If you were turned down for a credit card or a loan due to bad credit, you may have errors on your credit report — or be a victim of identity theft. If you believe that this is the case, then you must take immediate steps to protect your rights.
Disputing Credit Report Errors
First, you should request a copy of your free credit report, as authorized by the FCRA, from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). It is best to request this report via mail. After receiving the report, check it carefully for any errors, including:
- Accounts that don’t belong to you
- Inquiries for credit that you did not authorize
- Incorrect criminal records
- False personal identification information
- Inaccurate credit information (such as a payment history showing late or missed payments, or closed accounts)
- Incorrect public record information (bankruptcies, lawsuits)
Second, write a dispute letter to the credit reporting agencies. This dispute letter should detail the mistakes that appear on the credit report and ask the credit bureau to fix them, along with proof that the item is wrong. A Michigan credit reporting attorney can work with you on finding errors and drafting a dispute letter.
A dispute letter should be direct and have all the necessary information for the credit reporting agency to understand that there is false information on your report. When writing the letter, be as specific as possible about the charges, accounts, or other information that are in dispute.
Third, wait 30 days. This is the period of time that the credit agency has to respond to or correct the disputed items on your credit report. If they fail to do so, then you may be able to file a lawsuit based on the damage to your credit score and other losses.
When the Accounts Belong to a Real Person
It’s important to understand that not all unfamiliar accounts are the result of fraud. When a credit bureau mixes you up with another consumer who shares your name, date of birth, or a close Social Security number, it can result in a mixed credit file. While your personal information may be correct, the accounts on your report belong to a real person who is not you.
This distinction impacts how you dispute these matters. Because this is not the result of fraudulent action, the tools intended for identity theft will not help. A fraud alert does not help separate two real consumers, nor can an identity theft affidavit describe a crime if one never occurred.
You May Not Be Able to See What the Lender Sees
Mixed files are harder to dispute than traditional errors, for a reason that most are unaware of. In accordance with 15 U.S.C. § 1681g, a reporting agency must disclose the information in your file upon request. The report pulled by a lender is compiled separately, so the information that surfaces on the lender’s version may never appear on the copy of your report you receive. Consumers in that position are asked to dispute information they cannot see, which is why mixed files are more complex to dispute and typically require an attorney rather than another dispute letter.
If any of the accounts on your report are unfamiliar, contact the creditor list and ask if they have a record of you. If they do not, you are most likely experiencing a mixed file rather than identity theft.
What Additional Resources Are Available to Help?
- Want to see a list of the credit bureaus that keep data on you? Check out our Credit Bureau List.
- If you need help deciding which reports you need, you can read our article on Credit Reports to Order.
- Need help getting your credit report? See our article on How to Get Your Credit Report.
Common Cases
You may have a case under the Fair Credit Reporting Act if you notice the following things on your background report:
- Fraudulent identity theft accounts on your credit report
- Someone else’s Information on your credit report
- Paid accounts still showing a balance due
- Reporting your accounts in good standing as charged off or in collections
- Discharged debts still reporting as owed
- Paid tax liens showing as still owed
- Derogatory accounts more than 7 years old still on your report
- Previously deleted accounts that have been reinserted on your report
- Duplicate reporting of the same account
If you would like help with one of these problems, call (888) 400-CREDIT | (888) 400-2733 or contact us through this site.
How Much Are Your Fees?
We only charge a fee if we are able to recover for you, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the other side to pay your attorney’s fees if you win. You pay nothing up front, and we take our fee from the other side.
Follow Up and Monitoring
After your case is done, we will help you to regularly check and monitor your background checks with free annual reviews of your background checks and credit reports to ensure that you stay free of false conviction information.
Help with Your Dispute
If you would like help with your credit report dispute, you can call our office at (888) 400-CREDIT or simply contact us through this site. If you prefer, you can visit our resource page for credit report request letters and sample disputes.
Work with a Credit Report Attorney
If you have been the subject of an inaccurate credit report, you may be able to seek a correction and compensation for any harm. Our firm can help. For more than 25 years, the attorneys of Lyngklip & Associates have represented victims of bogus credit reports and been a resource for Michigan consumers who need the help of an experienced lawyer.
To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a credit report lawyer, contact our law firm today or call (888) 400-CREDIT | (888) 400-2733 or contact us through this site. In Michigan, you can reach our office at (248) 208-8864.
