affiliated by corporate control; or
(iii) communication of other information among persons related by
common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if it is clearly
and conspicuously disclosed to the consumer that the information may
be communicated among such persons and the consumer is given the
opportunity, before the time that the information is initially
communicated, to direct that such information not be communicated
among such persons;
(B) any authorization or approval of a specific extension of credit directly or
indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device;
(C) any report in which a person who has been requested by a third party to
make a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly to a consumer
conveys his or her decision with respect to such request, if the third party
advises the consumer of the name and address of the person to whom the
request was made, and such person makes the disclosures to the consumer
required under section 615 [§ 1681m]; or
(D) a communication described in subsection (o) or (x).
(3) Restriction on sharing of medical information. Except for information or any
communication of information disclosed as provided in section 604(g)(3), the
exclusions in paragraph (2) shall not apply with respect to information disclosed
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to any person related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if
the information is--
(A) medical information;
(B) an individualized list or description based on the payment transactions of the
consumer for medical products or services; or
(C) an aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment transactions for
medical products or services.
(e) The term “investigative consumer report” means a consumer report or portion
thereof in which information on a consumer's character, general reputation, personal
characteristics, or mode of living is obtained through personal interviews with
neighbors, friends, or associates of the consumer reported on or with others with
whom he is acquainted or who may have knowledge concerning any such items of
information. However, such information shall not include specific factual information
on a consumer's credit record obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or
from a consumer reporting agency when such information was obtained directly from
a creditor of the consumer or from the consumer.
(f) The term “consumer reporting agency” means any person which, for monetary fees,
dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the
practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other
information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third
parties, and which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose
of preparing or furnishing consumer reports.
(g) The term “file,” when used in connection with information on any consumer, means
all of the information on that consumer recorded and retained by a consumer
reporting agency regardless of how the information is stored.
(h) The term “employment purposes” when used in connection with a consumer report
means a report used for the purpose of evaluating a consumer for employment,
promotion, reassignment or retention as an employee.
(i) The term “medical information” --
(1) means information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or medium,
created by or derived from a health care provider or the consumer, that relates to--
(A) the past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral health or
condition of an individual;
(B) the provision of health care to an individual; or
(C) the payment for the provision of health care to an individual.
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(2) does not include the age or gender of a consumer, demographic information about
the consumer, including a consumer's residence address or e-mail address, or any
other information about a consumer that does not relate to the physical, mental, or
behavioral health or condition of a consumer, including the existence or value of
any insurance policy.
(j) Definitions Relating to Child Support Obligations
(1) The “overdue support” has the meaning given to such term in section 666(e) of
title 42 [Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 666(e)].
(2) The term “State or local child support enforcement agency” means a State or local
agency which administers a State or local program for establishing and enforcing
child support obligations.
(k) Adverse Action
(1) Actions included. The term “adverse action”
(A) has the same meaning as in section 701(d)(6) of the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act; and
(B) means
(i) a denial or cancellation of, an increase in any charge for, or a reduction
or other adverse or unfavorable change in the terms of coverage or
amount of, any insurance, existing or applied for, in connection with
the underwriting of insurance;
(ii) a denial of employment or any other decision for employment purposes
that adversely affects any current or prospective employee;
(iii) a denial or cancellation of, an increase in any charge for, or any other
adverse or unfavorable change in the terms of, any license or benefit
described in section 604(a)(3)(D) [§ 1681b]; and
(iv) an action taken or determination that is
(I) made in connection with an application that was made by, or a
transaction that was initiated by, any consumer, or in connection
with a review of an account under section
604(a)(3)(F)(ii)[§ 1681b]; and
(II) adverse to the interests of the consumer.
(2) Applicable findings, decisions, commentary, and orders. For purposes of any
determination of whether an action is an adverse action under paragraph (1)(A),
all appropriate final findings, decisions, commentary, and orders issued under
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section 701(d)(6) of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System or any court shall apply.
(l) The term “firm offer of credit or insurance” means any offer of credit or insurance to
a consumer that will be honored if the consumer is determined, based on information
in a consumer report on the consumer, to meet the specific criteria used to select the
consumer for the offer, except that the offer may be further conditioned on one or
more of the following:
(1) The consumer being determined, based on information in the consumer's
application for the credit or insurance, to meet specific criteria bearing on credit
worthiness or insurability, as applicable, that are established
(A) before selection of the consumer for the offer; and
(B) for the purpose of determining whether to extend credit or insurance
pursuant to the offer.
(2) Verification
(A) that the consumer continues to meet the specific criteria used to select the
consumer for the offer, by using information in a consumer report on the
consumer, information in the consumer's application for the credit or
insurance, or other information bearing on the credit worthiness or
insurability of the consumer; or
(B) of the information in the consumer's application for the credit or insurance,
to determine that the consumer meets the specific criteria bearing on credit
worthiness or insurability.
(3) The consumer furnishing any collateral that is a requirement for the extension of
the credit or insurance that was
(A) established before selection of the consumer for the offer of credit or
insurance; and
(B) disclosed to the consumer in the offer of credit or insurance.
(m) The term “credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer” does
not include the use of a consumer report by a person with which the consumer has an
account or insurance policy, for purposes of
(1) reviewing the account or insurance policy; or
(2) collecting the account.
(n) The term “State” means any State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of
Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States.
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(o) Excluded communications. A communication is described in this subsection if it is a
communication
(1) that, but for subsection (d)(2)(D), would be an investigative consumer report;
(2) that is made to a prospective employer for the purpose of
(A) procuring an employee for the employer; or
(B) procuring an opportunity for a natural person to work for the employer;
(3) that is made by a person who regularly performs such procurement;
(4) that is not used by any person for any purpose other than a purpose described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2); and
(5) with respect to which
(A) the consumer who is the subject of the communication
(i) consents orally or in writing to the nature and scope of the
communication, before the collection of any information for the
purpose of making the communication;
(ii) consents orally or in writing to the making of the communication to a
prospective employer, before the making of the communication; and
(iii) in the case of consent under clause (i) or (ii) given orally, is provided
written confirmation of that consent by the person making the
communication, not later than 3 business days after the receipt of the
consent by that person;
(B) the person who makes the communication does not, for the purpose of
making the communication, make any inquiry that if made by a
prospective employer of the consumer who is the subject of the
communication would violate any applicable Federal or State equal
employment opportunity law or regulation; and
(C) the person who makes the communication
(i) discloses in writing to the consumer who is the subject of the
communication, not later than 5 business days after receiving any
request from the consumer for such disclosure, the nature and substance
of all information in the consumer's file at the time of the request, except
that the sources of any information that is acquired solely for use in
making the communication and is actually used for no other purpose,
need not be disclosed other than under appropriate discovery procedures
in any court of competent jurisdiction in which an action is brought; and
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(ii) notifies the consumer who is the subject of the communication, in
writing, of the consumer's right to request the information described in
clause (i).
(p) The term “consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on
consumers on a nationwide basis” means a consumer reporting agency that regularly
engages in the practice of assembling or evaluating, and maintaining, for the purpose
of furnishing consumer reports to third parties bearing on a consumer's credit
worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity, each of the following regarding
consumers residing nationwide:
(1) Public record information.
(2) Credit account information from persons who furnish that information regularly
and in the ordinary course of business.
(q) Definitions relating to fraud alerts.
(1) The term “active duty military consumer” means a consumer in military service
who--
(A) is on active duty (as defined in section 101(d)(1) of title 10, United States
Code) or is a reservist performing duty under a call or order to active duty
under a provision of law referred to in section 101(a)(13) of title 10,
United States Code; and
(B) is assigned to service away from the usual duty station of the consumer.
(2) The terms “fraud alert” and “active duty alert” mean a statement in the file of a
consumer that--
(A) notifies all prospective users of a consumer report relating to the consumer
that the consumer may be a victim of fraud, including identity theft, or is
an active duty military consumer, as applicable; and
(B) is presented in a manner that facilitates a clear and conspicuous view of
the statement described in subparagraph (A) by any person requesting such
consumer report.
(3) The term “identity theft” means a fraud committed using the identifying
information of another person, subject to such further definition as the
Commission may prescribe, by regulation.
(4) The term “identity theft report” has the meaning given that term by rule of the
Commission, and means, at a minimum, a report--
(A) that alleges an identity theft;
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(B) that is a copy of an official, valid report filed by a consumer with an
appropriate Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, including the
United States Postal Inspection Service, or such other government agency
deemed appropriate by the Commission; and
(C) the filing of which subjects the person filing the report to criminal
penalties relating to the filing of false information if, in fact, the
information in the report is false.
(5) The term “new credit plan” means a new account under an open end credit plan
(as defined in section 103(i) of the Truth in Lending Act) or a new credit
transaction not under an open end credit plan.
(r) Credit and Debit Related Terms
(1) The term “card issuer” means--
(A) a credit card issuer, in the case of a credit card; and
(B) a debit card issuer, in the case of a debit card.
(2) The term “credit card” has the same meaning as in section 103 of the Truth in
Lending Act.
(3) The term “debit card” means any card issued by a financial institution to a
consumer for use in initiating an electronic fund transfer from the account of the
consumer at such financial institution, for the purpose of transferring money
between accounts or obtaining money, property, labor, or services.
(4) The terms “account” and “electronic fund transfer” have the same meanings as in
section 903 of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.
(5) The terms “credit” and “creditor” have the same meanings as in section 702 of the
Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
(s) The term “Federal banking agency” has the same meaning as in section 3 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
(t) The term “financial institution” means a State or National bank, a State or Federal
savings and loan association, a mutual savings bank, a State or Federal credit union,
or any other person that, directly or indirectly, holds a transaction account (as defined
in section 19(b) of the Federal Reserve Act) belonging to a consumer.
(u) The term “reseller” means a consumer reporting agency that--
(1) assembles and merges information contained in the database of another consumer
reporting agency or multiple consumer reporting agencies concerning any
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consumer for purposes of furnishing such information to any third party, to the
extent of such activities; and
(2) does not maintain a database of the assembled or merged information from which
new consumer reports are produced.
(v) The term “Commission” means the Federal Trade Commission.
(w) The term “nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency” means a consumer
reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide
basis relating to--
(1) medical records or payments;
(2) residential or tenant history;
(3) check writing history;
(4) employment history; or
(5) insurance claims.
(x) Exclusion of Certain Communications for Employee Investigations
(1) A communication is described in this subsection if--
(A) but for subsection (d)(2)(D), the communication would be a consumer
report;
(B) the communication is made to an employer in connection with an
investigation of–
(i) suspected misconduct relating to employment; or
(ii) compliance with Federal, State, or local laws and regulations, the rules
of a self-regulatory organization, or any preexisting written policies of
the employer;
(C) the communication is not made for the purpose of investigating a
consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity; and
(D) the communication is not provided to any person except--
(i) to the employer or an agent of the employer;
(ii) to any Federal or State officer, agency, or department, or any officer,
agency, or department of a unit of general local government;
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(iii) to any self-regulatory organization with regulatory authority over the
activities of the employer or employee;
(iv) as otherwise required by law; or
(v) pursuant to section 608.
(2) Subsequent disclosure. After taking any adverse action based in whole or in part on a
communication described in paragraph (1), the employer shall disclose to the
consumer a summary containing the nature and substance of the communication
upon which the adverse action is based, except that the sources of information
acquired solely for use in preparing what would be but for subsection (d)(2)(D) an
investigative consumer report need not be disclosed.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term “self-regulatory organization” includes any
self-regulatory organization (as defined in section 3(a)(26) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934), any entity established under title I of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, any board of trade designated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, and any futures association registered with such Commission.
§ 604. Permissible purposes of consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681b]
(a) In general. Subject to subsection (c), any consumer reporting agency may furnish a
consumer report under the following circumstances and no other:
(1) In response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue such an order, or a
subpoena issued in connection with proceedings before a Federal grand jury.
(2) In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates.
(3) To a person which it has reason to believe
(A) intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction
involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and
involving the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account
of, the consumer; or
(B) intends to use the information for employment purposes; or
(C) intends to use the information in connection with the underwriting of
insurance involving the consumer; or
(D) intends to use the information in connection with a determination of the
consumer's eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a
governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicant's
financial responsibility or status; or
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(E) intends to use the information, as a potential investor or servicer, or
current insurer, in connection with a valuation of, or an assessment of the
credit or prepayment risks associated with, an existing credit obligation; or
(F) otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information
(i) in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the
consumer; or
(ii) to review an account to determine whether the consumer continues to
meet the terms of the account.
(4) In response to a request by the head of a State or local child support enforcement
agency (or a State or local government official authorized by the head of such an
agency), if the person making the request certifies to the consumer reporting
agency that
(A) the consumer report is needed for the purpose of establishing an
individual’s capacity to make child support payments or determining the
appropriate level of such payments;
(B) the paternity of the consumer for the child to which the obligation relates
has been established or acknowledged by the consumer in accordance with
State laws under which the obligation arises (if required by those laws);
(C) the person has provided at least 10 days’ prior notice to the consumer
whose report is requested, by certified or registered mail to the last known
address of the consumer, that the report will be requested; and
(D) the consumer report will be kept confidential, will be used solely for a
purpose described in subparagraph (A), and will not be used in connection
with any other civil, administrative, or criminal proceeding, or for any
other purpose.
(5) To an agency administering a State plan under Section 454 of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. § 654) for use to set an initial or modified child support award.
(b) Conditions for Furnishing and Using Consumer Reports for Employment Purposes.
(1) Certification from user. A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer
report for employment purposes only if
(A) the person who obtains such report from the agency certifies to the agency
that
(i) the person has complied with paragraph (2) with respect to the consumer
report, and the person will comply with paragraph (3) with respect to the
consumer report if paragraph (3) becomes applicable; and
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(ii) information from the consumer report will not be used in violation of
any applicable Federal or State equal employment opportunity law or
regulation; and
(B) the consumer reporting agency provides with the report, or has previously
provided, a summary of the consumer's rights under this title, as prescribed
by the Federal Trade Commission under section 609(c)(3) [§ 1681g].
(2) Disclosure to Consumer.
(A) In general. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a person may not
procure a consumer report, or cause a consumer report to be procured, for
employment purposes with respect to any consumer, unless--
(i) a clear and conspicuous disclosure has been made in writing to the
consumer at any time before the report is procured or caused to be
procured, in a document that consists solely of the disclosure, that a
consumer report may be obtained for employment purposes; and
(ii) the consumer has authorized in writing (which authorization may be
made on the document referred to in clause (i)) the procurement of the
report by that person.
(B) Application by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means. If a
consumer described in subparagraph (C) applies for employment by mail,
telephone, computer, or other similar means, at any time before a
consumer report is procured or caused to be procured in connection with
that application--
(i) the person who procures the consumer report on the consumer for
employment purposes shall provide to the consumer, by oral, written,
or electronic means, notice that a consumer report may be obtained for
employment purposes, and a summary of the consumer's rights under
section 615(a)(3); and
(ii) the consumer shall have consented, orally, in writing, or electronically
to the procurement of the report by that person.
(C) Scope. Subparagraph (B) shall apply to a person procuring a consumer
report on a consumer in connection with the consumer's application for
employment only if--
(i) the consumer is applying for a position over which the Secretary of
Transportation has the power to establish qualifications and maximum
hours of service pursuant to the provisions of section 31502 of title 49,
or a position subject to safety regulation by a State transportation
agency; and
1The references in Sections 604(b)(3)(A) and 604(b)(3)(B) should be to Section 609(c)(1), not (c)(3) that no
longer exists as the result of Congress’ re-organization of Section 609(c) in 2003 (FACT Act).
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(ii) as of the time at which the person procures the report or causes the
report to be procured the only interaction between the consumer and
the person in connection with that employment application has been by
mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means.
(3) Conditions on use for adverse actions.
(A) In general. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in using a consumer
report for employment purposes, before taking any adverse action based in
whole or in part on the report, the person intending to take such adverse
action shall provide to the consumer to whom the report relates--
(i) a copy of the report; and
(ii) a description in writing of the rights of the consumer under this title, as
prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission under section 609(c)(3).1
(B) Application by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means.
(i) If a consumer described in subparagraph (C) applies for employment
by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means, and if a person
who has procured a consumer report on the consumer for employment
purposes takes adverse action on the employment application based in
whole or in part on the report, then the person must provide to the
consumer to whom the report relates, in lieu of the notices required
under subparagraph (A) of this section and under section 615(a),
within 3 business days of taking such action, an oral, written or
electronic notification--
(I) that adverse action has been taken based in whole or in part on a
consumer report received from a consumer reporting agency;
(II) of the name, address and telephone number of the consumer
reporting agency that furnished the consumer report (including
a toll-free telephone number established by the agency if the
agency compiles and maintains files on consumers on a
nationwide basis);
(III) that the consumer reporting agency did not make the decision to
take the adverse action and is unable to provide to the consumer
the specific reasons why the adverse action was taken; and
(IV) that the consumer may, upon providing proper identification, request
a free copy of a report and may dispute with the consumer reporting
agency the accuracy or completeness of any information in a report.
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(ii) If, under clause (B)(i)(IV), the consumer requests a copy of a consumer
report from the person who procured the report, then, within 3 business
days of receiving the consumer's request, together with proper identification,
the person must send or provide to the consumer a copy of a
report and a copy of the consumer's rights as prescribed by the Federal
Trade Commission under section 609(c)(3).
(C) Scope. Subparagraph (B) shall apply to a person procuring a consumer report
on a consumer in connection with the consumer's application for employment
only if--
(i) the consumer is applying for a position over which the Secretary of Transportation
has the power to establish qualifications and maximum hours of
service pursuant to the provisions of section 31502 of title 49, or a position
subject to safety regulation by a State transportation agency; and
(ii) as of the time at which the person procures the report or causes the
report to be procured the only interaction between the consumer and
the person in connection with that employment application has been by
mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means.
(4) Exception for national security investigations.
