A financial institution that furnished negative information about a consumer to a nationwide consumer reporting agency must provide the consumer with:

• A. A notice that the institution has furnished negative information
• B. No notice is required
• C. A copy of the report it provided
• D. A referral to the consumer's credit counselor

Answer: (D)

When a furnisher reports negative information about a consumer to a nationwide credit reporting agency, the consumer must be informed that this adverse information has been reported. This notice helps the consumer understand what is in their file and enables them to take action, such as reviewing the information with the reporting agency or disputing inaccuracies. A copy of the report is generally obtained from the reporting agency, not the furnisher, and a referral to a credit counselor is not a required step under this rule.