We are Fair Credit Reporting Lawyers. Representing consumers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other consumer protection statutes.
If an error on your credit report has caused you to be denied credit, housing or a job, we can help you. Whether it’s a mortgage denial, a lost job opportunity, or a rejected rental application, these inaccuracies aren’t just “typos”—they are significant legal violations that can derail your life.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have powerful rights. If a credit bureau or background check company fails to correct an error within 30 days of being notified, they may be liable for significant damages.
Your Rights Under the FCRA
The FCRA is designed to ensure that the information being reported about you is accurate and private. If those standards aren’t met, the law allows you to hold the responsible parties accountable.
- Accuracy: Agencies must follow “reasonable procedures” to ensure maximum possible accuracy.
- Correction: They generally have 30 days to investigate and remove or correct inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information.
- Adverse Action Notice: If you are denied a job, housing, or credit based on a report, the user of that report (employer, landlord, or lender) must notify you and provide the contact information of the agency that issued the report.
Potential Damages You Can Recover
If a credit reporting agency, bank, or background check company willfully or negligently violates the FCRA, you may be entitled to:
Attorney’s Fees: In many successful FCRA cases, the defendant is required to pay your legal fees, which is why firms can often work on a contingency basis (you pay nothing unless you win).
Actual Damages: Compensation for financial losses (like higher interest rates) and emotional distress.
Statutory Damages: Typically between $100 and $1,000 per violation (for willful violations).
Punitive Damages: Awarded by a court to punish particularly egregious behavior.
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
| 1. Identify Error | Review all three reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). | Errors often appear on only one or two reports. |
| 2. Formal Dispute | Send a written dispute via certified mail with evidence. | Certified mail creates a “paper trail” that proves they received it. |
| 3. 30-Day Window | The agency must investigate and respond within 30 days. | This is the statutory deadline that triggers potential liability. |
| 4. Re-investigation | If they “verify” the error as correct, you may need a lawyer. | This is where “willful” or “negligent” violations are often established. |
| 5. Litigation | File a lawsuit to recover damages and force a correction. | Trying a case is often the only way to get full value for your claim. |
Why Experience Matters
The credit bureaus and large banks have massive legal teams. To level the playing field, you need a firm that:
Specializes in FCRA: This is a technical area of law where specific deadlines and procedures are everything.
Litigates, Not Just Settles: As noted in your summary, being a “trial-ready” firm forces defendants to take your claim seriously.
Works on Contingency: You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket to fix someone else’s mistake.
Would you like me to help you draft a formal dispute letter to the credit bureaus to get this process started?