Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
§ 610. Conditions and form of disclosure to consumers [15 U.S.C. § 1681h]
(a) In General
(1) Proper identification. A consumer reporting agency shall require, as a
condition of making the disclosures required under section 609 [§ 1681g], that
the consumer furnish proper identification.
(2) Disclosure in writing. Except as provided in subsection (b), the disclosures
required to be made under section 609 [§ 1681g] shall be provided under that
section in writing.
(b) Other Forms of Disclosure
(1) In general. If authorized by a consumer, a consumer reporting agency may make
the disclosures required under 609 [§ 1681g]
(A) other than in writing; and
(B) in such form as may be
(i) specified by the consumer in accordance with paragraph (2); and
(ii) available from the agency.
(2) Form. A consumer may specify pursuant to paragraph (1) that disclosures under
section 609 [§ 1681g] shall be made
(A) in person, upon the appearance of the consumer at the place of business of
the consumer reporting agency where disclosures are regularly provided,
during normal business hours, and on reasonable notice;
(B) by telephone, if the consumer has made a written request for disclosure by
telephone;
(C) by electronic means, if available from the agency; or
(D) by any other reasonable means that is available from the agency.
(c) Trained personnel. Any consumer reporting agency shall provide trained personnel to
explain to the consumer any information furnished to him pursuant to section 609
[§ 1681g] of this title.
(d) Persons accompanying consumer. The consumer shall be permitted to be accompanied
by one other person of his choosing, who shall furnish reasonable identification. A
consumer reporting agency may require the consumer to furnish a written statement
granting permission to the consumer reporting agency to discuss the consumer's file in
such person's presence.
(e) Limitation of liability. Except as provided in sections 616 and 617 [§§ 1681n and
1681o] of this title, no consumer may bring any action or proceeding in the nature of
defamation, invasion of privacy, or negligence with respect to the reporting of
information against any consumer reporting agency, any user of information, or any
person who furnishes information to a consumer reporting agency, based on
information disclosed pursuant to section 609, 610, or 615 [§§ 1681g, 1681h, or
1681m] of this title or based on information disclosed by a user of a consumer report
to or for a consumer against whom the user has taken adverse action, based in whole
or in part on the report, except as to false information furnished with malice or willful
intent to injure such consumer.
