Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 93 - Regulation of Trade and Certain Enterprises
Section 58 - Completeness or Accuracy of Information; Dispute by Consumer; Reinvestigation; Deletion of Information; Notification of Deletion or Dispute; Reinsertion of Information

Section 58. (a) If the completeness or accuracy of any item of information in his file is disputed by a consumer, and such dispute is directly conveyed to the consumer reporting agency by the consumer, the consumer reporting agency shall within a reasonable period of time, but not to exceed thirty business days beginning on the date the consumer reporting agency receives notice from the consumer, reinvestigate and record the current status of such information unless it has reasonable grounds to believe that the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant; including by reason of a failure of the consumer to provide sufficient information, as requested by the consumer reporting agency, to resolve the dispute. Unless the consumer reporting agency determines that the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant before the end of the five business day period beginning on the date the consumer reporting agency receives notice of the dispute under this section, the agency shall notify any person who provided the information in dispute at the address provided by the person. A consumer reporting agency may require that disputes by consumers be in writing, but shall provide consumers with the option of speaking with a live representative at any time during the dispute resolution process, whenever possible and practicable or to the extent consistent with federal law.
(b) If the consumer reporting agency determines that the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, it shall notify the consumer by mail or, if authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by any other means available to the consumer reporting agency, within five business days after the determination is made that it is terminating its reinvestigation of the item of information. In this notification the consumer reporting agency shall state the specific reasons why it has determined that the consumer's dispute is frivolous or irrelevant. The presence of contradictory information in the consumer's file shall not in and of itself constitute grounds for believing the dispute to be frivolous or irrelevant.
(c) If after such reinvestigation such information is found to be inaccurate or can no longer be verified, the consumer reporting agency shall within three business days delete such information.
(d) If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, the consumer may file a statement setting forth the nature of the dispute.
(e) Within ten business days after completion of a reinvestigation, the agency shall provide the consumer with written information, free of charge, that includes: (1) a statement that the reinvestigation is completed, (2) a consumer report that is based on the consumer's file as that file is revised as a result of the reinvestigation, (3) a description or indication of any changes made in the consumer report as a result of such revisions, (4) notice that, if requested by the consumer, a description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information shall be provided to the consumer by the consumer reporting agency, including the business name, address, and telephone number of any furnisher of information contacted in connection with such information, (5) notice that the consumer has the right to add a statement to the consumer's file disputing the accuracy or completeness of the information, (6) notice that the consumer has the right to request that the consumer reporting agency furnish notifications under paragraphs (g) and (i), and (7) notice that the consumer has a right to obtain all information required to be disclosed under section fifty-six.
(f) Whenever a statement of dispute is filed, the consumer reporting agency shall, in any subsequent consumer report containing the information in question, clearly note that it is disputed by the consumer and provide the consumer's statement as part of its report.
(g) Following any deletion of information which is found not to be accurate, or whose accuracy can no longer be verified, the consumer reporting agency shall, upon the request of the consumer, within fifteen business days, furnish notification to any person who has within two years prior thereto received a consumer report for employment purposes, or within six months prior thereto received a consumer report for any other purpose, which contained the deleted item, that the item has been deleted.
(h) A consumer reporting agency shall accept the consumer's version of the disputed information and correct or delete the disputed item when the consumer submits to the consumer reporting agency documentation obtained from the source of the item in dispute or from public records confirming that the report was inaccurate or incomplete, unless the consumer reporting agency in good faith has substantial reason to doubt the authenticity of the documentation, or the completeness of the information provided.
(i) No information may be reinserted in a consumer's file after having been deleted pursuant to this section unless the person who furnishes the information to be reinserted verifies that the information is accurate. If any information so deleted from a consumer's file is reinserted in the file, the consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the consumer of the reinsertion in writing or, if authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by any other means available to the consumer reporting agency. As part of, or in addition to, said notice the consumer reporting agency shall, within five business days of reinserting the information, provide, in writing to the consumer: (1) a statement that the disputed information has been reinserted; (2) a notice that the agency will provide to the consumer, within fifteen days following a request, the name, address, and telephone number of any furnisher of information contacted or which contacted the consumer reporting agency in connection with the reinsertion; (3) the toll-free telephone number of the consumer reporting agency that the consumer may use to obtain such name, address, and telephone number; and, (4) a notice that the consumer has the right to add a statement to his file disputing the accuracy or completeness of the information.
(j) At any time during the dispute process described in this section, the consumer shall have the right to request to speak to a live representative from the consumer reporting agency in an attempt to resolve the dispute. The consumer reporting agency shall maintain a toll-free telephone number available to consumers for such purpose and shall notify consumers of its availability whenever possible and practicable or to the extent consistent with federal law.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title XV - Regulation of Trade

