Notice to Furnishers
All furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies must comply with all applicable
regulations. Information about applicable regulations currently in effect can be found at the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau’s website, www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore.
NOTICE TO FURNISHERS OF INFORMATION:
OBLIGATIONS OF FURNISHERS UNDER THE FCRA
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681-1681y, imposes responsibilities on all persons who
furnish information to consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). These responsibilities are found in Section 623 of the
FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2. State law may impose additional requirements on furnishers. All furnishers of
information to CRAs should become familiar with the applicable laws and may want to consult with their counsel to
ensure that they are in compliance. The text of the FCRA is available at the website of the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau (CFPB): www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore. A list of the sections of the FCRA cross-referenced
to the U.S. Code is at the end of this document.
Section 623 imposes the following duties upon furnishers:
Accuracy Guidelines
The FCRA requires furnishers to comply with federal guidelines and regulations dealing with the accuracy of
information provided to CRAs by furnishers. Federal regulations and guidelines are available at
www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore. Section 623(e).
General Prohibition on Reporting Inaccurate Information
The FCRA prohibits information furnishers from providing information to a CRA that they know or have reasonable
cause to believe is inaccurate. However, the furnisher is not subject to this general prohibition if it clearly and
conspicuously specifies an address to which consumers may write to notify the furnisher that certain information is
inaccurate. Sections 623(a)(1)(A) and (a)(1)(C).
Duty to Correct and Update Information
If at any time a person who regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information to one or more
CRAs determines that the information provided is not complete or accurate, the furnisher must promptly provide
complete and accurate information to the CRA. In addition, the furnisher must notify all CRAs that received the
information of any corrections, and must thereafter report only the complete and accurate information. Section
623(a)(2).
Duties After Notice of Dispute from Consumer
If a consumer notifies a furnisher, at an address specified by the furnisher for such notices, that specific information
is inaccurate, and the information is, in fact, inaccurate, the furnisher must thereafter report the correct information
to CRAs. Section 623(a)(1)(B).
If a consumer notifies a furnisher that the consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of any information
reported by the furnisher, the furnisher may not subsequently report that information to a CRA without providing
notice of the dispute. Section 623(a)(3).
Furnishers must comply with federal regulations that identify when an information furnisher must investigate a
dispute made directly to the furnisher by a consumer. Under these regulations, furnishers must complete an
investigation within 30 days (or 45 days, if the consumer later provides relevant additional information) unless the
dispute is frivolous or irrelevant or comes from a “credit repair organization.” Section 623(a)(8). Federal regulations
are available at www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore. Section 623(a)(8).
Duties After Notice of Dispute from Consumer Reporting Agency
If a CRA notifies a furnisher that a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of information provided by the
furnisher, the furnisher has a duty to follow certain procedures. The furnisher must:
Conduct an investigation and review all relevant information provided by the CRA, including information given to the CRA by the consumer. Sections 623(b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B).
Report the results to the CRA that referred the dispute, and, if the investigation establishes that the
information was, in fact, incomplete or inaccurate, report the results to all CRAs to which the furnisher
provided the information that compile and maintain files on a nationwide basis. Sections 623(b)(1)(C) and
(b)(1)(D).
Complete the above steps within 30 days from the date the CRA receives the dispute (or 45 days, if the
consumer later provides relevant additional information to the CRA). Section 623(b)(2).
Promptly modify or delete the information, or block its reporting. Section 623(b)(1)(E).
Duty to Report Voluntary Closing of Credit Accounts
If a consumer voluntarily closes a credit account, any person who regularly and in the ordinary course of business
furnished information to one or more CRAs must report this fact when it provides information to CRAs for the time
period in which the account was closed. Section 623(a)(4).
Duty to Report Dates of Delinquencies
If a furnisher reports information concerning a delinquent account placed for collection, charged to profit or loss, or
subject to any similar action, the furnisher must, within 90 days after reporting the information, provide the CRA with
the month and the year of the commencement of the delinquency that immediately preceded the action, so that the
agency will know how long to keep the information in the consumer’s file. Section 623(a)(5).
Any person, such as a debt collector, that has acquired or is responsible for collecting delinquent accounts and that
reports information to CRAs may comply with the requirements of Section 623(a)(5) (until there is a consumer
dispute) by reporting the same delinquency date previously reported by the creditor. If the creditor did not report
this date, they may comply with the FCRA by establishing reasonable procedures to obtain and report delinquency
dates, or, if a delinquency date cannot be reasonably obtained, by following reasonable procedures to ensure that
the date reported precedes the date when the account was placed for collection, charged to profit or loss, or
subjected to any similar action. Section 623(a)(5).
Duties of Financial Institutions When Reporting Negative Information
Financial institutions that furnish information to “nationwide” consumer reporting agencies, as defined in Section
603(p), must notify consumers in writing if they may furnish or have furnished negative information to a CRA.
Section 623(a)(7). The CFPB has prescribed model disclosures, 12 CFR Part 1022, App. B.
