--- title: "In the News: Fair Credit Reporting Act" description: On a daily basis, companies are facing litigation for FCRA violations. Here are a few of the latest headlines and tips to help you stay compliant. image: https://blog.verifirst.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/FCRA_Compliance_News.png --- [FCRA Compliance](https://blog.verifirst.com/topic/fcra-compliance) # In the News: Fair Credit Reporting Act [![Ryan Howard](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/29a1d4bf57e0e03d00a52ef501083a92)](https://blog.verifirst.com/author/ryan-howard) by [Ryan Howard](https://blog.verifirst.com/author/ryan-howard) 3 min read Thu, Jul 09, 2015 ![FCRA_Compliance_News](https://blog.verifirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/FCRA_Compliance_News.png?width=746&name=FCRA_Compliance_News.png) # FCRA in the Headlines The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) may not be as glamorous as the Kardashian Family but business owners and HR professionals are probably used to seeing just as many headlines. Or at least they should be. On a daily basis, companies are facing litigation for not being aware of the strict regulations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Other news stories focus on FCRA violations from the point of view of those it was made to protect. Here are a few of the latest FCRA headlines.  **Recent News** ### Uber And Lyft Sued Over Background Checks This past week, a driver who had worked for both companies [filed lawsuits against both Uber and Lyft](http://www.ibtimes.com/uber-lyft-sued-over-background-checks-driver-says-firms-obtained-reports-without-1990366) for not followingFCRA guidelines for obtaining consent for a background check. The driver actually did sign the consent form, however it was buried with other forms as part of the application. TheFCRA requires that the consent authorization forms must be a separate and clearly stated standalone document.  This is the second time that Uber has faced litigation with regards to the FCRA. Last year, a driver was fired for information that the company found on his background check but he was not given the option to explain the contents before he was terminated. **See also:** [How to Obtain Applicant Consent and Authorization to a Background Check](https://blog.verifirst.com/how-to-obtain-applicant-consent-and-authorization-to-a-background-check) ### Georgia Enacts “Mini”FCRA The Fair Credit Reporting Act was originally passed into law in 1970. Since then, several states including California, Maine, New York, Oklahoma and others have [passed their own versions of the FCRA](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/georgia-enacts-mini-fcra-fair-credit-reporting-act). Georgia is the latest to adopt its own.  The new law affects credit reporting agencies that provide information on people who reside within the state. It follows closely the regulations stated by the federal act and also prohibits state agencies from using prior criminal convictions as an automatic disqualification from a job opportunity.  **See also:** [What Employers Need to Know About Ban the Box](https://blog.verifirst.com/what-employers-need-to-know-about-ban-the-box) [![Ban the Box Compliance  Download our Application Template Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/157703/9327b0a0-9687-49ec-a8e4-97caf9e8a2f9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/157703/9327b0a0-9687-49ec-a8e4-97caf9e8a2f9) ### LinkedIn's Reference Search Does Not Violate FCRA Recently, the *Sweet, et al. v. LinkedIn* case was in the news addressing the issue of reference reports generated for premium subscribers to LinkedIn. The allegation was that LinkedIn acted as a consumer reporting agency when it provided references for individual candidates applying for jobs. The plantiffs said they were denied jobs because of information provided by references through LinkedIn and therefore violated the FCRA. The judge dismissed the case and said that [LinkedIn did not violate the FCRA](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/magistrate-judge-rules-linkedin-s-reference-search-does-not-violate-fair-credit-repo). It does bring into focus how social media plays into hiring decisions and may lead to more FCRA amendments as more lawsuits are filed. **See also:** [Can You Include Social Media in Background Checks?](https://blog.verifirst.com/can-you-include-social-media-in-background-checks) ### Don’t let a natural disaster become a data security calamity In 2005, the FCRA was amended to include regulations with regards to properly disposing of the consumer information gathered by any business or individual for a business purpose. Last month, the FTC warned that [natural disasters can not be used as an excuse for failing to comply with the law](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2015/06/dont-let-natural-disaster-become-data-security-calamity). The article details many tips to minimize the amount of paperwork and records stored on any individual as well as links to properly dispose of the information gathered.  