FTC Warns About Potential Violations Of FCRA

The FTC issued warning letters to the operators of six websites that provide landlords with tenant rental history reports. The letters were sent to remind the website operators of the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. According to the FTC, entities that assemble or evaluate information about individual rental histories and provide that information to landlords are considered consumer reporting agencies. The warning letter further provides that consumer reporting agencies, are required to: take steps to ensure the fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality of consumer reports, allow consumers to obtain copies of their reports and dispute inaccurate information, and instruct landlords to provide notice to consumers if a landlord denies housing based on the consumer report, among other requirements.