(A) In general. In the case of an agency or department of the United States
Government which seeks to obtain and use a consumer report for employment
purposes, paragraph (3) shall not apply to any adverse action by such
agency or department which is based in part on such consumer report, if
the head of such agency or department makes a written finding that–
(i) the consumer report is relevant to a national security investigation of
such agency or department;
(ii) the investigation is within the jurisdiction of such agency or department;
(iii) there is reason to believe that compliance with paragraph (3) will--
(I) endanger the life or physical safety of any person;
(II) result in flight from prosecution;
(III) result in the destruction of, or tampering with, evidence relevant
to the investigation;
(IV) result in the intimidation of a potential witness relevant to the
investigation;
(V) result in the compromise of classified information; or
July 30, 2004 17
(VI) otherwise seriously jeopardize or unduly delay the investigation
or another official proceeding.
(B) Notification of consumer upon conclusion of investigation. Upon the
conclusion of a national security investigation described in subparagraph
(A), or upon the determination that the exception under subparagraph (A)
is no longer required for the reasons set forth in such subparagraph, the
official exercising the authority in such subparagraph shall provide to the
consumer who is the subject of the consumer report with regard to which
such finding was made--
(i) a copy of such consumer report with any classified information
redacted as necessary;
(ii) notice of any adverse action which is based, in part, on the consumer
report; and
(iii) the identification with reasonable specificity of the nature of the
investigation for which the consumer report was sought.
(C) Delegation by head of agency or department. For purposes of
subparagraphs (A) and (B), the head of any agency or department of the
United States Government may delegate his or her authorities under this
paragraph to an official of such agency or department who has personnel
security responsibilities and is a member of the Senior Executive Service
or equivalent civilian or military rank.
(D) Report to the Congress. Not later than January 31 of each year, the head of
each agency and department of the United States Government that
exercised authority under this paragraph during the preceding year shall
submit a report to the Congress on the number of times the department or
agency exercised such authority during the year.
(E) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall
apply:
(i) The term “classified information” means information that is protected
from unauthorized disclosure under Executive Order No. 12958 or
successor orders.
(ii) The term “national security investigation” means any official inquiry
by an agency or department of the United States Government to
determine the eligibility of a consumer to receive access or continued
access to classified information or to determine whether classified
information has been lost or compromised.
(c) Furnishing reports in connection with credit or insurance transactions that are not
initiated by the consumer.
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(1) In general. A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report relating
to any consumer pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of subsection (a)(3) in
connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the
consumer only if
(A) the consumer authorizes the agency to provide such report to such person; or
(B)(i) the transaction consists of a firm offer of credit or insurance;
(ii) the consumer reporting agency has complied with subsection (e); and
(iii) there is not in effect an election by the consumer, made in accordance
with subsection (e), to have the consumer's name and address excluded
from lists of names provided by the agency pursuant to this paragraph.
(2) Limits on information received under paragraph (1)(B). A person may receive
pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) only
(A) the name and address of a consumer;
(B) an identifier that is not unique to the consumer and that is used by the
person solely for the purpose of verifying the identity of the consumer; and
(C) other information pertaining to a consumer that does not identify the
relationship or experience of the consumer with respect to a particular
creditor or other entity.
(3) Information regarding inquiries. Except as provided in section 609(a)(5)
[§1681g], a consumer reporting agency shall not furnish to any person a record of
inquiries in connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated
by a consumer.
(d) Reserved.
(e) Election of consumer to be excluded from lists.
(1) In general. A consumer may elect to have the consumer's name and address
excluded from any list provided by a consumer reporting agency under subsection
(c)(1)(B) in connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated
by the consumer, by notifying the agency in accordance with paragraph (2) that
the consumer does not consent to any use of a consumer report relating to the
consumer in connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not
initiated by the consumer.
(2) Manner of notification. A consumer shall notify a consumer reporting agency
under paragraph (1)
(A) through the notification system maintained by the agency under paragraph
(5); or
July 30, 2004 19
(B) by submitting to the agency a signed notice of election form issued by the
agency for purposes of this subparagraph.
(3) Response of agency after notification through system. Upon receipt of notification
of the election of a consumer under paragraph (1) through the notification system
maintained by the agency under paragraph (5), a consumer reporting agency shall
(A) inform the consumer that the election is effective only for the 5-year
period following the election if the consumer does not submit to the
agency a signed notice of election form issued by the agency for purposes
of paragraph (2)(B); and
(B) provide to the consumer a notice of election form, if requested by the
consumer, not later than 5 business days after receipt of the notification of
the election through the system established under paragraph (5), in the
case of a request made at the time the consumer provides notification
through the system.
(4) Effectiveness of election. An election of a consumer under paragraph (1)
(A) shall be effective with respect to a consumer reporting agency beginning 5
business days after the date on which the consumer notifies the agency in
accordance with paragraph (2);
(B) shall be effective with respect to a consumer reporting agency
(i) subject to subparagraph (C), during the 5-year period beginning 5
business days after the date on which the consumer notifies the agency
of the election, in the case of an election for which a consumer notifies
the agency only in accordance with paragraph (2)(A); or
(ii) until the consumer notifies the agency under subparagraph (C), in the
case of an election for which a consumer notifies the agency in
accordance with paragraph (2)(B);
(C) shall not be effective after the date on which the consumer notifies the
agency, through the notification system established by the agency under
paragraph (5), that the election is no longer effective; and
(D) shall be effective with respect to each affiliate of the agency.
(5) Notification System
(A) In general. Each consumer reporting agency that, under subsection
(c)(1)(B), furnishes a consumer report in connection with a credit or
insurance transaction that is not initiated by a consumer, shall
(i) establish and maintain a notification system, including a toll-free
telephone number, which permits any consumer whose consumer
July 30, 2004 20
report is maintained by the agency to notify the agency, with
appropriate identification, of the consumer's election to have the
consumer's name and address excluded from any such list of names
and addresses provided by the agency for such a transaction; and
(ii) publish by not later than 365 days after the date of enactment of the
Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996, and not less than
annually thereafter, in a publication of general circulation in the area
served by the agency
(I) a notification that information in consumer files maintained by the
agency may be used in connection with such transactions; and
(II) the address and toll-free telephone number for consumers to use to
notify the agency of the consumer's election under clause (I).
(B) Establishment and maintenance as compliance. Establishment and
maintenance of a notification system (including a toll-free telephone
number) and publication by a consumer reporting agency on the agency's
own behalf and on behalf of any of its affiliates in accordance with this
paragraph is deemed to be compliance with this paragraph by each of
those affiliates.
(6) Notification system by agencies that operate nationwide. Each consumer reporting
agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis
shall establish and maintain a notification system for purposes of paragraph (5)
jointly with other such consumer reporting agencies.
(f) Certain use or obtaining of information prohibited. A person shall not use or obtain a
consumer report for any purpose unless
(1) the consumer report is obtained for a purpose for which the consumer report is
authorized to be furnished under this section; and
(2) the purpose is certified in accordance with section 607 [§ 1681e] by a prospective
user of the report through a general or specific certification.
(g) Protection of Medical Information
(1) Limitation on consumer reporting agencies. A consumer reporting agency shall not
furnish for employment purposes, or in connection with a credit or insurance
transaction, a consumer report that contains medical information (other than
medical contact information treated in the manner required under section
605(a)(6)) about a consumer, unless--
(A) if furnished in connection with an insurance transaction, the consumer
affirmatively consents to the furnishing of the report;
July 30, 2004 21
(B) if furnished for employment purposes or in connection with a credit
transaction--
(i) the information to be furnished is relevant to process or effect the
employment or credit transaction; and
(ii) the consumer provides specific written consent for the furnishing of the
report that describes in clear and conspicuous language the use for
which the information will be furnished; or
(C) the information to be furnished pertains solely to transactions, accounts, or
balances relating to debts arising from the receipt of medical services,
products, or devises, where such information, other than account status or
amounts, is restricted or reported using codes that do not identify, or do
not provide information sufficient to infer, the specific provider or the
nature of such services, products, or devices, as provided in section
605(a)(6).
(2) Limitation on creditors. Except as permitted pursuant to paragraph (3)(C) or regulations
prescribed under paragraph (5)(A), a creditor shall not obtain or use medical
information (other than medical contact information treated in the manner
required under section 605(a)(6)) pertaining to a consumer in connection with any
determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit.
(3) Actions authorized by federal law, insurance activities and regulatory determinations.
Section 603(d)(3) shall not be construed so as to treat information or any
communication of information as a consumer report if the information or
communication is disclosed--
(A) in connection with the business of insurance or annuities, including the
activities described in section 18B of the model Privacy of Consumer
Financial and Health Information Regulation issued by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners (as in effect on January 1, 2003);
(B) for any purpose permitted without authorization under the Standards for
Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated by the
Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or referred to under
section 1179 of such Act, or described in section 502(e) of Public Law
106-102; or
(C) as otherwise determined to be necessary and appropriate, by regulation or
order and subject to paragraph (6), by the Commission, any Federal
banking agency or the National Credit Union Administration (with respect
to any financial institution subject to the jurisdiction of such agency or
Administration under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 621(b), or the
applicable State insurance authority (with respect to any person engaged in
providing insurance or annuities).
2 The reporting periods have been lengthened for certain adverse information pertaining to U.S. Government
insured or guaranteed student loans, or pertaining to national direct student loans. See sections 430A(f) and
463(c)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. 1080a(f) and 20 U.S.C. 1087cc(c)(3), respectively.
July 30, 2004 22
(4) Limitation on redisclosure of medical information. Any person that receives
medical information pursuant to paragraph (1) or (3) shall not disclose such
information to any other person, except as necessary to carry out the purpose
for which the information was initially disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by
statute, regulation, or order.
(5) Regulations and Effective Date for Paragraph (2)
(A) Regulations required. Each Federal banking agency and the National Credit
Union Administration shall, subject to paragraph (6) and after notice and
opportunity for comment, prescribe regulations that permit transactions
under paragraph (2) that are determined to be necessary and appropriate to
protect legitimate operational, transactional, risk, consumer, and other needs
(and which shall include permitting actions necessary for administrative
verification purposes), consistent with the intent of paragraph (2) to restrict
the use of medical information for inappropriate purposes.
(B) Final regulations required. The Federal banking agencies and the National
Credit Union Administration shall issue the regulations required under
subparagraph (A) in final form before the end of the 6-month period
beginning on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003.
(6) Coordination with other laws. No provision of this subsection shall be construed
as altering, affecting, or superseding the applicability of any other provision of
Federal law relating to medical confidentiality.
§ 605. Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports [15 U.S.C. §1681c]
(a) Information excluded from consumer reports. Except as authorized under subsection
(b) of this section, no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report
containing any of the following items of information:
(1) Cases under title 11 [United States Code] or under the Bankruptcy Act that, from
the date of entry of the order for relief or the date of adjudication, as the case may
be, antedate the report by more than 10 years.
(2) Civil suits, civil judgments, and records of arrest that from date of entry, antedate
the report by more than seven years or until the governing statute of limitations
has expired, whichever is the longer period.
(3) Paid tax liens which, from date of payment, antedate the report by more than
seven years.
(4) Accounts placed for collection or charged to profit and loss which antedate the
report by more than seven years.2
3This provision, added in September 1996, should read “paragraphs (4) and (5)....” Prior Section 605(a)(6)
was amended and re-designated as Section 605(a)(5) in November 1998. The current Section 605(a)(6), added in
December 2003 and now containing no reference to any 7-year period, is obviously inapplicable.
July 30, 2004 23
(5) Any other adverse item of information, other than records of convictions of
crimes which antedates the report by more than seven years.2
(6) The name, address, and telephone number of any medical information furnisher
that has notified the agency of its status, unless--
(A) such name, address, and telephone number are restricted or reported using
codes that do not identify, or provide information sufficient to infer, the
specific provider or the nature of such services, products, or devices to a
person other than the consumer; or
(B) the report is being provided to an insurance company for a purpose
relating to engaging in the business of insurance other than property and
casualty insurance.
(b) Exempted cases. The provisions of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) of
this section are not applicable in the case of any consumer credit report to be used in
connection with
(1) a credit transaction involving, or which may reasonably be expected to involve, a
principal amount of $150,000 or more;
(2) the underwriting of life insurance involving, or which may reasonably be
expected to involve, a face amount of $150,000 or more; or
(3) the employment of any individual at an annual salary which equals, or which may
reasonably be expected to equal $75,000, or more.
(c) Running of Reporting Period
(1) In general. The 7-year period referred to in paragraphs (4) and (6)
3 of subsection
(a) shall begin, with respect to any delinquent account that is placed for collection
(internally or by referral to a third party, whichever is earlier), charged to profit and
loss, or subjected to any similar action, upon the expiration of the 180-day period
beginning on the date of the commencement of the delinquency which immediately
preceded the collection activity, charge to profit and loss, or similar action.
(2) Effective date. Paragraph (1) shall apply only to items of information added to the
file of a consumer on or after the date that is 455 days after the date of enactment of
the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996.
(d) Information Required to be Disclosed
(1) Title 11 information. Any consumer reporting agency that furnishes a consumer
report that contains information regarding any case involving the consumer that
arises under title 11, United States Code, shall include in the report an
July 30, 2004 24
identification of the chapter of such title 11 under which such case arises if
provided by the source of the information. If any case arising or filed under title
11, United States Code, is withdrawn by the consumer before a final judgment,
the consumer reporting agency shall include in the report that such case or filing
was withdrawn upon receipt of documentation certifying such withdrawal.
(2) Key factor in credit score information. Any consumer reporting agency that furnishes
a consumer report that contains any credit score or any other risk score or
predictor on any consumer shall include in the report a clear and conspicuous
statement that a key factor (as defined in section 609(f)(2)(B)) that adversely
affected such score or predictor was the number of enquiries, if such a predictor
was in fact a key factor that adversely affected such score. This paragraph shall not
apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for
the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund
transfers, or similar methods of payments, but only to the extent that such
company is engaged in such activities.
(e) Indication of closure of account by consumer. If a consumer reporting agency is
notified pursuant to section 623(a)(4) [§ 1681s-2] that a credit account of a consumer
was voluntarily closed by the consumer, the agency shall indicate that fact in any
consumer report that includes information related to the account.
(f) Indication of dispute by consumer. If a consumer reporting agency is notified pursuant
to section 623(a)(3) [§ 1681s-2] that information regarding a consumer who was
furnished to the agency is disputed by the consumer, the agency shall indicate that
fact in each consumer report that includes the disputed information.
(g) Truncation of Credit Card and Debit Card Numbers
(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no person that accepts
credit cards or debit cards for the transaction of business shall print more than the
last 5 digits of the card number or the expiration date upon any receipt provided
to the cardholder at the point of the sale or transaction.
(2) Limitation. This subsection shall apply only to receipts that are electronically
printed, and shall not apply to transactions in which the sole means of recording a
credit card or debit card account number is by handwriting or by an imprint or
copy of the card.
(3) Effective date. This subsection shall become effective--
(A) 3 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, with respect to any cash
register or other machine or device that electronically prints receipts for credit
card or debit card transactions that is in use before January 1, 2005; and
(B) 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, with respect to any cash
register or other machine or device that electronically prints receipts for credit
card or debit card transactions that is first put into use on or after January 1, 2005.
(h) Notice of Discrepancy in Address
July 30, 2004 25
(1) In general. If a person has requested a consumer report relating to a consumer
from a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p), the request
includes an address for the consumer that substantially differs from the addresses
in the file of the consumer, and the agency provides a consumer report in
response to the request, the consumer reporting agency shall notify the requester
of the existence of the discrepancy.
(2) Regulations
(A) Regulations required. The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit
Union Administration, and the Commission shall jointly, with respect to
the entities that are subject to their respective enforcement authority under
section 621, prescribe regulations providing guidance regarding reasonable
policies and procedures that a user of a consumer report should employ
when such user has received a notice of discrepancy under paragraph (1).
(B) Policies and procedures to be included. The regulations prescribed under
subparagraph (A) shall describe reasonable policies and procedures for use
by a user of a consumer report--
(i) to form a reasonable belief that the user knows the identity of the
person to whom the consumer report pertains; and
(ii) if the user establishes a continuing relationship with the consumer, and
the user regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes
information to the consumer reporting agency from which the notice of
discrepancy pertaining to the consumer was obtained, to reconcile the
address of the consumer with the consumer reporting agency by
furnishing such address to such consumer reporting agency as part of
information regularly furnished by the user for the period in which the
relationship is established.
§ 605A. Identity theft prevention; fraud alerts and active duty alerts [15 U.S.C. §1681c-1]
(a) One-call Fraud Alerts
(1) Initial alerts. Upon the direct request of a consumer, or an individual acting on
behalf of or as a personal representative of a consumer, who asserts in good faith
a suspicion that the consumer has been or is about to become a victim of fraud or
related crime, including identity theft, a consumer reporting agency described in
section 603(p) that maintains a file on the consumer and has received appropriate
proof of the identity of the requester shall--
(A) include a fraud alert in the file of that consumer, and also provide that alert
along with any credit score generated in using that file, for a period of not
less than 90 days, beginning on the date of such request, unless the
consumer or such representative requests that such fraud alert be removed
before the end of such period, and the agency has received appropriate
proof of the identity of the requester for such purpose; and
July 30, 2004 26
(B) refer the information regarding the fraud alert under this paragraph to each
of the other consumer reporting agencies described in section 603(p), in
accordance with procedures developed under section 621(f).
(2) Access to free reports. In any case in which a consumer reporting agency includes
a fraud alert in the file of a consumer pursuant to this subsection, the consumer
reporting agency shall--
(A) disclose to the consumer that the consumer may request a free copy of the
file of the consumer pursuant to section 612(d); and
(B) provide to the consumer all disclosures required to be made under section
609, without charge to the consumer, not later than 3 business days after
any request described in subparagraph (A).
(b) Extended Alerts
(1) In general. Upon the direct request of a consumer, or an individual acting on
behalf of or as a personal representative of a consumer, who submits an identity
theft report to a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) that
maintains a file on the consumer, if the agency has received appropriate proof of
the identity of the requester, the agency shall--
(A) include a fraud alert in the file of that consumer, and also provide that alert
along with any credit score generated in using that file, during the 7-year
period beginning on the date of such request, unless the consumer or such
representative requests that such fraud alert be removed before the end of
such period and the agency has received appropriate proof of the identity
of the requester for such purpose;
(B) during the 5-year period beginning on the date of such request, exclude the
consumer from any list of consumers prepared by the consumer reporting
agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or insurance to the
consumer as part of a transaction that was not initiated by the consumer,
unless the consumer or such representative requests that such exclusion be
rescinded before the end of such period; and
(C) refer the information regarding the extended fraud alert under this paragraph
to each of the other consumer reporting agencies described in section
603(p), in accordance with procedures developed under section 621(f).
