Which information is typically excluded from consumer reports under the FCRA?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), certain types of information are indeed restricted in terms of how long they can be reported in consumer reports. Bankruptcies are a prime example of this regulation—specifically, they can be reported for a maximum of 10 years from the date of filing. Thus, any bankruptcy that is older than 10 years cannot be included in a consumer report.

This regulation is in place to ensure that individuals are not unfairly affected by outdated information that may not accurately represent their current financial situation. On the other hand, criminal records and certain other types of information can be treated differently; while various jurisdictions may limit how long these can appear on reports, there is no universal rule under the FCRA that mirrors the 10-year limit for bankruptcies. This distinction is crucial for understanding the protections and restrictions that the FCRA imposes on consumer reporting agencies.

Overall, the exclusion of bankruptcies older than 10 years aligns with the FCRA's intent to promote fairness and accuracy in consumer reporting.