Glossary term
FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Short answer
The Fair Credit Reporting Act is the federal law, dating to 1970, that governs consumer credit reports — what bureaus and furnishers may report, who may access your file, and what rights you have over the information in it.
Why it matters
Nearly every credit report right traces back to the FCRA: free access to your reports, the right to dispute inaccurate information and get an investigation — generally within 30 days, up to 45 in some cases — the duty of bureaus and furnishers to correct what can't be verified, and the aging rules that push most negative items off after about 7 years (10 for Chapter 7 bankruptcy). It's also the law that limits who can pull your report and requires notice when a report is used against you. The FCRA protects accuracy, not appearance — it is not a tool for deleting truthful negative history.
Example
Leah's report shows a late payment on a loan she has bank records proving was paid on time. Under the FCRA she disputes with the bureau, which must investigate and forward her evidence to the furnisher. The mark can't be verified and is removed. If the bureau had ignored her dispute or the furnisher had rubber-stamped the error, the same statute would give her grounds to escalate — including damages in court.
Terms used on this page
Guides that use this term
- How to Dispute Credit Report Errors (Bureau Process)What counts as a credit report error, how to file disputes with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and what happens during the FCRA's 30-day investigation.
- How to Read Your Credit Report, Section by SectionA plain-English walkthrough of every credit report section — personal info, accounts, collections, public records, and inquiries — and what to verify in each.
- How to Get Your Free Credit Reports (Without Getting Upsold)Free weekly credit reports from all three bureaus come only from AnnualCreditReport.com. How to request them online, by phone, or by mail, upsell-free.
Sources
This page is based on the following official and authoritative sources. Always check the source itself for the most current rules.
Educational information — not advice
This page provides general educational information about credit, debt, and consumer protections. It is not legal advice, financial advice, or credit repair services, and reading it does not create any professional relationship. Laws, procedures, deadlines, and dollar amounts vary by state and change over time.
For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney or qualified financial professional. See our full disclaimer.