Duties When Furnishing Medical Information
A furnisher whose primary business is providing medical services, products, or devices (and such furnisher’s agents
or assignees) is a medical information furnisher for the purposes of the FCRA and must notify all CRAs to which it
reports of this fact. Section 623(a)(9). This notice will enable CRAs to comply with their duties under Section 604(g)
when reporting medical information.
Duties when ID Theft Occurs
All furnishers must have in place reasonable procedures to respond to notifications from CRAs that information
furnished is the result of identity theft, and to prevent refurnishing the information in the future. A furnisher may not
furnish information that a consumer has identified as resulting from identity theft unless the furnisher subsequently
knows or is informed by the consumer that the information is correct. Section 623(a)(6). If a furnisher learns that it
has furnished inaccurate information due to identity theft, it must notify each CRA of the correct information and
must thereafter report only complete and accurate information. Section 623(a)(2). When any furnisher of
information is notified pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 605B that a debt has resulted from identity
theft, the furnisher may not sell, transfer, or place for collection the debt except in certain limited circumstances.
Section 615(f).
The CFPB’s website, www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore, has more information about the FCRA,
including publications for businesses and the full text of the FCRA.
Citations for FCRA sections in the U.S. Code, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.:
Section 602 15 U.S.C. 1681 Section 615 15 U.S.C. 1681m
Section 603 15 U.S.C. 1681a Section 616 15 U.S.C. 1681n
Section 604 15 U.S.C. 1681b Section 617 15 U.S.C. 1681o
Section 605 15 U.S.C. 1681c Section 618 15 U.S.C. 1681p
Section 605A 15 U.S.C. 1681c-A Section 619 15 U.S.C. 1681q
Section 605B 15 U.S.C. 1681c-B Section 620 15 U.S.C. 1681r
Section 606 15 U.S.C. 1681d Section 621 15 U.S.C. 1681s
Section 607 15 U.S.C. 1681e Section 622 15 U.S.C. 1681s-1
Section 608 15 U.S.C. 1681f Section 623 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2
Section 609 15 U.S.C. 1681g Section 624 15 U.S.C. 1681t
Section 610 15 U.S.C. 1681h Section 625 15 U.S.C. 1681u
Section 611 15 U.S.C. 1681i Section 626 15 U.S.C. 1681v
Section 612 15 U.S.C. 1681j Section 627 15 U.S.C. 1681w
Section 613 15 U.S.C. 1681k Section 628 15 U.S.C. 1681x
Section 614 15 U.S.C. 1681l Section 629 15 U.S.C. 1681y
regulations. Information about applicable regulations currently in effect can be found at the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau’s website, www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore.
NOTICE TO FURNISHERS OF INFORMATION:
OBLIGATIONS OF FURNISHERS UNDER THE FCRA
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681-1681y, imposes responsibilities on all persons who
furnish information to consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). These responsibilities are found in Section 623 of the
FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2. State law may impose additional requirements on furnishers. All furnishers of
information to CRAs should become familiar with the applicable laws and may want to consult with their counsel to
ensure that they are in compliance. The text of the FCRA is available at the website of the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau (CFPB): www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore. A list of the sections of the FCRA cross-referenced
to the U.S. Code is at the end of this document.
Section 623 imposes the following duties upon furnishers:
Accuracy Guidelines
The FCRA requires furnishers to comply with federal guidelines and regulations dealing with the accuracy of
information provided to CRAs by furnishers. Federal regulations and guidelines are available at
www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore. Section 623(e).
General Prohibition on Reporting Inaccurate Information
The FCRA prohibits information furnishers from providing information to a CRA that they know or have reasonable
cause to believe is inaccurate. However, the furnisher is not subject to this general prohibition if it clearly and
conspicuously specifies an address to which consumers may write to notify the furnisher that certain information is
inaccurate. Sections 623(a)(1)(A) and (a)(1)(C).
Duty to Correct and Update Information
If at any time a person who regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information to one or more
CRAs determines that the information provided is not complete or accurate, the furnisher must promptly provide
complete and accurate information to the CRA. In addition, the furnisher must notify all CRAs that received the
information of any corrections, and must thereafter report only the complete and accurate information. Section
623(a)(2).
Duties After Notice of Dispute from Consumer
If a consumer notifies a furnisher, at an address specified by the furnisher for such notices, that specific information
is inaccurate, and the information is, in fact, inaccurate, the furnisher must thereafter report the correct information
to CRAs. Section 623(a)(1)(B).
If a consumer notifies a furnisher that the consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of any information
reported by the furnisher, the furnisher may not subsequently report that information to a CRA without providing
notice of the dispute. Section 623(a)(3).
Furnishers must comply with federal regulations that identify when an information furnisher must investigate a
dispute made directly to the furnisher by a consumer. Under these regulations, furnishers must complete an
investigation within 30 days (or 45 days, if the consumer later provides relevant additional information) unless the
dispute is frivolous or irrelevant or comes from a “credit repair organization.” Section 623(a)(8). Federal regulations
are available at www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore. Section 623(a)(8).
