Press Release  AG Healey Joins Multistate Coalition Fighting to Protect Consumer Credit During COVID-19 Pandemic

Boston — Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in calling on the nation’s consumer reporting agencies to uphold their obligation to state and federal consumer credit protections while the country struggles from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter sent to Experian Information Solutions Inc., Equifax Information Services LLC, and TransUnion LCC, the attorneys general affirm their commitment to enforcing the consumer credit protections outlined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) passed last month, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and state laws governing credit reporting despite the Trump Administration’s failure to commit to enforcing these protections.

“We need to do everything we can to protect consumers from the lasting economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis,” said AG Healey. “This letter is a warning to the nation’s credit reporting agencies that state attorneys general can and will enforce state and federal laws that protect consumers’ rights to fair and accurate credit reporting.”

The FCRA also protects consumers by requiring credit reporting agencies to promptly investigate when a consumer disputes the accuracy of information on their credit report. Additionally, under the CARES Act, the FCRA was amended to allow consumers to access relief without incurring lasting harm to their credit scores. But the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently issued guidance suggesting it will not enforce certain requirements of the FCRA during the COVID-19 crisis. In today’s letter, the coalition warns the credit reporting agencies that while the federal government may not be willing to protect consumers during this emergency, the attorneys general remain strongly committed to enforcing the FCRA and state laws governing consumer credit reporting.  

Today’s letter follows a letter the coalition sent to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on April 13 urging the agency to rescind its announcement that it would not enforce certain provisions of the CARES Act and the FCRA.

AG Healey has prioritized protecting consumers from mistreatment and fraud during the COVID-19 crisis. The AG joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general last week calling on the federal government to ease the financial burden on homeowners and clarify guidance issued as part of the CARES Act. AG Healey also issued guidance to protect consumers who will receive a payment as a result the CARES Act from unfair debt collection practices. AG Healey also issued emergency regulations to protect consumers from harmful debt collection practices and illegal price gouging during the COVID-19 emergency. 

Visit AG Healey’s COVID-19 resource page for information about how the AG’s Office can provide support during this crisis. 

Attorney General Healey joins the coalition co-led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and New York Attorney General Letitia James, which also includes the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

###