What you need to know about the FCRA

There is an organization that ensures that our credit information is kept confidential and not abused in any way. The credit reporting act FCRA is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission who promotes accuracy and ensures that fairness is used in reference to matters pertaining to credit information. An FCRA free credit report refers to the fact that the association recently made a decision that forces the three main credit report agencies, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union to provide a free credit report, upon request every 12 months. This means that once per year, you are entitled to a free credit report. If however you would like to receive several updated credit reports per year, you will have to pay a small fee each time.

What's the FCRA really about?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act was made in order to stop companies that were impersonating real companies and cheating people. Since there are a lot of fraudulent companies which claim that they are deal, the FCRA has had to step in and take action. Their main goal is to ensure that each and every citizen gets their reliable, credible and accurate credit information. This act is also used to find out if your credit rights have been violated. If you feel that there is an error on your credit report and you can prove this fact but aren't able to get them to make proper changes on your credit report, you can consult the FCRA to find out what steps need to be taken.

What is a CRA?

If you have ever applied for a loan, applied for a credit card, been charged with a criminal offence, or even filed for bankruptcy, the information compiled thereafter is commonly referred as your credit report. There are many companies that collect this information and they are referred to as Consumer Reporting Agencies, or CRA's. CRA's will use this information they have compiled make a consumer report. They will sell these reports to agencies, employers and other businesses. Since there have been problems in the past regarding false or inaccurate information, the FCRA stepped in to regulate these companies. Their main purpose is to ensure that the information that they share about you is correct and also that they do not violate any privacy laws when distributing your credit information. The credit reporting act FCRA is a valuable resource because without it, there would be no one to act as a watchdog over the CRA's.

What rights does the FCRA give me?

There are many aspects of credit reports that the average consumer is not aware of. This is why the FCRA exists. Examples of things you can find out due to the FCRA are:

Knowing exactly what is in your credit report;
Finding out the list of who has asked for your credit report in the last year;
What to do if there is a mistake in your credit report;
Your right to sue a CRA if you have a valid reason

The FCRA doesn't have an effect on your credit rating, since they are not in the business of collecting credit information. However, they can help you with your credit rating by letting you know your rights and what to do if you have been the victim of some sort of fraud relating to your credit. Therefore, they can help you boost your credit rating by ensuring that you know all rights relating to your credit report.

Not everyone can access your credit report. Only licensed businesses who have a valid reason for credit information, such as someone who has asked for a loan or a credit card from will be renting the property. Therefore if someone does not have the authority to access your credit report, you will have to sign an FCRA release form. This is a simple form between you and the person requesting your credit information which will detail the reasons on why the report is needed.Once this form is completed and approved, the agreed person or business will be able to access your credit report.

So whether you are looking for an FCRA free credit report or you just want information about your rights when it comes to credit reports, the FCRA can help you. The credit reporting act FCRA was made to ensure fairness and accuracy in credit reports. Therefore they are an organization that you can full trust. If ever you have any specific questions, you can read the entire credit reporting act online.

You must be aware of this act and the organization if you want to escape from the clutches of fraudulent companies. Many consumers have been exploited and therefore this legislation has been passed in the appropriate time and has helped so many people.

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