Chapter 93 - Regulation of Trade and Certain Enterprises

Section 1 - Massachusetts Antitrust Act; Short Title Applicable to Secs. 1 to 14a; Purpose

Section 2 - Definitions

Section 3 - Jurisdiction

Section 4 - Restraint of Trade or Commerce

Section 5 - Monopolies

Section 6 - Discouraging Competition

Section 7 - Exemptions

Section 8 - Investigation by Attorney General

Section 9 - Civil Actions by Attorney General

Section 10 - Violations of Secs. 4 or 5 With Intent to Injure Person; Punishment; Jurisdiction

Section 11 - Judgment or Decree as Prima Facie Evidence; Effect on Public Contracts

Section 12 - Civil Actions; Treble Damages; Attorneys Fees; Injunction; Stay

Section 13 - Limitations of Actions

Section 14a - Effect of Massachusetts Antitrust Act Upon Consumer Protection Laws

Section 14e - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 14e to 14k

Section 14f - Unfair Sales; Sales at Less Than Cost; Penalties

Section 14g - Advertising or Offering to Sell or Selling at Retail or Wholesale Excepted

Section 14h - Injunction; Duties of District Attorneys

Section 14i - Conflict of Laws

Section 14j - Partial Invalidity

Section 14k - Unfair Sales Act; Short Title Applicable to Secs. 14e to 14k

Section 14l - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 14m to 14r

Section 14m - Distribution and Redemption of Trading Stamps; Printing; Minimum Value

Section 14n - Distribution and Redemption of Trading Stamps; Conditions Precedent

Section 14o - New Bonds; Liability

Section 14p - Cessation of Business; Conditions Precedent

Section 14q - Redemption of Stamps; Defaults; Procedure

Section 14r - Penalties for Violation of Secs. 14m to 14p; Jurisdiction

Section 14s - Redemption of Credit Slips; Time Limitation

Section 15 - Publication of Statement of Financial Condition of Mining Corporation

Section 16 - False Statement Filed With Commissioner

Section 17 - Sale of Stock of Mining Corporation With Knowledge of False Advertisement; Penalty

Section 18 - False Statements to Stock Exchanges; Penalty

Section 18a - Laundry or Dry Cleaning Establishments; Identification Marks; Report of Type and Style; Change in Identification System

Section 18b - Coin Operated Laundries; Notice to Consumer of Drying Times

Section 24 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 24 to 28

Section 24a - Debt Collectors and Third Party Loan Servicers; Licensing and Registration Requirement; Rules and Regulations; Applicability of Section to Student Loan Servicers

Section 24b - License; Application; Fee; Terms; Multi-State Licensing System

Section 24c - Registration of Third-Party Loan Servicer; Fees; Multi-State Licensing System

Section 24d - Investigation of Collection Records of Debt Collector or Third Party Loan Servicer by Commissioner; Business Records; Records of Investigation; Penalties

Section 24e - Annual or Periodic Report of Debt Collector or Third Party Loan Servicer; Failure to File; Penalties

Section 24f - Production of Books and Papers; Administration of Oath; Failure to Appear or Produce Evidence; Obstruction; Penalty

Section 24g - Requisites for License; Grounds for Denial; Written Decision; Appeal

Section 24h - Violation of Act by Non-Applicant; Investigation; Police Authority; Violation of Chapter 93a

Section 24i - Revocation or Suspension of License; Grounds; Notice and Hearing; Surrender; Civil and Criminal Liability; Contracts

Section 24j - Cease and Desist Orders; Temporary Orders; Notice and Hearing; Review

Section 24k - Enforcement; Civil Action

Section 25 - Amount, Form and Provisions of Bond

Section 26 - Sureties; Approval; Filing; Cancellation; Notice

Section 27 - Record of Bonds; Open to Public Inspection

Section 28 - Penalties

Section 28a - Removal or Termination Sales

Section 28d - Violations of Secs. 28a to 28c; Penalties

Section 28e - Jurisdiction of Superior Court

Section 28f - Fire Sales; Advertising

Section 29 - Powers of Outdoor Advertising Board; Rules and Regulations; Permits; Hearings

Section 29a - Objection to Application for Permit for Billboard, Sign or Other Advertising Device; Hearing; Issuance; Appeal

Section 30 - Prohibition of Certain Billboards; Conformance to Rules and Regulations; Application

Section 30a - Abatement and Removal of Billboard, Sign or Other Device; Nuisance

Section 31 - Jurisdiction of Supreme Judicial and Superior Courts

Section 32 - Application of Secs. 29 to 31 and Sec. 33; Exempted Signs, Etc.

