Fair Credit Reporting Act

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal statute that protects consumers by regulating the collection, dissemination and use of consumer credit information. The text of this statute is provided as general information to the public. It may be amended, revised, or rescinded at any time without notice. This information is not intended to be legal advice. For more information, please see our disclaimer.

15 U.S.C. § 1681h. Conditions and form of disclosure to consumers

(a) In general.
(1) Proper identification. A consumer reporting agency shall require, as a condition of making the disclosures required under section 609 [15 USCS § 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 [15 USCS § 1691g] 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 [15 USCS § 1691g]--
(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 [15 USCS § 1691g] 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;
(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 [15 USCS § 1681g].

(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 [15 USCS §§ 1681n and 1681o], 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 [15 USCS § 1681g, 1681h, or 1681m], 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.