(2) Access to free reports. In any case in which a consumer reporting agency includes
a fraud alert in the file of a consumer pursuant to this subsection, the consumer
reporting agency shall--
(A) disclose to the consumer that the consumer may request 2 free copies of
the file of the consumer pursuant to section 612(d) during the 12-month
July 30, 2004 27
period beginning on the date on which the fraud alert was included in the
file; and
(B) provide to the consumer all disclosures required to be made under section
609, without charge to the consumer, not later than 3 business days after
any request described in subparagraph (A).
(c) Active duty alerts. Upon the direct request of an active duty military consumer, or an
individual acting on behalf of or as a personal representative of an active duty
military consumer, a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) that
maintains a file on the active duty military consumer and has received appropriate
proof of the identity of the requester shall--
(1) include an active duty alert in the file of that active duty military consumer, and
also provide that alert along with any credit score generated in using that file,
during a period of not less than 12 months, or such longer period as the
Commission shall determine, by regulation, beginning on the date of the request,
unless the active duty military consumer or such representative requests that such
fraud alert be removed before the end of such period, and the agency has received
appropriate proof of the identity of the requester for such purpose;
(2) during the 2-year period beginning on the date of such request, exclude the active
duty military consumer from any list of consumers prepared by the consumer
reporting agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or insurance to the
consumer as part of a transaction that was not initiated by the consumer, unless
the consumer requests that such exclusion be rescinded before the end of such
period; and
(3) refer the information regarding the active duty alert to each of the other consumer
reporting agencies described in section 603(p), in accordance with procedures
developed under section 621(f).
(d) Procedures. Each consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) shall
establish policies and procedures to comply with this section, including procedures
that inform consumers of the availability of initial, extended, and active duty alerts
and procedures that allow consumers and active duty military consumers to request
initial, extended, or active duty alerts (as applicable) in a simple and easy manner,
including by telephone.
(e) Referrals of alerts. Each consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) that
receives a referral of a fraud alert or active duty alert from another consumer
reporting agency pursuant to this section shall, as though the agency received the
request from the consumer directly, follow the procedures required under--
(1) paragraphs (1)(A) and (2) of subsection (a), in the case of a referral under
subsection (a)(1)(B);
(2) paragraphs (1)(A), (1)(B), and (2) of subsection (b), in the case of a referral under
subsection (b)(1)(C); and
July 30, 2004 28
(3) paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c), in the case of a referral under subsection
(c)(3).
(f) Duty of reseller to reconvey alert. A reseller shall include in its report any fraud alert
or active duty alert placed in the file of a consumer pursuant to this section by
another consumer reporting agency.
(g) Duty of other consumer reporting agencies to provide contact information. If a
consumer contacts any consumer reporting agency that is not described in section
603(p) to communicate a suspicion that the consumer has been or is about to become
a victim of fraud or related crime, including identity theft, the agency shall provide
information to the consumer on how to contact the Commission and the consumer
reporting agencies described in section 603(p) to obtain more detailed information
and request alerts under this section.
(h) Limitations on Use of Information for Credit Extensions
(1) Requirements for initial and active duty alerts-
(A) Notification. Each initial fraud alert and active duty alert under this section
shall include information that notifies all prospective users of a consumer
report on the consumer to which the alert relates that the consumer does
not authorize the establishment of any new credit plan or extension of
credit, other than under an open-end credit plan (as defined in section
103(i)), in the name of the consumer, or issuance of an additional card on
an existing credit account requested by a consumer, or any increase in
credit limit on an existing credit account requested by a consumer, except
in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(B) Limitation on Users
(i) In general. No prospective user of a consumer report that includes an
initial fraud alert or an active duty alert in accordance with this section
may establish a new credit plan or extension of credit, other than under
an open-end credit plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the name of
the consumer, or issue an additional card on an existing credit account
requested by a consumer, or grant any increase in credit limit on an
existing credit account requested by a consumer, unless the user
utilizes reasonable policies and procedures to form a reasonable belief
that the user knows the identity of the person making the request.
(ii) Verification. If a consumer requesting the alert has specified a
telephone number to be used for identity verification purposes, before
authorizing any new credit plan or extension described in clause (i) in
the name of such consumer, a user of such consumer report shall
contact the consumer using that telephone number or take reasonable
steps to verify the consumer's identity and confirm that the application
for a new credit plan is not the result of identity theft.
July 30, 2004 29
(2) Requirements for Extended Alerts
(A) Notification. Each extended alert under this section shall include
information that provides all prospective users of a consumer report
relating to a consumer with–
(i) notification that the consumer does not authorize the establishment of
any new credit plan or extension of credit described in clause (i), other
than under an open-end credit plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the
name of the consumer, or issuance of an additional card on an existing
credit account requested by a consumer, or any increase in credit limit
on an existing credit account requested by a consumer, except in
accordance with subparagraph (B); and
(ii) a telephone number or other reasonable contact method designated by
the consumer.
(B) Limitation on users. No prospective user of a consumer report or of a
credit score generated using the information in the file of a consumer that
includes an extended fraud alert in accordance with this section may
establish a new credit plan or extension of credit, other than under an
open-end credit plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the name of the
consumer, or issue an additional card on an existing credit account
requested by a consumer, or any increase in credit limit on an existing
credit account requested by a consumer, unless the user contacts the
consumer in person or using the contact method described in subparagraph
(A)(ii) to confirm that the application for a new credit plan or increase in
credit limit, or request for an additional card is not the result of identity
theft.
§ 605B. Block of information resulting from identity theft [15 U.S.C. §1681c-2]
(a) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency
shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the
consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not
later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of--
(1) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer;
(2) a copy of an identity theft report;
(3) the identification of such information by the consumer; and
(4) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to
any transaction by the consumer.
(b) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of
information identified by the consumer under subsection (a)--
July 30, 2004 30
(1) that the information may be a result of identity theft;
(2) that an identity theft report has been filed;
(3) that a block has been requested under this section; and
(4) of the effective dates of the block.
(c) Authority to Decline or Rescind
(1) In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block, or may rescind
any block, of information relating to a consumer under this section, if the
consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that--
(A) the information was blocked in error or a block was requested by the
consumer in error;
(B) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer,
on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer
relevant to the request to block; or
(C) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result
of the blocked transaction or transactions.
(2) Notification to consumer. If a block of information is declined or rescinded under
this subsection, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same
manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under section
611(a)(5)(B).
(3) Significance of block. For purposes of this subsection, if a consumer reporting
agency rescinds a block, the presence of information in the file of a consumer
prior to the blocking of such information is not evidence of whether the consumer
knew or should have known that the consumer obtained possession of any goods,
services, or money as a result of the block.
(d) Exception for Resellers
(1) No reseller file. This section shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency, if the
consumer reporting agency--
(A) is a reseller;
(B) is not, at the time of the request of the consumer under subsection (a),
otherwise furnishing or reselling a consumer report concerning the
information identified by the consumer; and
(C) informs the consumer, by any means, that the consumer may report the
identity theft to the Commission to obtain consumer information regarding
identity theft.
July 30, 2004 31
(2) Reseller with file. The sole obligation of the consumer reporting agency under this
section, with regard to any request of a consumer under this section, shall be to
block the consumer report maintained by the consumer reporting agency from any
subsequent use, if--
(A) the consumer, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a),
identifies, to a consumer reporting agency, information in the file of the
consumer that resulted from identity theft; and
(B) the consumer reporting agency is a reseller of the identified information.
(3) Notice. In carrying out its obligation under paragraph (2), the reseller shall
promptly provide a notice to the consumer of the decision to block the file. Such
notice shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer
reporting agency from which the consumer information was obtained for resale.
(e) Exception for verification companies. The provisions of this section do not apply to a
check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose
of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or
similar methods of payments, except that, beginning 4 business days after receipt of
information described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), a check
services company shall not report to a national consumer reporting agency described
in section 603(p), any information identified in the subject identity theft report as
resulting from identity theft.
(f) Access to blocked information by law enforcement agencies. No provision of this section
shall be construed as requiring a consumer reporting agency to prevent a Federal,
State, or local law enforcement agency from accessing blocked information in a
consumer file to which the agency could otherwise obtain access under this title.
§ 606. Disclosure of investigative consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681d]
(a) Disclosure of fact of preparation. A person may not procure or cause to be prepared an
investigative consumer report on any consumer unless
(1) it is clearly and accurately disclosed to the consumer that an investigative
consumer report including information as to his character, general reputation,
personal characteristics and mode of living, whichever are applicable, may be
made, and such disclosure
(A) is made in a writing mailed, or otherwise delivered, to the consumer, not
later than three days after the date on which the report was first requested,
and
(B) includes a statement informing the consumer of his right to request the
additional disclosures provided for under subsection (b) of this section and
the written summary of the rights of the consumer prepared pursuant to
section 609(c) [§ 1681g]; and
July 30, 2004 32
(2) the person certifies or has certified to the consumer reporting agency that
(A) the person has made the disclosures to the consumer required by paragraph
(1); and
(B) the person will comply with subsection (b).
(b) Disclosure on request of nature and scope of investigation. Any person who procures
or causes to be prepared an investigative consumer report on any consumer shall,
upon written request made by the consumer within a reasonable period of time after
the receipt by him of the disclosure required by subsection (a)(1) of this section,
make a complete and accurate disclosure of the nature and scope of the investigation
requested. This disclosure shall be made in a writing mailed, or otherwise delivered,
to the consumer not later than five days after the date on which the request for such
disclosure was received from the consumer or such report was first requested,
whichever is the later.
(c) Limitation on liability upon showing of reasonable procedures for compliance with
provisions. No person may be held liable for any violation of subsection (a) or (b) of
this section if he shows by a preponderance of the evidence that at the time of the
violation he maintained reasonable procedures to assure compliance with subsection
(a) or (b) of this section.
(d) Prohibitions
(1) Certification. A consumer reporting agency shall not prepare or furnish
investigative consumer report unless the agency has received a certification under
subsection (a)(2) from the person who requested the report.
(2) Inquiries. A consumer reporting agency shall not make an inquiry for the purpose
of preparing an investigative consumer report on a consumer for employment
purposes if the making of the inquiry by an employer or prospective employer of
the consumer would violate any applicable Federal or State equal employment
opportunity law or regulation.
(3) Certain public record information. Except as otherwise provided in section 613
[§ 1681k], a consumer reporting agency shall not furnish an investigative consumer
report that includes information that is a matter of public record and that
relates to an arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien, or outstanding
judgment, unless the agency has verified the accuracy of the information
during the 30-day period ending on the date on which the report is furnished.
(4) Certain adverse information. A consumer reporting agency shall not prepare or
furnish an investigative consumer report on a consumer that contains information
that is adverse to the interest of the consumer and that is obtained through a
personal interview with a neighbor, friend, or associate of the consumer or with
another person with whom the consumer is acquainted or who has knowledge of
such item of information, unless
July 30, 2004 33
(A) the agency has followed reasonable procedures to obtain confirmation of
the information, from an additional source that has independent and direct
knowledge of the information; or
(B) the person interviewed is the best possible source of the information.
§ 607. Compliance procedures [15 U.S.C. § 1681e]
(a) Identity and purposes of credit users. Every consumer reporting agency shall maintain
reasonable procedures designed to avoid violations of section 605 [§ 1681c] and to limit
the furnishing of consumer reports to the purposes listed under section 604 [§ 1681b] of
this title. These procedures shall require that prospective users of the information identify
themselves, certify the purposes for which the information is sought, and certify that
the information will be used for no other purpose. Every consumer reporting agency
shall make a reasonable effort to verify the identity of a new prospective user and the
uses certified by such prospective user prior to furnishing such user a consumer report.
No consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report to any person if it has
reasonable grounds for believing that the consumer report will not be used for a purpose
listed in section 604 [§ 1681b] of this title.
(b) Accuracy of report. Whenever a consumer reporting agency prepares a consumer
report it shall follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of
the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates.
(c) Disclosure of consumer reports by users allowed. A consumer reporting agency may
not prohibit a user of a consumer report furnished by the agency on a consumer from
disclosing the contents of the report to the consumer, if adverse action against the
consumer has been taken by the user based in whole or in part on the report.
(d) Notice to Users and Furnishers of Information
(1) Notice requirement. A consumer reporting agency shall provide to any person
(A) who regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information
to the agency with respect to any consumer; or
(B) to whom a consumer report is provided by the agency;
a notice of such person's responsibilities under this title.
(2) Content of notice. The Federal Trade Commission shall prescribe the content of notices
under paragraph (1), and a consumer reporting agency shall be in compliance
with this subsection if it provides a notice under paragraph (1) that is substantially
similar to the Federal Trade Commission prescription under this paragraph.
(e) Procurement of Consumer Report for Resale
July 30, 2004 34
(1) Disclosure. A person may not procure a consumer report for purposes of reselling
the report (or any information in the report) unless the person discloses to the
consumer reporting agency that originally furnishes the report
(A) the identity of the end-user of the report (or information); and
(B) each permissible purpose under section 604 [§ 1681b] for which the report
is furnished to the end-user of the report (or information).
(2) Responsibilities of procurers for resale. A person who procures a consumer
report for purposes of reselling the report (or any information in the report) shall
(A) establish and comply with reasonable procedures designed to ensure that
the report (or information) is resold by the person only for a purpose for
which the report may be furnished under section 604 [§ 1681b], including
by requiring that each person to which the report (or information) is resold
and that resells or provides the report (or information) to any other person
(i) identifies each end user of the resold report (or information);
(ii) certifies each purpose for which the report (or information) will be
used; and
(iii) certifies that the report (or information) will be used for no other
purpose; and
(B) before reselling the report, make reasonable efforts to verify the
identifications and certifications made under subparagraph (A).
(3) Resale of consumer report to a federal agency or department. Notwithstanding
paragraph (1) or (2), a person who procures a consumer report for purposes of
reselling the report (or any information in the report) shall not disclose the identity of
the end-user of the report under paragraph (1) or (2) if--
(A) the end user is an agency or department of the United States Government
which procures the report from the person for purposes of determining the
eligibility of the consumer concerned to receive access or continued access to
classified information (as defined in section 604(b)(4)(E)(i)); and
(B) the agency or department certifies in writing to the person reselling the report
that nondisclosure is necessary to protect classified information or the safety
of persons employed by or contracting with, or undergoing investigation for
work or contracting with the agency or department.
§ 608. Disclosures to governmental agencies [15 U.S.C. § 1681f]
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 604 [§ 1681b] of this title, a consumer
reporting agency may furnish identifying information respecting any consumer, limited to
July 30, 2004 35
his name, address, former addresses, places of employment, or former places of
employment, to a governmental agency.
§ 609. Disclosures to consumers [15 U.S.C. § 1681g]
(a) Information on file; sources; report recipients. Every consumer reporting agency shall,
upon request, and subject to 610(a)(1) [§ 1681h], clearly and accurately disclose to
the consumer:
(1) All information in the consumer's file at the time of the request except that--
(A) if the consumer to whom the file relates requests that the first 5 digits of
the social security number (or similar identification number) of the
consumer not be included in the disclosure and the consumer reporting
agency has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester, the
consumer reporting agency shall so truncate such number in such
disclosure; and
(B) nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require a consumer
reporting agency to disclose to a consumer any information concerning
credit scores or any other risk scores or predictors relating to the
consumer.
(2) The sources of the information; except that the sources of information acquired
solely for use in preparing an investigative consumer report and actually use for
no other purpose need not be disclosed: Provided, That in the event an action is
brought under this title, such sources shall be available to the plaintiff under
appropriate discovery procedures in the court in which the action is brought.
(3)(A) Identification of each person (including each end-user identified under
section 607(e)(1) [§ 1681e]) that procured a consumer report
(i) for employment purposes, during the 2-year period preceding the date
on which the request is made; or
(ii) for any other purpose, during the 1-year period preceding the date on
which the request is made.
(B) An identification of a person under subparagraph (A) shall include
(i) the name of the person or, if applicable, the trade name (written in full)
under which such person conducts business; and
(ii) upon request of the consumer, the address and telephone number of the
person.
(C) Subparagraph (A) does not apply if--
(i) the end user is an agency or department of the United States
Government that procures the report from the person for purposes of
July 30, 2004 36
determining the eligibility of the consumer to whom the report relates
to receive access or continued access to classified information (as
defined in section 604(b)(4)(E)(i)); and
(ii) the head of the agency or department makes a written finding as
prescribed under section 604(b)(4)(A).
(4) The dates, original payees, and amounts of any checks upon which is based any
adverse characterization of the consumer, included in the file at the time of the
disclosure.
(5) A record of all inquiries received by the agency during the 1-year period
preceding the request that identified the consumer in connection with a credit or
insurance transaction that was not initiated by the consumer.
(6) If the consumer requests the credit file and not the credit score, a statement that the
consumer may request and obtain a credit score.
(b) Exempt information. The requirements of subsection (a) of this section respecting the
disclosure of sources of information and the recipients of consumer reports do not
apply to information received or consumer reports furnished prior to the effective
date of this title except to the extent that the matter involved is contained in the files
of the consumer reporting agency on that date.
(c) Summary of Rights to Obtain and Dispute Information in Consumer Reports and to
Obtain Credit Scores
(1) Commission Summary of Rights Required
(A) In general. The Commission shall prepare a model summary of the rights
of consumers under this title.
