Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA) - Explained
What is the RFPA?
Written by Jason Gordon
Updated at September 26th, 2021
- Marketing, Advertising, Sales & PR
- Accounting, Taxation, and Reporting
- Professionalism & Career Development
-
Law, Transactions, & Risk Management
Government, Legal System, Administrative Law, & Constitutional Law Legal Disputes - Civil & Criminal Law Agency Law HR, Employment, Labor, & Discrimination Business Entities, Corporate Governance & Ownership Business Transactions, Antitrust, & Securities Law Real Estate, Personal, & Intellectual Property Commercial Law: Contract, Payments, Security Interests, & Bankruptcy Consumer Protection Insurance & Risk Management Immigration Law Environmental Protection Law Inheritance, Estates, and Trusts
- Business Management & Operations
- Economics, Finance, & Analytics
- Courses
Table of Contents
What is the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (RFPA)?Discussion QuestionPractice QuestionAcademic ResearchWhat is the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (RFPA)?
The RFPA places limitations on the ability of the Federal Government to seek financial records about an individual from banks or other financial institutions. The RFPA applies only to the Federal Government. It does not govern requests for financial records made by private businesses or state or local governments. Further, the RFPA only protects the records of individuals and partnerships with 5 or fewer partners. It does not protect the financial information of other business entities. The Federal Government may access such records in the following instances:
the customer authorizes access; there is an appropriate administrative subpoena or summons; there is a qualified search warrant; there is an appropriate judicial subpoena; or there is an appropriate written request from an authorized government authority.
If the Federal Government seeks to obtain these records, it must notify the individual whose records are requested. The customer then has 10 days from the date of written notice to challenge the disclosure. The RFPA allows for statutory damages of $100 for each violation.
Note: The FRPA allows for disclosure without notice to the individual consumer in a number of instances, including use in a civil or criminal proceeding or certain national security investigations.
Next Article: Electronic Communication Privacy Act Back to: CONSUMER PROTECTION
Related Topics
- Truth in Lending Act
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Fair Credit Billing Act
- Electronic Funds Transfer Act
- Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT)
- Equal Credit Opportunity Act
- Regulation B
- Consumer Credit Protection Act
- Consumer Advisory Council
-
Consumer Financial Protection Act
- Consumer Product Safety Act
- Consumer Product Labeling Laws
- Credit Repair Organization Act
- Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
- Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act)
- Personally Identifiable Information
- Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (RFPA)
- Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA)
- Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act of 1986 (COPPA)
- Privacy Policy
- CAN SPAM Act
Discussion Question
Why do you think Congress placed limitations on the ability of the Federal Government to access the financial records of individuals? Do you believe the requirement to notify the individual of the request and the period to dispute the disclosure adequately protect the individuals privacy rights? Why or why not?
Practice Question
Clayton is suspected of tax evasion and racketeering. The IRS and FBI open an joint investigation into his conduct. These agencies want to access Claytons financial records with several banks. What process must the IRS and FBI follow before sending a request to these financial institutions for Claytons records?