dreamproit/uscode huggingface dataset:
15 U.S.C. § 1679f (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1679f. Noncompliance with this subchapter
(a) Consumer waivers invalid
Any waiver by any consumer of any protection provided by or any right of the consumer under this subchapter—
(1) shall be treated as void; and
(2) may not be enforced by any Federal or State court or any other person.
(b) Attempt to obtain waiver
Any attempt by any person to obtain a waiver from any consumer of any protection provided by or any right of the consumer under this subchapter shall be treated as a violation of this subchapter.
(c) Contracts not in compliance
Any contract for services which does not comply with the applicable provisions of this subchapter—
(1) shall be treated as void; and
(2) may not be enforced by any Federal or State court or any other person.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title IV, § 408, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2451, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–459.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section applicable after the end of the 6-month period beginning on Sept. 30, 1996, except with respect to contracts entered into by a credit repair organization before the end of such period, see section 413 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1679 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1679g (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1679g. Civil liability
(a) Liability established
Any person who fails to comply with any provision of this subchapter with respect to any other person shall be liable to such person in an amount equal to the sum of the amounts determined under each of the following paragraphs:
(1) Actual damages
The greater of—
(A) the amount of any actual damage sustained by such person as a result of such failure; or
(B) any amount paid by the person to the credit repair organization.
(2) Punitive damages
(A) Individual actions
In the case of any action by an individual, such additional amount as the court may allow.
(B) Class actions
In the case of a class action, the sum of—
(i) the aggregate of the amount which the court may allow for each named plaintiff; and
(ii) the aggregate of the amount which the court may allow for each other class member, without regard to any minimum individual recovery.
(3) Attorneys’ fees
In the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under paragraph (1) or (2), the costs of the action, together with reasonable attorneys’ fees.
(b) Factors to be considered in awarding punitive damages
In determining the amount of any liability of any credit repair organization under subsection (a)(2), the court shall consider, among other relevant factors—
(1) the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the credit repair organization;
(2) the nature of the noncompliance;
(3) the extent to which such noncompliance was intentional; and
(4) in the case of any class action, the number of consumers adversely affected.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title IV, § 409, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2451, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–459.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section applicable after the end of the 6-month period beginning on Sept. 30, 1996, except with respect to contracts entered into by a credit repair organization before the end of such period, see section 413 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1679 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1679i (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1679i. Statute of limitations
Any action to enforce any liability under this subchapter may be brought before the later of—
(1) the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date of the occurrence of the violation involved; or
(2) in any case in which any credit repair organization has materially and willfully misrepresented any information which—
(A) the credit repair organization is required, by any provision of this subchapter, to disclose to any consumer; and
(B) is material to the establishment of the credit repair organization’s liability to the consumer under this subchapter,
the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date of the discovery by the consumer of the misrepresentation.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title IV, § 411, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2451, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–461.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section applicable after the end of the 6-month period beginning on Sept. 30, 1996, except with respect to contracts entered into by a credit repair organization before the end of such period, see section 413 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1679 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1679j (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1679j. Relation to State law
This subchapter shall not annul, alter, affect, or exempt any person subject to the provisions of this subchapter from complying with any law of any State except to the extent that such law is inconsistent with any provision of this subchapter, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title IV, § 412, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2451, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–462.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section applicable after the end of the 6-month period beginning on Sept. 30, 1996, except with respect to contracts entered into by a credit repair organization before the end of such period, see section 413 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1679 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681f (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681f. Disclosures to governmental agencies
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1681b of this title, a consumer reporting agency may furnish identifying information respecting any consumer, limited to his name, address, former addresses, places of employment, or former places of employment, to a governmental agency.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 608, as added Pub. L. 91–508, title VI, § 601, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1131.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective upon the expiration of one hundred and eighty days following Oct. 26, 1970, see section 504(d) of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 91–508, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681k (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681k. Public record information for employment purposes
(a) In general
A consumer reporting agency which furnishes a consumer report for employment purposes and which for that purpose compiles and reports items of information on consumers which are matters of public record and are likely to have an adverse effect upon a consumer’s ability to obtain employment shall—
(1) at the time such public record information is reported to the user of such consumer report, notify the consumer of the fact that public record information is being reported by the consumer reporting agency, together with the name and address of the person to whom such information is being reported; or
(2) maintain strict procedures designed to insure that whenever public record information which is likely to have an adverse effect on a consumer’s ability to obtain employment is reported it is complete and up to date. For purposes of this paragraph, items of public record relating to arrests, indictments, convictions, suits, tax liens, and outstanding judgments shall be considered up to date if the current public record status of the item at the time of the report is reported.
