New Jersey has its own consumer credit reporting law. It was enacted as P.L.1997, chapter 172, and is codified beginning at N.J.S.A. 56:11-28. It regulates consumer reporting agencies alongside the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. In 2005 the Legislature added the Identity Theft Prevention Act, which amended the credit reporting law to create a state security freeze.
Under N.J.S.A. 56:11-46, a New Jersey consumer can freeze a credit report. The bureau must place the freeze within five business days and send written confirmation and a PIN. A temporary lift for a specific party or time period must be honored within three business days. While a freeze is in place, the bureau must send you written confirmation within 30 days of any change to your name, date of birth, Social Security number or address. Federal law now makes placing and lifting a freeze free at the nationwide bureaus. The 2005 law also lets identity theft victims file a police report where they live, which can support identity theft blocks and disputes under the FCRA.
Most credit reporting cases for New Jersey residents are brought under the FCRA, sometimes with state claims added, subject to federal preemption. New Jersey has one federal district. FCRA cases are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, which sits in Newark, Trenton and Camden. The FCRA allows actual damages for negligent violations, statutory and punitive damages for willful violations, and attorney's fees.
Where New Jersey FCRA cases are filed
FCRA claims are federal, so they go to a United States District Court. Cases from New Jersey are heard in one federal district:
- District of New JerseyCourthouses: Newark, Trenton, Camden.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.
New Jersey laws that add to the FCRA
- New Jersey consumer credit reporting law (N.J.S.A. 56:11-28 et seq. (P.L.1997, c.172))
New Jersey's state law regulating consumer reporting agencies and consumer reports, which works alongside the federal FCRA. It was amended in 2005 to add security freeze and identity theft provisions. Read it - New Jersey security freeze (N.J.S.A. 56:11-46)
Lets consumers place, temporarily lift and remove a freeze. The bureau must place it within five business days and honor a temporary lift within three business days. Read it - Identity Theft Prevention Act (P.L.2005, c.226 (N.J.S.A. 56:11-44 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17.6))
Created New Jersey's security freeze and requires local police where a victim lives to take an identity theft report, even if another agency investigates. It also limits changes to a frozen file without written notice to the consumer. 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 New Jersey have its own credit reporting law?
Yes. New Jersey's credit reporting law, codified beginning at N.J.S.A. 56:11-28, regulates consumer reporting agencies alongside the federal FCRA. It was amended in 2005 to add security freeze and identity theft protections.
Where do I file a police report for identity theft in New Jersey?
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17.6, you can file a report with the police department where you live. That agency must take the report even if another jurisdiction investigates. A police or identity theft report can help you block fraudulent accounts from your credit report under the FCRA.
Where are FCRA lawsuits filed in New Jersey?
In federal court, FCRA cases are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, which sits in Newark, Trenton and Camden. FCRA claims may also be brought in New Jersey Superior Court.
How long do I have to file an FCRA lawsuit in New Jersey?
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
- P.L.2005, c.226, Identity Theft Prevention Act (New Jersey Legislature)
- P.L.2014, c.32, Opportunity to Compete Act (New Jersey Legislature)
- P.L.2019, c.269, expungement reform (New Jersey Legislature)
- NJ Division on Civil Rights, Fair Chance in Housing Act
- NELP, Ban the Box / Fair Chance Hiring State and Local Guide
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. (FTC)
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.