The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Report

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently released a report identifying problems with the big three consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). The CFPB found several systemic problems at the companies and it has implemented reforms at all three. The report also address problems with creditors who furnish information to the consumer reporting companies.

The Problems

One of the more pervasive, systemic problems uncovered by the CFPB was the poor standards that the consumer reporting companies had regarding the accuracy of information in consumer credit files. Although it is no surprise to me from what I have seen, the CFPB found that the companies did not sufficiently monitor dispute data regarding furnishers. They failed to review and consider all relevant information submitted by consumers when conducting dispute reinvestigations. They failed to notify furnishers of disputes and they failed to properly describe the results of dispute investigations to consumers. In particular, the companies failed to review and consider the attached documentation and relied wholly on the furnisher of information to investigate the dispute.

Reforms

The CFPB requires the consumer reporting companies to make several reforms. These include better quality control programs, monitoring furnishers, tracking furnisher data, and ensuring that consumer disputes are properly handled with appropriate review of consumer proof documents.

The reforms are a step in the right direction to bring out about better handling of consumer credit report disputes.