When credit reporting agencies or lenders mishandle your personal information, the consequences can be serious. Mistakes on your credit report can lead to loan rejections, job denials, or unfavorable interest rates. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers legal tools to fight back. At Martin & Bontrager, APC, we help Los Angeles residents enforce their rights when credit information is mishandled or misrepresented.
What the FCRA Covers
The FCRA governs how credit reports are collected, used, and corrected. It applies to the credit bureaus themselves—like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—as well as to banks, lenders, and companies that provide data. Under this law, you have the right to access your credit report, dispute inaccurate entries, and expect a proper investigation of your claims. If false or outdated information is reported and not removed, legal remedies may be available.
The Impact of Inaccurate Reporting
Errors on your report might include accounts you didn’t open, balances that have already been paid, or late payments that were never actually late. These inaccuracies can harm your credit score and affect your ability to make financial moves. In some cases, identity theft is to blame. In others, it may be a data entry issue or a failure to update account details. No matter the source, these errors can have lasting effects on your financial health.
What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated
When a dispute is submitted, the credit bureau and the company that furnished the information are required to conduct a reasonable investigation. If they fail to do so or continue reporting inaccurate data, that’s where an FCRA attorney can step in. At Martin & Bontrager, APC, we assist clients in building their claims, assembling documentation, and holding these companies accountable under federal law.
Taking Control of Your Credit Future
A flawed credit report should never be ignored. If your attempts to correct the issue have gone unanswered or been dismissed, legal action may be the next step. Martin & Bontrager, APC works with individuals throughout Los Angeles who are dealing with credit report problems and FCRA violations—helping them pursue fair treatment and restore accuracy to their financial records.
