Your credit report plays a major role in your financial life, influencing your access to loans, housing, and employment. When credit bureaus or furnishers report false or outdated information—and then fail to correct it—the consequences can be costly. At Martin & Bontrager, APC, we help individuals in Los Angeles assert their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when those responsible refuse to fix credit reporting errors.
Understanding What the FCRA Requires
The FCRA is a federal law that ensures the accuracy and fairness of information in consumer credit reports. It applies to the credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—and to creditors that report your account data. If you find inaccurate information on your report, you have the right to dispute it. The credit bureaus are required to investigate, typically within 30 days, and correct or remove the inaccurate data if it cannot be verified.
The Real-World Impact of Credit Report Errors
Errors on your credit report aren’t just frustrating—they can cause serious problems. You may be denied a mortgage, face higher interest rates on credit cards, or lose out on a job opportunity. These consequences are especially frustrating when you’ve done everything right but are still being penalized because someone else failed to report accurately.
What Happens When Disputes Are Ignored
Not all disputes get resolved as they should. Sometimes the investigation is rushed or incomplete. Other times, your dispute is flat-out rejected without a valid reason. If the credit bureau or the company that reported the information fails to correct an error, they may be violating your rights under the FCRA. Martin & Bontrager, APC works with Los Angeles residents to challenge these violations and pursue compensation for the harm caused.
Taking a Stand Against Injustice
You don’t have to accept a flawed credit report as your reality. If your rights under the FCRA have been violated, legal action may be the next step. Martin & Bontrager, APC is committed to helping clients in Los Angeles correct credit reporting issues and hold credit bureaus and creditors accountable when they fail to follow the law. A clean and accurate credit history is worth fighting for.
