Your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
The FCRA promotes accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in consumer credit files. This notice explains your rights and how HIP handles credit-related information in connection with mortgage and lending services.
Snapshot
Effective: August 1, 2025
Applies to: Users requesting mortgage pre-approval or lender connections.
Key Right: You can dispute inaccurate credit information at any time.
Important: Credit Reports and Your Mortgage Journey
When you request a mortgage pre-approval or lender connection through HIP, the partnering lender may obtain a consumer credit report to evaluate your application. This page explains your rights regarding that process.
Your Rights Under the FCRA
Federal law gives you specific rights regarding your credit information. These rights apply whenever a credit report is used in connection with HIP services.
You have the right to
- Know what is in your credit file. You can request a free disclosure of all information in your file from each nationwide credit reporting agency once every 12 months.
- Ask for your credit score. Credit scores derived from credit files are available for a fee.
- Dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. If you identify inaccurate or incomplete information, you can dispute it with the credit reporting agency.
- Have inaccurate information corrected or deleted. Credit reporting agencies must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information, typically within 30 days.
- Have consumer reporting agencies give you notice when adverse information is reported. Creditors must notify you when they report negative information to credit bureaus.
- Have limited access to your file. Only people with a valid need (such as a creditor evaluating your application) can access your credit report.
- Give your consent for reports provided to employers. A credit reporting agency may not provide your report to an employer without your written consent.
- Limit prescreened offers of credit. You can opt out of prescreened offers of credit or insurance by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT.
- Seek damages from violators. You may sue a credit reporting agency or information provider in state or federal court if they violate the FCRA.
How HIP and Partners Use Credit Information
Understanding when and how credit information may be accessed during your homeownership journey.
Credit information may be accessed when
- You request a mortgage pre-approval through HIP and explicitly consent to a credit check.
- You connect with a partnering lender who requires credit verification to provide loan terms.
- You submit a full mortgage application through a HIP-connected lender.
- You request to see estimated rates that require a credit score for accuracy.
HIP does not
- Pull credit reports directly. Only licensed lenders conduct credit inquiries.
- Store your full credit report. We may receive summary credit scores for educational display only.
- Share credit information with third parties for marketing purposes.
- Use credit information to discriminate based on protected characteristics.
Soft Pull vs. Hard Pull
Educational rate estimates often use a "soft pull" that does not affect your credit score. A "hard pull" occurs when you formally apply for credit and may have a small, temporary impact on your score. You will always be informed before a hard inquiry is conducted.
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
If you find inaccurate information on your credit report, you have the right to dispute it.
Obtain Your Credit Report
Request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.
Identify Errors
Review your report carefully for inaccuracies such as incorrect account information, accounts you don't recognize, or outdated negative information.
File a Dispute
Contact the credit reporting agency directly to dispute errors. You can file disputes online, by phone, or by mail with supporting documentation.
Follow Up
The agency must investigate within 30 days. If information is found to be inaccurate, it will be corrected or removed. You'll receive a free copy of your updated report.
Contact the Credit Bureaus
Adverse Action Notices
If credit information results in a negative decision, you have the right to know.
If you are denied credit or receive less favorable terms, you have the right to
- Receive a notice explaining the action taken and providing contact information for the credit bureau that supplied the report.
- Obtain a free copy of your credit report from that bureau within 60 days of the adverse action.
- Know your credit score if it was used in making the credit decision.
- Dispute any inaccurate information that may have contributed to the decision.
What qualifies as an adverse action?
An adverse action includes: denial of credit, denial of insurance, denial of employment, or any decision to change the terms of an existing credit agreement unfavorably based on information in a consumer report.
Identity Theft Protections
If you believe you're a victim of identity theft, you have additional rights under the FCRA.
Identity theft victims can
- Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting any one of the three major credit bureaus.
- Place a credit freeze to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
- Obtain free copies of documents relating to fraudulent transactions made in your name.
- Request that credit reporting agencies block fraudulent information from appearing on your report.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.
Questions About Credit and HIP
Our team is here to help you understand how credit information is used in your homeownership journey.
Contact HIP Support
Email: support@hip.example.com
For credit-related concerns: privacy@hip.example.com
California DRE License: #01845929
NMLS ID: #1107134
Federal Resources
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
consumerfinance.gov →
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
consumer.ftc.gov →
Related Policies
For more information about how HIP handles your data, please review our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Do Not Sell My Personal Information pages.