reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate
(1) Prohibition (A) Reporting information with actual knowledge of errors A person shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. (B) Reporting information after notice and confirmation of errors A person shall not furnish information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if— (i) the person has been notified by the consumer, at the address specified by the person for such notices, that specific information is inaccurate; and (ii) the information is, in fact, inaccurate. (C) No address requirement A person who clearly and conspicuously specifies to the consumer an address for notices referred to in subparagraph (B) shall not be subject to subparagraph (A); however, nothing in subparagraph (B) shall require a person to specify such an address. (D) Definition For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate” means having specific knowledge, other than solely allegations by the consumer, that would cause a reasonable person to have substantial doubts about the accuracy of the information. (E) Rehabilitation of private education loans (i) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a consumer may request a financial institution to remove from a consumer report a reported default regarding a private education loan, and such information shall not be considered inaccurate, if— (I) the financial institution chooses to offer a loan rehabilitation program which includes, without limitation, a requirement of the consumer to make consecutive on-time monthly payments in a number that demonstrates, in the assessment of the financial institution offering the loan rehabilitation program, a renewed ability and willingness to repay the loan; and (II) the requirements of the loan rehabilitation program described in subclause (I) are successfully met. (ii) Banking agencies (I) In general If a financial institution is supervised by a Federal banking agency, the financial institution shall seek written approval concerning the terms and conditions of the loan rehabilitation program described in clause (i) from the appropriate Federal banking agency. (II) Feedback An appropriate Federal banking agency shall provide feedback to a financial institution within 120 days of a request for approval under subclause (I). (iii) Limitation (I) In general A consumer may obtain the benefits available under this subsection with respect to rehabilitating a loan only 1 time per loan. (II) Rule of construction Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to require a financial institution to offer a loan rehabilitation program or to remove any reported default from a consumer report as a consideration of a loan rehabilitation program, except as described in clause (i). (iv) Definitions For purposes of this subparagraph— (I) the term “appropriate Federal banking agency” has the meaning given the term in section 1813 of title 12 ; and (II) the term “private education loan” has the meaning given the term in section 1650(a) of this title . (F) Reporting information during COVID–19 pandemic (i) Definitions In this subsection: (I) Accommodation The term “accommodation” includes an agreement to defer 1 or more payments, make a partial payment, forbear any delinquent amounts, modify a loan or contract, or any other assistance or relief granted to a consumer who is affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic during the covered period. (II) Covered period The term “covered period” means the period beginning on January 31, 2020 and ending on the later of— (aa) 120 days after March 27, 2020 ; or (bb) 120 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on March 13, 2020 under the National Emergencies Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) terminates. (ii) Reporting Except as provided in clause (iii), if a furnisher makes an accommodation with respect to 1 or more payments on a credit obligation or account of a consumer, and the consumer makes the payments or is not required to make 1 or more payments pursuant to the accommodation, the furnisher shall— (I) report the credit obligation or account as current; or (II) if the credit obligation or account was delinquent before the accommodation— (aa) maintain the delinquent status during the period in which the accommodation is in effect; and (bb) if the consumer brings the credit obligation or account current during the period described in item (aa), report the credit obligation or account as current. (iii) Exception Clause (ii) shall not apply with respect to a credit obligation or account of a consumer that has been charged-off.