Title 15 › Chapter 41— CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION › Subchapter III— CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES › § 1681c–1
Requires credit bureaus to put fraud alerts in a person’s credit file when the person (or someone acting for them) asks and proves their identity. An initial alert must stay at least 1 year. An extended alert is for 7 years and also keeps the person off marketing lists for 5 years. An active duty military alert lasts at least 12 months (or longer if the Bureau decides) and keeps the servicemember off marketing lists for 2 years. When an alert is placed, the bureau must tell the person they can get free credit reports and must give required file disclosures within 3 business days after the person asks. Businesses that see an initial or active duty alert must have policies to verify identity before opening most new credit. If the person gave a phone number for verification, the business must call it before approving credit. For extended alerts, the business must contact the person in person or by the contact method the person gave. Bureaus must have easy ways (including phone and a web page) to request alerts, share alerts with other bureaus, and resellers must include alerts in their reports. If a consumer contacts a non-major bureau, that bureau must tell the consumer how to reach the major bureaus and the Bureau. Allows a person (or an authorized representative for a child or incapacitated person) to place a free security freeze to stop new-credit checks. If requested by phone or secure internet, the freeze must be placed within 1 business day; by mail, within 3 business days. The bureau must confirm and explain how to remove the freeze within 5 business days. A consumer can remove a freeze by phone/secure internet within 1 hour or by mail within 3 business days. Freezes stay until the consumer or authorized representative asks to remove them, except if the freeze was based on a material misrepresentation. A freeze does not block access in several listed situations (for example, existing creditors, government agencies, child support, certain background checks, or services the consumer uses). Protected consumers are children under 16 or people with guardians; a representative may place or remove freezes for them with proof. Credit bureaus must give free electronic credit monitoring to active duty military who show proof and provide contact information. The Federal Trade Commission must write rules about this within 1 year after May 24, 2018.
Full Legal Text
Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 1681c–1
Title 15, Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60