(B) Content of summary. The summary of rights prepared under subparagraph
(A) shall include a description of–
(i) the right of a consumer to obtain a copy of a consumer report under
subsection (a) from each consumer reporting agency;
(ii) the frequency and circumstances under which a consumer is entitled to
receive a consumer report without charge under section 612;
(iii) the right of a consumer to dispute information in the file of the
consumer under section 611;
(iv) the right of a consumer to obtain a credit score from a consumer
reporting agency, and a description of how to obtain a credit score;
(v) the method by which a consumer can contact, and obtain a consumer
report from, a consumer reporting agency without charge, as provided
in the regulations of the Commission prescribed under section 211(c)
of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003; and
July 30, 2004 37
(vi) the method by which a consumer can contact, and obtain a consumer
report from, a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(w),
as provided in the regulations of the Commission prescribed under
section 612(a)(1)(C).
(C) Availability of summary of rights. The Commission shall--
(i) actively publicize the availability of the summary of rights prepared
under this paragraph;
(ii) conspicuously post on its Internet website the availability of such
summary of rights; and
(iii) promptly make such summary of rights available to consumers, on request.
(2) Summary of rights required to be included with agency disclosures. A consumer
reporting agency shall provide to a consumer, with each written disclosure by the
agency to the consumer under this section--
(A) the summary of rights prepared by the Commission under paragraph (1);
(B) in the case of a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p), a
toll-free telephone number established by the agency, at which personnel
are accessible to consumers during normal business hours;
(C) a list of all Federal agencies responsible for enforcing any provision of this
title, and the address and any appropriate phone number of each such agency,
in a form that will assist the consumer in selecting the appropriate agency;
(D) a statement that the consumer may have additional rights under State law,
and that the consumer may wish to contact a State or local consumer
protection agency or a State attorney general (or the equivalent thereof) to
learn of those rights; and
(E) a statement that a consumer reporting agency is not required to remove
accurate derogatory information from the file of a consumer, unless the
information is outdated under section 605 or cannot be verified.
(d) Summary of Rights of Identity Theft Victims
(1) In general. The Commission, in consultation with the Federal banking agencies and
the National Credit Union Administration, shall prepare a model summary of the
rights of consumers under this title with respect to the procedures for remedying the
effects of fraud or identity theft involving credit, an electronic fund transfer, or an
account or transaction at or with a financial institution or other creditor.
(2) Summary of rights and contact information. Beginning 60 days after the date on
which the model summary of rights is prescribed in final form by the Commission
pursuant to paragraph (1), if any consumer contacts a consumer reporting agency
and expresses a belief that the consumer is a victim of fraud or identity theft
July 30, 2004 38
involving credit, an electronic fund transfer, or an account or transaction at or
with a financial institution or other creditor, the consumer reporting agency shall,
in addition to any other action that the agency may take, provide the consumer
with a summary of rights that contains all of the information required by the
Commission under paragraph (1), and information on how to contact the
Commission to obtain more detailed information.
(e) Information Available to Victims
(1) In general. For the purpose of documenting fraudulent transactions resulting from
identity theft, not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of a request from a
victim in accordance with paragraph (3), and subject to verification of the identity of
the victim and the claim of identity theft in accordance with paragraph (2), a business
entity that has provided credit to, provided for consideration products, goods, or
services to, accepted payment from, or otherwise entered into a commercial
transaction for consideration with, a person who has allegedly made unauthorized
use of the means of identification of the victim, shall provide a copy of application
and business transaction records in the control of the business entity, whether
maintained by the business entity or by another person on behalf of the business
entity, evidencing any transaction alleged to be a result of identity theft to--
(A) the victim;
(B) any Federal, State, or local government law enforcement agency or officer
specified by the victim in such a request; or
(C) any law enforcement agency investigating the identity theft and authorized
by the victim to take receipt of records provided under this subsection.
(2) Verification of identity and claim. Before a business entity provides any information
under paragraph (1), unless the business entity, at its discretion, otherwise
has a high degree of confidence that it knows the identity of the victim making a
request under paragraph (1), the victim shall provide to the business entity--
(A) as proof of positive identification of the victim, at the election of the
business entity–
(i) the presentation of a government-issued identification card;
(ii) personally identifying information of the same type as was provided to
the business entity by the unauthorized person; or
(iii) personally identifying information that the business entity typically
requests from new applicants or for new transactions, at the time of the
victim's request for information, including any documentation
described in clauses (i) and (ii); and
(B) as proof of a claim of identity theft, at the election of the business entity--
(i) a copy of a police report evidencing the claim of the victim of identity
theft; and
July 30, 2004 39
(ii) a properly completed--
(I) copy of a standardized affidavit of identity theft developed and
made available by the Commission; or
(II) an affidavit of fact that is acceptable to the business entity for that
purpose.
(3) Procedures. The request of a victim under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) be in writing;
(B) be mailed to an address specified by the business entity, if any; and
(C) if asked by the business entity, include relevant information about any
transaction alleged to be a result of identity theft to facilitate compliance
with this section including–
(i) if known by the victim (or if readily obtainable by the victim), the date
of the application or transaction; and
(ii) if known by the victim (or if readily obtainable by the victim), any
other identifying information such as an account or transaction
number.
(4) No charge to victim. Information required to be provided under paragraph (1)
shall be so provided without charge.
(5) Authority to decline to provide information. A business entity may decline to
provide information under paragraph (1) if, in the exercise of good faith, the
business entity determines that--
(A) this subsection does not require disclosure of the information;
(B) after reviewing the information provided pursuant to paragraph (2), the
business entity does not have a high degree of confidence in knowing the
true identity of the individual requesting the information;
(C) the request for the information is based on a misrepresentation of fact by
the individual requesting the information relevant to the request for
information; or
(D) the information requested is Internet navigational data or similar
information about a person's visit to a website or online service.
(6) Limitation on liability. Except as provided in section 621, sections 616 and 617 do
not apply to any violation of this subsection.
July 30, 2004 40
(7) Limitation on civil liability. No business entity may be held civilly liable under
any provision of Federal, State, or other law for disclosure, made in good faith
pursuant to this subsection.
(8) No new recordkeeping obligation. Nothing in this subsection creates an obligation
on the part of a business entity to obtain, retain, or maintain information or
records that are not otherwise required to be obtained, retained, or maintained in
the ordinary course of its business or under other applicable law.
(9) Rule of Construction
(A) In general. No provision of subtitle A of title V of Public Law 106-102,
prohibiting the disclosure of financial information by a business entity to
third parties shall be used to deny disclosure of information to the victim
under this subsection.
(B) Limitation. Except as provided in subparagraph (A), nothing in this
subsection permits a business entity to disclose information, including
information to law enforcement under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of
paragraph (1), that the business entity is otherwise prohibited from
disclosing under any other applicable provision of Federal or State law.
(10) Affirmative defense. In any civil action brought to enforce this subsection, it is an
affirmative defense (which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of
the evidence) for a business entity to file an affidavit or answer stating that--
(A) the business entity has made a reasonably diligent search of its available
business records; and
(B) the records requested under this subsection do not exist or are not
reasonably available.
(11) Definition of victim. For purposes of this subsection, the term “victim” means a
consumer whose means of identification or financial information has been used or
transferred (or has been alleged to have been used or transferred) without the
authority of that consumer, with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, an identity
theft or a similar crime.
(12) Effective date. This subsection shall become effective 180 days after the date of
enactment of this subsection.
(13) Effectiveness study. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this
subsection, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to
Congress assessing the effectiveness of this provision.
(f) Disclosure of Credit Scores
(1) In general. Upon the request of a consumer for a credit score, a consumer
reporting agency shall supply to the consumer a statement indicating that the
July 30, 2004 41
information and credit scoring model may be different than the credit score that
may be used by the lender, and a notice which shall include--
(A) the current credit score of the consumer or the most recent credit score of
the consumer that was previously calculated by the credit reporting agency
for a purpose related to the extension of credit;
(B) the range of possible credit scores under the model used;
(C) all of the key factors that adversely affected the credit score of the
consumer in the model used, the total number of which shall not exceed 4,
subject to paragraph (9);
(D) the date on which the credit score was created; and
(E) the name of the person or entity that provided the credit score or credit file
upon which the credit score was created.
(2) Definitions. For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply:
(A) The term “credit score” --
(i) means a numerical value or a categorization derived from a statistical
tool or modeling system used by a person who makes or arranges a loan
to predict the likelihood of certain credit behaviors, including default
(and the numerical value or the categorization derived from such analysis
may also be referred to as a “risk predictor” or “risk score”); and
(ii) does not include--
(I) any mortgage score or rating of an automated underwriting system
that considers one or more factors in addition to credit information,
including the loan to value ratio, the amount of down payment, or the
financial assets of a consumer; or
(II) any other elements of the underwriting process or underwriting decision.
(B) The term “key factors” means all relevant elements or reasons adversely
affecting the credit score for the particular individual, listed in the order of
their importance based on their effect on the credit score.
(3) Timeframe and manner of disclosure. The information required by this subsection
shall be provided in the same timeframe and manner as the information described
in subsection (a).
(4) Applicability to certain uses. This subsection shall not be construed so as to
compel a consumer reporting agency to develop or disclose a score if the agency
does not--
July 30, 2004 42
(A) distribute scores that are used in connection with residential real property
loans; or
(B) develop scores that assist credit providers in understanding the general
credit behavior of a consumer and predicting the future credit behavior of
the consumer.
(5) Applicability to credit scores developed by another person.
(A) In general. This subsection shall not be construed to require a consumer
reporting agency that distributes credit scores developed by another person
or entity to provide a further explanation of them, or to process a dispute
arising pursuant to section 611, except that the consumer reporting agency
shall provide the consumer with the name and address and website for
contacting the person or entity who developed the score or developed the
methodology of the score.
(B) Exception. This paragraph shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency
that develops or modifies scores that are developed by another person or
entity.
(6) Maintenance of credit scores not required. This subsection shall not be construed
to require a consumer reporting agency to maintain credit scores in its files.
(7) Compliance in certain cases. In complying with this subsection, a consumer
reporting agency shall--
(A) supply the consumer with a credit score that is derived from a credit
scoring model that is widely distributed to users by that consumer
reporting agency in connection with residential real property loans or with
a credit score that assists the consumer in understanding the credit scoring
assessment of the credit behavior of the consumer and predictions about
the future credit behavior of the consumer; and
(B) a statement indicating that the information and credit scoring model may
be different than that used by the lender.
(8) Fair and reasonable fee. A consumer reporting agency may charge a fair and
reasonable fee, as determined by the Commission, for providing the information
required under this subsection.
(9) Use of enquiries as a key factor. If a key factor that adversely affects the credit
score of a consumer consists of the number of enquiries made with respect to a
consumer report, that factor shall be included in the disclosure pursuant to
paragraph (1)(C) without regard to the numerical limitation in such paragraph.
(g) Disclosure of Credit Scores by Certain Mortgage Lenders
July 30, 2004 43
(1) In general. Any person who makes or arranges loans and who uses a consumer
credit score, as defined in subsection (f), in connection with an application
initiated or sought by a consumer for a closed end loan or the establishment of an
open end loan for a consumer purpose that is secured by 1 to 4 units of residential
real property (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the “lender”) shall provide
the following to the consumer as soon as reasonably practicable:
(A) Information Required under Subsection (f)
(i) In general. A copy of the information identified in subsection (f) that
was obtained from a consumer reporting agency or was developed and
used by the user of the information.
(ii) Notice under subparagraph (D). In addition to the information provided
to it by a third party that provided the credit score or scores, a lender is
only required to provide the notice contained in subparagraph (D).
(B) Disclosures in Case of Automated Underwriting System
(i) In general. If a person that is subject to this subsection uses an automated
underwriting system to underwrite a loan, that person may
satisfy the obligation to provide a credit score by disclosing a credit
score and associated key factors supplied by a consumer reporting
agency.
(ii) Numerical credit score. However, if a numerical credit score is
generated by an automated underwriting system used by an enterprise,
and that score is disclosed to the person, the score shall be disclosed to
the consumer consistent with subparagraph (C).
(iii) Enterprise defined. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “enterprise”
has the same meaning as in paragraph (6) of section 1303 of the
Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of
1992.
(C) Disclosures of credit scores not obtained from a consumer reporting agency.
A person that is subject to the provisions of this subsection and that uses a
credit score, other than a credit score provided by a consumer reporting
agency, may satisfy the obligation to provide a credit score by disclosing a
credit score and associated key factors supplied by a consumer reporting
agency.
(D) Notice to home loan applicants. A copy of the following notice, which shall
include the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer
reporting agency providing a credit score that was used:
“Notice To The Home Loan Applicant
July 30, 2004 44
“In connection with your application for a home loan, the lender must disclose to you the
score that a consumer reporting agency distributed to users and the lender used in connection
with your home loan, and the key factors affecting your credit scores.
“The credit score is a computer generated summary calculated at the time of the request
and based on information that a consumer reporting agency or lender has on file. The scores
are based on data about your credit history and payment patterns. Credit scores are important
because they are used to assist the lender in determining whether you will obtain a loan. They
may also be used to determine what interest rate you may be offered on the mortgage. Credit
scores can change over time, depending on your conduct, how your credit history and
payment patterns change, and how credit scoring technologies change.
“Because the score is based on information in your credit history, it is very important that
you review the credit-related information that is being furnished to make sure it is accurate.
Credit records may vary from one company to another.
“If you have questions about your credit score or the credit information that is furnished to
you, contact the consumer reporting agency at the address and telephone number provided
with this notice, or contact the lender, if the lender developed or generated the credit score.
The consumer reporting agency plays no part in the decision to take any action on the loan
application and is unable to provide you with specific reasons for the decision on a loan
application.
“If you have questions concerning the terms of the loan, contact the lender.”
(E) Actions not required under this subsection. This subsection shall not require
any person to–
(i) explain the information provided pursuant to subsection (f);
(ii) disclose any information other than a credit score or key factors, as
defined in subsection (f);
(iii) disclose any credit score or related information obtained by the user
after a loan has closed;
(iv) provide more than 1 disclosure per loan transaction; or
(v) provide the disclosure required by this subsection when another person
has made the disclosure to the consumer for that loan transaction.
(F) No Obligation for Content
(i) In general. The obligation of any person pursuant to this subsection
shall be limited solely to providing a copy of the information that was
received from the consumer reporting agency.
(ii) Limit on liability. No person has liability under this subsection for the
content of that information or for the omission of any information
within the report provided by the consumer reporting agency.
July 30, 2004 45
(G) Person defined as excluding enterprise. As used in this subsection, the term
“person” does not include an enterprise (as defined in paragraph (6) of section
1303 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act
of 1992).
(2) Prohibition on Disclosure Clauses Null and Void
(A) In general. Any provision in a contract that prohibits the disclosure of a credit
score by a person who makes or arranges loans or a consumer reporting agency
is void.
(B) No liability for disclosure under this subsection- A lender shall not have liability
under any contractual provision for disclosure of a credit score pursuant to this
subsection.
§ 610. Conditions and form of disclosure to consumers [15 U.S.C. § 1681h]
(a) In General
(1) Proper identification. A consumer reporting agency shall require, as a
condition of making the disclosures required under section 609 [§ 1681g], that
the consumer furnish proper identification.
(2) Disclosure in writing. Except as provided in subsection (b), the disclosures
required to be made under section 609 [§ 1681g] shall be provided under that
section in writing.
(b) Other Forms of Disclosure
(1) In general. If authorized by a consumer, a consumer reporting agency may make
the disclosures required under 609 [§ 1681g]
(A) other than in writing; and
(B) in such form as may be
(i) specified by the consumer in accordance with paragraph (2); and
(ii) available from the agency.
(2) Form. A consumer may specify pursuant to paragraph (1) that disclosures under
section 609 [§ 1681g] shall be made
(A) in person, upon the appearance of the consumer at the place of business of
the consumer reporting agency where disclosures are regularly provided,
during normal business hours, and on reasonable notice;
(B) by telephone, if the consumer has made a written request for disclosure by
telephone;
July 30, 2004 46
(C) by electronic means, if available from the agency; or
(D) by any other reasonable means that is available from the agency.
(c) Trained personnel. Any consumer reporting agency shall provide trained personnel to
explain to the consumer any information furnished to him pursuant to section 609
[§ 1681g] of this title.
(d) Persons accompanying consumer. The consumer shall be permitted to be accompanied
by one other person of his choosing, who shall furnish reasonable identification. A
consumer reporting agency may require the consumer to furnish a written statement
granting permission to the consumer reporting agency to discuss the consumer's file in
such person's presence.
(e) Limitation of liability. Except as provided in sections 616 and 617 [§§ 1681n and
1681o] of this title, no consumer may bring any action or proceeding in the nature of
defamation, invasion of privacy, or negligence with respect to the reporting of
information against any consumer reporting agency, any user of information, or any
person who furnishes information to a consumer reporting agency, based on
information disclosed pursuant to section 609, 610, or 615 [§§ 1681g, 1681h, or
1681m] of this title or based on information disclosed by a user of a consumer report
to or for a consumer against whom the user has taken adverse action, based in whole
or in part on the report, except as to false information furnished with malice or willful
intent to injure such consumer.
§ 611. Procedure in case of disputed accuracy [15 U.S.C. § 1681i]
(a) Reinvestigations of Disputed Information
(1) Reinvestigation Required
(A) In general. Subject to subsection (f), if the completeness or accuracy of any
item of information contained in a consumer's file at a consumer reporting
agency is disputed by the consumer and the consumer notifies the agency
directly, or indirectly through a reseller, of such dispute, the agency shall,
free of charge, conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether
the disputed information is inaccurate and record the current status of the
disputed information, or delete the item from the file in accordance with
paragraph (5), before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on
which the agency receives the notice of the dispute from the consumer or
reseller.
(B) Extension of period to reinvestigate. Except as provided in subparagraph
(C), the 30-day period described in subparagraph (A) may be extended for
not more than 15 additional days if the consumer reporting agency receives
information from the consumer during that 30-day period that is relevant to
the reinvestigation.
(C) Limitations on extension of period to reinvestigate. Subparagraph (B) shall
not apply to any reinvestigation in which, during the 30-day period
July 30, 2004 47
described in subparagraph (A), the information that is the subject of the
reinvestigation is found to be inaccurate or incomplete or the consumer
reporting agency determines that the information cannot be verified.
