FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)
The federal law governing companies that assemble consumer reports, including background checks.
In more detail
The FCRA regulates Consumer Reporting Agencies — credit bureaus, employment screening firms, tenant screening companies. It requires reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy, gives you a right to see your own file, requires reinvestigation of disputes within 30 days, and bars reporting most non-conviction information after seven years.
Why it matters to you
It applies in all 50 states and gives you a private right of action. If a screening company is reporting something inaccurate about you, this is the instrument that forces them to stop.
What to do
Request your file from every major screening company — it is free — and dispute anything inaccurate in writing.
- Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA)
Any company that regularly assembles consumer information to furnish reports to third parties.
- Adverse action notice
The notice an employer must send before and after rejecting you because of a background check.
- Expungement
A court order restricting or destroying the government's record of a criminal case.