Creditors cannot…
- Discourage you from applying or reject your application based on your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because you receive public assistance.
- Consider your race, sex, or national origin in determining your eligibility, although you may be asked to disclose this information if you like, because the data is collected by federal agencies to enforce anti-discrimination laws. However, a creditor may consider your immigration status and whether you have the right to stay in the country long enough to repay the debt.
- Impose different terms or conditions, like a higher interest rate or higher fees on a loan based on your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because you receive public assistance.
- Ask if you're widowed or divorced. However, a creditor may use the following terms: married, unmarried, or separated.
- Ask for information about your spouse, except:
- if your spouse is applying with you;
- if your spouse will be allowed to use the account;
- if you are relying on your spouse's income or on alimony or child support income from a former spouse;
- if you live in a community property state.
- Ask about your plans for having or raising children, but creditors can ask questions about expenses related to your dependents.
- Ask if you get alimony, child support, or separate maintenance payments, unless creditors inform you first that you are not required to provide this information if you aren't relying on these payments to get credit. A creditor may ask if you have to pay alimony, child support, or separate maintenance payments.