Credit Reporting Violations

Credit Reporting Violations Attorneys in Central California

An error on your credit report can make your life very difficult. If you are suffering from misreported credit, and cannot seem to fix it, call the lawyers at William M. Krieg & Associates. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping California consumers protect their rights.

Both federal and state law require creditors and credit reporting agencies to completely and accurately report credit information. However, consumer's credit reports almost invariably contain errors. An inaccurate credit report can affect your ability to obtain financing for a home or auto loan, increase your insurance rates, and even affect your ability to get certain jobs. There are a few steps you can take yourself to correct credit reporting errors.

What if my credit report contains errors?

Inaccuracies in your credit report can be corrected by sending a certified letter to the three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax. You must first request a copy of your credit report from the three credit bureaus and examine all credit entries carefully to identify incorrect entries. The best way to request a copy of your credit report is to write a letter to the addresses below (call the toll free number first as the prices for a report vary):

Equifax P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374 (800) 685-1111

Experian P.O. Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013 (888) 397-3742

Trans Union LLC P.O. Box 1000 Chester, PA 19022 (800) 888-4213

After you have identified any incorrect entries, send a letter to each of the three credit bureaus disputing the information on the report. A copy of the letter should be sent to the creditor or debt collector, whose name appears on the credit report by the inaccurate information. The credit reporting agencies are then required to notify the creditor who furnished the information of your dispute, and request verification of the disputed debt. If the creditor fails to respond within 30 days, the disputed debt will be wiped off your credit record.

Sometimes these errors slip through the cracks and the bureaus continue to report the problem. If this happens, please contact William M. Krieg & Associates or a consumer protection lawyer in your area.

What if I have been a victim of identity theft?

Identity theft is one of the most frequently reported consumer complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission. In fact, the legislature has recognized the high incidence of identity theft and imposed stricter penalties on creditors who fail to clear your credit after being properly notified.

You should first contact the police department to report any instances of identity theft and obtain a copy of the police report. You should next contact the three credit bureaus and identify the accounts believed to be the product of identity theft, and attach a copy of the police report as verification. The three credit reporting bureaus are required to flag any accounts suspected of identity theft and clear any instances of it from your credit report. If you have reported the problem to the credit bureaus and the problem persists, contact William M. Krieg & Associates for a free consultation.

What are credit repair organizations?

As consumer debt continues to rise, organizations offering to repair your credit are becoming more prevalent. Unfortunately, these credit repair organizations are almost always a scam. Many of these credit repair organizations will charge you money for what you can do yourself by contacting the credit bureaus and requesting to correct the information. For those individuals who wish to use a credit repair organization, you should contact your local government or check your county website for a list of government-approved debt repair organizations. However, beware of any credit organization offering to clear a debt that is validly owed.

Contact William M. Krieg & Associates for more information or for a free consultation with an experienced California credit report violation lawyer.