Texas Credit Report Dispute Law at a Glance
Federal Protection
15 USC §1681i — Fair Credit Reporting Act. Credit bureaus must investigate disputed items within 30 days. If not verified, item must be modified or deleted.
State Supplement
Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §20.01 et seq. — Texas Credit Reporting
Additional investigation rights beyond federal FCRA baseline.
Damages available: Actual damages plus statutory penalties; DTPA provides treble damages for knowing violations
Security Freeze
Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §20.034 — Free security freeze for all consumers
Damages for Violations
- Willful (§1681n): $100–$1,000 statutory + punitive + attorney fees
- Negligent (§1681o): Actual damages + attorney fees
- State: Actual damages plus statutory penalties; DTPA provides treble damages for knowing violations
Where to File Complaints
- Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Small claims limit: $20,000
Additional Protections
- Texas credit reporting statute provides protections exceeding FCRA in some areas
- Reinvestigation rights under state law
- DTPA provides treble damages for knowing violations
- Consumer may recover $10,000 penalty per violation in certain identity theft cases
- Free security freeze for all consumers
Free preview. $9.99 for the clean, print-ready PDF.
Texas Credit Report Dispute FAQ
What is the FCRA 30-day investigation mandate for credit report disputes in Texas?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 USC §1681i), credit bureaus must investigate any disputed item on your credit report within 30 calendar days of receiving your dispute. During this investigation, the bureau must forward your dispute to the furnisher within 5 business days and notify you of the results within 5 business days of completing the investigation. If the information cannot be verified, it must be modified or deleted. This federal right applies in all 50 states including Texas.
Does Texas have its own credit reporting law beyond the FCRA?
Yes. Texas provides additional consumer protections under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §20.01 et seq. (Texas Credit Reporting). Texas law provides additional investigation rights beyond the federal FCRA baseline. Violations may result in: Actual damages plus statutory penalties; DTPA provides treble damages for knowing violations.
How do I dispute errors on my credit report in Texas?
To dispute credit report errors from Texas: (1) Obtain your credit reports from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), (2) Identify the specific errors, (3) Write a formal dispute letter citing 15 USC §1681i and Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §20.01 et seq., (4) Include copies of supporting documentation, (5) Send via certified mail with return receipt requested to each bureau reporting the error. Our generator creates a customized letter specific to Texas law.
What damages can I recover for FCRA violations in Texas?
Under the federal FCRA, you can recover: for willful violations (15 USC §1681n) — actual damages or $100-$1,000 in statutory damages, plus punitive damages, plus attorney fees; for negligent violations (15 USC §1681o) — actual damages plus attorney fees. Under Texas law, you may also seek: Actual damages plus statutory penalties; DTPA provides treble damages for knowing violations. You can file in Texas small claims court for claims up to $20,000.
What are my security freeze rights in Texas?
Under federal law and Texas law (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §20.034), you have the right to place a free security freeze on your credit file with each bureau. Free security freeze for all consumers. You can freeze and unfreeze your credit at any time at no cost.
Can I take a credit bureau to small claims court in Texas?
Yes. If a credit bureau violates your rights under the FCRA or Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §20.01 et seq., you can file a claim in Texas small claims court for amounts up to $20,000. You can also file complaints with the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Credit Report Dispute Letters by State
Select your state to see your specific protections.