{
 "updated": "2026-11-13",
 "note": "Plain-English summaries for education. Not legal advice. Official text is at each link.",
 "laws": [
  {
   "id": "fcra",
   "name": "Fair Credit Reporting Act",
   "short": "FCRA",
   "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681 to 1681x",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "The main law for credit reports. It controls what the credit bureaus can report, how long they can keep it, who can see your report, and how disputes must be handled.",
   "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681b",
     "title": "Only people with a real reason can pull your report",
     "plain": "A lender, landlord, insurer or employer needs a legal reason (called a permissible purpose) to see your report. Employers also need your written permission first.",
     "use": "An inquiry shows up from a company you never dealt with.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681b"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681c(a)",
     "title": "Most negative items fall off after 7 years",
     "plain": "Late payments, collections and charge-offs can be reported for 7 years. Bankruptcies can stay for 10 years.",
     "use": "An old negative item is still showing after its time is up.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681c"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681c(c)",
     "title": "When the 7-year clock starts",
     "plain": "For collections and charge-offs, the 7 years start 180 days after the first missed payment that led to it. Selling the debt or a new collector does not restart the clock.",
     "use": "A collection's dates look like they were moved forward (re-aging).",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681c"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681c-1",
     "title": "Fraud alerts and free security freezes",
     "plain": "You can place a 1-year fraud alert, a 7-year extended alert if you're an identity theft victim, or a security freeze. Freezes are free at all three bureaus.",
     "use": "You think someone has your information.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681c-1"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681c-2",
     "title": "Identity theft block (section 605B)",
     "plain": "If you send a bureau proof of identity, an identity theft report (such as an FTC Identity Theft Report) and a list of the items that aren't yours, it must block them within 4 business days. Filing a false report is a crime, and the bureau can refuse or undo a block that was made in error or by fraud.",
     "use": "Accounts or inquiries on your report came from identity theft.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681c-2"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681e(b)",
     "title": "Bureaus must be as accurate as possible",
     "plain": "Bureaus must follow reasonable procedures to make sure your report is as accurate as possible.",
     "use": "The same account is reported differently by different bureaus, or something is plainly wrong.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681e"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681g, 1681j",
     "title": "You can see your own report for free",
     "plain": "You can get your report from each bureau for free. The three bureaus now let everyone check weekly for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.",
     "use": "Step 2 of CreditStride.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681j"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(1)",
     "title": "Bureaus must investigate your dispute within 30 days",
     "plain": "When you dispute something, the bureau must investigate for free and finish within 30 days. It can take up to 45 days if you send more information during those 30 days.",
     "use": "Every dispute letter.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(2)",
     "title": "The bureau must tell the company that reported it",
     "plain": "Within 5 business days of getting your dispute, the bureau must notify the company that supplied the information and pass along what you sent.",
     "use": "Explains why your documents matter.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(3)",
     "title": "Frivolous disputes",
     "plain": "A bureau can refuse a dispute it considers frivolous, but it must tell you within 5 business days and say what information it needs.",
     "use": "You got a letter saying your dispute is frivolous.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(5)",
     "title": "Wrong or unverifiable items must be deleted or fixed",
     "plain": "If the information is wrong, incomplete or can't be verified, the bureau must delete or correct it. If it is deleted, it can't come back unless the company certifies it's accurate, and the bureau must tell you within 5 business days if it does.",
     "use": "An item came back after being removed.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(6)-(7)",
     "title": "Results in writing, and how they checked",
     "plain": "The bureau must send you the results in writing within 5 business days of finishing. You can ask how they verified it, and they must tell you within 15 days.",
     "use": "Step 5: the bureau said 'verified' and you want to know how.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681i(b)-(c)",
     "title": "Add your side of the story",
     "plain": "If a dispute doesn't fix the problem, you can add a short statement (up to 100 words) to your report explaining it.",
     "use": "An item stays and you want lenders to see your side.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681m",
     "title": "You must be told when your report hurts you",
     "plain": "If you're turned down or offered worse terms because of your report, the company must tell you, name the bureau, and tell you about your right to a free report and to dispute.",