(2) Prompt Notice of Dispute to Furnisher of Information
(A) In general. Before the expiration of the 5-business-day period beginning on
the date on which a consumer reporting agency receives notice of a dispute
from any consumer or a reseller in accordance with paragraph (1), the
agency shall provide notification of the dispute to any person who provided
any item of information in dispute, at the address and in the manner
established with the person. The notice shall include all relevant
information regarding the dispute that the agency has received from the
consumer or reseller.
(B) Provision of other information. The consumer reporting agency shall
promptly provide to the person who provided the information in dispute all
relevant information regarding the dispute that is received by the agency
from the consumer or the reseller after the period referred to in subparagraph
(A) and before the end of the period referred to in paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Determination That Dispute Is Frivolous or Irrelevant
(A) In general. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a consumer reporting agency
may terminate a reinvestigation of information disputed by a consumer
under that paragraph if the agency reasonably determines that the dispute
by the consumer is frivolous or irrelevant, including by reason of a failure
by a consumer to provide sufficient information to investigate the disputed
information.
(B) Notice of determination. Upon making any determination in accordance
with subparagraph (A) that a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, a consumer
reporting agency shall notify the consumer of such determination not later
than 5 business days after making such determination, by mail or, if
authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by any other means available
to the agency.
(C) Contents of notice. A notice under subparagraph (B) shall include
(i) the reasons for the determination under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) identification of any information required to investigate the disputed
information, which may consist of a standardized form describing the
general nature of such information.
(4) Consideration of consumer information. In conducting any reinvestigation under
paragraph (1) with respect to disputed information in the file of any consumer, the
consumer reporting agency shall review and consider all relevant information
submitted by the consumer in the period described in paragraph (1)(A) with
respect to such disputed information.
July 30, 2004 48
(5) Treatment of Inaccurate or Unverifiable Information
(A) In general. If, after any reinvestigation under paragraph (1) of any
information disputed by a consumer, an item of the information is found to
be inaccurate or incomplete or cannot be verified, the consumer reporting
agency shall–
(i) promptly delete that item of information from the file of the consumer,
or modify that item of information, as appropriate, based on the results
of the reinvestigation; and
(ii) promptly notify the furnisher of that information that the information
has been modified or deleted from the file of the consumer.
(B) Requirements Relating to Reinsertion of Previously Deleted Material
(i) Certification of accuracy of information. If any information is deleted
from a consumer's file pursuant to subparagraph (A), the information
may not be reinserted in the file by the consumer reporting agency
unless the person who furnishes the information certifies that the
information is complete and accurate.
(ii) Notice to consumer. If any information that has been deleted from a
consumer's file pursuant to subparagraph (A) is reinserted in the file, the
consumer reporting agency shall notify the consumer of the reinsertion
in writing not later than 5 business days after the reinsertion or, if
authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by any other means
available to the agency.
(iii) Additional information. As part of, or in addition to, the notice under
clause (ii), a consumer reporting agency shall provide to a consumer in
writing not later than 5 business days after the date of the reinsertion
(I) a statement that the disputed information has been reinserted;
(II) the business name and address of any furnisher of information
contacted and the telephone number of such furnisher, if reasonably
available, or of any furnisher of information that contacted the
consumer reporting agency, in connection with the reinsertion of
such information; and
(III) a notice that the consumer has the right to add a statement to the
consumer's file disputing the accuracy or completeness of the
disputed information.
(C) Procedures to prevent reappearance. A consumer reporting agency shall
maintain reasonable procedures designed to prevent the reappearance in a
consumer's file, and in consumer reports on the consumer, of information
that is deleted pursuant to this paragraph (other than information that is
reinserted in accordance with subparagraph (B)(i)).
July 30, 2004 49
(D) Automated reinvestigation system. Any consumer reporting agency that
compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis shall
implement an automated system through which furnishers of information to
that consumer reporting agency may report the results of a reinvestigation
that finds incomplete or inaccurate information in a consumer's file to other
such consumer reporting agencies.
(6) Notice of Results of Reinvestigation
(A) In general. A consumer reporting agency shall provide written notice to a
consumer of the results of a reinvestigation under this subsection not later
than 5 business days after the completion of the reinvestigation, by mail or,
if authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by other means available to
the agency.
(B) Contents. As part of, or in addition to, the notice under subparagraph (A), a
consumer reporting agency shall provide to a consumer in writing before
the expiration of the 5-day period referred to in subparagraph (A)
(i) a statement that the reinvestigation is completed;
(ii) a consumer report that is based upon the consumer's file as that file
is revised as a result of the reinvestigation;
(iii) a notice that, if requested by the consumer, a description of the
procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the
information shall be provided to the consumer by the agency,
including the business name and address of any furnisher of
information contacted in connection with such information and the
telephone number of such furnisher, if reasonably available;
(iv) a notice that the consumer has the right to add a statement to the
consumer's file disputing the accuracy or completeness of the
information; and
(v) a notice that the consumer has the right to request under subsection
(d) that the consumer reporting agency furnish notifications under
that subsection.
(7) Description of reinvestigation procedure. A consumer reporting agency shall
provide to a consumer a description referred to in paragraph (6)(B)(iii) by not
later than 15 days after receiving a request from the consumer for that description.
(8) Expedited dispute resolution. If a dispute regarding an item of information in a
consumer's file at a consumer reporting agency is resolved in accordance with
paragraph (5)(A) by the deletion of the disputed information by not later than 3
business days after the date on which the agency receives notice of the dispute
from the consumer in accordance with paragraph (1)(A), then the agency shall
not be required to comply with paragraphs (2), (6), and (7) with respect to that
dispute if the agency
July 30, 2004 50
(A) provides prompt notice of the deletion to the consumer by telephone;
(B) includes in that notice, or in a written notice that accompanies a confirmation
and consumer report provided in accordance with subparagraph (C), a
statement of the consumer's right to request under subsection (d) that the
agency furnish notifications under that subsection; and
(C) provides written confirmation of the deletion and a copy of a consumer
report on the consumer that is based on the consumer's file after the
deletion, not later than 5 business days after making the deletion.
(b) Statement of dispute. If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, the consumer
may file a brief statement setting forth the nature of the dispute. The consumer
reporting agency may limit such statements to not more than one hundred words if it
provides the consumer with assistance in writing a clear summary of the dispute.
(c) Notification of consumer dispute in subsequent consumer reports. Whenever a statement
of a dispute is filed, unless there is reasonable grounds to believe that it is frivolous or
irrelevant, the consumer reporting agency shall, in any subsequent report containing
the information in question, clearly note that it is disputed by the consumer and
provide either the consumer's statement or a clear and accurate codification or
summary thereof.
(d) Notification of deletion of disputed information. Following any deletion of information
which is found to be inaccurate or whose accuracy can no longer be verified or any
notation as to disputed information, the consumer reporting agency shall, at the
request of the consumer, furnish notification that the item has been deleted or the
statement, codification or summary pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section to
any person specifically designated by the consumer who has within two years prior
thereto received a consumer report for employment purposes, or within six months
prior thereto received a consumer report for any other purpose, which contained the
deleted or disputed information.
(e) Treatment of Complaints and Report to Congress
(1) In general. The Commission shall--
(A) compile all complaints that it receives that a file of a consumer that is
maintained by a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p)
contains incomplete or inaccurate information, with respect to which, the
consumer appears to have disputed the completeness or accuracy with the
consumer reporting agency or otherwise utilized the procedures provided
by subsection (a); and
(B) transmit each such complaint to each consumer reporting agency involved.
(2) Exclusion. Complaints received or obtained by the Commission pursuant to its
investigative authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act shall not be
subject to paragraph (1).
July 30, 2004 51
(3) Agency responsibilities. Each consumer reporting agency described in section
603(p) that receives a complaint transmitted by the Commission pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) review each such complaint to determine whether all legal obligations
imposed on the consumer reporting agency under this title (including any
obligation imposed by an applicable court or administrative order) have
been met with respect to the subject matter of the complaint;
(B) provide reports on a regular basis to the Commission regarding the
determinations of and actions taken by the consumer reporting agency, if
any, in connection with its review of such complaints; and
(C) maintain, for a reasonable time period, records regarding the disposition of
each such complaint that is sufficient to demonstrate compliance with this
subsection.
(4) Rulemaking authority. The Commission may prescribe regulations, as appropriate
to implement this subsection.
(5) Annual report. The Commission shall submit to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial
Services of the House of Representatives an annual report regarding information
gathered by the Commission under this subsection.'.
(f) Reinvestigation Requirement Applicable to Resellers
(1) Exemption from general reinvestigation requirement. Except as provided in paragraph
(2), a reseller shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
(2) Action required upon receiving notice of a dispute. If a reseller receives a notice
from a consumer of a dispute concerning the completeness or accuracy of any item
of information contained in a consumer report on such consumer produced by the
reseller, the reseller shall, within 5 business days of receiving the notice, and free
of charge–
(A) determine whether the item of information is incomplete or inaccurate as a
result of an act or omission of the reseller; and
(B) if (i) the reseller determines that the item of information is incomplete or
inaccurate as a result of an act or omission of the reseller, not later than 20
days after receiving the notice, correct the information in the consumer
report or delete it; or
(ii) if the reseller determines that the item of information is not incomplete or
inaccurate as a result of an act or omission of the reseller, convey the notice of
the dispute, together with all relevant information provided by the consumer, to
each consumer reporting agency that provided the reseller with the information
that is the subject of the dispute, using an address or a notification mechanism
specified by the consumer reporting agency for such notices.
July 30, 2004 52
(3) Responsibility of consumer reporting agency to notify consumer through reseller. Upon the
completion of a reinvestigation under this section of a dispute concerning the completeness
or accuracy of any information in the file of a consumer by a consumer reporting
agency that received notice of the dispute from a reseller under paragraph (2)--
(A) the notice by the consumer reporting agency under paragraph (6), (7), or (8) of
subsection (a) shall be provided to the reseller in lieu of the consumer; and
(B) the reseller shall immediately reconvey such notice to the consumer, including any
notice of a deletion by telephone in the manner required under paragraph (8)(A).
(4) Reseller reinvestigations. No provision of this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting
a reseller from conducting a reinvestigation of a consumer dispute directly.
§ 612. Charges for certain disclosures [15 U.S.C. § 1681j] See also 16 CFR Part 610
69 Fed. Reg. 35467 (06/24/04)
(a) Free Annual Disclosure
(1) Nationwide Consumer Reporting Agencies
(A) In general. All consumer reporting agencies described in subsections (p) and
(w) of section 603 shall make all disclosures pursuant to section 609 once
during any 12-month period upon request of the consumer and without charge
to the consumer.
(B) Centralized source. Subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to a consumer
reporting agency described in section 603(p) only if the request from the
consumer is made using the centralized source established for such purpose in
accordance with section 211(c) of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions
Act of 2003.
(C) Nationwide Specialty Consumer Reporting Agency
(i) In general. The Commission shall prescribe regulations applicable to each
consumer reporting agency described in section 603(w) to require the establishment
of a streamlined process for consumers to request consumer reports
under subparagraph (A), which shall include, at a minimum, the establishment
by each such agency of a toll-free telephone number for such requests.
(ii) Considerations. In prescribing regulations under clause (i), the
Commission shall consider–
(I) the significant demands that may be placed on consumer reporting
agencies in providing such consumer reports;
(II) appropriate means to ensure that consumer reporting agencies can
satisfactorily meet those demands, including the efficacy of a
system of staggering the availability to consumers of such
consumer reports; and
July 30, 2004 53
(III) the ease by which consumers should be able to contact consumer
reporting agencies with respect to access to such consumer reports.
(iii) Date of issuance. The Commission shall issue the regulations required
by this subparagraph in final form not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003.
(iv) Consideration of ability to comply. The regulations of the Commission
under this subparagraph shall establish an effective date by which each
nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency (as defined in section
603(w)) shall be required to comply with subsection (a), which
effective date--
(I) shall be established after consideration of the ability of each
nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency to comply with
subsection (a); and
(II) shall be not later than 6 months after the date on which such
regulations are issued in final form (or such additional period not to
exceed 3 months, as the Commission determines appropriate).
(2) Timing. A consumer reporting agency shall provide a consumer report under
paragraph (1) not later than 15 days after the date on which the request is received
under paragraph (1).
(3) Reinvestigations. Notwithstanding the time periods specified in section 611(a)(1),
a reinvestigation under that section by a consumer reporting agency upon a
request of a consumer that is made after receiving a consumer report under this
subsection shall be completed not later than 45 days after the date on which the
request is received.
(4) Exception for first 12 months of operation. This subsection shall not apply to a
consumer reporting agency that has not been furnishing consumer reports to third
parties on a continuing basis during the 12-month period preceding a request
under paragraph (1), with respect to consumers residing nationwide.
(b) Free disclosure after adverse notice to consumer. Each consumer reporting agency that
maintains a file on a consumer shall make all disclosures pursuant to section 609
[§ 1681g] without charge to the consumer if, not later than 60 days after receipt by
such consumer of a notification pursuant to section 615 [§ 1681m], or of a
notification from a debt collection agency affiliated with that consumer reporting
agency stating that the consumer's credit rating may be or has been adversely
affected, the consumer makes a request under section 609 [§ 1681g].
(c) Free disclosure under certain other circumstances. Upon the request of the consumer,
a consumer reporting agency shall make all disclosures pursuant to section 609
[§ 1681g] once during any 12-month period without charge to that consumer if the
consumer certifies in writing that the consumer
4 The Federal Trade Commission increased the maximum allowable charge to $9.00, effective January 1,
2002. 66 Fed. Reg. 63545 (Dec. 7, 2001).
July 30, 2004 54
(1) is unemployed and intends to apply for employment in the 60-day period
beginning on the date on which the certification is made;
(2) is a recipient of public welfare assistance; or
(3) has reason to believe that the file on the consumer at the agency contains
inaccurate information due to fraud.
(d) Free disclosures in connection with fraud alerts. Upon the request of a consumer, a
consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) shall make all disclosures
pursuant to section 609 without charge to the consumer, as provided in subsections
(a)(2) and (b)(2) of section 605A, as applicable.
(e) Other charges prohibited A consumer reporting agency shall not impose any charge
on a consumer for providing any notification required by this title or making any
disclosure required by this title, except as authorized by subsection (f).
(f) Reasonable Charges Allowed for Certain Disclosures
(1) In general. In the case of a request from a consumer other than a request that is
covered by any of subsections (a) through (d), a consumer reporting agency may
impose a reasonable charge on a consumer
(A) for making a disclosure to the consumer pursuant to section 609 [§ 1681g],
which charge
(i) shall not exceed $8;4 and
(ii) shall be indicated to the consumer before making the disclosure; and
(B) for furnishing, pursuant to 611(d) [§ 1681i], following a reinvestigation
under section 611(a) [§ 1681i], a statement, codification, or summary to a
person designated by the consumer under that section after the 30-day
period beginning on the date of notification of the consumer under
paragraph (6) or (8) of section 611(a) [§ 1681i] with respect to the
reinvestigation, which charge
(i) shall not exceed the charge that the agency would impose on each
designated recipient for a consumer report; and
(ii) shall be indicated to the consumer before furnishing such information.
(2) Modification of amount. The Federal Trade Commission shall increase the amount
referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(I) on January 1 of each year, based proportionally
on changes in the Consumer Price Index, with fractional changes rounded to the
nearest fifty cents.
July 30, 2004 55
§ 613. Public record information for employment purposes [15 U.S.C. § 1681k]
(a) In general. A consumer reporting agency which furnishes a consumer report for
employment purposes and which for that purpose compiles and reports items of
information on consumers which are matters of public record and are likely to have
an adverse effect upon a consumer's ability to obtain employment shall
(1) at the time such public record information is reported to the user of such
consumer report, notify the consumer of the fact that public record information is
being reported by the consumer reporting agency, together with the name and
address of the person to whom such information is being reported; or
(2) maintain strict procedures designed to insure that whenever public record
information which is likely to have an adverse effect on a consumer's ability to
obtain employment is reported it is complete and up to date. For purposes of this
paragraph, items of public record relating to arrests, indictments, convictions,
suits, tax liens, and outstanding judgments shall be considered up to date if the
current public record status of the item at the time of the report is reported.
(b) Exemption for national security investigations. Subsection (a) does not apply in the case
of an agency or department of the United States Government that seeks to obtain and use
a consumer report for employment purposes, if the head of the agency or department
makes a written finding as prescribed under section 604(b)(4)(A).
§ 614. Restrictions on investigative consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681l]
Whenever a consumer reporting agency prepares an investigative consumer report, no
adverse information in the consumer report (other than information which is a matter of
public record) may be included in a subsequent consumer report unless such adverse
information has been verified in the process of making such subsequent consumer report, or
the adverse information was received within the three-month period preceding the date the
subsequent report is furnished.
§ 615. Requirements on users of consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681m]
(a) Duties of users taking adverse actions on the basis of information contained in consumer
reports. If any person takes any adverse action with respect to any consumer that is
based in whole or in part on any information contained in a consumer report, the
person shall
(1) provide oral, written, or electronic notice of the adverse action to the consumer;
(2) provide to the consumer orally, in writing, or electronically
(A) the name, address, and telephone number of the consumer reporting
agency (including a toll-free telephone number established by the agency
if the agency compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide
basis) that furnished the report to the person; and
July 30, 2004 56
(B) a statement that the consumer reporting agency did not make the decision
to take the adverse action and is unable to provide the consumer the
specific reasons why the adverse action was taken; and
(3) provide to the consumer an oral, written, or electronic notice of the consumer's
right
(A) to obtain, under section 612 [§ 1681j], a free copy of a consumer report on
the consumer from the consumer reporting agency referred to in paragraph
(2), which notice shall include an indication of the 60-day period under
that section for obtaining such a copy; and
(B) to dispute, under section 611 [§ 1681i], with a consumer reporting agency
the accuracy or completeness of any information in a consumer report
furnished by the agency.
