Which of the following is a right protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) establishes various rights for consumers regarding their credit information. One of the key provisions of the FCRA is the right to request and receive a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. This right is aimed at promoting transparency and allowing individuals to monitor their credit history for errors or potential identity theft. By enabling consumers to access their credit reports at no charge once a year, the FCRA empowers individuals to take charge of their credit health and rectify inaccuracies that could negatively impact their financial lives.

In contrast, other options do not reflect rights protected by the FCRA. Ignoring credit disputes is not an allowable action; consumers have a right to dispute inaccuracies on their credit reports, and credit reporting agencies must investigate these disputes. The FCRA does not permit credit repair companies to charge unlimited fees for their services, as it aims to protect consumers from unfair practices. Additionally, the automatic deletion of all negative information is not a right afforded by the FCRA; negative information can remain on credit reports for a specified duration (generally seven to ten years), promoting responsible credit behavior rather than allowing individuals to easily erase their credit history.