OVERVIEW OF THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

CONDITIONS OF DISCLOSURE TO THIRD PARTIES

B. Twelve Exceptions to the "No Disclosure Without Consent" Rule

12. 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b)(12) (Debt Collection Act)

"to a consumer reporting agency in accordance with section 3711(e) of Title 31."

comment --

This disclosure exception was added to the original eleven exceptions by the Debt Collection Act of 1982. It authorizes agencies to disclose bad-debt information to credit bureaus. Before doing so, however, agencies must complete a series of due process steps designed to validate the debt and to offer the individual an opportunity to repay it. See OMB Guidelines, 48 Fed. Reg. 15,556-60 (1983).


Go to Table of Contents || Previous Section Conditions of Disclosure to Third Parties: (court order) || Next Section Accounting of Certain Disclosures