The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants you many rights, including the right to dispute inaccurate information in your credit report and have it promptly removed.
However, disputing credit report errors is a complex process that is tough to go through on your own. A Cincinnati credit report dispute lawyer at our firm can answer any questions you have and help make sure your FCRA rights are protected throughout the process. Our skilled bankruptcy attorneys also might be able to file a lawsuit to obtain compensation for losses you sustained due to inaccurate or outdated information in your credit report.
How Do I Dispute a Credit Report?
You have the right to dispute a variety of outdated, inaccurate information in your credit report, including:
- Debts discharged in bankruptcy
- Information more than 7 year's old
- Old debt being reported as new
- Debts that were settled
If you discover these types of errors on any of your three credit reports, write a letter to the agency that manages the report. Make sure to identify each item you want removed and why. You should also include any documentation supporting your assertion that the information is incorrect. Send the credit report dispute letter via certified mail with return receipt required so you will know your letter has been received.
Unless the credit reporting agency considers your dispute to be frivolous, it must investigate and remove information it has verified to be incorrect within 30 days. If the credit reporting agency decides to correct your report, it must notify the other two reporting agencies so they can update their documents with the correct information. You can also request the credit reporting agency send a notification of corrections to people who received copies of your credit report in the last six months.
If you believe your FCRA rights were violated during the dispute process, schedule a free consultation with our Cincinnati credit report attorneys. We are thoroughly familiar with FCRA rights and the ways they can be violated. We can help fight for your rights and help restore the accuracy of your credit report.
What to Do If Your Dispute Is Unsuccessful
If you dispute information on your credit records but the reporting agency decides not to fix it, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by mail, over the phone or by filling out the form on the FTC website. You can also contact the creditor associated with the incorrect information and demand they contact the reporting agency to remove the information. If you have already contacted the creditor, they do not have to deal with your dispute again. However, they are more likely to respond if you offer strong evidence that your claim was not properly investigated.
If the creditor refuses to help correct your credit report, you can file a complaint with the FTC. If the creditor is a financial institution, you could also file a complaint with the federal agency that regulates it. Another option is to contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as it oversees many financial agencies.
The last resort is to file a lawsuit; the FCRA allows you to sue a credit reporting agency within two years after you discover violations of your rights or five years after the violations occur, whichever is sooner. In this kind of lawsuit, you may be able to recover various damages, including court costs, attorney's fees, lost wages and intentional infliction of emotional distress. You could also sue the creditor, but this could be much more difficult than suing a credit reporting agency because the FCRA gives creditors many options for avoiding liability. No matter who you are thinking of suing, it is best to consult a knowledgeable Cincinnati credit dispute attorney. He or she can advise you of your rights and help determine the best course of action.
Why You Need A Cincinnati Credit Report Dispute Attorney on Your Side
Many people have errors on their credit reports that can be corrected, potentially sparing them from harassment from creditors. However, credit disputes can be extremely complicated— which is why you need a skilled Cincinnati credit report dispute lawyer on your side.
The attorneys at
O'Connor, Acciani & Levy have in-depth knowledge of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the process for disputing credit report errors. We can advise you throughout the process and even file a lawsuit if you are unable to resolve your issues. If possible, our skilled legal team can help recover compensation for the damages caused by violations of your rights. We offer a free, no obligation legal consultation and do not receive compensation unless your claim has an outcome favorable to you.
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