Your credit rights, in plain language.

Fair Credit Reporting Act

The FCRA governs how consumer reporting information is collected, used and corrected. You may dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. A consumer reporting company generally has 30 days to investigate, though certain cases may extend to 45 days. Written results are generally sent within five business days after completion.

Credit Repair Organizations Act

CROA is designed to protect consumers from deceptive credit-repair practices. Covered organizations must provide required disclosures and a written contract describing services, costs, timing and cancellation rights. Consumers generally receive a three-business-day right to cancel. The Act also restricts advance payment before agreed services are fully performed.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

The FDCPA restricts abusive, deceptive and unfair collection practices by covered third-party debt collectors. A consumer may request validation after receiving a validation notice; the 30-day dispute window is important, but other rights may still apply outside it.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

ECOA prohibits creditors from discriminating in credit transactions based on protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age and certain public-assistance income.

Fair Credit Billing Act

FCBA provides a process for disputing qualifying billing errors on open-end credit accounts. Written notice is generally important and must usually reach the creditor within 60 days after the first bill showing the error was sent.

How we interpret these laws

These laws create procedures and protections - not loopholes. A lawful strategy identifies specific factual issues, communicates accurately, preserves records and follows the correct channel and timeline. We do not advise anyone to dispute information they know is accurate.