Start My Answer

What does “meets FCRA requirements” mean?

Dena Standley | June 20, 2023

Dena Standley
Legal Expert, Paralegal
Dena Standley, BA

Dena Standley is a seasoned paralegal with more than 20 years of experience in legal research and writing, having received a certification as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal from Southern Technical College.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.

Patrick Austin
Attorney from George Mason
Patrick Austin, JD

Patrick Austin is a licensed attorney with a background in data privacy and information security law. Patrick received his law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the National Security Law Journal.

Summary: If you have disputed information on your credit report, the FCRA requirements can protect you from unfair treatment. "Meets FCRA requirements" may be added if a consumer disputes information on their credit report, but the credit bureau determines that the information is accurate. Keep reading to learn more.

What are FCRA requirements?

The FCRA requirements are related to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This primary federal law regulates how consumer reporting agencies may use consumer information. The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal statute initially passed in the 1970s, and was amended in 2003 by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.

What is the purpose of the FCRA?

The FCRA was enacted to protect consumers' rights while ensuring the accuracy of the data reported to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. The regulation specifies what should be included in consumer information reports. Additionally, it adds that consumers have the right to contest this information if they believe it is erroneous.

FCRA requires credit reporting agencies and lenders to handle disputes raised by borrowers with the utmost seriousness. In contrast, the law assumes that lenders will report accurate data, which places the burden of proof on the customer.

What can I do if my credit report contains inaccurate information?

Experian, Transunion, and Equifax offer consumers the opportunity to dispute mistakes on their credit reports. Customer complaints can be submitted online or by mail, and these processes are available on the agencies' websites.

Disputes can be resolved independently or collectively, depending on the instructions. The consumer's responsibility is to review their credit reports and correct any errors.

The information provided by each agency may be inconsistent, so consumers should evaluate each agency's report carefully.

Credit report dispute and FCRA requirements

According to the FCRA, if you have sent a notice of dispute to a credit union, they have 30 days to investigate the dispute. They must update the report with a note stating that it was disputed by a consumer, and they have investigated the matter according to FCRA requirements.

However, keep in mind that just because a credit union claims they have met FCRA requirements, this doesn't mean they actually have.

What's the average time for a dispute to be removed from your credit report?

A disputed item can take up to 30 days to be removed from your credit report if it is valid. Within this limit, the credit bureau is required to respond under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

After an investigation has been completed, credit bureaus may add a note to an account stating it was disputed along with "FCRA requirements" added as a final statement.

A statement indicating that the account "meets FCRA requirements" may be added if a consumer disputes information on their credit report, but the credit bureau determines that the information is accurate. Additionally, it can be concluded that all information is accurate and under federal regulations.

Whether a credit reporting agency provides accurate information depends on the seriousness of the inaccuracies. If there are significant errors, the customer is encouraged to take legal action and provide documentation to support their case.

What is the reason for disparate credit reporting databases?

Lenders compensate the credit reporting organizations for collecting and maintaining borrower information and reporting it to them when requested. The cost of this varies greatly based on the volume of loans reported monthly by customers.

All three current credit reporting agencies (Experian, Transunion, and Equifax) earn revenue by providing lender service agreements. In the late nineteenth century, these organizations were established to provide banks with accurate information about borrower risk.

Is a decision valid if the account information “complies with FCRA regulations” but the customer objects?

There is the possibility that your credit report may contain inaccuracies. Most consumers are unaware of such trivial problems. Even if they are aware of them, they probably won't fix them.

Partly, this is due to the extensive regulation of lenders and partly to the assumption that accuracy would benefit them. It is ideal for the credit bureau to be objective when investigating a dispute, but this doesn't always happen.

Given that lenders are presumed to disclose accurate information due to being heavily regulated, consumers must present documented verification when disputing an item on their credit reports.

While reporting errors occur, the customer bears the burden of proving them. Frequently, customers must use formal dispute procedures to represent their interests and thereby, hopefully, obtain a good outcome.

What must creditors have before pulling a credit report?

The creditor must provide the credit score that the credit decision-maker used on the risk-based pricing notice. In most cases, FCRA-compliant credit scores come from consumer reporting agencies.

What is the FCRA's enforcement authority?

Over the years, the federal agencies responsible for enforcing the FCRA include the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Does the FCRA cover criminal background checks?

Yes, the FCRA applies to consumer reports, and employee background checks are generally considered “consumer reports” under the FCRA. Performing a formal criminal background check on a job candidate without complying with the FCRA is illegal, much less disqualifying them from consideration for the job because of the findings of a background check.

Who is exempt from the FCRA?

Under the CCPA, any sale of personal information to or from a consumer reporting agency is not exempt if the information is used in generating a consumer report, and the FCRA limits the use. A provision such as this is referred to as an "FCRA exemption."

What is a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA?

The FCRA defines consumer reporting agencies as businesses or individuals that regularly gather and evaluate consumer credit information to provide consumer reports to third parties.

What legal questions can a creditor ask you?

It is legal for creditors to ask for personal information, such as employment history and residence, to assess your creditworthiness.

Is there a private right of action under the FCRA?

It is also significant that the FCRA does not give a private right of action to a party for alleged violations of its duties when using a consumer report, as opposed to a party's duties when requesting a consumer report under Section 1681b.

Can the result of my dispute affect my credit score?

A dispute does not affect your score. However, your credit score could change if your credit report information changes after processing the dispute. The correction of this type of information will not affect your credit score.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.

How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.

Respond with SoloSuit

"First time getting sued by a debt collector and I was searching all over YouTube and ran across SoloSuit, so I decided to buy their services with their attorney reviewed documentation which cost extra but it was well worth it! SoloSuit sent the documentation to the parties and to the court which saved me time from having to go to court and in a few weeks the case got dismissed!" – James


Get Started


>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

​​How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court