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Direct Dispute Process is now law

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RobertEG
Legendary Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

Procedures are basically the same.

The convoluted dispute process through the CRA required multiple steps. But both requrie response back to the consumer within 30-days of dispute.

 

The biggest complaint I have with the current dispute process under FCRA 611(a), which requries you to dispute first with the CRA, who would then be an intermediary in the dispute process, is how the CRAs implemented this stupid process.

If you just read the law, it looks great.  If you dispute through a CRA, they are required under FCRA 611(a)(2)(B) to promptly provide "all relevant information regarding the dispute that is received from the by the agency" to the creditor.  But they dont.  They decide what is "relevant", or not, and then typically use their automated dispute referall process, called "E-Oscar," to then digest your dispute to a four digit code.  Dispute resoluton is thus. more commom  than not, a santitized consideration of your dispute.

With the ability to now do a direct dispute, the E-Oscar sanitation screen goes away. 

I dont know how it will play out, but you can bet your booties that the creditors have had many board room meetings.

 

If you really want a legal; consumer perspective on how the reporting system works, I suggest:

First Google on Leonard A. Bennet, then zero in on his testimony before the House on 6/19/2007.

The best understanding of how credit reporting reall works that you can find.

 

 

Message 11 of 36
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

I hear ya.

 

I found a website with Bankers and I cant believe I didn't think of this, but they, the bankers treat us with "policies." And after reading how they treat customers I now know why GW letters and such are inconsistent , for example; or the actual dispute process. They do it one time, then they don't or vice a versa...no consistency.

I'm curious as to how this plays out...

Message 12 of 36
ScarletFever
Frequent Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

I'm down with anything that rids us of the damn E-Oscar process, and automated responses that don't do the work or due diligence...Hopefully, CRA's and OC's will actually have to address specific concerns and do something about them.

.Citi FICO-836 Barclays TU FICO; 827. Discover Fic0-826; CK:EQ-821; TU-819; CS-819; Total credit-$165,500: NASA-29,700; AMEX BCP-17,000; AMEX EDP-20,000; CSP-14,400; Barclay Ring-10,000; Discover It-9,000; U.S.Bank Sig Visa13,000; United TeleTech Federal Credit Union-$9000; Citi Double Cash-9900; Citi TYP-7,700; Discover Cashback Bonus-7,200;Chase Freedom-6,500; AMEX HHilton Honors-5000; Barclay NFL Extra Points-$5000. Utility always 1-2%
Message 13 of 36
debtfree09
Regular Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

How will this affect the HIPAA process?  I have two medical bills that I want removed from my credit report.  Both are small and I can pay but I want them removed.  Do I not have to dispute with the CRAs first now?  Thanks for any info and help.

Message 14 of 36
RobertEG
Legendary Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

After really reading the implementing rules for the new Direct Dispute process under FCRA 623(a)(8), that go into effect Thursday, July 1st, I think that it is healthy breeze of fresh air that may bring a lot, if not all, of the CRA abuses of the current process of having to first dispute through the CRA, then turn you dispute from substance to gibberish through their E-Oscar dispute process, and then get incomplete decision on dispute.

Without extensive comment, I post the final rule, 12 CFR 222.43, which has the affect of law, that governs the direct dispute process.  If you are at all familiar with the current dispute process under FCRA 611(a), you will see two main changes.

The first is the extended depth that these rules go into, which are not a part of the current FCRA dispute process. It specifies what is and is not disputable.

The only downside is that the direct dispute process puts a very high burden on the consumer, when making a direct dispute, to comply with the requirements of 12 CFR 222.43(d) (2) and (3) to supply…. “the specific information that the consumer is disputing and an explanation of the basis for the dispute; and all supporting documentation or other information reasonably required by the furnisher to substantiate the basis of the dispute”.

I predict, in the next few months, a whole new forum on the Direct Dispute process. What in the world is "all supporting documentation or other information reasonably required?'  YOu know the creditors are gearing up to dismiss direct disputes on that basis, but I leave it to your reading to see how much improved this process is over the current dispute process through the CRAs, and E.Oscar.

(If you are not familiar with the FCRA lingo, a "furnisher of information" is the credtior/debt collectior who reported to the CRA the informtion that led to the CRA posting that is in your CR. It is NOT the CRA)

 

Happy reading!

