The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law designed to ensure the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in consumer credit reports. It provides consumers with several rights and protections regarding how their information is collected, used, and shared by credit reporting agencies (CRAs).

Key Rights Under the FCRA:

• Right to Access Your Credit Report: You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—once every 12 months. You can request your free report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Right to Dispute Inaccurate Information: If you find incorrect or incomplete information on your credit report, you have the right to dispute it. The CRA must investigate your dispute within 30 days and correct any verified inaccuracies.
• Right to Know Who Has Accessed Your Credit Report: Your credit report includes a list of inquiries, showing which companies or individuals have accessed your credit report and for what purpose.
• Limits on Who Can Access Your Credit Report: Only individuals or companies with a legitimate need, such as a lender, employer, or landlord, can access your credit report.

Understanding your rights under the FCRA can help you take control of your credit information and ensure it accurately reflects your financial behavior. Regularly reviewing your credit report and disputing inaccuracies can help you maintain a healthy credit profile.