The FCRA, Section by Section

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (1970) is the federal law that governs who can see your report, what can be on it, how long it stays, and what happens when it is wrong. It applies to the bureaus, the companies that furnish data, and the lenders who use it.

Why it matters

Every dispute, removal, and correction in this book is a specific FCRA right with a specific clock. Knowing which section does what turns 'please fix this' into a process with deadlines.

Key facts

• Section 1681c limits how long negative items can report: 7 years for most, 10 for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, no limit for positive history.
• Section 1681i requires bureaus to investigate disputes, usually within 30 days, and delete items that cannot be verified.
• Section 1681n and 1681o create liability - including damages and attorney fees - for willful or negligent violations.
• You are entitled to a free report when adverse action is taken against you, and weekly free reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.

In practice

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