Credit Reporting Errors
An inaccurate record can cost you a mortgage, a student loan or a job. We find the errors, dispute them with the bureaus and enforce the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.
- Admitted in New York, 2004
- S.D.N.Y. and E.D.N.Y.
- Representing consumers since 1999
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Where do credit report errors come from?
Credit report errors have three common sources. A credit bureau mixes or merges your file with someone else’s, a lender or card company misreports your account, or an identity thief opens accounts in your name. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the bureaus to assure the maximum possible accuracy of your report.
- Mixed or merged filesA credit bureau combines the information of two different people.
- Creditor errorsA lender or card company misreports your account.
- Identity theftAccounts opened by an imposter end up on your report.
Maximum possible accuracy
The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit bureaus to assure the maximum possible accuracy of your report.
“I work with many different attorneys regularly. I recently had a problem with my personal credit which threatened to shut down my business. Kevin handled the dispute brilliantly and got the issue resolved in a way that was very favorable to me. Would highly recommend him to anyone dealing with credit issues!”
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Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.
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What are your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law. The bureau must investigate your written dispute, usually within 30 days. If it won’t fix the error, you may sue for actual damages, statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 per willful violation, punitive damages, and your attorney’s fees and costs.
Your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The FCRA is a federal law. It requires credit bureaus to assure the “maximum possible accuracy” of your report, and it gives you powerful remedies when they fail.
- Consumers in a Federal Trade Commission study who found errors that could affect their credit score
- 1 in 4
- Credit reports frequently contain errors.
- Days a credit bureau usually has to investigate your dispute
- 30
- It checks with the company that supplied the information and sends you the results in writing.
- Statutory damages per violation when the violation is willful
- $100 to $1,000
- You can also seek actual damages, punitive damages for intentional wrongdoing, and your attorney’s fees and court costs.
What the bureau must do
When you dispute an error in writing, the bureau must investigate, usually within 30 days. It checks with the company that supplied the information and sends you the results in writing.
Read what happens after the investigation
If anything changes, you get a free copy of the corrected report. If the item is found accurate, you can add a statement explaining your dispute.
When the bureau will not fix it
If the error is not corrected after a dispute, you can sue for a corrected report and compensation, including:
See what you can recover
- Actual damages, such as denied credit, higher interest rates and lost job opportunities
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 per violation when the violation is willful
- Punitive damages for intentional wrongdoing or reckless disregard
- Your attorney’s fees and court costs
Check your report, then act
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion must each give you a free credit report every 12 months. Request yours at AnnualCreditReport.com.
The FCRA has a statute of limitations, so delaying may cost you your rights. If an error is still on your report after a dispute, call us for a free evaluation.
AnnualCreditReport.com (opens in a new tab)How does a credit report case work?
Five steps, from the first call to court if it comes to that. It starts with a free consultation and a detailed review of your report. We dispute the errors with the bureaus and creditors and, if needed, file suit to enforce the FCRA. You work one-on-one with your lawyer throughout.
Free consultation
We listen to what happened and outline your legal options.
Detailed review
We review your credit report and identify every error.
What we look for in your report
You get a clear account of what is wrong and what the law requires the bureau to do about it.
- Accounts that do not belong to you
- Incorrect personal information
- Inaccurate account statuses
- Outdated information
Documents
We gather and organize the documentation that supports your dispute.
Negotiation
We deal directly with the credit bureaus and creditors.
Legal action
If needed, we file suit to enforce the FCRA and seek damages.
Start with a free consultation.
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.
Credit report questions
Straight answers to what people ask before they call. For anything else, the first consultation is free.
Free consultationDo I pay anything to hire you?
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases. Your first consultation is free.
How long does a credit bureau have to investigate?
Usually 30 days. When you dispute an error in writing, the credit bureau must investigate, usually within 30 days. It contacts the company that supplied the information and must send you the results in writing.
What if the bureau will not fix the error?
You can take legal action. If a credit bureau fails to correct errors after a legitimate dispute, the Fair Credit Reporting Act lets you sue for a corrected report and compensation. Delaying may cause you to forfeit your rights due to the FCRA’s statute of limitations.
What records should I keep?
Keep copies of all correspondence, dispute letters, responses from the credit bureau and any other relevant documents. Detailed records support your case if it goes to court.
Can I file a complaint with the government?
Yes. You can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB can help resolve disputes with credit bureaus and can provide additional resources and guidance.
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Tell us what happened.
An experienced attorney will review the details and outline your options. The first consultation is free.
- You send the form or call 646-713-1008. A few sentences about what happened is enough to start.
- We contact you to set up a free consultation.
- In the consultation, we listen to what happened and outline your legal options.
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.