     "use": "You were denied credit, housing or a job.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681m"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681s-2(a)",
     "title": "Companies must report accurately",
     "plain": "Lenders and collectors can't report information they know is wrong. They must mark an account as disputed when you dispute it with them, and report the date it first went delinquent.",
     "use": "A collector reports a balance or date you know is wrong.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681s-2"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681s-2(b)",
     "title": "Companies must investigate disputes passed on by a bureau",
     "plain": "When a bureau passes along your dispute, the company must investigate, review what you sent, and report back. If the item is wrong or can't be verified, it must be changed or deleted at every bureau it reports to.",
     "use": "Step 5 follow-up letters.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681s-2"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1681n, 1681o, 1681p",
     "title": "Your right to sue",
     "plain": "If a bureau or company breaks the FCRA, you can sue. For willful violations: actual damages or $100 to $1,000, plus punitive damages and attorney fees. For careless (negligent) violations: actual damages and attorney fees. You must sue within 2 years of finding out, and no more than 5 years after it happened.",
     "use": "Talk to a consumer lawyer. Many take FCRA cases at no upfront cost.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681n"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "reg-v",
   "name": "Regulation V",
   "short": "Reg V",
   "cite": "12 CFR Part 1022",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "The CFPB's rules that carry out the FCRA. They spell out what lenders and collectors must do to report accurately and to handle disputes sent straight to them.",
   "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1022",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "12 CFR 1022.42",
     "title": "Companies need written accuracy policies",
     "plain": "Every company that reports to the bureaus must have written policies to make its reporting accurate and complete.",
     "use": "Background for disputes with a lender or collector.",
     "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1022/section-1022.42"
    },
    {
     "cite": "12 CFR 1022.43",
     "title": "You can dispute directly with the company",
     "plain": "You can send a dispute straight to the lender or collector. In most cases it must investigate and answer within the same time a bureau would (usually 30 days).",
     "use": "You'd rather go to the source than the bureau.",
     "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1022/section-1022.43"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "fdcpa",
   "name": "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act",
   "short": "FDCPA",
   "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1692 to 1692p",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "Rules for debt collectors (not usually the original lender). It bans harassment, lies and unfair tactics, and gives you the right to make a collector prove the debt.",
   "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-V",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1692c",
     "title": "When and how they can contact you",
     "plain": "Collectors can't call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your time, can't contact you at work if they know your employer doesn't allow it, and must stop contacting you if you tell them in writing to stop (except to confirm they're stopping or to tell you about a lawsuit).",
     "use": "A collector keeps calling.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692c"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1692d",
     "title": "No harassment",
     "plain": "No threats, obscene language, or calling over and over to annoy you.",
     "use": "Abusive calls.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692d"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1692e",
     "title": "No lies",
     "plain": "Collectors can't lie about the amount, pretend to be lawyers or police, threaten things they can't or won't do, or report credit information they know is false, including failing to say a debt is disputed.",
     "use": "A collector reports a debt you disputed without marking it disputed.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692e"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1692f",
     "title": "No unfair practices",
     "plain": "Collectors can't add fees or interest that your agreement or the law doesn't allow.",
     "use": "The balance is higher than what you owed.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692f"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1692g",
     "title": "Make them prove it (debt validation)",
     "plain": "Within 5 days of first contacting you, a collector must send a notice with the amount and who you owe. If you dispute in writing within 30 days, it must stop collecting until it mails you verification.",
     "use": "A collection you don't recognize.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692g"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1692k",
     "title": "Your right to sue",
     "plain": "You can sue a collector who breaks the law for actual damages, up to $1,000 more, and attorney fees. You must sue within 1 year.",
     "use": "Talk to a consumer lawyer.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692k"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "reg-f",
   "name": "Regulation F",
   "short": "Reg F",
   "cite": "12 CFR Part 1006",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "The CFPB's detailed rules that carry out the FDCPA.",
   "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1006",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "12 CFR 1006.14",
     "title": "Call limits",
