US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

15 U.S.C. § 1681c

Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports

(a)

Information excluded from consumer reports

Except as authorized under subsection (b), no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of information:
(1)
Cases under title 11 or under the Bankruptcy Act that, from the date of entry of the order for relief or the date of adjudication, as the case may be, antedate the report by more than 10 years.
(2)
Civil suits, civil judgments, and records of arrest that, from date of entry, antedate the report by more than seven years or until the governing statute of limitations has expired, whichever is the longer period.
(3)
Paid tax liens which, from date of payment, antedate the report by more than seven years.
(4)
Accounts placed for collection or charged to profit and loss which antedate the report by more than seven years.
(5)
Any other adverse item of information, other than records of convictions of crimes which antedates the report by more than seven years.
(6)
The name, address, and telephone number of any medical information furnisher that has notified the agency of its status, unless—
(A)
such name, address, and telephone number are restricted or reported using codes that do not identify, or provide information sufficient to infer, the specific provider or the nature of such services, products, or devices to a person other than the consumer; or
(B)
the report is being provided to an insurance company for a purpose relating to engaging in the business of insurance other than property and casualty insurance.
(7)
section 1681a(p) of this title With respect to a consumer reporting agency described in , any information related to a veteran’s medical debt if the date on which the hospital care, medical services, or extended care services was rendered relating to the debt antedates the report by less than 1 year if the consumer reporting agency has actual knowledge that the information is related to a veteran’s medical debt and the consumer reporting agency is in compliance with its obligation under section 302(c)(5) of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.
(8)
section 1681a(p) of this title With respect to a consumer reporting agency described in , any information related to a fully paid or settled veteran’s medical debt that had been characterized as delinquent, charged off, or in collection if the consumer reporting agency has actual knowledge that the information is related to a veteran’s medical debt and the consumer reporting agency is in compliance with its obligation under section 302(c)(5) of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.
(b)

Exempted cases

The provisions of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) are not applicable in the case of any consumer credit report to be used in connection with—
(1)
a credit transaction involving, or which may reasonably be expected to involve, a principal amount of $150,000 or more;
(2)
the underwriting of life insurance involving, or which may reasonably be expected to involve, a face amount of $150,000 or more; or
(3)
the employment of any individual at an annual salary which equals, or which may reasonably be expected to equal $75,000, or more.
(c)

Running of reporting period

(1)

In general

The 7-year period referred to in paragraphs (4) and (6) of subsection (a) shall begin, with respect to any delinquent account that is placed for collection (internally or by referral to a third party, whichever is earlier), charged to profit and loss, or subjected to any similar action, upon the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the commencement of the delinquency which immediately preceded the collection activity, charge to profit and loss, or similar action.

(2)

Effective date

Paragraph (1) shall apply only to items of information added to the file of a consumer on or after the date that is 455 days after .

(d)

Information required to be disclosed

(1)

Title 11 information

Any consumer reporting agency that furnishes a consumer report that contains information regarding any case involving the consumer that arises under title 11 shall include in the report an identification of the chapter of such title 11 under which such case arises if provided by the source of the information. If any case arising or filed under title 11 is withdrawn by the consumer before a final judgment, the consumer reporting agency shall include in the report that such case or filing was withdrawn upon receipt of documentation certifying such withdrawal.

(2)

Key factor in credit score information

section 1681g(f)(2)(B) of this titleAny consumer reporting agency that furnishes a consumer report that contains any credit score or any other risk score or predictor on any consumer shall include in the report a clear and conspicuous statement that a key factor (as defined in ) that adversely affected such score or predictor was the number of enquiries, if such a predictor was in fact a key factor that adversely affected such score. This paragraph shall not apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or similar methods of payments, but only to the extent that such company is engaged in such activities.

(e)

Indication of closure of account by consumer

section 1681s–2(a)(4) of this titleIf a consumer reporting agency is notified pursuant to that a credit account of a consumer was voluntarily closed by the consumer, the agency shall indicate that fact in any consumer report that includes information related to the account.

(f)

Indication of dispute by consumer

section 1681s–2(a)(3) of this title1

1 So in original. Probably should be “which”.
If a consumer reporting agency is notified pursuant to that information regarding a consumer who  was furnished to the agency is disputed by the consumer, the agency shall indicate that fact in each consumer report that includes the disputed information.

