Credit Reporting Disputes & Correction
Don’t let errors define your financial future. If you spot inaccuracies—such as wrong personal data, unknown accounts, or debts that shouldn’t be there—you have the right to challenge them. We guide you through the dispute process against major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and the companies furnishing the bad data. We help ensure your dispute is filed correctly to trigger a mandatory investigation.
FCRA Litigation & Violations
When credit bureaus fail to correct errors after a dispute, they may be violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Cannon Legal PLLC represents consumers in aggressive litigation to enforce their rights. We seek legal remedies, including injunctive relief (court orders to stop reporting errors) and declaratory judgments (official declarations that data is false).
Our Fees: We believe justice should be accessible. We generally handle FCRA violation cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay attorney’s fees if we recover money for you.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Credit Reporting
The CFPB is a federal watchdog. Filing a complaint with them forces the credit bureau to respond to your issue, though it does not guarantee the error will be fixed. It is often a good step before litigation.
While we cannot physically change the database ourselves, we use the legal system to compel them to do so. A successful lawsuit or settlement often includes a requirement that the bureau corrects or deletes the inaccurate data.
You should contact us if your disputes have been ignored or rejected, if you have been denied credit due to errors, or if you feel a background check or credit report has unfairly harmed you.
This is a legal determination by a court stating the official rights of the parties. A judge can issue a declaratory judgment stating that a specific debt or item on your report is legally invalid or inaccurate.
Injunctive relief is a court order requiring a company to take a specific action. In this context, a judge can order a credit bureau to immediately stop reporting inaccurate information on your file.
Yes, but they must follow rules. Under laws like the Texas Finance Code and the FCRA, if you dispute the debt in writing, the collector must mark that item as “disputed” when reporting it to credit bureaus.
A willful violation means the company knew the law and recklessly ignored it. A negligent violation means they were careless in their duty to report accurately. Willful violations often allow for higher damages.
You may be eligible for actual damages (financial loss and emotional distress), statutory damages (ranging from $100 to $1,000 for willful violations), and punitive damages. The court may also award attorney’s fees.
Yes. If a bureau or furnisher negligently or willfully violates the FCRA and causes you harm (such as a denied loan or higher interest rates), you may have grounds to sue for damages.
If the bureau verifies false information as “accurate,” you have options. You can add a statement of dispute to your file, file a complaint with the CFPB, or hire an attorney to file a lawsuit for FCRA violations.
Under the FCRA, credit bureaus generally have 30 days to complete their investigation once they receive your dispute. They must verify the accuracy of the data with the furnisher.
Act immediately. Send a written dispute letter to both the credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and the company that provided the information (the furnisher). Keep copies of all letters and proof of mailing.
Common violations include reporting inaccurate balances or payment history, failing to investigate a dispute within 30 days, reporting debts older than the legal time limit (usually 7 years), or mixing your file with someone else’s (mixed files).
Credit repair companies often charge monthly fees to send generic letters that bureaus easily ignore. As attorneys, we use the power of federal law to demand compliance. We don’t charge you monthly fees; we make the credit bureaus pay for their mistakes.
While every case is different, many FCRA cases are resolved through settlement within 6 to 12 months. We strive to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
A “willful” violation means the company knew the law (or acted recklessly) and violated it anyway. For example, if you provided clear proof of payment, but the bureau ignored it and kept reporting the debt as unpaid, that may be willful. Willful violations often allow for higher damages.
Yes. Background check companies are subject to the FCRA. If you lost a job opportunity because a background check company reported inaccurate criminal history or employment data, you may be entitled to significant damages.
You can file an initial dispute yourself, but if the credit bureau ignores you or “verifies” the false information, you need a lawyer. Cannon Legal PLLC guides you on how to structure your dispute to create a solid paper trail for a future lawsuit.
Violations often happen when bureaus fail to ensure “maximum possible accuracy.” Common examples include:
- Mixed Files: Merging your credit history with someone else’s.
- Identity Theft: Failing to remove fraudulent accounts after you report them.
- Outdated Information: Reporting negative debts older than 7 years (or bankruptcies older than 10).
- Background Check Errors: inaccurately reporting criminal records that don’t belong to you.
- Deceased Indicators: Falsely reporting you as deceased.
The FCRA is a federal law that dictates how credit reporting agencies must handle your data. It guarantees your right to accuracy, fairness, and privacy. If a bureau or company violates these rights—for example, by reporting false information—you have the right to sue.