     "plain": "A collector is presumed to be harassing you if it calls about a debt more than 7 times in 7 days, or within 7 days after talking with you by phone about that debt.",
     "use": "Too many calls.",
     "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1006/section-1006.14"
    },
    {
     "cite": "12 CFR 1006.26",
     "title": "Old debts past the time limit to sue",
     "plain": "A collector can't sue or threaten to sue over a debt that is past the state's time limit to sue (the statute of limitations).",
     "use": "A collector threatens to sue over a very old debt.",
     "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1006/section-1006.26"
    },
    {
     "cite": "12 CFR 1006.30(a)",
     "title": "No reporting before they contact you",
     "plain": "A collector can't report a debt to the bureaus until it has contacted you about it and waited a reasonable time (about 14 days) to see if the letter came back undeliverable.",
     "use": "A collection appeared on your report before you ever heard from the collector.",
     "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1006/section-1006.30"
    },
    {
     "cite": "12 CFR 1006.34",
     "title": "What the validation notice must say",
     "plain": "The notice must include the creditor, account number, amount, an itemized breakdown, and how to dispute.",
     "use": "The collector's notice is missing information.",
     "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1006/section-1006.34"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "fcba",
   "name": "Fair Credit Billing Act",
   "short": "FCBA",
   "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1666 to 1666j",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "Protects you from billing errors on credit cards and other revolving accounts.",
   "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1666",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1666",
     "title": "Billing error disputes",
     "plain": "Write to the card company within 60 days after the statement with the error was sent. It must acknowledge within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles (no more than 90 days).",
     "use": "A charge you didn't make or a wrong amount.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1666"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1666a",
     "title": "No negative reporting while it's being resolved",
     "plain": "While a billing error dispute is open, the company can't report the disputed amount as late.",
     "use": "You were reported late on a charge you disputed.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1666a"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "tila",
   "name": "Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z",
   "short": "TILA / Reg Z",
   "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.; 12 CFR Part 1026",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "Requires lenders to show you the true cost of credit (APR, fees, total paid) before you sign, and sets rules for credit cards.",
   "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1026",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1643",
     "title": "$50 limit on unauthorized card charges",
     "plain": "You owe at most $50 for charges you didn't authorize on a credit card, and nothing if you report the card lost before it's used.",
     "use": "Someone used your credit card.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1643"
    },
    {
     "cite": "12 CFR 1026.51",
     "title": "Ability to pay",
     "plain": "Card companies must consider whether you can afford the payments before opening a card or raising your limit.",
     "use": "Background when applying for cards.",
     "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1026/section-1026.51"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "croa",
   "name": "Credit Repair Organizations Act",
   "short": "CROA",
   "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1679 to 1679j",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "Protects you from paid credit repair companies. It's also why CreditStride is free and never disputes for you.",
   "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-II-A",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1679b(a)",
     "title": "No lying",
     "plain": "Credit repair companies can't tell you to lie to a bureau or lender, or tell you to change your identity to hide your history.",
     "use": "Someone tells you to dispute accurate items as 'not mine'.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1679b"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1679b(b)",
     "title": "No payment up front",
     "plain": "A credit repair company can't take your money before the work is fully done.",
     "use": "A company asks for a fee first.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1679b"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1679c, 1679d",
     "title": "Written contract and disclosures",
     "plain": "They must give you a written statement of your rights and a written contract before any work.",
     "use": "Checking a credit repair company.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1679c"
    },
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1679e",
     "title": "3 days to cancel",
     "plain": "You can cancel a credit repair contract for any reason within 3 business days.",
     "use": "You signed up and changed your mind.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1679e"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "ecoa",
   "name": "Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B",
   "short": "ECOA / Reg B",
   "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.; 12 CFR Part 1002",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "Bans lenders from discriminating, and requires them to tell you why you were turned down.",
