consumers from buying a home, opening a bank account or getting a job --
and an overwhelming majority contain mistakes of some kind...."
-- MSNBC News, reported June 17, 2004
What should you do about your credit report and how can this firm help you?
1. Obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit reporting
agencies at least every six months. If an organization takes adverse action against you
(e.g., denial of credit or change of terms) based on your credit report, you must be
notified of this adverse action in writing by that organization. This notice should include
information on how to obtain a free credit report. You may also obtain a credit report
by contacting the credit agencies directly. The three major credit agencies are Equifax,
Transunion, and Experian.
2. Dispute all errors, omissions, and misleading information to credit agencies
directly. You should send a detailed dispute letter (via certified mail, return-receipt
requested) to each credit agency that has inaccuracies in your credit report. Sending
a letter to the entity that reported the information and not to the credit agency will
significantly limit your litigation rights if the information is not corrected. See our
"Dispute Letter" page for more information. Please feel free to contact our office if you
have any questions about the dispute process.
3. Consult an attorney if disputed information is not corrected within 30 days. If the
disputed items are not corrected, consult an attorney that is willing to file a lawsuit on
your behalf against the credit agencies and/or the reporters of the information to the
credit agencies. The credit agencies have 30 days to respond to your dispute.
Beware "credit repair" firms (which often simply file dispute after dispute to no avail and
at considerable expense to you). Consult with an attorney who is an experienced
litigator, because at this stage litigation is often necessary and appropriate. This firm
represents consumers on a contingency basis, meaning no attorney fees are billed
unless and until you succeed (certain actual costs may apply - inquire for more
information). The Fair Credit Reporting Act mandates that the defendant pay your
attorney fees if you are successful. Please contact our firm for a consultation about
our services and fee arrangements.
