Credit Report Errors

UPDATE (November 2024): The Firm cannot accept any new FCRA cases at the present time due to our current caseload. You may contact the Firm for attorney recommendations. We will do our best to provide some other options.

Many consumers understand that an individual’s credit history can be an asset and recognize the importance of accurate credit reports. An accurate credit report or consumer report is important because banks, insurers, employers, landlords, and others may pull your consumer reports when deciding whether to do business with you or hire you. Credit report errors can prevent consumers from obtaining credit, insurance, housing, or even a job.

At The Deese Law Firm, Lubbock credit report lawyer Kyle S. Deese sues consumer reporting agencies for credit reporting errors under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates the activities of consumer reporting agencies, the users of consumer reports, and those who furnish information to consumer reporting agencies. The dominant players in the credit reporting industry are the three major nationwide consumer reporting agencies—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Requesting Your Free Credit Reports

Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion primarily focus their efforts on determining consumers’ creditworthiness. It is important to understand that these consumer reporting agencies must adopt reasonable procedures to make sure that the information reported about consumers is current and accurate. Moreover, credit reports should only be furnished to users with certain permissible purposes.

Generally, it is recommended that consumers obtain a free copy of their credit reports prior to making any major purchase by credit. Every consumer is entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus. To obtain your free credit reports, you should visit: www.annualcreditreport.com.

If you spot inaccuracies or credit report errors, you should dispute the inaccuracies in writing directly to the credit reporting agency responsible for the errors. The mailing addresses for the three major credit reporting agencies are as follows:

Experian Information Solutions
701 Experian Parkway
Allen, Texas 75013

TransUnion
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA  19016-1000

Equifax Information Services
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374

Disputing Credit Report Errors

While you may certainly submit your credit report error dispute online, Lubbock credit report lawyer Kyle S. Deese strongly recommends that you send written dispute letters by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested. When submitting a credit report dispute letter, you should include as much documentation as possible to support your dispute and also provide a photocopy of your driver’s license to verify your identity. This should maximize your chance of getting any inaccuracies corrected by the credit bureaus.

You should also be sure to keep a copy for yourself of any dispute letters and supporting documentation sent to the credit bureaus. Sending your dispute letters by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested and retaining a copy of mailed letters and supporting documentation also helps protect your rights in event that your dispute is not properly handled by the credit bureaus.

Credit reporting agencies have 30 days to conduct a reasonable re-investigation after receiving notice of a consumer’s credit report dispute. Upon completion of its re-investigation, a credit reporting agency must correct or delete any disputed inaccuracies in your credit report. If a credit bureau fails to respond or correct the inaccuracies in your credit report, you may be entitled to recover damages under the FCRA. Our Lubbock credit report lawyer can help you take the next step.

Mixed Credit Files

Mixing the consumer file of one consumer with that of another consumer is unfortunately still quite common in the credit reporting industry. Your credit file may be mixed or merged with a stranger or even a family member with a similar name. A mixed or merged credit file can cause a consumer to pay more to obtain credit and may even result in a credit denial. Under the FCRA, a credit bureau or consumer reporting agency must follow reasonable procedures to assure the maximum possible accuracy of the information it reports about a consumer. If you are the victim of a merged or mixed file, you may sue the responsible credit bureaus for damages under the FCRA for its credit report errors.

Background Check Errors

Background screening companies that produce background reports for employers or landlords must also comply with the FCRA. A background report is a consumer report for purposes of the FCRA. Background check errors are usually caused by inexcusable clerical errors, outdated information, or merged or mixed information. Under the FCRA, background reports must meet the standard of maximum possible accuracy to avoid credit report errors. If you have been denied housing or lost a job or a promotion due to a false background report, you may sue for damages under the FCRA.

Contact a Lubbock Credit Report Lawyer Today For Help

If you suspect that your rights have been violated, we invite you to contact The Deese Law Firm at 806.475.0150 to schedule a Potential New Client Phone Consultation with our Lubbock credit report lawyer. We proudly service Texas consumers in or near Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo, Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Arlington, Fort Worth, or Dallas.