   "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1002",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "15 U.S.C. 1691(a)",
     "title": "No discrimination",
     "plain": "Lenders can't discriminate because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (if you're old enough to sign a contract), getting public assistance, or using your consumer credit rights.",
     "use": "You think you were treated differently.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1691"
    },
    {
     "cite": "12 CFR 1002.9",
     "title": "Reasons for denial within 30 days",
     "plain": "If you're turned down, the lender must tell you within 30 days, and either give the specific reasons or tell you how to ask for them.",
     "use": "Step 7: learn exactly what to fix before you apply again.",
     "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1002/section-1002.9"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "scra",
   "name": "Servicemembers Civil Relief Act",
   "short": "SCRA",
   "cite": "50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "Protections for people on active military duty.",
   "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/chapter-50",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "50 U.S.C. 3937",
     "title": "6% interest cap",
     "plain": "Debts you took on before active duty are capped at 6% interest while you serve. Send the lender a written request and a copy of your orders.",
     "use": "You're on active duty with older debt.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/3937"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "mla",
   "name": "Military Lending Act",
   "short": "MLA",
   "cite": "10 U.S.C. 987",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "Caps the cost of most consumer loans to active-duty service members and their families.",
   "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/987",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "10 U.S.C. 987(b)",
     "title": "36% cap",
     "plain": "Most consumer credit to covered service members and their dependents can't cost more than a 36% military annual percentage rate, including most fees.",
     "use": "Checking a loan offer as a service member.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/987"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "false-statements",
   "name": "False statements to the government",
   "short": "18 U.S.C. 1001",
   "cite": "18 U.S.C. 1001",
   "scope": "federal",
   "what": "Why you should only report real identity theft. Knowingly making a false statement to a federal agency, such as a false FTC Identity Theft Report, is a federal crime.",
   "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1001",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "18 U.S.C. 1001",
     "title": "Lying to a federal agency is a crime",
     "plain": "Knowingly making a false statement to a federal agency can mean fines and up to 5 years in prison.",
     "use": "Before filing an FTC Identity Theft Report.",
     "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1001"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "ga-credit-repair",
   "name": "Georgia credit repair law",
   "short": "O.C.G.A. 16-9-59",
   "cite": "O.C.G.A. 16-9-59",
   "scope": "GA",
   "what": "In Georgia, running a for-profit credit repair business (charging people to improve their credit) is a misdemeanor. Nonprofits and some others are exempt. You can always dispute your own report yourself.",
   "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2022/title-16/chapter-9/article-4/section-16-9-59/",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "O.C.G.A. 16-9-59",
     "title": "Paid credit repair is illegal in Georgia",
     "plain": "If a company asks a Georgia resident to pay to improve their credit, that's a red flag. Report it to the Georgia Department of Law's Consumer Protection Division.",
     "use": "Someone in Georgia offers to fix your credit for a fee.",
     "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2022/title-16/chapter-9/article-4/section-16-9-59/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "ga-limits",
   "name": "Georgia time limits to sue on debts",
   "short": "O.C.G.A. 9-3-24, 9-3-25",
   "cite": "O.C.G.A. 9-3-24; 9-3-25",
   "scope": "GA",
   "what": "How long a creditor or collector has to sue you in Georgia. This is separate from how long a debt can stay on your credit report (7 years under the FCRA).",
   "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-9/chapter-3/",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "O.C.G.A. 9-3-24",
     "title": "Written contracts: 6 years",
     "plain": "Suits on most written contracts (like many loans) must be brought within 6 years.",
     "use": "A collector threatens to sue over an old loan.",
     "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-9/chapter-3/"
    },
    {
     "cite": "O.C.G.A. 9-3-25",
     "title": "Open accounts: 4 years",
     "plain": "Suits on open accounts and many unwritten agreements must be brought within 4 years. Courts may treat credit cards either way, so check with a lawyer.",
     "use": "A collector threatens to sue over an old card.",
     "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-9/chapter-3/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "ga-fbpa",
   "name": "Georgia Fair Business Practices Act",
   "short": "GA FBPA",
   "cite": "O.C.G.A. 10-1-390 et seq.",
   "scope": "GA",
   "what": "Bans unfair and deceptive business practices aimed at Georgia consumers. Complaints go to the Georgia Department of Law's Consumer Protection Division.",
   "url": "https://consumer.georgia.gov/",
   "rules": [
    {
     "cite": "O.C.G.A. 10-1-393",
     "title": "No deceptive practices",
     "plain": "Businesses can't use unfair or deceptive acts in consumer dealings.",
     "use": "File a complaint with the state.",
     "url": "https://consumer.georgia.gov/"
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}