§ 13A-8-200 — Block on False Information in Credit Reports

(a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) CONSUMER CREDIT REPORT. The term shall mean the same as the term is defined in the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC Sections 1681a and 1681b, as amended.
(2) CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY. The term shall mean the same as the term is defined in the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC Sections 1681a and 1681b, as amended.
(3) PERSON. Any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, estate, cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or other entity.
(b)(1) If a consumer submits to a consumer reporting agency a court order as described in Section 13A-8-198, the consumer reporting agency shall, within 30 days of receipt, employ reasonable procedures to block reporting any information in the consumer’s credit report identified in the court order that is the result of a criminal violation of the Consumer Identity Protection Act so that the information cannot be reported and, at the consumer’s request, include the fact of the order in the consumer’s credit report. The consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of the information that a court order has been filed, that a block has been established, and the effective date of the block.
(2) The block on information may be rescinded only by a subsequent order from the court that originally issued the order pursuant to Section 13A-8-198.
(3) If the block of information is rescinded pursuant to this section, the consumer shall be promptly notified in the same manner as the consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information pursuant to Section 611 of the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC Section 1681i, as amended.
(4) A consumer harmed by an intentional or reckless violation of this section may maintain an action for actual damages caused by a violation of this section and injunctive relief against the person who violated this section. A judgment in favor of the consumer shall include an award of attorney’s fees.
(5) It shall be a defense to any action or proceeding brought under this section that the defendant has established and implemented reasonable practices and procedures to comply with the requirements of this section. No action or proceeding may be brought under this section more than two years after the person bringing the action knew or should have known of the alleged violation in subdivision (4).

Legislative History

(Act 2001-312, p. 399, §11.)