Your Rights as a Consumer

What you can do today

You can get your credit report for free, ask a debt collector to put things in writing, and file a complaint with a federal agency in Spanish. These protections apply to everyone living in the United States. You do not need to be a citizen to use them.

You have a right to a free credit report

Federal law lets you see your credit report from each of the three big credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only official site. Checking your report helps you spot mistakes and accounts you do not recognize. If something is wrong, you have the right to dispute it, and the bureau must investigate.

Debt collectors must follow rules

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets limits on collection companies. In general, a collector:

• Cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Cannot threaten you, use abusive language, or lie about what you owe.
• Cannot tell your employer, neighbors, or family about your debt.
• Must send you written notice with the amount and the name of the original creditor.

You can send a letter asking the collector to verify the debt. You can also ask them in writing to stop contacting you. The debt does not go away, but the calls should.

Creditors cannot discriminate

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) says a lender cannot deny you credit or charge you more because of your national origin, race, religion, sex, age, or marital status. A lender may ask about your immigration status to judge whether it can collect on the loan, but it may not treat you unfairly just because of where you come from. If you are turned down, you have the right to know why in writing.

You have a right to clear information about fees

Banks and credit unions must tell you their fees before you open an account, including overdraft fees and monthly service charges. You can ask for the fee schedule in writing. Many banks offer low-cost accounts with no overdraft fees. You can compare and choose.

You can complain to the CFPB in Spanish

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a federal agency that takes complaints about banks, lenders, credit bureaus, debt collectors, and money transfer companies. You can file online or by phone in Spanish. The company usually has to respond within 15 days. Complaints are also how the government finds patterns of bad behavior.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also accepts reports about scams and unfair business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Keep good records

Save letters, statements, and notes about phone calls with dates and names. If a problem ever needs to go further, records make your case much stronger.

Important

This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. It cannot tell you what to do in your own situation. For questions about a specific debt, account, or contract, talk to a licensed attorney or a nonprofit credit counselor. Laws and agency procedures change, so check the dated sources listed above for the most current information.