(g)

Truncation of credit card and debit card numbers

(1)

In general

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no person that accepts credit cards or debit cards for the transaction of business shall print more than the last 5 digits of the card number or the expiration date upon any receipt provided to the cardholder at the point of the sale or transaction.

(2)

Limitation

This subsection shall apply only to receipts that are electronically printed, and shall not apply to transactions in which the sole means of recording a credit card or debit card account number is by handwriting or by an imprint or copy of the card.

(3)

Effective date

This subsection shall become effective—
(A)
3 years after , with respect to any cash register or other machine or device that electronically prints receipts for credit card or debit card transactions that is in use before ; and
(B)
1 year after , with respect to any cash register or other machine or device that electronically prints receipts for credit card or debit card transactions that is first put into use on or after .
(h)

Notice of discrepancy in address

(1)

In general

section 1681a(p) of this titleIf a person has requested a consumer report relating to a consumer from a consumer reporting agency described in , the request includes an address for the consumer that substantially differs from the addresses in the file of the consumer, and the agency provides a consumer report in response to the request, the consumer reporting agency shall notify the requester of the existence of the discrepancy.

(2)

Regulations

(A)

Regulations required

2

2 So in original.
2The Bureau shall,, in consultation with the Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission,, prescribe regulations providing guidance regarding reasonable policies and procedures that a user of a consumer report should employ when such user has received a notice of discrepancy under paragraph (1).

(B)

Policies and procedures to be included

The regulations prescribed under subparagraph (A) shall describe reasonable policies and procedures for use by a user of a consumer report—
(i)
to form a reasonable belief that the user knows the identity of the person to whom the consumer report pertains; and
(ii)
if the user establishes a continuing relationship with the consumer, and the user regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes information to the consumer reporting agency from which the notice of discrepancy pertaining to the consumer was obtained, to reconcile the address of the consumer with the consumer reporting agency by furnishing such address to such consumer reporting agency as part of information regularly furnished by the user for the period in which the relationship is established.

Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 605Pub. L. 91–508, title VI, § 60184 Stat. 1129Pub. L. 95–598, title III, § 312(b)92 Stat. 2676Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2406(a)110 Stat. 3009–434Pub. L. 105–347, § 5112 Stat. 3211Pub. L. 108–159, title I, § 113117 Stat. 1959Pub. L. 111–203, title X, § 1088(a)(2)(D)124 Stat. 2087Pub. L. 115–174, title III, § 302(b)(2)132 Stat. 1333(, as added , , ; amended , , ; –(e)(1), , , 3009–435; , , ; , title II, § 212(d), title III, § 315, title IV, § 412(b), (c), title VIII, § 811(c)(1), (2)(A), , , 1977, 1996, 2002, 2011; , (5), , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

act July 1, 1898, ch. 54130 Stat. 544Pub. L. 95–59892 Stat. 2549The Bankruptcy Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was , , which was classified to section 1 et seq. of former Title 11, Bankruptcy, prior to its repeal by , , , section 101 of which enacted revised Title 11.

section 302(c)(5) of Pub. L. 115–174Section 302(c)(5) of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(7), (8), is , which is set out as a note below.

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–1742018—Subsec. (a)(7), (8). added pars. (7) and (8).

Pub. L. 111–203, § 1088(a)(5)section 1681s of this title2010—Subsec. (h)(2)(A). , substituted “, in consultation with the Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission,” for “with respect to the entities that are subject to their respective enforcement authority under ”.

Pub. L. 111–203, § 1088(a)(2)(D), substituted “The Bureau shall” for “The Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Commission shall jointly”.

Pub. L. 108–159, § 811(c)(1)2003—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “(1) Cases” for “(1) cases”.

Pub. L. 108–159, § 811(c)(2)(A)Pub. L. 105–347, § 5(1)Subsec. (a)(2). , made technical correction to directory language of . See 1998 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 108–159, § 412(b)Subsec. (a)(6). , added par. (6).

Pub. L. 108–159, § 412(c)Subsec. (b). , substituted “The provisions of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a)” for “The provisions of subsection (a)” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 108–159, § 212(d)Subsec. (d). , designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 108–159, § 113Subsec. (g). , added subsec. (g).

Pub. L. 108–159, § 315Subsec. (h). , added subsec. (h).

