FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Also known as: Fair Credit Reporting Act
The federal law that governs credit reports and credit-bureau practices, including your right to a free annual report and to dispute errors.
Full definition
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) collect, maintain, and share consumer credit information. Under the FCRA you have the right to one free credit report from each bureau every 12 months (at AnnualCreditReport.com), to dispute inaccurate information, and to be notified when adverse action is taken based on your report. Enforced by the FTC and CFPB.
- Written by
- Get Advance Loan Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Compliance Review
- Published
- January 15, 2026
- Last reviewed
- May 22, 2026
- TILA (Truth in Lending Act)The federal law that requires lenders to disclose loan terms, APR, fees, and the schedule of payments before a borrower signs.
- ECOA (Equal Credit Opportunity Act)The federal law that prohibits lender discrimination based on race, religion, sex, marital status, age, national origin, or receipt of public assistance.
- MLA (Military Lending Act)Federal law capping consumer-credit APRs to active-duty service members and their dependents at 36% (the Military APR, or MAPR).
- CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)The federal agency that supervises and enforces consumer financial-protection laws across most U.S. lenders.
- TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)The federal law governing telemarketing calls and texts, including the prior-express-written-consent requirement for autodialed marketing.
- GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act)The federal law requiring financial institutions to disclose their information-sharing practices and safeguard customer data.
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