Resources
File a CFPB or FTC Complaint Against a Credit Bureau
Federal agencies provide powerful tools for consumers dealing with credit-report errors and identity theft. The CFPB complaint process, in particular, can get results when direct disputes don't.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
The CFPB supervises credit bureaus and can take enforcement action when companies violate consumer protection laws. Filing a CFPB complaint doesn't replace your direct dispute rights, but it creates an additional paper trail and sometimes prompts faster resolution.
CFPB Complaint Portal
File a complaint against credit bureaus, debt collectors, banks, and other financial companies. The CFPB forwards your complaint to the company and requires a response.
CFPB Complaint Database
Search complaints other consumers have filed. Useful for seeing patterns of violations by specific companies.
Ask CFPB: Credit Reports
Plain-language answers to common questions about credit reports, disputes, and your rights.
Sample Dispute Letters
CFPB's guide to disputing errors, including template language you can use.
The power of a CFPB complaint
When you file a CFPB complaint, the bureau or furnisher must respond - and that response becomes part of your paper trail. If the company claims it investigated and found the information accurate, but didn't actually conduct a reasonable investigation, the CFPB complaint and response can be evidence in a lawsuit.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC doesn't resolve individual consumer complaints, but it provides essential tools for identity-theft victims. The FTC Identity Theft Report gives you additional rights under the FCRA.
IdentityTheft.gov
The FTC's one-stop site for identity theft victims. Create a recovery plan, get pre-filled letters, and generate an FTC Identity Theft Report.
FTC Identity Theft Report
Generate an official Identity Theft Report. This document gives you additional rights under the FCRA, including extended fraud alerts and blocking of fraudulent tradelines.
FTC Consumer Advice: Credit & Debt
Articles on credit reports, debt collection, and consumer rights from the FTC.
Report Fraud to the FTC
Report scams and fraud. While the FTC doesn't resolve individual cases, reports help them take action against bad actors.
Other Federal Resources
AnnualCreditReport.com
The only federally authorized source for free credit reports. You can get free weekly reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
IRS Identity Protection PIN
Get a 6-digit PIN that prevents anyone else from filing a tax return using your SSN.
SSA my Social Security
Create an account to view your earnings statement, check for fraudulent employment, and lock your SSN for employment verification.
SSA Fraud Reporting
Report Social Security fraud to the SSA Office of Inspector General.
OCC Customer Assistance
If your complaint involves a national bank, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency can help.
When to use federal resources
- •Before you dispute: Get your free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.
- •For identity theft: Start at IdentityTheft.gov to create your recovery plan and FTC report.
- •After an unsuccessful dispute: File a CFPB complaint to create additional pressure and paper trail.
- •For tax ID theft: Get an IRS IP PIN to prevent future fraudulent returns.