Which of the following is considered an adverse action under FCRA?

An adverse action under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) refers to any action taken by a creditor or lender that negatively affects a consumer's ability to obtain credit or results in a less favorable credit outcome. In this context, when a consumer is denied a loan based on their credit history, it is a clear example of an adverse action. This denial directly impacts the individual's financial opportunities and reflects the negative assessment made using their credit report or history.

The other scenarios do not fit the definition of adverse actions as precisely. A delay in processing a credit request without explanation does not necessarily constitute an adverse action, as it does not explicitly result in a negative outcome for the consumer. Receiving an unsolicited credit card offer is a neutral situation and does not reflect any action taken based on the consumer's creditworthiness. Lastly, being approved for credit but at a higher interest rate might be viewed as less favorable but does not fit the standard definition of adverse action as it is technically still a form of approval, albeit with more onerous terms.