Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), what is the most appropriate action for a car dealer holding a paper folder of customer credit reports?

Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), what is the most appropriate action for a car dealer holding a paper folder of customer credit reports?
A . To follow the Disposal Rule by having the reports shredded
B . To follow the Red Flags Rule by mailing the reports to customers
C . To follow the Privacy Rule by notifying customers that the reports are being stored
D . To follow the Safeguards Rule by transferring the reports to a secure electronic file

View Answer

Answer: A

Explanation:

The Disposal Rule is a provision of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) that requires businesses and individuals to take appropriate measures to dispose of sensitive information about consumers, such as credit reports, that are derived from consumer reports. The Disposal Rule is intended to reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud by preventing unauthorized access to or use of the information. According to the Disposal Rule, reasonable steps for disposal include burning, pulverizing, or shredding papers that contain consumer report information so that they cannot be read or reconstructed.

In this scenario, the most appropriate action for a car dealer holding a paper folder of customer credit reports is to follow the Disposal Rule by having the reports shredded. This would ensure that the car dealer complies with the FACTA and protects the privacy and security of the customers’ personal data. The other options are not correct, because:

The Red Flags Rule is another provision of the FACTA that requires financial institutions and creditors to implement a written identity theft prevention program that identifies and responds to the warning signs or red flags of identity theft in their operations. The Red Flags Rule does not apply to the disposal of consumer report information, nor does it require mailing the reports to customers, which could expose the information to interception or theft.

The Privacy Rule is a provision of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) that requires financial institutions to provide notice to customers about their privacy policies and practices, and to allow customers to opt out of sharing their personal information with certain third parties. The Privacy Rule does not apply to the disposal of consumer report information, nor does it require notifying customers that the reports are being stored, which could alert potential identity thieves to the existence of the information.

The Safeguards Rule is another provision of the GLBA that requires financial institutions to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program that protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of customer information. The Safeguards Rule does not apply to the disposal of consumer report information, nor does it require transferring the reports to a secure electronic file, which could still be vulnerable to hacking or unauthorized access.

Reference: FTC website, FACTA Disposal Rule Goes into Effect June 1 Shred Nations website, What Is the FACTA Disposal Rule?

Seam Services website, The FACTA Disposal Rule: What Does It Mean for Your Business?

IAPP CIPP/US Study Guide, Chapter 2: Limits on Private-sector Collection and Use of Data, pp. 49-50 IAPP website, Red Flags Rule

IAPP website, Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)