(b) Adverse Action Based on Information Obtained from Third Parties Other than
Consumer Reporting Agencies
(1) In general. Whenever credit for personal, family, or household purposes
involving a consumer is denied or the charge for such credit is increased either
wholly or partly because of information obtained from a person other than a
consumer reporting agency bearing upon the consumer's credit worthiness, credit
standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or
mode of living, the user of such information shall, within a reasonable period of
time, upon the consumer's written request for the reasons for such adverse action
received within sixty days after learning of such adverse action, disclose the
nature of the information to the consumer. The user of such information shall
clearly and accurately disclose to the consumer his right to make such written
request at the time such adverse action is communicated to the consumer.
(2) Duties of Person Taking Certain Actions Based on Information Provided by
Affiliate
(A) Duties, generally. If a person takes an action described in subparagraph
(B) with respect to a consumer, based in whole or in part on information
described in subparagraph (C), the person shall
(i) notify the consumer of the action, including a statement that the consumer
may obtain the information in accordance with clause (ii); and
(ii) upon a written request from the consumer received within 60 days after
transmittal of the notice required by clause (I), disclose to the
consumer the nature of the information upon which the action is based
by not later than 30 days after receipt of the request.
(B) Action described. An action referred to in subparagraph (A) is an adverse
action described in section 603(k)(1)(A) [§ 1681a], taken in connection
with a transaction initiated by the consumer, or any adverse action
described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 603(k)(1)(B) [§ 1681a].
July 30, 2004 57
(C) Information described. Information referred to in subparagraph (A)
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), is information that
(I) is furnished to the person taking the action by a person related by
common ownership or affiliated by common corporate control to
the person taking the action; and
(II) bears on the credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity,
character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of
living of the consumer; and
(ii) does not include
(I) information solely as to transactions or experiences between the
consumer and the person furnishing the information; or
(II) information in a consumer report.
(c) Reasonable procedures to assure compliance. No person shall be held liable for any
violation of this section if he shows by a preponderance of the evidence that at the
time of the alleged violation he maintained reasonable procedures to assure
compliance with the provisions of this section.
(d) Duties of Users Making Written Credit or Insurance Solicitations on the Basis of
Information Contained in Consumer Files
(1) In general. Any person who uses a consumer report on any consumer in connection
with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer,
that is provided to that person under section 604(c)(1)(B) [§ 1681b], shall provide
with each written solicitation made to the consumer regarding the transaction a
clear and conspicuous statement that
(A) information contained in the consumer's consumer report was used in
connection with the transaction;
(B) the consumer received the offer of credit or insurance because the
consumer satisfied the criteria for credit worthiness or insurability under
which the consumer was selected for the offer;
(C) if applicable, the credit or insurance may not be extended if, after the
consumer responds to the offer, the consumer does not meet the criteria
used to select the consumer for the offer or any applicable criteria bearing
on credit worthiness or insurability or does not furnish any required
collateral;
(D) the consumer has a right to prohibit information contained in the
consumer's file with any consumer reporting agency from being used in
July 30, 2004 58
connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by
the consumer; and
(E) the consumer may exercise the right referred to in subparagraph (D) by
notifying a notification system established under section 604(e) [§ 1681b].
(2) Disclosure of address and telephone number; format. A statement under paragraph
(1) shall--
(A) include the address and toll-free telephone number of the appropriate
notification system established under section 604(e); and
(B) be presented in such format and in such type size and manner as to be
simple and easy to understand, as established by the Commission, by rule,
in consultation with the Federal banking agencies and the National Credit
Union Administration.
(3) Maintaining criteria on file. A person who makes an offer of credit or insurance to
a consumer under a credit or insurance transaction described in paragraph (1)
shall maintain on file the criteria used to select the consumer to receive the offer,
all criteria bearing on credit worthiness or insurability, as applicable, that are the
basis for determining whether or not to extend credit or insurance pursuant to the
offer, and any requirement for the furnishing of collateral as a condition of the
extension of credit or insurance, until the expiration of the 3-year period
beginning on the date on which the offer is made to the consumer.
(4) Authority of federal agencies regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices not
affected. This section is not intended to affect the authority of any Federal or
State agency to enforce a prohibition against unfair or deceptive acts or practices,
including the making of false or misleading statements in connection with a credit
or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer.
(e) Red Flag Guidelines and Regulations Required
(1) Guidelines. The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union
Administration, and the Commission shall jointly, with respect to the entities that
are subject to their respective enforcement authority under section 621–
(A) establish and maintain guidelines for use by each financial institution and
each creditor regarding identity theft with respect to account holders at, or
customers of, such entities, and update such guidelines as often as
necessary;
(B) prescribe regulations requiring each financial institution and each creditor
to establish reasonable policies and procedures for implementing the
guidelines established pursuant to subparagraph (A), to identify possible
risks to account holders or customers or to the safety and soundness of the
institution or customers; and
July 30, 2004 59
(C) prescribe regulations applicable to card issuers to ensure that, if a card
issuer receives notification of a change of address for an existing account,
and within a short period of time (during at least the first 30 days after
such notification is received) receives a request for an additional or
replacement card for the same account, the card issuer may not issue the
additional or replacement card, unless the card issuer, in accordance with
reasonable policies and procedures--
(i) notifies the cardholder of the request at the former address of the
cardholder and provides to the cardholder a means of promptly
reporting incorrect address changes;
(ii) notifies the cardholder of the request by such other means of communication
as the cardholder and the card issuer previously agreed to; or
(iii) uses other means of assessing the validity of the change of address, in
accordance with reasonable policies and procedures established by the
card issuer in accordance with the regulations prescribed under
subparagraph (B).
(2) Criteria
(A) In general. In developing the guidelines required by paragraph (1)(A), the
agencies described in paragraph (1) shall identify patterns, practices, and
specific forms of activity that indicate the possible existence of identity
theft.
(B) Inactive accounts. In developing the guidelines required by paragraph
(1)(A), the agencies described in paragraph (1) shall consider including
reasonable guidelines providing that when a transaction occurs with
respect to a credit or deposit account that has been inactive for more than 2
years, the creditor or financial institution shall follow reasonable policies
and procedures that provide for notice to be given to a consumer in a
manner reasonably designed to reduce the likelihood of identity theft with
respect to such account.
(3) Consistency with verification requirements. Guidelines established pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall not be inconsistent with the policies and procedures required
under section 5318(l) of title 31, United States Code.
(f) Prohibition on Sale or Transfer of Debt Caused by Identity Theft
(1) In general. No person shall sell, transfer for consideration, or place for collection
a debt that such person has been notified under section 605B has resulted from
identity theft.
(2) Applicability. The prohibitions of this subsection shall apply to all persons
collecting a debt described in paragraph (1) after the date of a notification under
paragraph (1).
July 30, 2004 60
(3) Rule of construction. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit--
(A) the repurchase of a debt in any case in which the assignee of the debt
requires such repurchase because the debt has resulted from identity theft;
(B) the securitization of a debt or the pledging of a portfolio of debt as
collateral in connection with a borrowing; or
(C) the transfer of debt as a result of a merger, acquisition, purchase and
assumption transaction, or transfer of substantially all of the assets of an
entity.
(g) Debt collector communications concerning identity theft. If a person acting as a debt
collector (as that term is defined in title VIII) on behalf of a third party that is a
creditor or other user of a consumer report is notified that any information relating to
a debt that the person is attempting to collect may be fraudulent or may be the result
of identity theft, that person shall--
(1) notify the third party that the information may be fraudulent or may be the result
of identity theft; and
(2) upon request of the consumer to whom the debt purportedly relates, provide to the
consumer all information to which the consumer would otherwise be entitled if
the consumer were not a victim of identity theft, but wished to dispute the debt
under provisions of law applicable to that person.
(h) Duties of Users in Certain Credit Transactions
(1) In general. Subject to rules prescribed as provided in paragraph (6), if any person
uses a consumer report in connection with an application for, or a grant,
extension, or other provision of, credit on material terms that are materially less
favorable than the most favorable terms available to a substantial proportion of
consumers from or through that person, based in whole or in part on a consumer
report, the person shall provide an oral, written, or electronic notice to the
consumer in the form and manner required by regulations prescribed in
accordance with this subsection.
(2) Timing. The notice required under paragraph (1) may be provided at the time of
an application for, or a grant, extension, or other provision of, credit or the time of
communication of an approval of an application for, or grant, extension, or other
provision of, credit, except as provided in the regulations prescribed under
paragraph (6).
(3) Exceptions. No notice shall be required from a person under this subsection if–
(A) the consumer applied for specific material terms and was granted those
terms, unless those terms were initially specified by the person after the
transaction was initiated by the consumer and after the person obtained a
consumer report; or
July 30, 2004 61
(B) the person has provided or will provide a notice to the consumer under
subsection (a) in connection with the transaction.
(4) Other notice not sufficient. A person that is required to provide a notice under
subsection (a) cannot meet that requirement by providing a notice under this
subsection.
(5) Content and delivery of notice. A notice under this subsection shall, at a minimum–
(A) include a statement informing the consumer that the terms offered to the
consumer are set based on information from a consumer report;
(B) identify the consumer reporting agency furnishing the report;
(C) include a statement informing the consumer that the consumer may obtain
a copy of a consumer report from that consumer reporting agency without
charge; and
(D) include the contact information specified by that consumer reporting agency
for obtaining such consumer reports (including a toll-free telephone
number established by the agency in the case of a consumer reporting
agency described in section 603(p)).
(6) Rulemaking
(A) Rules required. The Commission and the Board shall jointly prescribe
rules.
(B) Content. Rules required by subparagraph (A) shall address, but are not
limited to–
(i) the form, content, time, and manner of delivery of any notice under this
subsection;
(ii) clarification of the meaning of terms used in this subsection, including
what credit terms are material, and when credit terms are materially
less favorable;
(iii) exceptions to the notice requirement under this subsection for classes
of persons or transactions regarding which the agencies determine that
notice would not significantly benefit consumers;
(iv) a model notice that may be used to comply with this subsection; and
(v) the timing of the notice required under paragraph (1), including the
circumstances under which the notice must be provided after the terms
offered to the consumer were set based on information from a
consumer report.
July 30, 2004 62
(7) Compliance. A person shall not be liable for failure to perform the duties required
by this section if, at the time of the failure, the person maintained reasonable
policies and procedures to comply with this section.
(8) Enforcement
(A) No civil actions. Sections 616 and 617 shall not apply to any failure by any
person to comply with this section.
(B) Administrative enforcement. This section shall be enforced exclusively under
section 621 by the Federal agencies and officials identified in that section.
§ 616. Civil liability for willful noncompliance [15 U.S.C. § 1681n]
(a) In general. Any person who willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed
under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount
equal to the sum of
(1) (A) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or
damages of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000; or
(B) in the case of liability of a natural person for obtaining a consumer report
under false pretenses or knowingly without a permissible purpose, actual
damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or $1,000,
whichever is greater;
(2) such amount of punitive damages as the court may allow; and
(3) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the
costs of the action together with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the
court.
(b) Civil liability for knowing noncompliance. Any person who obtains a consumer report
from a consumer reporting agency under false pretenses or knowingly without a
permissible purpose shall be liable to the consumer reporting agency for actual
damages sustained by the consumer reporting agency or $1,000, whichever is greater.
(c) Attorney's fees. Upon a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or
other paper filed in connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faith
or for purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorney's
fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading,
motion, or other paper.
§ 617. Civil liability for negligent noncompliance [15 U.S.C. § 1681o]
(a) In general. Any person who is negligent in failing to comply with any requirement
imposed under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an
amount equal to the sum of
July 30, 2004 63
(1) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure; and
(2) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the
costs of the action together with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by the
court.
(b) Attorney's fees. On a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or
other paper filed in connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faith
or for purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorney's
fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading,
motion, or other paper.
§ 618. Jurisdiction of courts; limitation of actions [15 U.S.C. § 1681p]
An action to enforce any liability created under this title may be brought in any
appropriate United States district court, without regard to the amount in controversy, or in
any other court of competent jurisdiction, not later than the earlier of (1) 2 years after the
date of discovery by the plaintiff of the violation that is the basis for such liability; or (2) 5
years after the date on which the violation that is the basis for such liability occurs.
§ 619. Obtaining information under false pretenses [15 U.S.C. § 1681q]
Any person who knowingly and willfully obtains information on a consumer from a
consumer reporting agency under false pretenses shall be fined under title 18, United States
Code, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
§ 620. Unauthorized disclosures by officers or employees [15 U.S.C. § 1681r]
Any officer or employee of a consumer reporting agency who knowingly and willfully
provides information concerning an individual from the agency's files to a person not
authorized to receive that information shall be fined under title 18, United States Code,
imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
§ 621. Administrative enforcement [15 U.S.C. § 1681s]
(a) (1) Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission. Compliance with the requirements
imposed under this title shall be enforced under the Federal Trade Commission
Act [15 U.S.C. §§ 41 et seq.] by the Federal Trade Commission with respect to
consumer reporting agencies and all other persons subject thereto, except to the
extent that enforcement of the requirements imposed under this title is specifically
committed to some other government agency under subsection (b) hereof. For the
purpose of the exercise by the Federal Trade Commission of its functions and
powers under the Federal Trade Commission Act, a violation of any requirement
or prohibition imposed under this title shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act
or practice in commerce in violation of section 5(a) of the Federal Trade
Commission Act [15 U.S.C. § 45(a)] and shall be subject to enforcement by the
Federal Trade Commission under section 5(b) thereof [15 U.S.C. § 45(b)] with
respect to any consumer reporting agency or person subject to enforcement by the
Federal Trade Commission pursuant to this subsection, irrespective of whether
July 30, 2004 64
that person is engaged in commerce or meets any other jurisdictional tests in the
Federal Trade Commission Act. The Federal Trade Commission shall have such
procedural, investigative, and enforcement powers, including the power to issue
procedural rules in enforcing compliance with the requirements imposed under
this title and to require the filing of reports, the production of documents, and the
appearance of witnesses as though the applicable terms and conditions of the
Federal Trade Commission Act were part of this title. Any person violating any of
the provisions of this title shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the
privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act as
though the applicable terms and provisions thereof were part of this title.
(2) (A) In the event of a knowing violation, which constitutes a pattern or practice
of violations of this title, the Commission may commence a civil action to
recover a civil penalty in a district court of the United States against any
person that violates this title. In such action, such person shall be liable for
a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 per violation.
(B) In determining the amount of a civil penalty under subparagraph (A), the
court shall take into account the degree of culpability, any history of prior
such conduct, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business,
and such other matters as justice may require.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a court may not impose any civil penalty on a
person for a violation of section 623(a)(1) [§ 1681s-2] unless the person has been
enjoined from committing the violation, or ordered not to commit the violation, in
an action or proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission,
and has violated the injunction or order, and the court may not impose any
civil penalty for any violation occurring before the date of the violation of the
injunction or order.
(b) Enforcement by other agencies. Compliance with the requirements imposed under this
title with respect to consumer reporting agencies, persons who use consumer reports
from such agencies, persons who furnish information to such agencies, and users of
information that are subject to subsection (d) of section 615 [§ 1681m] shall be
enforced under
(1) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. § 1818], in the case of
(A) national banks, and Federal branches and Federal agencies of foreign
banks, by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;
(B) member banks of the Federal Reserve System (other than national banks),
branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than Federal branches,
Federal agencies, and insured State branches of foreign banks),
commercial lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and
organizations operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve
Act [12 U.S.C. §§ 601 et seq., §§ 611 et seq], by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System; and
July 30, 2004 65
(C) banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (other than members
of the Federal Reserve System) and insured State branches of foreign
banks, by the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
(2) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. § 1818], by the
Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, in the case of a savings association
the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
(3) the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.], by the Administrator of
the National Credit Union Administration [National Credit Union Administration
Board] with respect to any Federal credit union;
(4) subtitle IV of title 49 [49 U.S.C. §§ 10101 et seq.], by the Secretary of
Transportation, with respect to all carriers subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface
Transportation Board;
(5) the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 [49 U.S.C. Appx §§ 1301 et seq.], by the
Secretary of Transportation with respect to any air carrier or foreign air carrier
subject to that Act [49 U.S.C. Appx §§ 1301 et seq.]; and
(6) the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 [7 U.S.C. §§ 181 et seq.] (except as
provided in section 406 of that Act [7 U.S.C. §§ 226 and 227]), by the Secretary
of Agriculture with respect to any activities subject to that Act.
The terms used in paragraph (1) that are not defined in this title or otherwise defined in section
3(s) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. §1813(s)) shall have the meaning
given to them in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. § 3101).
(c) State Action for Violations
(1) Authority of states. In addition to such other remedies as are provided under State
law, if the chief law enforcement officer of a State, or an official or agency
designated by a State, has reason to believe that any person has violated or is
violating this title, the State
(A) may bring an action to enjoin such violation in any appropriate United
States district court or in any other court of competent jurisdiction;
(B) subject to paragraph (5), may bring an action on behalf of the residents of
the State to recover
(i) damages for which the person is liable to such residents under sections
616 and 617 [§§ 1681n and 1681o] as a result of the violation;
(ii) in the case of a violation described in any of paragraphs (1) through (3) of
section 623(c), damages for which the person would, but for section
623(c) [§ 1681s-2], be liable to such residents as a result of the violation;
or
(iii) damages of not more than $1,000 for each willful or negligent violation; and
July 30, 2004 66
(C) in the case of any successful action under subparagraph (A) or (B), shall
be awarded the costs of the action and reasonable attorney fees as
determined by the court.
(2) Rights of federal regulators. The State shall serve prior written notice of any
action under paragraph (1) upon the Federal Trade Commission or the appropriate
Federal regulator determined under subsection (b) and provide the Commission or
appropriate Federal regulator with a copy of its complaint, except in any case in
which such prior notice is not feasible, in which case the State shall serve such
notice immediately upon instituting such action. The Federal Trade Commission
or appropriate Federal regulator shall have the right
(A) to intervene in the action;
(B) upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein;
(C) to remove the action to the appropriate United States district court; and
(D) to file petitions for appeal.
(3) Investigatory powers. For purposes of bringing any action under this subsection,
nothing in this subsection shall prevent the chief law enforcement officer, or an
official or agency designated by a State, from exercising the powers conferred on
the chief law enforcement officer or such official by the laws of such State to
conduct investigations or to administer oaths or affirmations or to compel the
attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence.
