COVID-19 - CDIA

COVID-19

The consumer reporting industry is doing its part to help consumers and the economy during the pandemic. We are working closely with lenders, lawmakers, and regulators to help mitigate the potential impact on credit scores during times of financial hardship. CDIA issued guidance and additional training to lenders to help them understand their obligations under the CARES Act on how they can report any consumer who is receiving a COVID-19 related accommodation as “current.”

 The three nationwide credit bureaus voluntarily increased the number of free credit reports available to consumers from once per year to once per week. These companies have also offered a number of other free services to consumers during the pandemic, including credit monitoring.

Examples Related to Metro 2® Post Accommodation Reporting under CARES Act (July 15, 2021)

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) and  our consumer reporting agency (CRA) members have provided guidance to assist furnishers as they navigate various complexities in credit reporting under the CARES Act amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).  Most notably, there has been new and expanded guidance for reporting by data furnishers to CRAs in the Metro 2® Format. For a complete list of the CARES Act Reporting guidance, please click here and for the COVID-19 Post-Accommodation Reporting Guidance click here.

CDIA has issued new and helpful examples to guide data furnishers in post-accommodation reporting.in ways that are consistent with the CARES Act and the FAQs issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The new, additional examples provided to data furnishers illustrate how the days of delinquency can be counted for credit reporting purposes. To view the Examples Related to Metro 2® Post Accommodation Reporting under CARES Act, please click here.

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion Announce Extension of Free Weekly Credit Reports to Help Americans During COVID-19 (March 2, 2021)

WASHINGTON, DC – The three nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies are extending free
weekly credit reports to Americans for an additional year until April 20, 2022. This will continue to help
people across the country manage their financial health during the ongoing hardship caused by COVID19. Read the full statement here.

IMPORTANT METRO 2® ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 Post-Accommodation Reporting Guidance
(July 16, 2020)

On July 16, 2020, CDIA and the credit bureaus released Post-Accommodation Reporting Guidance to assist furnishers with the initial reporting of accounts after a Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act(CARES Act) period ends.  To view the full guidance please click here.

 

IMPORTANT METRO 2® ANNOUNCEMENT: Reporting Accounts in accordance with the CARES Act

(April 2, 2020)

On April 2, 2020, CDIA and the credit bureaus released information to assist furnishers with reporting in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act(CARES Act).  To view the full guidance please click here.

 

CDIA PRESS RELEASE: Support Available During Coronavirus Response
(March 9, 2020)

The Consumer Data Industry Association, on behalf of its member companies, announced today that there is long-standing policy to assist consumers who are impacted by the current coronavirus public health situation. To read the full press release click here.

CDIA Webinar Replay (April 2, 2020):
The CARES Act: Modifications to Data Furnishers’ FCRA Obligations

On April 2, 2020, CDIA and the credit bureaus released additional information to assist furnishers with reporting in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act(CARES Act).  CDIA  hosted a second webinar for data furnishers that clarifies data reporting under the CARES Act.  This webinar was held on April 2, 2020 and is available from CDIA’s website

 

CDIA Webinar (May 7, 2020):
Conducting Dispute Root Cause Analysis Using Insights by e-Oscar™

On May 7, CDIA will run another COVID-19 related webinar, our third.  This latest webinar, Conducting Dispute Root Cause Analysis Using Insights by e-OSCAR™, helps data lenders and creditors (“data furnishers”) understand the detailed information about consumer credit disputes in order to conduct reasonable and timely investigations. This understanding is especially true as furnishers experience staffing and resource constraints due to the COVID—19 pandemic.  You can register for the on demand replay here.

Federal Regulators:

CFPB Policy Statement outlines the responsibility of credit reporting companies and furnishers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  In response to the pandemic, many lenders are being flexible when it comes to consumers’ making payments. The Bureau’s statement underscores that consumers benefit if lenders report accurate information about these arrangements to credit bureaus so that the credit reports of consumers are accurate. (April 1, 2020).

Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working With Consumers Affected by the Coronavirus (March 22, 2020)

Financial Institution Letter, FIL-22-2020 (March 22, 2020)

Interagency Press Release, Agencies Encourage Financial Institutions to Meet Financial Needs of Customers and Members Affected by Coronavirus (March 9, 2020).

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Protecting your credit during the coronavirus pandemic (March 19, 2020).

Federal Law:

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).  The CARES Act delivered an important win for consumers seeking help to protect their credit during and following the pandemic and created a national resolution to a national crisis.  Section  4021 of the CARES Act amends the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) so that furnishers of information to credit reporting agencies who agree to account forbearance, or agree to modified payments with respect to an obligation or account of a consumer that has been impacted by COVID-19, report such obligation or account as “current” or as the status reported prior to the accommodation during the period of accommodation unless the consumer becomes current. This applies only to accounts for which the consumer has fulfilled requirements pursuant to the forbearance or modified payment agreement. Such credit protection is available beginning January 31, 2020 and ends at the later of 120 days after enactment or 120 days after the date the national emergency declaration related to the coronavirus is terminated.