Section 33 - Violations of Rule, Regulation, etc., Established Under Sec. 29; Penalties

Section 40 - Solicitation of Business on Public Sidewalks

Section 40a - Dishonored Checks; Demand for Payment

Section 42 - Trade Secrets; Definitions Applicable to Secs. 42 to 42g

Section 42a - Trade Secrets; Injunctive Relief

Section 42b - Trade Secrets; Damages

Section 42c - Trade Secrets; Attorney's Fees and Costs

Section 42d - Trade Secrets; Preservation of Secrecy; Alleging Misappropriation With Reasonable Particularity

Section 42e - Trade Secrets; Statute of Limitations

Section 42f - Trade Secrets; Effect on Other Law

Section 42g - Trade Secrets; Uniformity of Application and Construction

Section 43 - Unsolicited Merchandise

Section 43a - Fees, Penalties or Other Charges for Sending Original Bill or Invoice by Postal Mail

Section 43b - Use by Performing Group of False, Deceptive or Misleading Affiliation, Connection or Association With Recording Group

Section 48 - Cancellation of Agreements Consummated at Place Other Than Seller's Place of Business

Section 48a - Cancellation of Membership Camping Contracts

Section 48b - Use of Credit Card to Obtain Travel Services; Surcharges, Reduction of Agent's Commission

Section 49 - Debt Collection in an Unfair, Deceptive or Unreasonable Manner

Section 49a - Retail Trade Reporting Agencies; Disclosures

Section 50 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 50 to 67

Section 51 - Consumer Report; Circumstances Under Which Reporting Agency May Furnish

Section 51a - Consumer Election to Exclude Name From Consumer Reporting Agency List; Notification System

Section 51b - Consumer Report; Consent of Consumer Required for User to Obtain, Use or Seek Report; Disclosure of Reason for Accessing Report

Section 52 - Information Not to Be Contained in Consumer Report; Exceptions

Section 52a - Child Support Arrearages; Information Furnished to Consumer Reporting Agencies; Notice to Obligor

Section 53 - Investigative Consumer Report; Disclosures to Consumer

Section 54 - Procedures to Be Maintained by Reporting Agency

Section 54a - Procedures to Ensure Accuracy of Information Reported to Consumer Reporting Agency; Disputed Information; Liability

Section 55 - Consumer Identifying Information; Furnishing to Governmental Agency by Consumer Reporting Agency

Section 56 - Consumer Reporting Agency Disclosures to Consumer; Written Explanation; Notice of Rights; Content of Notice

Section 57 - Procedure for Consumer Reporting Agency Disclosures; Actions Based on Information Disclosed

Section 58 - Completeness or Accuracy of Information; Dispute by Consumer; Reinvestigation; Deletion of Information; Notification of Deletion or Dispute; Reinsertion of Information

Section 59 - Charge to Consumer for Disclosures

Section 60 - Consumer Report for Employment Purposes; Public Record Information; Notice of Request for Consumer Report

Section 60a - Procedures for Accurate Reporting of Public Record Information

Section 61 - Use of Adverse Information in Subsequent Consumer Reports; Verification; Time of Receipt

Section 62 - Denial of Credit, Insurance or Employment, Etc. Because of Adverse Credit Information; Disclosures to Consumer

Section 62a - Consumer Requested Security Freeze on Consumer Report

Section 62b - Offering of Paid Products to Prevent or Restrict Access to Credit; Notice of Availability of Security Freeze Without Charge; Identification of Other Consumer Reporting Agencies From Which to Place, Lift or Remove Security Freeze

Section 63 - Willful Noncompliance With Secs. 50 to 62a; Liability for Damages

Section 64 - Negligent Noncompliance With Secs. 50 to 62a; Liability for Damages

Section 65 - Jurisdiction; Limitations

Section 66 - Obtaining Information From Consumer Reporting Agency Under False Pretenses; Penalty

