Yes, bankruptcies are considered public record. Anyone may call the court and verify if you have filed bankruptcy. Online access to bankruptcy records is available for a fee to persons who have a PACER login and password. Social security numbers are protected. Only the last 4 digits of a debtor's social security number are available to the public. 

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 6 U.S.C. Section 605, is the law that controls credit reporting.  The law states that credit reporting agencies may not report a bankruptcy case on a person's credit report after ten years from the date the bankruptcy case is filed.  Other bad credit information is removed after seven years.

The Court does not report bankruptcy information to the credit bureaus but can verify the information. Credit bureaus are governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 605. Credit bureaus receive their information either through their own research of the public bankruptcy record, from your creditors, or verification by our office. Any dispute you might have regarding your credit report must be taken up with the credit bureaus directly.

You may want to visit the Federal Trade Commission Website at www.ftc.gov for more information. Use their research window to locate the publications on “Fair Credit Reporting.”

If you have a complaint, you may also contact the Consumer Response Center at their toll free number: 1-877-382-4357.