# Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.09: CIVIL LIABILITY

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.09

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.09
- **Heading:** CIVIL LIABILITY
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code bc / Chapter 20 / Section 20.09

## Text

(a) A consumer reporting agency that wilfully violates this chapter is liable to the consumer against whom the violation occurs for the greater of three times the amount of actual damages to the consumer or $1,000, reasonable attorney fees, and court or arbitration costs.

(b) A consumer reporting agency that negligently violates this chapter is liable to the consumer against whom the violation occurs for the greater of the amount of actual damages to the consumer or $500, reasonable attorney fees, and court or arbitration costs. A consumer reporting agency is not considered to have negligently violated this chapter if, not later than the 30th day after the date on which the agency receives notice of a dispute from the consumer under Section 20.06 that clearly explains the nature and substance of the dispute, the agency completes the reinvestigation and sends the consumer and, at the request of the consumer, each person who received the consumer information written notification of the results of the reinvestigation in accordance with Section 20.06(f).

(c) In addition to liability imposed under Subsection (a), a consumer reporting agency that does not correct a consumer's file and consumer report before the 10th day after the date on which a judgment is entered against the agency because of inaccurate information contained in a consumer's file is also liable for $1,000 a day until the inaccuracy is corrected.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.01 § 20.01. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.01.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.02 § 20.02. PERMISSIBLE PURPOSES; PROHIBITION; USE OF CONSUMER'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.02.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.03 § 20.03. DISCLOSURES TO CONSUMERS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.03.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.04 § 20.04. CHARGES FOR CERTAIN DISCLOSURES OR SERVICES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.04.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.05 § 20.05. REPORTING OF INFORMATION PROHIBITED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.05.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.06 § 20.06. DISPUTE PROCEDURE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.06.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.07 § 20.07. CORRECTION OF INACCURATE INFORMATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.07.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.08 § 20.08. CONSUMER'S RIGHT TO FILE ACTION IN COURT OR ARBITRATE DISPUTES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.08.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.09 § 20.09. CIVIL LIABILITY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.09.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.10 § 20.10. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.10.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.11 § 20.11. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; CIVIL PENALTY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.11.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.12 § 20.12. DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.12.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.13 § 20.13. VENUE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.13.md)
- [Tex. Business & Commerce Code § 20.21 § 20.21. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.21.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cbc_C20_S20.09. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.