Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets—it’s for your credit report, too. A single error can tank your score and cost thousands in higher interest rates.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires bureaus to report information that is accurate and verifiable. If you spot a mistake—duplicate tradelines, mixed files, obsolete debts—you have the right to dispute and demand correction within 30 days.
Start by pulling all three reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Highlight each error and gather documents that prove the truth: payment receipts, court orders, police reports for identity theft, or letters from creditors.
Your dispute must be in writing and include copies—never originals—of supporting evidence. Send certified mail to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and keep meticulous records. Under § 1681i, the bureaus must investigate, delete, or correct the item or provide the data furnisher’s response.
Data furnishers (banks, collectors, lenders) also bear responsibility. A parallel “direct dispute” forces them to review and update their reporting. Failure triggers liability for actual damages, statutory damages, and punitive damages if willful.
Common errors we see at Georgiou Law include zombie debts reported beyond the seven‑year limit, accounts discharged in bankruptcy but listed as open, and merged identities for consumers with similar names.
If the bureaus verify inaccurate information, the next step is litigation. Courts routinely award clients $1,000 for willful violations plus attorney’s fees, and defendants often agree to pay more to avoid trial.
Legal Disclaimer: This content is informational only and should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney‑client relationship is formed by reading.
⏰ Every day an error sits on your report costs you money. Call Georgiou Law at (917) 764‑3072 now—free case assessments are available this month only.
