Fair credit starts with you

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A healthy credit report typically leads to lower interest rates, saving money, less financial stress, etc. Sound easy? If it were only that simple. As with all things in life, errors occur and, due to the massive amounts of data that go through the credit bureaus each month, mistakes will be made, items will be misinterpreted and, left unnoticed, you will be the one paying the price.

You can do something about unfair credit reporting

It is because of these mistakes that in 1971 Congress passed the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) as a check and balance system over these credit bureaus and lending institutions in order to protect the rights of consumers. All too often, mistakes were found on credit reports and the consumer, unknowingly, had to take responsibility. Under the FCRA, the burden of proof lies with the business that is making the claim. If you find items on your credit reports that you feel may be inaccurate, untimely, misleading, incomplete, ambiguous, unverifiable, biased or unclear, you have the right to dispute these items. The business that listed these questionable items is then required to produce evidence that the listing is being reported accurately. If they cannot or are unwilling to support the claim, then the credit bureau is required to remove the listing from your credit reports.

In order for the system to work, however, you as a consumer must take responsibility to be an active participant in the credit reporting process and know what is on your credit report. Stand up for yourself, fight for fair credit reporting, and seek help when needed. Lexington Law has been defending the rights of consumers since 1991 and has the legal knowledge, experience, and dedication to act on your behalf.

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