Published: June 2022

Comments submitted in support of CFPB’s proposed rulemaking to prohibit the inclusion of adverse information in consumer reporting in cases of human trafficking

Survivor advocacy and consumer groups submitted comments in support of the CFPB’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the prohibition on inclusion of adverse information in consumer reporting in cases of human trafficking. Measures should be put in place that prevent trafficking survivors from being penalized for what their traffickers have done in their names.

Consumer Action, along with more than a dozen survivor advocacy and consumer groups, joined the National Consumer Law Center in submitting comments supporting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposed rulemaking regarding the inclusion of adverse information in the consumer reports of trafficking victims. Human trafficking affects hundreds of thousands of victims and families nationwide. Many victims suffer from financial abuse at the hands of their traffickers, who realize that by destroying their victims’ credit history and accumulating debt in their names, their victims will be unable to break free because they won’t be able to rent a home, purchase a car or get a job. The CFPB’s proposed rule would, among other things, make it easier for survivors to report their trafficked status to consumer reporting agencies (CRAs); require CRAs to block adverse information in consumer reports; and make the rules applicable to all CRAs, including the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) as well as specialty agencies focused on areas such as tenant screening, employment screening, bank account screening, insurance, utility service, etc.

Lead Organization

National Consumer Law Center

More Information

Read the letter here.

Read the CFPB's statement on the proposed rulemaking.

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