FCRA Attorney New York - Consumer Attorneys

Welcome to Consumer Attorneys! When was the last time you analyzed your credit report? Has it been a while? Many consumers don't give a second thought to the fact that there could be serious errors embedded in their credit reports. All credit bureaus, including the three main credit report agencies - Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax - are not infallible, and mistakes happen. As a result, your credit score could be lower than you think due to illegal activities or human error.

Everything from accidental typos to downright fraud can be part of your credit reports, which can negatively affect everything from loan applications to being considered for a job position, and that's just the beginning!

It is wise to get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit report agencies once a year. Intently study each report and make notations of any questionable entries.

The FCRA protects consumers' rights

The FCRA, or Fair Credit Reporting Act, is US Federal Government legislation that regulates the collection of credit information, as well as who is authorized to access your credit reports, and who is not.  The FCRA is the consumers' potent ally against false, omitted, or inaccurate information in credit reports.  The FCRA is, also, designed to protect consumers' privacy of information.

When one's credit scores tumble due to mishandled information or fraud on credit reports, the question many people ask is, “How does that happen?”.  Here is just a sampling of situations that can tarnish your credit score, right under your nose:

Merged Files –  Similar or identical names can present problems with credit reports.  A similar or identical name within a family or outside a family can be merged into the wrong credit report with an identical or almost-identical name.  It's understandable how CRAs can make this mistake, but the ramifications of how it can affect one's credit score is unacceptable and would need to be addressed quickly – our FCRA attorneys can help!  Interestingly, as many as 35% of merged files involve family members.

Identity Theft – Identity theft is a shockingly expansive problem. If a thief were to steal your personal information through a variety of means, they are intent on using your credit cards, bank accounts, and financial means to make unlawful cash advances, purchases, or secure loans in your name!

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America.  According to a recent identity fraud study by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft generated $16.9 billion in losses in 2019.

Many remember the 2017 catastrophe with Equifax. During the summer of 2017, 143 million American consumers had sensitive personal information exposed in a data breach. Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and other data became compromised.

A regular monitoring of one's credit reports and credit scores must be taken seriously.  If identity theft is suspected, one should:

• File a police report. Some lenders, creditors, and debt collectors may require this.
• Fill out an identity theft affidavit from the Federal Trade Commission at www.identitytheft.gov. This would need to be submitted to all involved creditors.
• Notify the credit reporting agencies to generate a credit freeze that would prevent anyone, including you, from opening up a new line of credit in your name. Transaction alerts with credit card issuers can also be established to provide additional security.

All this may feel very complex and convoluted, but take a deep breath. Consumer Attorneys can put you in touch with a specialized FCRA attorney in Arizona who would be highly skilled with this type of elaborate proceeding.

• Unauthorized access: The FCRA strictly limits who has a legitimate reason to view your credit report. Legitimate searches are conducted by loan officers, a potential landlord, an employer, and others with your permission.  

However, if your credit report was accessed without your approval, your credit report may list an account with a company you do not recognize, nor authorized. Also, if someone has viewed your account who does not have a permissible business purpose, you must take action immediately! Any type of unauthorized access should be viewed as potential identity theft.

• Inaccurate public records: Credit reporting agencies will frequently use independent agencies to search public records, and those independent agencies report back to the them. As one could expect, the more people involved means the more likely errors can occur.  

Reports can be inaccurate.They can be reported multiple times or they may not be updated as they should be. A bankruptcy, for example, that was discharged may not be reported as such.  

• Stale debt or re-aged debt: Some debts are old enough to be considered stale. Usually, trade lines - credit accounts reported to credit bureaus - should drop off one's credit report around seven years after the initial delinquency. If any delinquent debt is still on your credit report that shouldn't be there, an FCRA attorney in Arizona can eliminate the impediments that are keeping the delinquent debt from being removed.
• Re-aging debt: Shady creditors may take it upon themselves to alter the last payment date of the debtor's account to trick credit reporting agencies into thinking the last payment date is more recent than it actually is. No one wants a collection to remain on a credit report any longer than legally allowed.  

The statute of limitations period starts on the date of the first nonpayment or the date of the last activity. If you have discovered that a creditor has re-aged the original date of delinquency, you have the right to pursue a cause-of-action, as outlined by the FCRA and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. 

New York, we have your back!

Addressing challenging issues associated with false, missing, or misleading information in one's credit report can feel overwhelming. The light at the end of the tunnel, however, is that New York residents can count on our legal professionals being readily available to dedicate their expertise toward remedies that generate peace of mind.  

Legal representation is critical to ensure clients' rights are being protected under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Our FCRA attorneys are here to help New Yorkers achieve desired outcomes, which can include our attorneys securing financial compensation, when appropriate.

When credit scores take a beating due to theft or human error, consumers want their credit scores and lives back! Our FCRA attorneys are ready to uncover any willful noncompliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Isn't it comforting to know you have a powerful legal advocate who will fight for your consumer rights, hold entities accountable, and work toward any possible financial damages? 

We encourage you to visit annualcreditreport.com to secure your free credit reports. If any information looks unfamiliar or questionable, give us a call at +1 877-615-1725.

An FCRA attorney in New York will assess your situation as part of a free case review. You can, also, take advantage of a free credit report analysis. If your circumstances potentially entitle you to financial damages, we'll let you know!

Our reputation precedes us

As a leading national consumer protection law firm, Consumer Attorneys offers New York residents more than a decade of in-depth consumer protection experience. In addition to addressing unwarranted, damaging credit report information, we offer our clients masterful legal counsel when dealing with debt collectors and background check businesses who may have willfully violated the FCRA. Our attorneys' efforts have secured more than $100 million in monetary recoveries for our clients.

From Arizona to Florida and New York, our teams of FCRA attorneys help consumers restore their good names, reputations, and credit standings that may have been negatively impacted by one or more parties' actions. Consumer Attorneys represents the interests of consumers nationwide in state and federal courts.

Consumer Attorneys is featured in a variety of prominent media outlets including Super Lawyers, Consumer Reports, Bankrate, The New York Times, Daily News, Reuters, and Law Street. Super Lawyers has a long-standing reputation for excellence and includes only qualified lawyers who have been chosen from a select pool of candidates who have been peer-reviewed and independently researched.

It's also important to know that if your case is accepted, you will pay no out-of-pocket fees. Our attorneys only receive a fee if they win on your behalf!

It's time to shed the anxiety. Give us a call!

If your credit reports include damaging errors or if the errors have not been rectified after a proper dispute or other measures, call Consumer Attorneys immediately! Our neighbors in New York can connect with our legal team in various ways:

• Call +1 877-615-1725 for immediate assistance and a free case review.
• Fill out our brief Contact Us form or initiate a live chat to share your concerns.

Reach out to us at info@consumerattorneys.com with any questions.