Defining 'Consumer'

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Question:

FACTA describes certain requirements as it relates to consumer health records/reports. How does the Fed usually define "consumer"?

Answer:

FACTA is a statute, not a regulation; therefore, how the Fed usually defines "consumer" is totally non-relevant here. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA) has a section with definitions - Section 2. In that section, it says the term "consumer" shall have the same meaning as in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Fair Credit Reporting Act in Section 603 defines "consumer" as an individual, so that's the definition for purposes of FACTA - a consumer means an individual.

First published on BankersOnline.com 9/13/10