 

 

12 CFR § 222.43   Direct disputes.

(a) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a furnisher must conduct a reasonable investigation of a direct dispute if it relates to:

(1) The consumer’s liability for a credit account or other debt with the furnisher, such as direct disputes relating to whether there is or has been identity theft or fraud against the consumer, whether there is individual or joint liability on an account, or whether the consumer is an authorized user of a credit account;

(2) The terms of a credit account or other debt with the furnisher, such as direct disputes relating to the type of account, principal balance, scheduled payment amount on an account, or the amount of the credit limit on an openend account;

(3) The consumer’s performance or other conduct concerning an account or other relationship with the furnisher, such as direct disputes relating to the current payment status, high balance, date a payment was made, the amount of a payment made, or the date an account was opened or closed; or

(4) Any other information contained in a consumer report regarding an account or other relationship with the furnisher that bears on the consumer’s creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living.

 

(b) Exceptions. The requirements of paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to a furnisher if:

(1) The direct dispute relates to:

(i) The consumer’s identifying information (other than a direct dispute relating to a consumer’s liability for a credit account or other debt with the furnisher, as provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section) such as name(s), date of birth, Social Security number, telephone number(s), or address(es);

(ii) The identity of past or present employers;

(iii) Inquiries or requests for a consumer report;

(iv) Information derived from public records, such as judgments, bankruptcies, liens, and other legal matters (unless provided by a furnisher with an account or other relationship

with the consumer);

(v) Information related to fraud alerts or active duty alerts; or

(vi) Information provided to a consumer reporting agency by another furnisher; or

(2) The furnisher has a reasonable belief that the direct dispute is submitted by, is prepared on behalf of the consumer by, or is submitted on a form supplied to the consumer by, a credit repair organization, as defined in 15 U.S.C. 1679a(3), or an entity that would be a credit repair organization, but for 15 U.S.C. 1679a(3)(B)(i).

 

(c) Direct dispute address. A furnisher is required to investigate a direct dispute only if a consumer submits a dispute notice to the furnisher at:

(1) The address of a furnisher provided by a furnisher and set forth on a consumer report relating to the consumer;

(2) An address clearly and conspicuously specified by the furnisher for submitting direct disputes that is provided to the consumer in writing or electronically (if the consumer has agreed to the electronic delivery of information from the furnisher); or

(3) Any business address of the furnisher if the furnisher has not so specified and provided an address for submitting direct disputes under paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of this section.

 

(d) Direct dispute notice contents.

 A direct dispute notice must include:

(1) Sufficient information to identify the account or other relationship that is in dispute, such as an account number and the name, address, and telephone number of the consumer, if applicable;

(2) The specific information that the consumer is disputing and an explanation of the basis for the dispute; and

(3) All supporting documentation or other information reasonably required by the furnisher to substantiate the basis of the dispute. This documentation may include, for example: a copy of the relevant portion of the consumer report that contains the allegedly inaccurate information; a police report; a fraud or identity theft affidavit; a court order; or

account statements.

 

(e) Duty of furnisher after receiving a

direct dispute notice.

After receiving a dispute notice from a consumer pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, the furnisher must:

(1) Conduct a reasonable investigation with respect to the disputed information;

(2) Review all relevant information provided by the consumer with the dispute notice;

(3) Complete its investigation of the dispute and report the results of the investigation to the consumer before the expiration of the period under section 611(a)(1) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(1)) within which a consumer reporting agency would be required to complete its action if the consumer had elected to dispute the information under that section; (note: that  is 30-days from date of dispute) and

(4) If the investigation finds that the information reported was inaccurate, promptly notify each consumer reporting agency to which the furnisher provided inaccurate information of that determination and provide to the consumer reporting agency any correction to that information that is necessary to make the information provided by the furnisher accurate.

 

(f) Frivolous or irrelevant disputes.

(1) A furnisher is not required to investigate a direct dispute if the furnisher has reasonably determined that the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant. A dispute qualifies as frivolous or irrelevant if:

(i) The consumer did not provide sufficient information to investigate the disputed information as required by paragraph (d) of this section;

(ii) The direct dispute is substantially the same as a dispute previously submitted by or on behalf of the consumer, either directly to the furnisher or through a consumer reporting agency, with respect to which the furnisher has already satisfied the applicable requirements of the Act or this section; provided, however, that a direct dispute is not substantially the same as a dispute previously submitted if the dispute includes information listed in paragraph (d) of this section that had not previously been provided to the furnisher; or

(iii) The furnisher is not required to investigate the direct dispute because one or more of the exceptions listed in paragraph (b) of this section applies.

(2) Notice of determination. Upon making a determination that a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, the furnisher must notify the consumer of the determination not later than five

business days after making the determination, by mail or, if authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by any other means available to the furnisher.

(3) Contents of notice of

determination that a dispute is frivolous

or irrelevant. A notice of determination that a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant must include the reasons for such determination and identify any information required to investigate the disputed information, which notice may consist of a standardized form

describing the general nature of such information.