(4) Limitation on state action while federal action pending. If the Federal Trade
Commission or the appropriate Federal regulator has instituted a civil action or an
administrative action under section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act for a
violation of this title, no State may, during the pendency of such action, bring an
action under this section against any defendant named in the complaint of the
Commission or the appropriate Federal regulator for any violation of this title that
is alleged in that complaint.
(5) Limitations on State Actions for Certain Violations
(A) Violation of injunction required. A State may not bring an action against a
person under paragraph (1)(B) for a violation described in any of
paragraphs (1) through (3) of section 623(c), unless
(i) the person has been enjoined from committing the violation, in an
action brought by the State under paragraph (1)(A); and
(ii) the person has violated the injunction.
(B) Limitation on damages recoverable. In an action against a person under
paragraph (1)(B) for a violation described in any of paragraphs (1) through
(3) of section 623(c), a State may not recover any damages incurred before
the date of the violation of an injunction on which the action is based.
July 30, 2004 67
(d) Enforcement under other authority. For the purpose of the exercise by any agency
referred to in subsection (b) of this section of its powers under any Act referred to in
that subsection, a violation of any requirement imposed under this title shall be
deemed to be a violation of a requirement imposed under that Act. In addition to its
powers under any provision of law specifically referred to in subsection (b) of this
section, each of the agencies referred to in that subsection may exercise, for the
purpose of enforcing compliance with any requirement imposed under this title any
other authority conferred on it by law.
(e) Regulatory authority
(1) The Federal banking agencies referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection
(b) shall jointly prescribe such regulations as necessary to carry out the purposes
of this Act with respect to any persons identified under paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (b), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall
have authority to prescribe regulations consistent with such joint regulations with
respect to bank holding companies and affiliates (other than depository
institutions and consumer reporting agencies) of such holding companies.
(2) The Board of the National Credit Union Administration shall prescribe such
regulations as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act with respect to any
persons identified under paragraph (3) of subsection (b).
(f) Coordination of Consumer Complaint Investigations
(1) In general. Each consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) shall
develop and maintain procedures for the referral to each other such agency of any
consumer complaint received by the agency alleging identity theft, or requesting a
fraud alert under section 605A or a block under section 605B.
(2) Model form and procedure for reporting identity theft. The Commission, in
consultation with the Federal banking agencies and the National Credit Union
Administration, shall develop a model form and model procedures to be used by
consumers who are victims of identity theft for contacting and informing creditors
and consumer reporting agencies of the fraud.
(3) Annual summary reports. Each consumer reporting agency described in section
603(p) shall submit an annual summary report to the Commission on consumer
complaints received by the agency on identity theft or fraud alerts.
(g) FTC regulation of coding of trade names. If the Commission determines that a person
described in paragraph (9) of section 623(a) has not met the requirements of such
paragraph, the Commission shall take action to ensure the person's compliance with
such paragraph, which may include issuing model guidance or prescribing reasonable
policies and procedures, as necessary to ensure that such person complies with such
paragraph.
§ 622. Information on overdue child support obligations [15 U.S.C. § 1681s-1]
July 30, 2004 68
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a consumer reporting agency shall
include in any consumer report furnished by the agency in accordance with section 604
[§ 1681b] of this title, any information on the failure of the consumer to pay overdue support
which
(1) is provided
(A) to the consumer reporting agency by a State or local child support enforcement
agency; or
(B) to the consumer reporting agency and verified by any local, State, or
Federal government agency; and
(2) antedates the report by 7 years or less.
§ 623. Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies
[15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2]
(a) Duty of Furnishers of Information to Provide Accurate Information
(1) Prohibition
(A) Reporting information with actual knowledge of errors. A person shall not
furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting
agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the
information is inaccurate.
(B) Reporting information after notice and confirmation of errors. A person
shall not furnish information relating to a consumer to any consumer
reporting agency if
(i) the person has been notified by the consumer, at the address specified by
the person for such notices, that specific information is inaccurate; and
(ii) the information is, in fact, inaccurate.
(C) No address requirement. A person who clearly and conspicuously specifies
to the consumer an address for notices referred to in subparagraph (B)
shall not be subject to subparagraph (A); however, nothing in subparagraph
(B) shall require a person to specify such an address.
(D) Definition. For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “reasonable cause to
believe that the information is inaccurate” means having specific knowledge,
other than solely allegations by the consumer, that would cause a reasonable
person to have substantial doubts about the accuracy of the information.
(2) Duty to correct and update information. A person who
July 30, 2004 69
(A) regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information to
one or more consumer reporting agencies about the person's transactions
or experiences with any consumer; and
(B) has furnished to a consumer reporting agency information that the person
determines is not complete or accurate, shall promptly notify the consumer
reporting agency of that determination and provide to the agency any
corrections to that information, or any additional information, that is
necessary to make the information provided by the person to the agency
complete and accurate, and shall not thereafter furnish to the agency any
of the information that remains not complete or accurate.
(3) Duty to provide notice of dispute. If the completeness or accuracy of any information
furnished by any person to any consumer reporting agency is disputed to such
person by a consumer, the person may not furnish the information to any consumer
reporting agency without notice that such information is disputed by the consumer.
(4) Duty to provide notice of closed accounts. A person who regularly and in the
ordinary course of business furnishes information to a consumer reporting agency
regarding a consumer who has a credit account with that person shall notify the
agency of the voluntary closure of the account by the consumer, in information
regularly furnished for the period in which the account is closed.
(5) Duty to Provide Notice of Delinquency of Accounts
(A) In general. A person who furnishes information to a consumer reporting
agency regarding a delinquent account being placed for collection, charged
to profit or loss, or subjected to any similar action shall, not later than 90
days after furnishing the information, notify the agency of the date of
delinquency on the account, which shall be the month and year of the
commencement of the delinquency on the account that immediately
preceded the action.
(B) Rule of construction. For purposes of this paragraph only, and provided
that the consumer does not dispute the information, a person that furnishes
information on a delinquent account that is placed for collection, charged
for profit or loss, or subjected to any similar action, complies with this
paragraph, if--
(i) the person reports the same date of delinquency as that provided by the
creditor to which the account was owed at the time at which the
commencement of the delinquency occurred, if the creditor previously
reported that date of delinquency to a consumer reporting agency;
(ii) the creditor did not previously report the date of delinquency to a
consumer reporting agency, and the person establishes and follows
reasonable procedures to obtain the date of delinquency from the
creditor or another reliable source and reports that date to a consumer
reporting agency as the date of delinquency; or
July 30, 2004 70
(iii) the creditor did not previously report the date of delinquency to a
consumer reporting agency and the date of delinquency cannot be
reasonably obtained as provided in clause (ii), the person establishes
and follows reasonable procedures to ensure the date reported as the
date of delinquency precedes the date on which the account is placed
for collection, charged to profit or loss, or subjected to any similar
action, and reports such date to the credit reporting agency.
(6) Duties of Furnishers Upon Notice of Identity Theft-Related Information
(A) Reasonable procedures. A person that furnishes information to any
consumer reporting agency shall have in place reasonable procedures to
respond to any notification that it receives from a consumer reporting
agency under section 605B relating to information resulting from identity
theft, to prevent that person from refurnishing such blocked information.
(B) Information alleged to result from identity theft. If a consumer submits an
identity theft report to a person who furnishes information to a consumer
reporting agency at the address specified by that person for receiving such
reports stating that information maintained by such person that purports to
relate to the consumer resulted from identity theft, the person may not
furnish such information that purports to relate to the consumer to any
consumer reporting agency, unless the person subsequently knows or is
informed by the consumer that the information is correct.
(7) Negative Information
(A) Notice to Consumer Required
(i) In general. If any financial institution that extends credit and regularly
and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information to a consumer
reporting agency described in section 603(p) furnishes negative
information to such an agency regarding credit extended to a customer,
the financial institution shall provide a notice of such furnishing of
negative information, in writing, to the customer.
(ii) Notice effective for subsequent submissions. After providing such notice,
the financial institution may submit additional negative information to
a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) with respect
to the same transaction, extension of credit, account, or customer
without providing additional notice to the customer.
(B) Time of Notice
(i) In general. The notice required under subparagraph (A) shall be
provided to the customer prior to, or no later than 30 days after,
furnishing the negative information to a consumer reporting agency
described in section 603(p).
July 30, 2004 71
(ii) Coordination with new account disclosures. If the notice is provided to
the customer prior to furnishing the negative information to a
consumer reporting agency, the notice may not be included in the
initial disclosures provided under section 127(a) of the Truth in
Lending Act.
(C) Coordination with other disclosures- The notice required under subparagraph
(A)--
(i) may be included on or with any notice of default, any billing statement,
or any other materials provided to the customer; and
(ii) must be clear and conspicuous.
(D) Model Disclosure
(i) Duty of board to prepare. The Board shall prescribe a brief model
disclosure a financial institution may use to comply with subparagraph
(A), which shall not exceed 30 words.
(ii) Use of model not required. No provision of this paragraph shall be
construed as requiring a financial institution to use any such model
form prescribed by the Board.
(iii) Compliance using model. A financial institution shall be deemed to be
in compliance with subparagraph (A) if the financial institution uses
any such model form prescribed by the Board, or the financial
institution uses any such model form and rearranges its format.
(E) Use of notice without submitting negative information. No provision of this
paragraph shall be construed as requiring a financial institution that has
provided a customer with a notice described in subparagraph (A) to
furnish negative information about the customer to a consumer reporting
agency.
(F) Safe harbor. A financial institution shall not be liable for failure to
perform the duties required by this paragraph if, at the time of the failure,
the financial institution maintained reasonable policies and procedures to
comply with this paragraph or the financial institution reasonably believed
that the institution is prohibited, by law, from contacting the consumer.
(G) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) The term “negative information” means information concerning a customer's
delinquencies, late payments, insolvency, or any form of default.
(ii) The terms “customer” and “financial institution” have the same meanings as
in section 509 Public Law 106-102.
July 30, 2004 72
(8) Ability of Consumer to Dispute Information Directly with Furnisher
(A) In general. The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration,
and the Commission shall jointly prescribe regulations that
shall identify the circumstances under which a furnisher shall be required to
reinvestigate a dispute concerning the accuracy of information contained in
a consumer report on the consumer, based on a direct request of a consumer.
(B) Considerations. In prescribing regulations under subparagraph (A), the
agencies shall weigh--
(i) the benefits to consumers with the costs on furnishers and the credit
reporting system;
(ii) the impact on the overall accuracy and integrity of consumer reports of
any such requirements;
(iii) whether direct contact by the consumer with the furnisher would likely
result in the most expeditious resolution of any such dispute; and
(iv) the potential impact on the credit reporting process if credit repair
organizations, as defined in section 403(3) [15 U.S.C. §1679a(3)],
including entities that would be a credit repair organization, but for
section 403(3)(B)(i), are able to circumvent the prohibition in
subparagraph (G).
(C) Applicability. Subparagraphs (D) through (G) shall apply in any circumstance
identified under the regulations promulgated under subparagraph
(A).
(D) Submitting a notice of dispute- A consumer who seeks to dispute the
accuracy of information shall provide a dispute notice directly to such
person at the address specified by the person for such notices that--
(i) identifies the specific information that is being disputed;
(ii) explains the basis for the dispute; and
(iii) includes all supporting documentation required by the furnisher to
substantiate the basis of the dispute.
(E) Duty of person after receiving notice of dispute. After receiving a notice of
dispute from a consumer pursuant to subparagraph (D), the person that
provided the information in dispute to a consumer reporting agency shall--
(i) conduct an investigation with respect to the disputed information;
(ii) review all relevant information provided by the consumer with the notice;
July 30, 2004 73
(iii) complete such person's investigation of the dispute and report the
results of the investigation to the consumer before the expiration of the
period under section 611(a)(1) within which a consumer reporting
agency would be required to complete its action if the consumer had
elected to dispute the information under that section; and
(iv) if the investigation finds that the information reported was inaccurate,
promptly notify each consumer reporting agency to which the person
furnished the inaccurate information of that determination and provide
to the agency any correction to that information that is necessary to
make the information provided by the person accurate.
(F) Frivolous or Irrelevant Dispute
(i) In general. This paragraph shall not apply if the person receiving a notice
of a dispute from a consumer reasonably determines that the dispute is
frivolous or irrelevant, including--
(I) by reason of the failure of a consumer to provide sufficient
information to investigate the disputed information; or
(II) the submission by a consumer of a dispute that is substantially the
same as a dispute previously submitted by or for the consumer,
either directly to the person or through a consumer reporting
agency under subsection (b), with respect to which the person has
already performed the person's duties under this paragraph or
subsection (b), as applicable.
(ii) Notice of determination. Upon making any determination under clause
(i) that a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, the person shall notify the
consumer of such determination not later than 5 business days after
making such determination, by mail or, if authorized by the consumer
for that purpose, by any other means available to the person.
(iii) Contents of notice. A notice under clause (ii) shall include--
(I) the reasons for the determination under clause (i); and
(II) identification of any information required to investigate the
disputed information, which may consist of a standardized form
describing the general nature of such information.
(G) Exclusion of credit repair organizations. This paragraph shall not apply if
the notice of the dispute is submitted by, is prepared on behalf of the
consumer by, or is submitted on a form supplied to the consumer by, a
credit repair organization, as defined in section 403(3), or an entity that
would be a credit repair organization, but for section 403(3)(B)(i).
July 30, 2004 74
(9) Duty to provide notice of status as medical information furnisher. A person whose
primary business is providing medical services, products, or devices, or the
person's agent or assignee, who furnishes information to a consumer reporting
agency on a consumer shall be considered a medical information furnisher for
purposes of this title, and shall notify the agency of such status.
(b) Duties of Furnishers of Information upon Notice of Dispute
(1) In general. After receiving notice pursuant to section 611(a)(2) [§ 1681i] of a
dispute with regard to the completeness or accuracy of any information provided
by a person to a consumer reporting agency, the person shall
(A) conduct an investigation with respect to the disputed information;
(B) review all relevant information provided by the consumer reporting
agency pursuant to section 611(a)(2) [§ 1681i];
(C) report the results of the investigation to the consumer reporting agency;
(D) if the investigation finds that the information is incomplete or inaccurate,
report those results to all other consumer reporting agencies to which the
person furnished the information and that compile and maintain files on
consumers on a nationwide basis; and
(E) if an item of information disputed by a consumer is found to be inaccurate
or incomplete or cannot be verified after any reinvestigation under
paragraph (1), for purposes of reporting to a consumer reporting agency
only, as appropriate, based on the results of the reinvestigation promptly–
(i) modify that item of information;
(ii) delete that item of information; or
(iii) permanently block the reporting of that item of information.
(2) Deadline. A person shall complete all investigations, reviews, and reports
required under paragraph (1) regarding information provided by the person to a
consumer reporting agency, before the expiration of the period under section
611(a)(1) [§ 1681i] within which the consumer reporting agency is required to
complete actions required by that section regarding that information.
(c) Limitation on liability. Except as provided in section 621(c)(1)(B), sections 616 and
617 do not apply to any violation of--
(1) subsection (a) of this section, including any regulations issued thereunder;
(2) subsection (e) of this section, except that nothing in this paragraph shall limit,
expand, or otherwise affect liability under section 616 or 617, as applicable, for
violations of subsection (b) of this section; or
July 30, 2004 75
(3) subsection (e) of section 615.
(d) Limitation on enforcement. The provisions of law described in paragraphs (1) through
(3) of subsection (c) (other than with respect to the exception described in paragraph
(2) of subsection (c)) shall be enforced exclusively as provided under section 621 by
the Federal agencies and officials and the State officials identified in section 621.
(e) Accuracy Guidelines and Regulations Required
(1) Guidelines. The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union
Administration, and the Commission shall, with respect to the entities that are
subject to their respective enforcement authority under section 621, and in
coordination as described in paragraph (2)--
(A) establish and maintain guidelines for use by each person that furnishes
information to a consumer reporting agency regarding the accuracy and
integrity of the information relating to consumers that such entities furnish
to consumer reporting agencies, and update such guidelines as often as
necessary; and
(B) prescribe regulations requiring each person that furnishes information to a
consumer reporting agency to establish reasonable policies and procedures
for implementing the guidelines established pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(2) Coordination. Each agency required to prescribe regulations under paragraph (1)
shall consult and coordinate with each other such agency so that, to the extent
possible, the regulations prescribed by each such entity are consistent and
comparable with the regulations prescribed by each other such agency.
(3) Criteria. In developing the guidelines required by paragraph (1)(A), the agencies
described in paragraph (1) shall--
(A) identify patterns, practices, and specific forms of activity that can
compromise the accuracy and integrity of information furnished to
consumer reporting agencies;
(B) review the methods (including technological means) used to furnish
information relating to consumers to consumer reporting agencies;
(C) determine whether persons that furnish information to consumer reporting
agencies maintain and enforce policies to assure the accuracy and integrity
of information furnished to consumer reporting agencies; and
(D) examine the policies and processes that persons that furnish information to
consumer reporting agencies employ to conduct reinvestigations and
correct inaccurate information relating to consumers that has been
furnished to consumer reporting agencies.
July 30, 2004 76
§ 624. Affiliate sharing [15 U.S.C. § 1681s-3]
(a) Special Rule for Solicitation for Purposes of Marketing
(1) Notice. Any person that receives from another person related to it by common
ownership or affiliated by corporate control a communication of information that
would be a consumer report, but for clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of section
603(d)(2)(A), may not use the information to make a solicitation for marketing
purposes to a consumer about its products or services, unless--
(A) it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed to the consumer that the
information may be communicated among such persons for purposes of
making such solicitations to the consumer; and
(B) the consumer is provided an opportunity and a simple method to prohibit
the making of such solicitations to the consumer by such person.
(2) Consumer Choice
(A) In general. The notice required under paragraph (1) shall allow the
consumer the opportunity to prohibit all solicitations referred to in such
paragraph, and may allow the consumer to choose from different options
when electing to prohibit the sending of such solicitations, including
options regarding the types of entities and information covered, and which
methods of delivering solicitations the consumer elects to prohibit.
