Are all mixed file cases willful FCRA violations?
In our view, punitive damages under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are appropriate in all mixed file cases. To recap from some of our prior blog posts, a mixed file (a/k/a a mIxed credit file) happens — as the name suggests — when a consumer reporting agency (a/k/a a credit bureau or CRA) mixes personal […]
Mixed Files by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires consumer reporting agencies (a/k/a credit bureaus or CRAs) to maintain reasonable procedures to assure the “maximum possible accuracy” of the information the CRAs report about you. Unfortunately, procedures followed by credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are often less than what is reasonable to assure maximum possible […]
“Consumer Reports” finds errors on 1/3 of credit reports
Need another reason to keep a close eye on your credit reports? Check out the findings and recommendations from Consumer Reports Credit Checkup Study, published on June 10, 2021: “A Broken System: How the Credit Reporting System Fails Consumers and What to Do About It” – linked here The CR report stresses that more than […]
How long can a negative item stay on my credit report?
The Seven-Year Obsolescence Rule is the Default Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) With the exception of five specific types of information described below, no negative item (most commonly late payments) can remain on a credit report for more than seven years from the date the account first became negative (i.e., the date of […]
Will disputing inaccurate information on my credit report harm my credit score?
No! And you should consult with an experienced consumer attorney about how to best dispute all inaccurate information on your credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you — the consumer — are entitled to dispute any inaccuracies on your credit reports with Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Innovis (and any other consumer reporting […]
Millions of Mixed Credit Files. Could One belong to You?
Yes, there are millions of Americans, perhaps six million or more, whose credit files are mixed and merged. It is a massive problem, one in which personal information and account data from your credit file may be mixed with those same types of information that in fact belong to one or more other consumers. It […]
Accurate credit reports? It is time to find out.
Savings? Check. Investment Portfolio? Check. Accurate credit reports? It is time to find out. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reports that it received and addressed more than 200,000 consumer complaints related to incorrect information on credit reports and/or complaints about issues with investigations and business practices by credit reporting agencies (i.e., Equifax, Experian, and […]
What is a Credit Lawyer anyway?
What is a Credit Lawyer anyway? “Credit lawyer” is a short-hand term for an attorney, like the lawyers at Sherman & Ticchio, who can guide consumers through the process of disputing inaccurate items on their credit reports or background check reports and, if necessary, file federal lawsuits on behalf of consumers under the Fair Credit […]