Section 66a - Introducing False Information Into Consumer Reporting Agency's Files; Penalty

Section 67 - Providing Information From Consumer Reporting Agency's Files to Unauthorized Person; Penalty

Section 68 - Noncompliance as Unfair Trade Practice

Section 68a - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 68b to 68d

Section 68b - Credit Services Organization; Restrictions

Section 68c - Written Statement of Credit Services Organization Provided to Buyer; Contents

Section 68d - Contract Between Buyer and Credit Services Organization; Requirements

Section 68e - Violations of Secs. 68b to 68d

Section 69 - Multi-Level Distribution Companies; Multi-Level Marketing Programs; Contracts of Participation

Section 70 - Certification of Title to Mortgaged Premises; Liability of Attorney; Unfair Practice

Section 71 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 72 to 75

Section 72 - Purchases and Sales of Hearing Aids; Prerequisites

Section 73 - Sale of Hearing Aid by Physician, Otolaryngologist or Audiologist Offering Services Under Sec. 72; Disclosure; Inducement to Influence Recommendation of Purchase

Section 74 - Hearing Aid Sales and Delivery Receipts; Copies of Medical Clearance and Hearing Evaluation; Customer Records

Section 75 - Violations of Secs. 72 to 74; Effect; Rules and Regulations

Section 76 - Sale of Life Leases and Long-Term Leases in Nursing Homes, Retirement Homes and Homes for Aged

Section 78 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 78a to 88

Section 78a - Health Clubs to Have Aed and Aed Provider on Premises

Section 79 - Sellers of Contracts for Health Club Services; Bond Requirement

Section 80 - Contracts for Health Club Services; Terms

Section 81 - Contracts for Health Club Services; Cancellation of Contract; Notice; Refund

Section 82 - Contracts for Health Club Services; Cancellation of Contract After Buyer's Death or Disablement; Other Reasons for Cancellation; Notice; Refund

Section 83 - Assignment of Contract for Health Club Services; Right of Cancellation Preserved; Notice of Assignment

Section 84 - Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices of Health Clubs or Sellers of Contracts for Health Club Services

Section 85 - Void and Unenforceable Contracts for Health Club Services

Section 86 - Actions for Damages or Other Relief; Actions Involving Use or Non-Use of Defibrillator

Section 87 - Violations of Secs. 78 to 88; Civil Penalty

Section 88 - Enforcement of Bonding Provisions by Attorney General

Section 89 - Dressing Room Surveillance; Penalty

Section 90 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 90 to 93

Section 91 - Written Statement of Information Prior to Execution of Consumer Lease

Section 92 - Advertisement for Consumer Lease; Statement Regarding Payment

Section 92a - Consumer Lease; Item Disclosure

Section 92b - Reinstatement of Agreement Following Failure of Timely Payment

Section 93 - Liability of Lessor; Limits on Recovery; Offset and Counterclaim

Section 94 - Contract for Purchase and Sale of Propane Gas

Section 95 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 95 to 100

Section 96 - Sale or Distribution of Plaintiff Personal Injury Listing; Required Information

Section 97 - Disclosure of Plaintiff Personal Injury Listing

Section 98 - Unfair and Deceptive Acts or Practices Relating to Plaintiff Personal Injury Listings

Section 99 - Violations of Secs. 96 to 98; Remedies

Section 100 - Violations of Secs. 96 to 98; Penalties

Section 101 - Waiver of Consumer Rights Prohibited

Section 102 - Equal Rights; Violations; Civil Actions; Costs

Section 103 - Equal Rights; Age and Handicap; Violations; Remedies

Section 104 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 104 and 105

Section 105 - Credit Cards; Checks; Personal Identification Information

Section 106 - Video Rental; Records; Penalty

Section 107 - Customized Wheelchairs; Nonconformity With Warrant; Rights and Remedies

Section 108 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 108 to 113

Section 109 - Authorization of Change in Customer's Primary Interexchange Carrier or Local Exchange Carrier

Section 110 - Complaint That Customer's Ixc or Lec Has Been Switched Without Customer Authorization

Section 111 - Information Booklet Describing Customer's Rights Under Secs. 108 to 113

Section 112 - Customer Refunds

Section 113 - Annual Report; Records of Companies That Have Engaged in Unauthorized Switching of Customer's Ixc or Lec

Section 114 - Real Estate Transactions; Disclosure; Psychologically Impacted Property