Pub. L. 105–347, § 5(1)Pub. L. 108–159, § 811(c)(2)(A)1998—Subsec. (a)(2). , as amended by , substituted “Civil suits, civil judgments, and records of arrest that” for “Suits and judgments which”.

Pub. L. 105–347, § 5(2)Subsec. (a)(5), (6). –(4), redesignated par. (6) as (5), inserted “, other than records of convictions of crimes” after “of information”, and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “Records of arrest, indictment, or conviction of crime which, from date of disposition, release, or parole, antedate the report by more than seven years.”

Pub. L. 104–208, § 2406(e)(1)1996—, amended section catchline.

Pub. L. 104–208, § 2406(a)(1)Subsec. (a). , inserted heading.

Pub. L. 104–208, § 2406(a)(2)Subsec. (b). , substituted “$150,000” for “$50,000” in pars. (1) and (2) and “$75,000” for “$20,000” in par. (3).

Pub. L. 104–208, § 2406(b)Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 104–208, § 2406(c)Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 104–208, § 2406(d)Subsecs. (e), (f). , added subsecs. (e) and (f).

Pub. L. 95–5981978—Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “cases under title 11 or under the Bankruptcy Act that, from the date of entry of the order for relief or the date of adjudication, as the case may be, antedate the report by more than 10 years” for “Bankruptcies which, from date of adjudication of the most recent bankruptcy, antedate the report by more than fourteen years”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–174section 302(e) of Pub. L. 115–174section 1681a of this titleAmendment by effective 1 year after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–203section 1100H of Pub. L. 111–203section 552a of Title 5Amendment by effective on the designated transfer date, see , set out as a note under , Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–159section 3 of Pub. L. 108–159section 1681 of this titleAmendment by subject to joint regulations establishing effective dates as prescribed by Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, except as otherwise provided, see , set out as a note under .

section 412 of Pub. L. 108–159section 412(g) of Pub. L. 108–159section 1681b of this titleAmendment by effective at end of 15-month period beginning on , see , set out as a note under .

Pub. L. 108–159, title VIII, § 811(c)(2)(B)117 Stat. 2011

section 5(1) of Public Law 105–347112 Stat. 3211“The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall be deemed to have the same effective date as () [see Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note below].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–347section 2403 of Pub. L. 104–208section 7 of Pub. L. 105–347section 1681a of this titleAmendment by deemed to have same effective date as amendments made by , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–208section 2420 of Pub. L. 104–208section 1681a of this titleAmendment by effective 365 days after , with special rule for early compliance, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–598section 402(a) of Pub. L. 95–598section 101 of Title 11Amendment by effective , see , set out as an Effective Date note preceding , Bankruptcy.

Effective Date

section 504(d) of Pub. L. 90–321Pub. L. 91–508section 1681 of this titleSection effective upon the expiration of one hundred and eighty days following , see , as added by , set out as a note under .

Verification of Veteran’s Medical Debt

Pub. L. 115–174, title III, § 302(c)132 Stat. 1334

“(1)

Definitions .—

For purposes of this subsection—
“(A)
15 U.S.C. 1681a(p) the term ‘consumer reporting agency’ means a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (); and
“(B)
15 U.S.C. 1681a the terms ‘veteran’ and ‘veteran’s medical debt’ have the meanings given those terms in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (), as added by subsection (b)(1).
“(2)

Establishment .—

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a database to allow consumer reporting agencies to verify whether a debt furnished to a consumer reporting agency is a veteran’s medical debt.
“(3)

Database features .—

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the database established under paragraph (2), to the extent permitted by law, provides consumer reporting agencies with—
“(A)
sufficiently detailed and specific information to verify whether a debt being furnished to the consumer reporting agency is a veteran’s medical debt;
“(B)
access to verification information in a secure electronic format;
“(C)
timely access to verification information; and
“(D)
any other features that would promote the efficient, timely, and secure delivery of information that consumer reporting agencies could use to verify whether a debt is a veteran’s medical debt.
“(4)

Stakeholder input .—

Prior to establishing the database for verification under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register a notice and request for comment that solicits input from consumer reporting agencies and other stakeholders.
“(5)

Verification .—

15 U.S.C. 1681c(a)Provided the database established under paragraph (2) is fully functional and the data available to consumer reporting agencies, a consumer reporting agency shall use the database as a means to identify a veteran’s medical debt pursuant to paragraphs (7) and (8) of section 605(a) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (), as added by subsection (b)(2).”
, , , provided that: