Key FCRA Rights
Right to Access Your Credit Report (§1681j)
You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major bureaus per year at annualcreditreport.com. You're also entitled to a free report if: you're denied credit based on the report, you're a victim of identity theft, you're on public assistance, or you're unemployed and planning to apply for work within 60 days.
Reporting Time Limits (§1681c)
| Item Type | Maximum Reporting Period |
|---|---|
| Late payments, collections, charge-offs | 7 years from original delinquency |
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy | 10 years from filing |
| Chapter 13 bankruptcy | 7 years from filing |
| Lawsuits and judgments | 7 years or SoL (whichever longer) |
| Tax liens | 7 years from payment date |
| Medical debt under $500 | Not reportable (as of 2023) |
| Paid medical collections | Must be removed immediately |
Right to Dispute Inaccurate Information (§1681i)
You can dispute any inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information with the credit bureau. The bureau must:
- Forward your dispute to the furnisher within 5 business days
- Complete the investigation within 30 days (45 if you provide additional info)
- Notify you of results in writing
- Provide a free updated report if any change is made
- Delete items the furnisher cannot verify
Right to Sue (§1681n, §1681o)
For willful FCRA violations: actual damages, statutory damages $100-$1,000 per violation, punitive damages, and attorney fees. For negligent violations: actual damages and attorney fees. The 2-year statute of limitations runs from discovery of the violation (or 5 years from when the violation occurred, whichever is later).
Your Dispute Rights in Practice
The most common use of FCRA is disputing items on your credit report. See the complete process: How to Dispute Debt on Credit Report.
Get the letter template: Credit Report Dispute Letter.
Furnisher Obligations
Creditors who report to bureaus (furnishers) also have FCRA obligations. If you dispute an item with a bureau, the furnisher must investigate and notify the bureau of any errors. You can also send your dispute directly to the furnisher under §1681s-2(b).