The e-Oscar system is an electonic referral and response system used jointly by the four primary CRAs to refer information to furnishers, and receive their responses.
It was initially developed to handle disputes, and uses a standardized data form to record the type of dispute, and provide a short space for attachment of comments by the clerk filling out the form. In the past, the CRAs have used the form in approx 95% of disputes without inclusion of the supporting documentation and arguments provided by the consumer. On that basis, the e-Oscar process has been severely criticized by consumer advocacy groups and was a primary reason for implementation of the direct disute porcess as an alternative to the CRA dispute process. Additionally, the CFPB issued a public notice last year stating that their disapproval of the CRA poicyof not forwrding all documentation to furnishers. In a recent annnouncement, the CFPB stated that agreement has been reached that includes revised use ot e-Oscar to include forwarding of consumer documentation, and added personel at the CRAs to give more than cursory review to furnisher responses.
Details have not yet been released.
E-Oscar is also used to provide general forwarding of updates to CRAs other than in the procesing of disputes.
Debt collectors can use the electronic forms to update collections.
