Kentucky does not have a general state credit reporting act. For Kentuckians, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act provides the main rules for fixing credit report errors. The credit bureaus must use reasonable procedures for accuracy and must reinvestigate disputes, usually within 30 days. Lenders, collectors and servicers that report to the bureaus must also investigate disputes passed on to them, and must correct or delete information they cannot verify.
Kentucky's main credit reporting statute is its security freeze law, KRS 367.365. It lets consumers freeze their report by mail, phone, fax or an electronic method the bureau offers. The bureau must place the freeze within 10 business days. Temporary lifts and removals must be handled within three business days. The statute allows bureaus to charge a capped fee, but identity theft victims with a police report cannot be charged to place a freeze. Since 2018, federal law has made freezes free at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze does not block existing creditors, debt collectors collecting an existing debt, or certain government agencies.
Kentucky has two federal districts. FCRA cases from eastern Kentucky are filed in the Eastern District of Kentucky, which has offices in Lexington, Ashland, Covington, Frankfort and London. Cases from western Kentucky, including Louisville, are filed in the Western District of Kentucky in Louisville, Bowling Green, Owensboro or Paducah. The FCRA allows actual damages, statutory and punitive damages for willful violations, and attorney's fees.
Where Kentucky FCRA cases are filed
FCRA claims are federal, so they go to a United States District Court. Cases from Kentucky are heard in 2 federal districts:
- Eastern District of KentuckyCourthouses: Ashland, Covington, Frankfort, Lexington, London.Filed with local or cooperating counsel
- Western District of KentuckyCourthouses: Bowling Green, Louisville, Owensboro, Paducah.Filed with local or cooperating counsel
Our attorneys are licensed in Texas, California, and Georgia. Where they aren't admitted in your local federal court, we work with local or cooperating counsel who are. You may also be able to sue where the company that reported you is based, in a court where our attorneys are admitted:
- Experian: HQ in C.D. California · Dispute Processing in E.D. Texas · Offices in N.D. Illinois
- Equifax: HQ in N.D. Georgia
- TransUnion: HQ in N.D. Illinois
- Santander Consumer: HQ in N.D. Texas
Which court is right depends on your facts. We'll tell you at your free case review.
Kentucky laws that add to the FCRA
- Security freeze on consumer reports (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 367.365)
Lets Kentucky consumers freeze their consumer report. The bureau must place the freeze within 10 business days and lift or remove it within three business days. Identity theft victims with a police report cannot be charged to place a freeze, and federal law now makes freezes free at the nationwide bureaus. Read it
Common credit report errors
- Accounts that aren't yours, including mixed-file and identity theft accounts
- Late payments you didn't make, or payments not credited
- Paid, settled or discharged debts still shown as owed
- Collections reported past the seven-year limit or re-aged
- A deceased indicator on a living person's file
Learn how these cases work on our credit report lawsuits page, or read our lawsuit guides for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kentucky have its own credit reporting law?
Kentucky's main credit reporting statute is KRS 367.365, which covers security freezes. Rights to dispute errors and to sue for damages come mostly from the federal FCRA.
Is it free to freeze my credit in Kentucky?
Kentucky's statute allows a capped fee in some cases, but federal law since 2018 requires Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to place and lift freezes for free. Kentucky law also bars a fee to place a freeze for identity theft victims who provide a police report.
Which federal court hears FCRA cases from Kentucky?
Eastern Kentucky cases, including Lexington, go to the Eastern District of Kentucky. Western Kentucky cases, including Louisville, Bowling Green and Paducah, go to the Western District of Kentucky. FCRA cases can also be filed in state court.
How long do I have to file an FCRA lawsuit in Kentucky?
FCRA deadlines are the same everywhere: generally two years from when you discover the violation, and no more than five years from when it happened (15 U.S.C. § 1681p). Waiting can cost you the claim.
Sources
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
- Ky. Rev. Stat. § 367.365 (security freeze)
- Ky. Rev. Stat. § 431.073 (expungement)
- Ky. Rev. Stat. § 335B.020 (public employment and licensing)
- NELP, Ban the Box / Fair Chance Hiring State and Local Guide
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1 (free national security freezes)
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.