Which entities are regulated by the FCRA?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designed to promote the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. It regulates a variety of entities involved in the consumer reporting process. The correct answer reflects that the FCRA includes regulations for both users of consumer reports (such as lenders and employers who may use credit information for decision-making) and furnishers of information (such as banks and credit card companies that provide data to consumer reporting agencies).

By regulating these two groups, the FCRA ensures that anyone who accesses consumer reports uses them responsibly and that those who report information to consumer reporting agencies do so accurately, thereby protecting consumer rights. This comprehensive approach helps maintain the integrity of consumer data and provides consumers with the ability to dispute inaccuracies.

The other options include entities like consumer reporting agencies and financial institutions. While consumer reporting agencies are indeed regulated, the emphasis of the question lies on the broader scope that includes both users and furnishers. Insurance providers and real estate agents, while they may interact with consumer reports, are not specifically regulated by the FCRA to the same extent as the broader categories outlined in the correct answer.