We support reforms to the financial marketplace to curb bad practices by banks and lenders.
Credit Reports
Consumers living throughout the U.S. now have the right to order a free copy of their credit report thanks to a federal law, known as the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), adopted by Congress in 2003. Because credit reports are free, consumers have better access to this important document and can take steps to make sure it offers a fair picture of their credit history.
Your credit is one of your most important assets. Having good credit means you should have more options to borrow money at the lowest cost and from the best lenders. It also means that others who look at your credit — such as landlords, insurance companies, or even prospective employers — are less likely to turn you away or penalize you because you have poor credit.
Take the first step to find out where you stand in the credit world. Get a copy of your consumer credit report and credit score.
Your consumer credit report should contain accurate and up-to-date information about your credit history and behavior. Having your consumer credit report and credit score in hand lets you see what your creditors or those who base decisions on your credit will see. If you discover mistakes, you can have them corrected. Reviewing your consumer credit report can also alert you if someone has stolen your identity.
Be sure to get a free copy of your consumer credit report to stay up to date with your credit profile and to protect yourself from identity theft.
The information on this site is provided as a guide and is not meant to be legal advice. Be sure to consult an attorney for legal advice.
Publications
- Oregon Measure 42 Questions and Answers
A Q and A on Measure 42 which bars insurers from using a customer’s credit score to set insurance premiums.
- Oregon Measure 42 Myths and Facts
Measure 42 bars insurers from using a customer’s credit score to set insurance premiums. The measure applies to medical, health, accident, automobile, fire and liability insurance.
- The secret score behind your auto insurance
The August issue of Consumer Reports looks at credit based insurance scores.
- Report: Banning the use of credit information in insurance
Your insurance premiums should be based on risk factors like your driving record, not on information that predicts your ability to repay loans.
- Millions of veterans at risk for identity theft following data breach
Congress urged to require stricter data security practices and give consumers new safeguards
- Consumer groups seek more accurate credit reports
Comments submitted to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision, Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration, Federal Trade Commission
- Letter to SD Governor to veto weak identity theft bill
Letter to the South Dakota Governor asking a veto of SB 180, a measure so restrictive that it will not provide South Dakota consumers with the benefits of a security freeze.
- Letter to credit agencies urges Spanish language material
Spanish-speaking Latinos are being effectively denied the newly-acquired right to a free annual credit report, because the information is currently provided only in English.
- DACO joins in call to credit agencies on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico
Credit reporting agencies “Equifax”, “Experian” y “Transunion” should voluntarily publish in Spanish all information related to the free credit reports that all consumers have a right to access annually.
- DATA bill will not effectively help deal with the very real threat of ID theft
Consumer and privacy groups urge House Subcommittee to amend H.R. 4127, the Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA)
Blog Posts
- FTC Study On ID Theft Shows Congress Needs To Act To Protect Consumers
New stronger state laws in California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Texas, Virginia at risk of Congressional override.
- Concerned about my financial privacy – please strengthen the FCRA
I am concerned about changes to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) that are under consideration in Congress. I believe all Americans should have control over their personal financial information. Recently the state of California adopted strong privacy protections. As you consider this matter, I urge you to bring these protections to all Americans. Make sure that any changes to FCRA truly benefit consumers, and do not simply grant a “wish list” to credit card companies, banks, and credit bureaus.
The strongest consumer credit reporting protections have come out of the states – the new California financial privacy law proves that. States should be permitted to pass consumer protection laws that are stronger than federal law so that they can protect their residents. I ask you to resist any efforts to deny states this ability to respond to the concerns of their citizens. California’s recently enacted landmark financial privacy protection law should be extended to all Americans, and every state should have the same opportunity to safeguard consumers by enhancing privacy, identity theft protections, and accuracy of their credit reports. Any modification to the Fair Credit Reporting Act should do the following:
– It must provide us with the ability to “freeze” our credit reports and keep identity thieves from opening even more credit in our names, once we have already been the victim of identity theft.
– It must give us the tools we need to quickly restore our good names if we are victims of identity theft.
– It must prohibit creditors from issuing credit in our names to identity thieves even after we have notified credit card companies and credit bureaus of possible fraud.
– It must restrict credit card companies from bombarding us with “pre-approved” credit card offers or “convenience checks” in the mail without first getting our permission. These mailings are not only a nuisance over which we have little control, they also contribute to identity theft.
– It must give us adequate recourse to challenge creditors who submit inaccurate information about us to credit bureaus, and to legally challenge creditors and credit bureaus that ruin our credit through sloppy or negligent procedures.
Please support changes to legislation that will create far stronger protections for consumers by enacting the California financial privacy protections at the national level, and allow states to pass tougher consumer protection laws in the areas of financial privacy, identity theft, and credit report accuracy.
- Fixing the Credit Reporting System
Consumer group analysis of house FCRA legislation: H.R. 2622.
- CU Urges Congress to Strengthen the Federal Credit Reporting Law
Consumers Union is calling on Congress to strengthen the Federal Credit Reporting Act, a critically important law that fails to adequately protect consumers from identity theft and inaccurate credit reports.
- Proposed Changes to Fair Credit Reporting Act Do Not Go Far Enough to Protect Consumers
The House Committee on Financial Services marked up H.R. 2622, the ‘Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003.’ Even as currently amended, the bill does not go far enough to protect consumers from identity theft, and it may not substantially improve the accuracy of consumers’ vital personal financial information.
- New Texas Law To Help Combat Identity Theft
The Governor signed legislation to fight the growing epidemic of identity theft
- Identity Theft: Tips for Consumers" rel="bookmark">Identity Theft: Tips for Consumers
If you have been a victim of identity theft, there are government and nonprofit resources to help you.
- California Consumers Get Access To Credit Scores
New law will help consumers better understand how credit scores affects their ability to secure a home loan
- Credit Bureau Nightmares: Victims Speak Out
9/29/97 Credit Bureau Nightmares Victims Speak Out These individuals have agreed to entertain requests for media interviews. Please contact the DC office for details at (202) 462-6262 LANCE CLEM Mr. Clem, who resides in Denver, Colorado, works in the state’s Department of Public Safety administering their regional crime/community policing initiative. He had four separate run-ins Continue Reading
Worried about retirement?
The stock market has been unusually volatile, plunging hundreds of points, creeping back, only to plunge again. It is hard to stay disciplined about saving when every dime you’ve invested can evaporate in a day.
What is your biggest concern about your own retirement? We want to hear from you.
Where to complain
Online, by mail, phone or fax... Agencies need to hear from you!