The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designed to protect the privacy of consumer report information — sometimes informally called “credit reports” — and to guarantee that information supplied by consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) is as accurate as possible.
Consumer Reports is a publication and independent, nonprofit member organization that has evaluated more than 9,000 consumer products and services since 1936. The publication is printed monthly and its buying guides, tests, evaluations, and comparisons are all based on the magazine's own in-house testing.
Here's an example of a consumer statement related to a layoff: “On April 5, 2020, I was laid off from work. As a result, I fell behind on my line of credit and credit card payments from June to October of that year. I found a new job on November 20, 2022, and am doing my best to stay current with my accounts.
The identification information of the consumer including his or her full name (first, middle initial, last, suffix), any other or previously used names, current and/or recent full address (street number and name, apt. no., city, state, and zip code), full nine digits of Social Security number, and/or date of birth.
What is a Consumer Report? Consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) prepare consumer reports for other businesses, including landlords. A consumer report may contain information such as a person's credit characteristics, rental history, or criminal history. These reports are covered by the FCRA.
A quick definition of investigative consumer report: The report is made by talking to people who know the person being investigated, like friends or neighbors. However, the report cannot include information about a person's credit history.
Nationwide consumer reporting companies There are three big nationwide providers of consumer reports: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
Complain to customer service. Find the contact form on the company's website. Direct the complaint to the customer service department, which usually handles complaints. Lay out the problem, being very clear about what you want out of the situation.
Before you make a complaint, gather any documentation about the sale of the product or service first. These documents can include: Sales receipts. Warranties.
The complainant (person making the complaint) must, in good faith, make full, fair, and honest disclosure of all facts and circumstances known to him/her at the time the complaint is made. The facts, as presented, must be in the form of an affidavit and signed under oath.