Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA)

A Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) is a company that gathers, maintains, and sells information about individuals' credit histories, financial behavior, and sometimes other personal details. This information, known as a credit report, is used by lenders, landlords, and employers to assess your creditworthiness, reliability, and financial responsibility. CRAs must follow laws that ensure the accuracy and privacy of your information, and you have rights to access and dispute any incorrect data they hold about you. Examples include Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.