As a best practice for human resources, the article includes other helpful information for preparing your business for any natural disaster and how to help your employees or customers after the fact.  **See also:** [HR Record Retention for Background Screening Consent Forms and Information](https://blog.verifirst.com/hr-record-retention-for-background-screening-consent-forms-and-information)  With regulations and amendments affecting hiring practices, it is suggested that human resources, hiring managers and business owners stay abreast of FCRA news. There is a decided increase in class action lawsuits for FCRA background check violations. With the right information, your company won't be one of them.  ### FCRA Compliance Resources [ComplianceCloud](https://screen.verifirst.com/compliance-cloud-signup) features a list of complimentary web services to help your business take charge of it's FCRA obligations. Gain access to electronic applicant consent, e-signatures, background screening interfaces, and FCRA adverse action notifications. [![Learn More About ComplianceCloud](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/157703/92b6c055-ae31-4cd1-b5d5-c89f209ba664.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/157703/92b6c055-ae31-4cd1-b5d5-c89f209ba664)   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/157703/4d459569-e788-45e6-b4a1-dd9f1532ef54.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/157703/4d459569-e788-45e6-b4a1-dd9f1532ef54)       #### Share this [Share on X ](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://blog.verifirst.com/in-the-news-fair-credit-reporting-act&text=In+the+News%3A+Fair+Credit+Reporting+Act) [Share on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.verifirst.com/in-the-news-fair-credit-reporting-act&t=In+the+News%3A+Fair+Credit+Reporting+Act) [Share on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.verifirst.com/in-the-news-fair-credit-reporting-act&t=In+the+News%3A+Fair+Credit+Reporting+Act) Previous story [← Happy Independence Day](https://blog.verifirst.com/happy-independence-day) Next story [What is "Negligent Hiring" - and how HR Managers can help prevent it →](https://blog.verifirst.com/what-is-negligent-hiring-and-how-hr-managers-can-help-prevent-it) ### You May Also Like These Related Stories [Background Screening Compliance for Employers](https://blog.verifirst.com/background-screening-compliance-for-employers) ![](https://blog.verifirst.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Background%20Screening%20Compliance%20for%20Employers.jpg) [Human Resources](https://blog.verifirst.com/topic/human-resources) #### Background Screening Compliance for Employers Fri, Jan 20, 2023 2 min read [Do You Know if Your Business Hiring is FCRA Compliant?](https://blog.verifirst.com/do-you-know-if-your-business-hiring-is-fcra-compliant) ![](https://blog.verifirst.com/hubfs/Header%20images%202017/verifirst-green-light.jpg) [Human Resources](https://blog.verifirst.com/topic/human-resources) #### Do You Know if Your Business Hiring is FCRA Compliant? Tue, Nov 19, 2019 2 min read [What is the Difference Between State and Federal FCRA Laws?](https://blog.verifirst.com/what-is-the-difference-between-state-and-federal-fcra-laws) ![Difference Between State and Federal FCRA Laws.png](https://blog.verifirst.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Difference%20Between%20State%20and%20Federal%20FCRA%20Laws.png) [Employment Background Screening](https://blog.verifirst.com/topic/employment-background-screening) #### What is the Difference Between State and Federal FCRA Laws? Mon, Jun 19, 2017 4 min read ### Get Email Notifications ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Ryan Howard", "url" : "https://blog.verifirst.com/author/ryan-howard" }, "datePublished" : "2015-07-09T20:21:59.000Z", "headline" : "In the News: Fair Credit Reporting Act", "image" : [ "https://blog.verifirst.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/FCRA_Compliance_News.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.verifirst.com/in-the-news-fair-credit-reporting-act", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.verifirst.com/hs-fs/hub/157703/file-1399347280.png" }, "name" : "VeriFirst" } } ```