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
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 4 - Restraint of Trade or Commerce
Section 6 - Discouraging Competition
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 18b - Coin Operated Laundries; Notice to Consumer of Drying Times
Section 24 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 24 to 28
Section 24b - License; Application; Fee; Terms; Multi-State Licensing System
Section 24c - Registration of Third-Party Loan Servicer; Fees; Multi-State Licensing System
Section 24g - Requisites for License; Grounds for Denial; Written Decision; Appeal
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 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 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 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 48 - Cancellation of Agreements Consummated at Place Other Than Seller's Place of Business
Section 48a - Cancellation of Membership Camping Contracts
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 52 - Information Not to Be Contained in Consumer Report; Exceptions
Section 53 - Investigative Consumer Report; Disclosures to Consumer
Section 54 - Procedures to Be Maintained by Reporting Agency
Section 59 - Charge to Consumer for Disclosures
Section 60a - Procedures for Accurate Reporting of Public Record Information
Section 62a - Consumer Requested Security Freeze on Consumer Report
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 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 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 75 - Violations of Secs. 72 to 74; Effect; Rules and Regulations
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 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 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 114 - Real Estate Transactions; Disclosure; Psychologically Impacted Property