If you’ve tried to dispute an error on your credit report and gotten nowhere, you’re not alone. A recent investigation by ProPublica found that consumers are facing increasing difficulty getting credit report mistakes corrected, even when they provide clear evidence.
For many people, these errors are more than an inconvenience. Inaccurate information on a credit report can affect your ability to obtain a mortgage, qualify for other loans, secure housing, or maintain financial stability. A single account that doesn’t belong to you—or a debt that has been reported incorrectly—can significantly lower your credit score and create long-term financial consequences.
Why Credit Report Errors Are Becoming Harder to Fix
According to ProPublica’s investigation, reduced oversight by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may be contributing to a decline in successful dispute resolutions.
The CFPB is responsible for enforcing federal consumer financial laws and protecting consumers in the financial marketplace. As regulatory pressure has decreased, credit reporting agencies have reportedly become less likely to resolve disputes in consumers’ favor.
Despite these trends, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion remain legally obligated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to investigate disputes and correct inaccurate information when errors are identified.
Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives consumers important protections when inaccurate information appears on their credit reports.
Credit reporting agencies are required to:
- Follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy
- Conduct reasonable investigations when consumers dispute information
- Correct or remove inaccurate information that cannot be verified
When these obligations are not met, consumers may have legal remedies available under federal law.
Help for Consumers Dealing With Credit Report Errors
You do not have to accept inaccurate credit reporting, and you do not have to navigate the dispute process alone.
The experienced FCRA attorneys at Kelly Guzzo, PLC help consumers challenge inaccurate reporting and hold credit bureaus accountable when they fail to conduct reasonable investigations.
Our firm has successfully handled hundreds of cases involving inaccurate credit reporting and investigation failures by Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. We can assist with correcting credit report errors and pursuing compensation for damages caused by inaccurate reporting.
There is no out-of-pocket cost for our services. We only recover if you do.
If you believe your credit report contains inaccurate information that has not been properly investigated or corrected, contact Kelly Guzzo, PLC to learn more about your rights.