Gov. Brown signs law giving consumers more access to credit reports

A report on “60 Minutes” has resulted in a new California law giving consumers the ability to make sure their credit reports are accurate.

Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) said she was watching the CBS program and was struck by the results of a study by the Federal Trade Commission that as many as 40 million Americans have inaccurate information and errors in their credit reports.

“As consumers, we deserve every right to view our credit histories, especially if a bank, landlord or employer has this information and can use it to deny our credit applications,” Skinner said.

Skinner drafted AB 1220, which prohibits credit reporting agencies from discouraging banks, lenders and retailers from supplying their customers with copies of the credit reports given to the businesses in cases when they take adverse action against the consumer.

The new law allows the state attorney general and district attorneys to enforce the prohibition against credit reporting agencies discouraging users of credit reports from providing copies of those reports to consumers, Skinner said.

At present, only federal authorities and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can enforce the law on sharing credit reports, she said.

Gov. Jerry Brown announced Monday that he signed the bill, which is to take effect Jan. 1.

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