Louisiana has its own credit reporting statute, La. R.S. 9:3571.1, which adds state-law rights on top of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. It requires credit reporting agencies doing business in Louisiana to use reasonable care to ensure maximum accuracy. When a consumer disputes an item in writing, the agency must investigate within 45 calendar days and then correct the item or send a written status report. The agency must consider evidence the consumer provides. If the dispute is not resolved, the consumer may add a statement of up to 100 words.
The Louisiana statute also gives consumers a direct remedy for damaging errors. A consumer who is denied credit, insurance or employment because of erroneous information may recover actual damages, attorney fees and court costs. The same applies to a consumer who had to get erroneous information removed to be approved. The consumer must show the error was a significant cause and the agency failed to use ordinary care. Failing to comply with the federal FCRA or the state statute creates a presumption of that failure. The law also provides free security freezes and lets consumers request security alerts lasting at least 90 days. A consumer denied credit, insurance or employment because of a report may get a free copy by asking in writing within 60 days.
Louisiana has three federal districts. FCRA cases are filed in the Eastern District (New Orleans), the Middle District (Baton Rouge) or the Western District (Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles), depending on where the consumer lives or the events occurred. A case may combine federal FCRA claims with claims under La. R.S. 9:3571.1.
Where Louisiana FCRA cases are filed
FCRA claims are federal, so they go to a United States District Court. Cases from Louisiana are heard in 3 federal districts:
- Eastern District of LouisianaCourthouses: New Orleans.Filed with local or cooperating counsel
- Middle District of LouisianaCourthouses: Baton Rouge.Filed with local or cooperating counsel
- Western District of LouisianaCourthouses: Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, Shreveport.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.
Louisiana laws that add to the FCRA
- Louisiana credit reporting statute (La. R.S. 9:3571.1)
Requires credit reporting agencies to use reasonable care for maximum accuracy and to investigate written disputes within 45 calendar days. Consumers denied credit, insurance or employment because of erroneous information may recover actual damages, attorney fees and costs if the agency failed to use ordinary care. Read it - Security freezes and security alerts (La. R.S. 9:3571.1)
Consumers may freeze their credit reports for free. A freeze requested by phone or a secure website must be placed within 24 hours. Consumers may also request a security alert lasting at least 90 days that warns users of the report about possible fraud. 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
How long does a credit bureau have to investigate my dispute in Louisiana?
Louisiana's statute gives the agency 45 calendar days to investigate a written dispute and correct the item or send you a written status report. The federal FCRA generally requires a reinvestigation within 30 days, and both laws can apply.
Can I sue under Louisiana law if a credit report error cost me a loan or job?
La. R.S. 9:3571.1 allows a consumer denied credit, insurance or employment because of erroneous information to recover actual damages, attorney fees and court costs. You must show the error was a significant cause of the denial and that the agency failed to use ordinary care. Claims under the federal FCRA may also be available.
Which federal court handles a Louisiana FCRA case?
New Orleans-area cases go to the Eastern District of Louisiana, Baton Rouge-area cases go to the Middle District, and cases from north and southwest Louisiana go to the Western District. FCRA cases can also be filed in state court.
How long do I have to file an FCRA lawsuit in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Clerk's Office
- La. R.S. 9:3571.1 (credit reporting)
- La. R.S. 23:291.2 (criminal history in hiring)
- La. R.S. 42:1701 (state employer ban the box)
- NELP, Ban the Box / Fair Chance Hiring State and Local Guide
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.