Duties After Notice of Dispute from Consumer Reporting Agency
If a CRA notifies a furnisher that a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of information provided by the
furnisher, the furnisher has a duty to follow certain procedures. The furnisher must:
Conduct an investigation and review all relevant information provided by the CRA, including information given to the CRA by the consumer. Sections 623(b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B).
Report the results to the CRA that referred the dispute, and, if the investigation establishes that the
information was, in fact, incomplete or inaccurate, report the results to all CRAs to which the furnisher
provided the information that compile and maintain files on a nationwide basis. Sections 623(b)(1)(C) and
(b)(1)(D).
Complete the above steps within 30 days from the date the CRA receives the dispute (or 45 days, if the
consumer later provides relevant additional information to the CRA). Section 623(b)(2).
Promptly modify or delete the information, or block its reporting. Section 623(b)(1)(E).
Duty to Report Voluntary Closing of Credit Accounts
If a consumer voluntarily closes a credit account, any person who regularly and in the ordinary course of business
furnished information to one or more CRAs must report this fact when it provides information to CRAs for the time
period in which the account was closed. Section 623(a)(4).
Duty to Report Dates of Delinquencies
If a furnisher reports information concerning a delinquent account placed for collection, charged to profit or loss, or
subject to any similar action, the furnisher must, within 90 days after reporting the information, provide the CRA with
the month and the year of the commencement of the delinquency that immediately preceded the action, so that the
agency will know how long to keep the information in the consumer’s file. Section 623(a)(5).
Any person, such as a debt collector, that has acquired or is responsible for collecting delinquent accounts and that
reports information to CRAs may comply with the requirements of Section 623(a)(5) (until there is a consumer
dispute) by reporting the same delinquency date previously reported by the creditor. If the creditor did not report
this date, they may comply with the FCRA by establishing reasonable procedures to obtain and report delinquency
dates, or, if a delinquency date cannot be reasonably obtained, by following reasonable procedures to ensure that
the date reported precedes the date when the account was placed for collection, charged to profit or loss, or
subjected to any similar action. Section 623(a)(5).
Duties of Financial Institutions When Reporting Negative Information
Financial institutions that furnish information to “nationwide” consumer reporting agencies, as defined in Section
603(p), must notify consumers in writing if they may furnish or have furnished negative information to a CRA.
Section 623(a)(7). The CFPB has prescribed model disclosures, 12 CFR Part 1022, App. B.
Duties When Furnishing Medical Information
A furnisher whose primary business is providing medical services, products, or devices (and such furnisher’s agents
or assignees) is a medical information furnisher for the purposes of the FCRA and must notify all CRAs to which it
reports of this fact. Section 623(a)(9). This notice will enable CRAs to comply with their duties under Section 604(g)
when reporting medical information.
Duties when ID Theft Occurs
All furnishers must have in place reasonable procedures to respond to notifications from CRAs that information
furnished is the result of identity theft, and to prevent refurnishing the information in the future. A furnisher may not
furnish information that a consumer has identified as resulting from identity theft unless the furnisher subsequently
knows or is informed by the consumer that the information is correct. Section 623(a)(6). If a furnisher learns that it
has furnished inaccurate information due to identity theft, it must notify each CRA of the correct information and
must thereafter report only complete and accurate information. Section 623(a)(2). When any furnisher of
information is notified pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 605B that a debt has resulted from identity
theft, the furnisher may not sell, transfer, or place for collection the debt except in certain limited circumstances.
Section 615(f).
The CFPB’s website, www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore, has more information about the FCRA,
including publications for businesses and the full text of the FCRA.
Citations for FCRA sections in the U.S. Code, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.:
Section 602 15 U.S.C. 1681 Section 615 15 U.S.C. 1681m
Section 603 15 U.S.C. 1681a Section 616 15 U.S.C. 1681n
Section 604 15 U.S.C. 1681b Section 617 15 U.S.C. 1681o
Section 605 15 U.S.C. 1681c Section 618 15 U.S.C. 1681p
Section 605A 15 U.S.C. 1681c-A Section 619 15 U.S.C. 1681q
Section 605B 15 U.S.C. 1681c-B Section 620 15 U.S.C. 1681r
Section 606 15 U.S.C. 1681d Section 621 15 U.S.C. 1681s
Section 607 15 U.S.C. 1681e Section 622 15 U.S.C. 1681s-1
Section 608 15 U.S.C. 1681f Section 623 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2
Section 609 15 U.S.C. 1681g Section 624 15 U.S.C. 1681t
Section 610 15 U.S.C. 1681h Section 625 15 U.S.C. 1681u
Section 611 15 U.S.C. 1681i Section 626 15 U.S.C. 1681v
Section 612 15 U.S.C. 1681j Section 627 15 U.S.C. 1681w
Section 613 15 U.S.C. 1681k Section 628 15 U.S.C. 1681x
Section 614 15 U.S.C. 1681l Section 629 15 U.S.C. 1681y