(b) Exemption for national security investigations
Subsection (a) does not apply in the case of an agency or department of the United States Government that seeks to obtain and use a consumer report for employment purposes, if the head of the agency or department makes a written finding as prescribed under section 1681b(b)(4)(A) of this title.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 613, as added Pub. L. 91–508, title VI, § 601, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1133; amended Pub. L. 105–347, § 4(b), Nov. 2, 1998, 112 Stat. 3210.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1998—Pub. L. 105–347 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 105–347 deemed to have same effective date as amendments made by section 2403 of Pub. L. 104–208, see section 7 of Pub. L. 105–347, set out as a note under section 1681a of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective upon the expiration of one hundred and eighty days following Oct. 26, 1970, see section 504(d) of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 91–508, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681l (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681l. Restrictions on investigative consumer reports
Whenever a consumer reporting agency prepares an investigative consumer report, no adverse information in the consumer report (other than information which is a matter of public record) may be included in a subsequent consumer report unless such adverse information has been verified in the process of making such subsequent consumer report, or the adverse information was received within the three-month period preceding the date the subsequent report is furnished.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 614, as added Pub. L. 91–508, title VI, § 601, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1133.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective upon the expiration of one hundred and eighty days following Oct. 26, 1970, see section 504(d) of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 91–508, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681o (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681o. Civil liability for negligent noncompliance
(a) In general
Any person who is negligent in failing to comply with any requirement imposed under this subchapter with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of—
(1) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure; and
(2) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action together with reasonable attorney’s fees as determined by the court.
(b) Attorney’s fees
On a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or other paper filed in connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faith or for purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorney’s fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading, motion, or other paper.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 617, as added Pub. L. 91–508, title VI, § 601, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1134; amended Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2412(d), (e)(2), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–446, 3009–447; Pub. L. 108–159, title VIII, § 811(e), Dec. 4, 2003, 117 Stat. 2012.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2003—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–159 inserted “and” after semicolon at end.
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–208, § 2412(d), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and substituted “Any person who” for “Any consumer reporting agency or user of information which”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–208, § 2412(e)(2), added subsec. (b).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 108–159 subject to joint regulations establishing effective dates as prescribed by Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, except as otherwise provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–159, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 104–208 effective 365 days after Sept. 30, 1996, with special rule for early compliance, see section 2420 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1681a of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective upon the expiration of one hundred and eighty days following Oct. 26, 1970, see section 504(d) of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 91–508, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681p (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681p. Jurisdiction of courts; limitation of actions
An action to enforce any liability created under this subchapter may be brought in any appropriate United States district court, without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, not later than the earlier of—
(1) 2 years after the date of discovery by the plaintiff of the violation that is the basis for such liability; or
(2) 5 years after the date on which the violation that is the basis for such liability occurs.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 618, as added Pub. L. 91–508, title VI, § 601, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1134; amended Pub. L. 108–159, title I, § 156, Dec. 4, 2003, 117 Stat. 1968.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2003—Pub. L. 108–159 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “An action to enforce any liability created under this subchapter may be brought in any appropriate United States district court without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, within two years from the date on which the liability arises, except that where a defendant has materially and willfully misrepresented any information required under this subchapter to be disclosed to an individual and the information so misrepresented is material to the establishment of the defendant’s liability to that individual under this subchapter, the action may be brought at any time within two years after discovery by the individual of the misrepresentation.”