(B) Format. Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the notice required under
paragraph (1) shall be clear, conspicuous, and concise, and any method
provided under paragraph (1)(B) shall be simple. The regulations
prescribed to implement this section shall provide specific guidance
regarding how to comply with such standards.
(3) Duration
(A) In general. The election of a consumer pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) to
prohibit the making of solicitations shall be effective for at least 5 years,
beginning on the date on which the person receives the election of the
consumer, unless the consumer requests that such election be revoked.
(B) Notice upon expiration of effective period. At such time as the election of a
consumer pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) is no longer effective, a person
may not use information that the person receives in the manner described
in paragraph (1) to make any solicitation for marketing purposes to the
consumer, unless the consumer receives a notice and an opportunity, using
a simple method, to extend the opt-out for another period of at least 5
years, pursuant to the procedures described in paragraph (1).
(4) Scope. This section shall not apply to a person–
July 30, 2004 77
(A) using information to make a solicitation for marketing purposes to a
consumer with whom the person has a pre-existing business relationship;
(B) using information to facilitate communications to an individual for whose
benefit the person provides employee benefit or other services pursuant to
a contract with an employer related to and arising out of the current
employment relationship or status of the individual as a participant or
beneficiary of an employee benefit plan;
(C) using information to perform services on behalf of another person related
by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, except that this
subparagraph shall not be construed as permitting a person to send
solicitations on behalf of another person, if such other person would not be
permitted to send the solicitation on its own behalf as a result of the
election of the consumer to prohibit solicitations under paragraph (1)(B);
(D) using information in response to a communication initiated by the
consumer;
(E) using information in response to solicitations authorized or requested by
the consumer; or
(F) if compliance with this section by that person would prevent compliance
by that person with any provision of State insurance laws pertaining to
unfair discrimination in any State in which the person is lawfully doing
business.
(5) No retroactivity. This subsection shall not prohibit the use of information to send
a solicitation to a consumer if such information was received prior to the date on
which persons are required to comply with regulations implementing this
subsection.
(b) Notice for other purposes permissible. A notice or other disclosure under this section
may be coordinated and consolidated with any other notice required to be issued
under any other provision of law by a person that is subject to this section, and a
notice or other disclosure that is equivalent to the notice required by subsection (a),
and that is provided by a person described in subsection (a) to a consumer together
with disclosures required by any other provision of law, shall satisfy the requirements
of subsection (a).
(c) User requirements. Requirements with respect to the use by a person of information
received from another person related to it by common ownership or affiliated by
corporate control, such as the requirements of this section, constitute requirements
with respect to the exchange of information among persons affiliated by common
ownership or common corporate control, within the meaning of section 625(b)(2).
July 30, 2004 78
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term “pre-existing business relationship” means a relationship between a
person, or a person's licensed agent, and a consumer, based on--
(A) a financial contract between a person and a consumer which is in force;
(B) the purchase, rental, or lease by the consumer of that person's goods or
services, or a financial transaction (including holding an active account or
a policy in force or having another continuing relationship) between the
consumer and that person during the 18-month period immediately
preceding the date on which the consumer is sent a solicitation covered by
this section;
(C) an inquiry or application by the consumer regarding a product or service
offered by that person, during the 3-month period immediately preceding
the date on which the consumer is sent a solicitation covered by this
section; or
(D) any other pre-existing customer relationship defined in the regulations
implementing this section.
(2) The term “solicitation” means the marketing of a product or service initiated by a
person to a particular consumer that is based on an exchange of information
described in subsection (a), and is intended to encourage the consumer to
purchase such product or service, but does not include communications that are
directed at the general public or determined not to be a solicitation by the
regulations prescribed under this section.
§ 625. Relation to State laws [15 U.S.C. § 1681t]
(a) In general. Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), this title does not annul,
alter, affect, or exempt any person subject to the provisions of this title from
complying with the laws of any State with respect to the collection, distribution, or
use of any information on consumers, or for the prevention or mitigation of identity
theft, except to the extent that those laws are inconsistent with any provision of this
title, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency.
(b) General exceptions. No requirement or prohibition may be imposed under the laws of
any State
(1) with respect to any subject matter regulated under
(A) subsection (c) or (e) of section 604 [§ 1681b], relating to the prescreening
of consumer reports;
July 30, 2004 79
(B) section 611 [§ 1681i], relating to the time by which a consumer reporting
agency must take any action, including the provision of notification to a
consumer or other person, in any procedure related to the disputed
accuracy of information in a consumer's file, except that this subparagraph
shall not apply to any State law in effect on the date of enactment of the
Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996;
(C) subsections (a) and (b) of section 615 [§ 1681m], relating to the duties of a
person who takes any adverse action with respect to a consumer;
(D) section 615(d) [§ 1681m], relating to the duties of persons who use a
consumer report of a consumer in connection with any credit or insurance
transaction that is not initiated by the consumer and that consists of a firm
offer of credit or insurance;
(E) section 605 [§ 1681c], relating to information contained in consumer
reports, except that this subparagraph shall not apply to any State law in
effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform
Act of 1996;
(F) section 623 [§ 1681s-2], relating to the responsibilities of persons who
furnish information to consumer reporting agencies, except that this
paragraph shall not apply
(i) with respect to section 54A(a) of chapter 93 of the Massachusetts
Annotated Laws (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer
Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996); or
(ii) with respect to section 1785.25(a) of the California Civil Code (as in
effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer Credit Reporting
Reform Act of 1996);
(G) section 609(e), relating to information available to victims under section
609(e);
(H) section 624, relating to the exchange and use of information to make a
solicitation for marketing purposes; or
(I) section 615(h), relating to the duties of users of consumer reports to
provide notice with respect to terms in certain credit transactions;
(2) with respect to the exchange of information among persons affiliated by common
ownership or common corporate control, except that this paragraph shall not
apply with respect to subsection (a) or (c)(1) of section 2480e of title 9, Vermont
Statutes Annotated (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer Credit
Reporting Reform Act of 1996);
July 30, 2004 80
(3) with respect to the disclosures required to be made under subsection (c), (d), (e),
or (g) of section 609, or subsection (f) of section 609 relating to the disclosure of
credit scores for credit granting purposes, except that this paragraph--
(A) shall not apply with respect to sections 1785.10, 1785.16, and 1785.20.2 of
the California Civil Code (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair
and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003) and section 1785.15
through section 1785.15.2 of such Code (as in effect on such date);
(B) shall not apply with respect to sections 5-3-106(2) and 212-14.3-104.3 of
the Colorado Revised Statutes (as in effect on the date of enactment of the
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003); and
(C) shall not be construed as limiting, annulling, affecting, or superseding any
provision of the laws of any State regulating the use in an insurance
activity, or regulating disclosures concerning such use, of a credit-based
insurance score of a consumer by any person engaged in the business of
insurance;
(4) with respect to the frequency of any disclosure under section 612(a), except that
this paragraph shall not apply–
(A) with respect to section 12-14.3-105(1)(d) of the Colorado Revised Statutes
(as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003);
(B) with respect to section 10-1-393(29)(C) of the Georgia Code (as in effect
on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
of 2003);
(C) with respect to section 1316.2 of title 10 of the Maine Revised Statutes (as
in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003);
(D) with respect to sections 14-1209(a)(1) and 14-1209(b)(1)(i) of the
Commercial Law Article of the Code of Maryland (as in effect on the date
of enactment of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003);
(E) with respect to section 59(d) and section 59(e) of chapter 93 of the General
Laws of Massachusetts (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair
and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003);
(F) with respect to section 56:11-37.10(a)(1) of the New Jersey Revised
Statutes (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate
Credit Transactions Act of 2003); or
July 30, 2004 81
(G) with respect to section 2480c(a)(1) of title 9 of the Vermont Statutes
Annotated (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Fair and Accurate
Credit Transactions Act of 2003); or
(5) with respect to the conduct required by the specific provisions of--
(A) section 605(g);
(B) section 605A;
(C) section 605B;
(D) section 609(a)(1)(A);
(E) section 612(a);
(F) subsections (e), (f), and (g) of section 615;
(G) section 621(f);
(H) section 623(a)(6); or
(I) section 628.
(c) Definition of firm offer of credit or insurance. Notwithstanding any definition of the
term “firm offer of credit or insurance” (or any equivalent term) under the laws of
any State, the definition of that term contained in section 603(l) [§ 1681a] shall be
construed to apply in the enforcement and interpretation of the laws of any State
governing consumer reports.
(d) Limitations. Subsections (b) and (c) do not affect any settlement, agreement, or
consent judgment between any State Attorney General and any consumer reporting
agency in effect on the date of enactment of the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform
Act of 1996.
§ 626. Disclosures to FBI for counterintelligence purposes [15 U.S.C. § 1681u]
(a) Identity of financial institutions. Notwithstanding section 604 [§ 1681b] or any other
provision of this title, a consumer reporting agency shall furnish to the Federal
Bureau of Investigation the names and addresses of all financial institutions (as that
term is defined in section 1101 of the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 [12
U.S.C. § 3401]) at which a consumer maintains or has maintained an account, to the
extent that information is in the files of the agency, when presented with a written
request for that information, signed by the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, or the Director's designee in a position not lower than Deputy Assistant
Director at Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in Charge of a Bureau field office
designated by the Director, which certifies compliance with this section. The Director
July 30, 2004 82
or the Director's designee may make such a certification only if the Director or the
Director's designee has determined in writing, that such information is sought for the
conduct of an authorized investigation to protect against international terrorism or
clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such an investigation of a United
States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first
amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
(b) Identifying information. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 604 [§ 1681b] or
any other provision of this title, a consumer reporting agency shall furnish identifying
information respecting a consumer, limited to name, address, former addresses,
places of employment, or former places of employment, to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation when presented with a written request, signed by the Director or the
Director's designee, which certifies compliance with this subsection. The Director or
the Director's designee in a position not lower than Deputy Assistant Director at
Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in Charge of a Bureau field office designated
by the Director may make such a certification only if the Director or the Director's
designee has determined in writing that such information is sought for the conduct of
an authorized investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine
intelligence activities, provided that such an investigation of a United States person is
not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to
the Constitution of the United States.
(c) Court order for disclosure of consumer reports. Notwithstanding section 604
[§ 1681b] or any other provision of this title, if requested in writing by the Director of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or a designee of the Director in a position not
lower than Deputy Assistant Director at Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in
Charge of a Bureau field office designated by the Director, a court may issue an order
ex parte directing a consumer reporting agency to furnish a consumer report to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, upon a showing in camera that the consumer report
is sought for the conduct of an authorized investigation to protect against
international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such an
investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of
activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
The terms of an order issued under this subsection shall not disclose that the order is
issued for purposes of a counterintelligence investigation.
(d) Confidentiality. No consumer reporting agency or officer, employee, or agent of a
consumer reporting agency shall disclose to any person, other than those officers,
employees, or agents of a consumer reporting agency necessary to fulfill the
requirement to disclose information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation under this
section, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has sought or obtained the identity
of financial institutions or a consumer report respecting any consumer under
subsection (a), (b), or (c), and no consumer reporting agency or officer, employee, or
agent of a consumer reporting agency shall include in any consumer report any
information that would indicate that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has sought
or obtained such information or a consumer report.
July 30, 2004 83
(e) Payment of fees. The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall, subject to the availability
of appropriations, pay to the consumer reporting agency assembling or providing
report or information in accordance with procedures established under this section a
fee for reimbursement for such costs as are reasonably necessary and which have
been directly incurred in searching, reproducing, or transporting books, papers,
records, or other data required or requested to be produced under this section.
(f) Limit on dissemination. The Federal Bureau of Investigation may not disseminate
information obtained pursuant to this section outside of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, except to other Federal agencies as may be necessary for the approval
or conduct of a foreign counterintelligence investigation, or, where the information
concerns a person subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to appropriate
investigative authorities within the military department concerned as may be
necessary for the conduct of a joint foreign counterintelligence investigation.
(g) Rules of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit
information from being furnished by the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to
a subpoena or court order, in connection with a judicial or administrative proceeding
to enforce the provisions of this Act. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
authorize or permit the withholding of information from the Congress.
(h) Reports to Congress. On a semiannual basis, the Attorney General shall fully inform
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Banking,
Finance and Urban Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Select
Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate concerning all requests made pursuant to subsections (a), (b),
and (c).
(i) Damages. Any agency or department of the United States obtaining or disclosing any
consumer reports, records, or information contained therein in violation of this
section is liable to the consumer to whom such consumer reports, records, or
information relate in an amount equal to the sum of
(1) $100, without regard to the volume of consumer reports, records, or information
involved;
(2) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the disclosure;
(3) if the violation is found to have been willful or intentional, such punitive damages
as a court may allow; and
(4) in the case of any successful action to enforce liability under this subsection, the
costs of the action, together with reasonable attorney fees, as determined by the
court.
(j) Disciplinary actions for violations. If a court determines that any agency or
department of the United States has violated any provision of this section and the
court finds that the circumstances surrounding the violation raise questions of
July 30, 2004 84
whether or not an officer or employee of the agency or department acted willfully or
intentionally with respect to the violation, the agency or department shall promptly
initiate a proceeding to determine whether or not disciplinary action is warranted
against the officer or employee who was responsible for the violation.
(k) Good-faith exception. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, any consumer
reporting agency or agent or employee thereof making disclosure of consumer
reports or identifying information pursuant to this subsection in good-faith reliance
upon a certification of the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to provisions of
this section shall not be liable to any person for such disclosure under this title, the
constitution of any State, or any law or regulation of any State or any political
subdivision of any State.
(l) Limitation of remedies. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the remedies
and sanctions set forth in this section shall be the only judicial remedies and
sanctions for violation of this section.
(m) Injunctive relief. In addition to any other remedy contained in this section, injunctive
relief shall be available to require compliance with the procedures of this section. In
the event of any successful action under this subsection, costs together with
reasonable attorney fees, as determined by the court, may be recovered.
§ 627. Disclosures to governmental agencies for counterterrorism purposes [15 U.S.C. §1681v]
(a) Disclosure. Notwithstanding section 604 or any other provision of this title, a
consumer reporting agency shall furnish a consumer report of a consumer and all
other information in a consumer's file to a government agency authorized to conduct
investigations of, or intelligence or counterintelligence activities or analysis related
to, international terrorism when presented with a written certification by such
government agency that such information is necessary for the agency's conduct or
such investigation, activity or analysis.
(b) Form of certification. The certification described in subsection (a) shall be signed by
a supervisory official designated by the head of a Federal agency or an officer of a
Federal agency whose appointment to office is required to be made by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c) Confidentiality. No consumer reporting agency, or officer, employee, or agent of
such consumer reporting agency, shall disclose to any person, or specify in any
consumer report, that a government agency has sought or obtained access to
information under subsection (a).
(d) Rule of construction. Nothing in section 626 shall be construed to limit the authority
of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under this section.
(e) Safe harbor. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, any consumer reporting
agency or agent or employee thereof making disclosure of consumer reports or
other information pursuant to this section in good-faith reliance upon a certification
July 30, 2004 85
of a governmental agency pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not be liable
to any person for such disclosure under this subchapter, the constitution of any State,
or any law or regulation of any State or any political subdivision of any State.
§ 628. Disposal of records [15 U.S.C. §1681w]
(a) Regulations
(1) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the
Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, and the
Commission with respect to the entities that are subject to their respective
enforcement authority under section 621, and the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and in coordination as described in paragraph (2), shall issue final
regulations requiring any person that maintains or otherwise possesses consumer
information, or any compilation of consumer information, derived from consumer
reports for a business purpose to properly dispose of any such information or
compilation.
(2) Coordination. Each agency required to prescribe regulations under paragraph (1)
shall–
(A) consult and coordinate with each other such agency so that, to the extent
possible, the regulations prescribed by each such agency are consistent and
comparable with the regulations by each such other agency; and
(B) ensure that such regulations are consistent with the requirements and
regulations issued pursuant to Public Law 106-102 and other provisions of
Federal law.
(3) Exemption authority. In issuing regulations under this section, the Federal banking
agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, the Commission, and the
Securities and Exchange Commission may exempt any person or class of persons
from application of those regulations, as such agency deems appropriate to carry
out the purpose of this section.
(b) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed--
(1) to require a person to maintain or destroy any record pertaining to a consumer
that is not imposed under other law; or
(2) to alter or affect any requirement imposed under any other provision of law to
maintain or destroy such a record.
§ 629. Corporate and technological circumvention prohibited [15 U.S.C. §1681x]
The Commission shall prescribe regulations, to become effective not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this section, to prevent a consumer reporting agency from
July 30, 2004 86
circumventing or evading treatment as a consumer reporting agency described in section
603(p) for purposes of this title, including--
(1) by means of a corporate reorganization or restructuring, including a merger, acquisition,
dissolution, divestiture, or asset sale of a consumer reporting agency; or
(2) by maintaining or merging public record and credit account information in a
manner that is substantially equivalent to that described in paragraphs (1) and (2)
of section 603(p), in the manner described in section 603(p).
See also 16 CFR Part 611
69 Fed. Reg. 8531 (02/24/04)
69 Fed. Reg. 29061 (05/20/04)
Legislative History
House Reports: No. 91-975 (Comm. on Banking and Currency) and
No. 91-1587 (Comm. of Conference)
Senate Reports: No. 91-1139 accompanying S. 3678 (Comm. on Banking and Currency)
Congressional Record, Vol. 116 (1970)
May 25, considered and passed House.
Sept. 18, considered and passed Senate, amended.
Oct. 9, Senate agreed to conference report.
Oct. 13, House agreed to conference report.
Enactment: Public Law No. 91-508 (October 26, 1970):
Amendments: Public Law Nos. 95-473 (October 17, 1978)
95-598 (November 6, 1978)
98-443 (October 4, 1984)
101-73 (August 9, 1989)
102-242 (December 19, 1991)
102-537 (October 27, 1992)
102-550 (October 28, 1992)
103-325 (September 23, 1994)
104-88 (December 29, 1995)
104-93 (January 6, 1996)
104-193 (August 22, 1996)
104-208 (September 30, 1996)
105-107 (November 20, 1997)
105-347 (November 2, 1998)
106-102 (November 12, 1999)
107-56 (October 26, 2001)
108-159 (December 4, 2003)