Know Your Rights
Federal law gives you powerful protections when it comes to your credit. Here is a plain-language overview of your rights under the FCRA, FDCPA, and CROA. This page is for education only and is not legal advice.
Three Laws That Protect You
These federal laws define your rights and set limits on credit bureaus, debt collectors, and credit repair companies.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Governs how your credit information is collected and reported, and gives you the right to accurate, fair reporting.
- Dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Bureaus must reinvestigate — usually within 30 days.
- Free access to your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
Protects you from abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices by third-party debt collectors.
- Collectors cannot harass, threaten, or mislead you.
- Request written debt validation within 30 days (§809).
- Collection activity pauses until the debt is validated.
Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA)
Sets the rules credit repair organizations must follow to protect consumers like you.
- No fees before services are performed.
- A written contract is always required.
- Cancel within 3 business days, with no penalty.
- Guaranteeing specific results is prohibited.
Consumer Credit File Rights
The following is the disclosure required by the Credit Repair Organizations Act (15 U.S.C. § 1679c). We provide it to every consumer, as required by law, before any contract is signed.
Consumer Credit File Rights Under State and Federal Law
You have a right to dispute inaccurate information in your credit report by contacting the credit bureau directly. However, neither you nor any credit repair company or credit repair organization has the right to have accurate, current, and verifiable information removed from your credit report. The credit bureau must remove accurate, unverified information from your file within a reasonable period of time after you dispute the information in writing. However, if the credit bureau cannot verify the accuracy of the information you dispute, the information may be removed.
You have a right to obtain a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau. You may be charged a reasonable fee. There is no fee, however, if you have been turned down for credit, employment, insurance, or a rental dwelling because of information in your credit report within the preceding 60 days. The credit bureau must provide someone to help you interpret the information in your credit file.
You are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report if you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment in the next 60 days, if you are a recipient of public welfare assistance, or if you have reason to believe that there is inaccurate information in your credit report due to fraud.
You have a right to sue a credit repair organization that violates the Credit Repair Organization Act. This law prohibits deceptive practices by credit repair organizations.
You have the right to cancel your contract with any credit repair organization for any reason within 3 business days from the date you signed it.
Credit bureaus are required to follow reasonable procedures to ensure that the information they report is accurate. However, mistakes may occur.
You may, on your own, notify a credit bureau in writing that you dispute the accuracy of information in your credit file. The credit bureau must then reinvestigate and modify or remove inaccurate or unverified information, usually within 30 days.
However, the credit bureau is not obligated to remove accurate information from your file, even if such information is unfavorable to you.
The Credit Repair Organizations Act is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. For more information contact:
Public Reference Branch
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, D.C. 20580
You have the right to dispute inaccurate information directly with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion without using a credit repair organization. You can request your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Many people choose professional help to save time and stay organized — but the choice is always yours.
Credit repair results are not guaranteed. Accurate and current negative information cannot legally be removed. Ez Progress Group provides educational support and guidance to help clients better understand and improve their credit situation.
Have questions about your rights?
Get a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll explain your options in plain language — in English or Spanish.