What protections do I have against credit discrimination?

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) makes it illegal for a creditor to discriminate in any credit transaction, including mortgages, against any applicant because of:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• National origin
• Sex (gender)
• Marital status
• Age (if the applicant is old enough to enter into a contract)
• Receipt of income from any public assistance program
• Exercising in good faith a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.

This means that a creditor may not use any of the above grounds as a reason to:

• Refuse you credit if you qualify for it
• Discourage you from applying for credit
• Provide you credit on terms that are different from the terms given to someone else who is similarly situated to you, such as having similar creditworthiness
• Close your existing account

If you believe you’ve been discriminated against

If you believe that you were discriminated against on any of the above grounds, you can file a complaint

Or…

Whether or not you file a complaint, you can help us as we work to protect consumers and create a fairer marketplace by telling us about your experience. Tell us about your experience with a consumer financial product without filing an official complaint.

The Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone who is seeking a mortgage; home equity loan; or loan to build, repair, or improve a home on the basis of:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• National origin
• Sex (Gender)
• Handicap (disability)
• Familial status

If you believe that your lender discriminated against you on one of these bases when you sought a mortgage, home equity loan, or loan to build, repair or improve a home you can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For further information, visit HUD’s website.

State or local law may prohibit discrimination on additional grounds.

Learn more about…

• Your rights under these anti-discrimination laws, as well as helpful tools to protect yourself from discrimination, from the FTC (y en español).
• The Fair Housing Act, from HUD.
• The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, from the FTC (y en español).
• The U.S. Department of Justice’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, which enforces these and other antidiscrimination laws.

The Office of Fair Lending & Equal Opportunity

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Fair Lending & Equal Opportunity works to ensure fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory access to credit for both individuals and communities through:

• Enforcement and oversight of fair lending laws;
• Outreach to civil rights, community, and industry groups; and
• Consumer education and engagement.

Learn more about the office here, or contact us at FairLending@cfpb.gov.

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