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 108–159 subject to joint regulations establishing effective dates as prescribed by Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, except as otherwise provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–159, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective upon the expiration of one hundred and eighty days following Oct. 26, 1970, see section 504(d) of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 91–508, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681q (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681q. Obtaining information under false pretenses
Any person who knowingly and willfully obtains information on a consumer from a consumer reporting agency under false pretenses shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 619, as added Pub. L. 91–508, title VI, § 601, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1134; amended Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2415(a), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–450.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1996—Pub. L. 104–208 substituted “fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both” for “fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 104–208 effective 365 days after Sept. 30, 1996, with special rule for early compliance, see section 2420 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1681a of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective upon the expiration of one hundred and eighty days following Oct. 26, 1970, see section 504(d) of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 91–508, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681r (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681r. Unauthorized disclosures by officers or employees
Any officer or employee of a consumer reporting agency who knowingly and willfully provides information concerning an individual from the agency’s files to a person not authorized to receive that information shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 620, as added Pub. L. 91–508, title VI, § 601, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1134; amended Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2415(b), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–450.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1996—Pub. L. 104–208 substituted “fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both” for “fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 104–208 effective 365 days after Sept. 30, 1996, with special rule for early compliance, see section 2420 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1681a of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective upon the expiration of one hundred and eighty days following Oct. 26, 1970, see section 504(d) of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 91–508, set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681s–1 (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681s–1. Information on overdue child support obligations
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a consumer reporting agency shall include in any consumer report furnished by the agency in accordance with section 1681b of this title, any information on the failure of the consumer to pay overdue support which—
(1) is provided—
(A) to the consumer reporting agency by a State or local child support enforcement agency; or
(B) to the consumer reporting agency and verified by any local, State, or Federal Government agency; and
(2) antedates the report by 7 years or less.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 622, as added Pub. L. 102–537, § 2(a), Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3531.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 622 of Pub. L. 90–321 was renumbered section 625 and is classified to section 1681t of this title.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective Jan. 1, 1993, see section 2(d) of Pub. L. 102–537, set out as an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note under section 1681a of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1681x (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1681x. Corporate and technological circumvention prohibited
The Commission shall prescribe regulations, to become effective not later than 90 days after December 4, 2003, to prevent a consumer reporting agency from circumventing or evading treatment as a consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a(p) of this title for purposes of this subchapter, including—
(1) by means of a corporate reorganization or restructuring, including a merger, acquisition, dissolution, divestiture, or asset sale of a consumer reporting agency; or
(2) by maintaining or merging public record and credit account information in a manner that is substantially equivalent to that described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1681a(p) of this title, in the manner described in section 1681a(p) of this title.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VI, § 629, as added Pub. L. 108–159, title II, § 211(b), Dec. 4, 2003, 117 Stat. 1970.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section subject to joint regulations establishing effective dates as prescribed by Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, except as otherwise provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–159, set out as an Effective Date of 2003 Amendment note under section 1681 of this title.
15 U.S.C. § 1691a (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1691a. Definitions; rules of construction
(a) The definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are applicable for the purposes of this subchapter.
(b) The term “applicant” means any person who applies to a creditor directly for an extension, renewal, or continuation of credit, or applies to a creditor indirectly by use of an existing credit plan for an amount exceeding a previously established credit limit.
(c) The term “Bureau” means the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
(d) The term “credit” means the right granted by a creditor to a debtor to defer payment of debt or to incur debts and defer its payment or to purchase property or services and defer payment therefor.
(e) The term “creditor” means any person who regularly extends, renews, or continues credit; any person who regularly arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of credit; or any assignee of an original creditor who participates in the decision to extend, renew, or continue credit.
(f) The term “person” means a natural person, a corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, cooperative, or association.
(g) Any reference to any requirement imposed under this subchapter or any provision thereof includes reference to the regulations of the Bureau under this subchapter or the provision thereof in question.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VII, § 702, as added Pub. L. 93–495, title V, § 503, Oct. 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 1522; amended Pub. L. 111–203, title X, § 1085(1), (2), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2083.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2010—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1085(2), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: “The term ‘Board’ refers to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.”
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1085(1), substituted “Bureau” for “Board”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the designated transfer date, see section 1100H of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
15 U.S.C. § 1691f (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 1691f. Annual reports to Congress; contents
Each year, the Bureau and the Attorney General shall, respectively, make reports to the Congress concerning the administration of their functions under this subchapter, including such recommendations as the Bureau and the Attorney General, respectively, deem necessary or appropriate. In addition, each report of the Bureau shall include its assessment of the extent to which compliance with the requirements of this subchapter is being achieved, and a summary of the enforcement actions taken by each of the agencies assigned administrative enforcement responsibilities under section 1691c of this title.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VII, § 707, as added Pub. L. 94–239, § 7, Mar. 23, 1976, 90 Stat. 255; amended Pub. L. 96–221, title VI, § 610(c), Mar. 31, 1980, 94 Stat. 174; Pub. L. 111–203, title X, § 1085(1), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2083.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2010—Pub. L. 111–203 substituted “Bureau” for “Board” wherever appearing.
1980—Pub. L. 96–221 substituted “Each year” for “Not later than February 1 of each year after 1976”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the designated transfer date, see section 1100H of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
heading: Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 96–221 effective on expiration of two years and six months after Mar. 31, 1980, with all regulations, forms, and clauses required to be prescribed to be promulgated at least one year prior to such effective date, and allowing any creditor to comply with any amendments, in accordance with the regulations, forms, and clauses prescribed by the Board prior to such effective date, see section 625 of Pub. L. 96–221, set out as a note under section 1602 of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective Mar. 23, 1976, see section 708 of Pub. L. 90–321, set out as a note under section 1691 of this title.