Vermont has one of the stronger state credit reporting laws in the country, in 9 V.S.A. 2480a through 2480j. It works alongside the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Its most unusual rule is consent. Under 9 V.S.A. 2480e, a person generally may not obtain a Vermont consumer's credit report without the consumer's consent or a court order, and may use it only for the purpose the consumer agreed to. Federal law allows many more uses without consent. Vermont also requires credit bureaus to give Vermont consumers a special notice of their state rights, including a free report every 12 months from each bureau.
Vermont was early on security freezes. Under 9 V.S.A. 2480h, a bureau must place a freeze within five business days of a request and lift it within three business days. It cannot charge a Vermont consumer to place, lift or remove a freeze. Vermont's law also has its own remedies. Under 9 V.S.A. 2480f, a consumer harmed by a violation can sue in Superior Court for actual damages, injunctive relief, costs and attorney's fees. For a violation by a credit bureau, or a willful violation by anyone, the court may award at least $100. Punitive damages are available for willful violations.
These state claims can be brought alongside federal FCRA claims for inaccurate reporting and failed disputes. Federal FCRA cases from Vermont are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, which sits in Burlington and Rutland.
Where Vermont FCRA cases are filed
FCRA claims are federal, so they go to a United States District Court. Cases from Vermont are heard in one federal district:
- District of VermontCourthouses: Burlington, Rutland.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.
Vermont laws that add to the FCRA
- Vermont Consumer Credit Reporting Law (9 V.S.A. 2480a-2480j)
Vermont's own credit reporting statute. It covers disclosures to consumers, disputes, consent to obtain reports, security freezes and civil remedies. Read it - Consent Required to Obtain a Credit Report (9 V.S.A. 2480e)
A person may not obtain a consumer's credit report without a court order or the consumer's consent, and may use it only for the purpose the consumer agreed to. Exceptions cover follow-up reports in the same credit relationship and prescreening. Read it - Security Freeze (9 V.S.A. 2480h)
Lets a Vermont consumer freeze their credit report at no charge. The bureau must place the freeze within five business days and lift or remove it within three business days of a proper request. Read it - Civil Remedies (9 V.S.A. 2480f)
Lets a consumer harmed by a violation sue for actual damages, injunctive relief, costs and attorney's fees. The court may award at least $100 for a violation by a credit bureau or a willful violation by anyone, and punitive damages for willful violations. 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
Can someone pull my credit report in Vermont without my permission?
Generally not. 9 V.S.A. 2480e requires your consent or a court order before a person obtains your credit report, with limited exceptions such as follow-up reviews by an existing creditor and prescreened offers. Pulling a report without a permitted purpose may also violate the federal FCRA.
Can I sue under Vermont law for a credit report error?
Yes. Under 9 V.S.A. 2480f, a consumer harmed by a violation of Vermont's credit reporting law can sue for actual damages, costs and attorney's fees, with a minimum award of $100 in some cases. Federal FCRA claims can be brought in the same case.
Is a credit freeze free in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont law bars credit bureaus from charging Vermont consumers to place, lift or remove a security freeze. The bureau must place the freeze within five business days of your request.
How long do I have to file an FCRA lawsuit in Vermont?
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 District of Vermont
- 9 V.S.A. ch. 63 (Vermont Legislature)
- 9 V.S.A. 2480b (Vermont Legislature)
- 9 V.S.A. 2480e (Vermont Legislature)
- 9 V.S.A. 2480f (Vermont Legislature)
- 9 V.S.A. 2480h (Vermont Legislature)
- 21 V.S.A. 495i (Vermont Legislature)
- 21 V.S.A. 495j (Vermont Legislature)
- 13 V.S.A. 7606 (Vermont Legislature)
- NELP, Ban the Box / Fair Chance Hiring State and Local Guide
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. (FTC)
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.