WAC 162-40-201   Rules concerning credit files.  (1) Establishing credit files. A consumer reporting agency shall not refuse to establish a credit file for any person in any name under which an applicant may open or maintain an account. This file may be referenced with the file of the applicant's spouse.

     (2) Name on credit report. A consumer reporting agency shall issue credit reports in the name in which the request for the report was received. A credit report may include the name of the spouse or former spouse, if available.

     (3) Public record information. If a consumer reporting agency places public record information in credit files and such information contains the names of both spouses, such information shall be referenced so that it is accessible in the name of each spouse.

     (a) If a consumer reporting agency places public record information concerning a decree of separation or dissolution of marriage in credit files, it shall place such information in the individual credit file of each spouse.

     (4) Community credit files. A consumer reporting agency may reference the credit files of married persons by listing in a spouse's file that the information is contained in the other spouse's file, provided the information is accessible by use of each spouse's name.

     (5) Transfer of joint account information. A consumer reporting agency shall, upon request, transfer information from joint credit files to an individual credit file regardless of the name in which the information was originally reported.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.60.120(3). 00-01-177, § 162-40-201, filed 12/21/99, effective 1/21/00; Order 34, § 162-40-201, filed 6/30/77.]