Message 15 of 36
ScarletFever
Frequent Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

Oh Boy...OC's and CRA's will use this passage to stonewall consumers. This will be the new "can't dispute accurate information"..

 

The consumer did not provide sufficient information to investigate the disputed information as required by paragraph (d) of this section;

(ii) The direct dispute is substantially the same as a dispute previously submitted by or on behalf of the consumer, either directly to the furnisher or through a consumer reporting agency, with respect to which the furnisher has already satisfied the applicable requirements of the Act or this section; provided, however, that a direct dispute is not substantially the same as a dispute previously submitted if the dispute includes information listed in paragraph (d) of this section that had not previously been provided to the furnisher; or

(iii) The furnisher is not required to investigate the direct dispute because one or more of the exceptions listed in paragraph (b) of this section applies

.Citi FICO-836 Barclays TU FICO; 827. Discover Fic0-826; CK:EQ-821; TU-819; CS-819; Total credit-$165,500: NASA-29,700; AMEX BCP-17,000; AMEX EDP-20,000; CSP-14,400; Barclay Ring-10,000; Discover It-9,000; U.S.Bank Sig Visa13,000; United TeleTech Federal Credit Union-$9000; Citi Double Cash-9900; Citi TYP-7,700; Discover Cashback Bonus-7,200;Chase Freedom-6,500; AMEX HHilton Honors-5000; Barclay NFL Extra Points-$5000. Utility always 1-2%
Message 16 of 36
RobertEG
Legendary Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

ScarletteFever hit the nail on the head!   Good points!

But if you read it in detail, it is HUGE step forward from the stupid, current.  CRA, E-Oscar, under FCRA 611(s)

Message 17 of 36
ScarletFever
Frequent Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

 

Many of us will see this entry as a result of disputes: "(1) A furnisher is not required to investigate a direct dispute if the furnisher has reasonably determined that the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant. One step forward, two steps back...we will have to be on our game. This answer will be spit out like so many sausages on an assembly line...

.Citi FICO-836 Barclays TU FICO; 827. Discover Fic0-826; CK:EQ-821; TU-819; CS-819; Total credit-$165,500: NASA-29,700; AMEX BCP-17,000; AMEX EDP-20,000; CSP-14,400; Barclay Ring-10,000; Discover It-9,000; U.S.Bank Sig Visa13,000; United TeleTech Federal Credit Union-$9000; Citi Double Cash-9900; Citi TYP-7,700; Discover Cashback Bonus-7,200;Chase Freedom-6,500; AMEX HHilton Honors-5000; Barclay NFL Extra Points-$5000. Utility always 1-2%
Message 18 of 36
RobertEG
Legendary Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

I dont see this as a step back.   The current dispute process through the CRAs (FCRA 611(a))  contains the same provision for the termination of disputes that are considered frivolous or irrelevant.  See FCRA 611(a)(3).  This is not a change.

The only real difference is that under FCRA 611(a)(3), that determination was vested in the CRAs. Under the direct dispute process, that determination is made by the furnisher of the reported information.

No consumer has to use the direct dispute process.  If you choose, you can still dispute through the CRA. 

 

If you want to see the extreme faults in the current dispute process through the CRAs, I encourage you to read:

Written Testimony Before The

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES

Regarding

"Fair Credit Reporting Act: How it Functions for Consumers and the Economy"

June 19, 2007

Submitted by: Leonard A. Bennett

Consumer Litigation Associates, P.C.

The faults of the current CRA-based dispute process are discussed in detail beginning at page 18 of that testimony.

Most of it centers around the CRA use of the automated E-Oscar process.  Direct dispute eliminates CRA sanitation of your dispute through the E-Oscar process.  It is a HUGE step forward..

 

Message 19 of 36
ScarletFever
Frequent Contributor

Re: Direct Dispute Process is now law

We will see Robert. I am going on record saying that the above passage in the law will now become highlighted more by both CRA's and OC's, and regularly used as a way to avoid performing their due diligence...

.Citi FICO-836 Barclays TU FICO; 827. Discover Fic0-826; CK:EQ-821; TU-819; CS-819; Total credit-$165,500: NASA-29,700; AMEX BCP-17,000; AMEX EDP-20,000; CSP-14,400; Barclay Ring-10,000; Discover It-9,000; U.S.Bank Sig Visa13,000; United TeleTech Federal Credit Union-$9000; Citi Double Cash-9900; Citi TYP-7,700; Discover Cashback Bonus-7,200;Chase Freedom-6,500; AMEX HHilton Honors-5000; Barclay NFL Extra Points-$5000. Utility always 1-2%
Message 20 of 36
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