---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 C.F.R. § 422.835"
title: "20"
number: "422.835"
heading: "Debt reporting and use of credit reporting agencies."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/422.835"
---

# §422.835. Debt reporting and use of credit reporting agencies.

- (a) **Reporting delinquent debts.**
  - (1) We may report delinquent debts over $25 to credit bureaus or other automated databases.
  - (2) We will report administrative debts owed by individuals to consumer reporting agencies pursuant to [5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12)](/usc/5/552a.md?p=b-12). We may disclose only the individual's name, address, and Social Security number and the nature, amount, status, and history of the debt.
  - (3) Once we refer a debt to the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) for collection, Treasury may handle any subsequent reporting to or updating of a credit bureau or other automated database.
  - (4) Where there is reason to believe that a debtor has filed a bankruptcy petition, prior to proceeding under this [paragraph (a)](#a), we will contact the Office of the General Counsel for legal advice concerning the impact of the Bankruptcy Code, particularly with respect to the applicability of the automatic stay, [11 U.S.C. 362](/usc/11/362.md), and the procedures for obtaining relief from such stay.
  - (5) If the debtor has not received prior notice under [§ 422.805](/cfr/20/422.805.md), before reporting a delinquent debt under this section, we will provide the debtor at least 60 days notice including:
    - (i) The amount and nature of the debt;
    - (ii) That the debt is delinquent and that we intend to report the debt to a credit bureau;
    - (iii) The specific information that we will disclose;
    - (iv) The right to dispute the accuracy and validity of the information being disclosed; and
    - (v) If a previous opportunity was not provided, the right to request review of the debt or rescheduling of payment.
- (b) **Use of credit reporting agencies.** We may use credit-reporting agencies to determine a debtor's ability to repay a debt and to locate debtors. In the case of an individual, we may disclose, as a routine use under [5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3)](/usc/5/552a.md?p=b-3), only the individual's name, address, and Social Security number, and the purpose for which the information will be used.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: Sec. 97, Pub. L. 97-365, 96 Stat. 1749; Sec. 104, Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321; 5 U.S.C. 552; 5 U.S.C. 553; 31 U.S.C. 3711; 31 U.S.C. 3716; 31 U.S.C. 3717; 31 U.S.C. 3720A; 31 U.S.C. 3720B; 31 U.S.C. 3720C; 31 U.S.C. 3720D; 31 U.S.C. 3720E; 31 CFR parts 901-904; 31 CFR part 285; 5 U.S.C. 5514; 5 CFR part 550; 42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5).

### Source

Source: 80 FR 61734, Oct. 14, 2015, unless otherwise noted.

### Source

Source: 32 FR 13653, Sept. 29, 1967, unless otherwise noted.