Fair Credit Reporting Act Claims
An inaccurate credit report can affect a loan application, a rental decision, or your ability to move forward financially. If an error remains after you dispute it, Felty Law Firm can review what happened, explain your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and help you assess your legal options.
What Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Protect?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, is a federal law governing the accuracy, privacy, and use of consumer reports. It applies to more than the three major credit bureaus: certain tenant-screening, employment-screening, and other consumer reporting companies are covered as well.
You have the right to dispute information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. Credit reporting companies and the businesses that supplied the information have responsibilities to investigate disputes and correct errors when required. Felty Law Firm helps clients in Abingdon and across Southwest Virginia understand those responsibilities and evaluate what to do when a problem remains unresolved.
Common issues we can review include:
- Accounts that do not belong to you
- Incorrect balances, payment histories, or account statuses
- The same debt reported more than once
- Accounts opened through identity theft
- Information that remains inaccurate after a dispute
- Errors in a tenant or employment background report
An unfavorable item is not necessarily an FCRA violation merely because it hurts your credit. The question is whether the information is inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise reported or handled in violation of the law.
How a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
A credit reporting problem can involve several companies and a long paper trail. Attorney Matthew Felty can review your reports, dispute correspondence, investigation results, and supporting records to identify the specific error and determine which parties may be responsible.
Depending on the facts, our firm can help you evaluate whether the reporting company or information provider fulfilled its legal duties, what additional steps may be appropriate, and whether you may have a claim. No particular correction or financial recovery is guaranteed; the available options depend on the reporting history, the dispute process, and the harm involved.
If you have already disputed an error, keep copies of your reports, letters, confirmation numbers, responses, and any records showing how the error affected you. Those details can be important to a legal review.
Frequently-Asked-Questions
About Fair Credit Reporting
Get answers to commonly asked questions about Fair Credit Reporting Claims. Contact us to discuss your specific case.
What should I do when I find an error on my credit report?
Get copies of the affected reports and identify each incorrect entry. Dispute the error with the credit reporting company and the business that supplied the information. Explain what is wrong, include copies of supporting documents, and keep a record of everything you submit and receive. An attorney can review the process if the error persists or has caused significant harm.
How long does a credit reporting company have to investigate a dispute?
A credit reporting company generally has 30 days after receiving a dispute to investigate, though some circumstances allow up to 45 days. The timeline and the company’s duties depend on the facts of the dispute.
Can I remove accurate negative information from my report?
Generally, accurate negative information cannot be removed simply because it is unfavorable. You can dispute information that is inaccurate or incomplete, appears more than once when it should not, or resulted from identity theft.
Can identity theft lead to an FCRA claim?
It may. An account opened or reported because of identity theft can create credit reporting problems. There are specific procedures for requesting that identity-theft information be blocked from a consumer report. Felty Law Firm can review your records and the responses you have received to help determine the appropriate next steps.
What should I expect during my consultation?
During your consultation, we will discuss the details of your case, answer your questions, and outline potential strategies moving forward.Schedule Now
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"I would like to express my immense gratitude to Mr. Felty's office, as they provided extraordinary support from day one through the conclusion of my case, which ended in *a satisfactory manner thanks to the compassionate approach of Krista Meade and the excellent professional expertise of Mr. Felty."
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