We live in an electronic age, where our credit information is available to creditors in an instant, and where such information is constantly shared. Every time we apply for a credit card, an automobile loan, a mortgage, or any other loan, creditors examine our credit history. They can contact one or more of the Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs) in order to view our credit reports and judge our credit worthiness. Therefore, the accuracy of our credit report is of the utmost importance.

Everyday, people are shocked to learn of errors or inaccuracies in their credit reports. When an error exists in a credit report, it can have huge and negative consequences. Often, it is only when people apply for a loan that they learn of an error in their credit reports. Years can sometimes pass before they ever find out!

The Fair Credit Reporting Act
Credit reporting agencies (CRAs) are the agencies that gather your credit information and report it to potential lenders. Three main CRAs exist in the United States. Federal and state laws control how these CRAs must address consumer issues and complaints. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects you by requiring CRAs to furnish correct and complete information to businesses for use in evaluating your application for credit, insurance, or a job.

Unfortunately, the CRAs do not always report credit with the accuracy that the FCRA requires. The FCRA provides grounds for obtaining compensation if you have been damaged as a result of the failure of the CRAs to accurately store and transmit your credit information or if your records are inaccurate and you have reported the inaccuracies to the CRA and they continue to report the inaccurate information.

Furnishers of the misinformation may also be held liable. For instance, if the CRA reports the dispute to the creditor who provided the information to the CRA, the creditor has an obligation to investigate the dispute and report the results of the investigation to the CRA. Failure to do so provides grounds for a fair credit reporting lawsuit as well.

You may learn that the credit reporting agency has failed to correct a reported mistake or reinserted a mistaken entry into your credit report by receiving notice of a debt that you did not incur or by being denied a mortgage, loan, or a credit card. If you have become aware of inaccuracies or incomplete entries on your credit report and have reported such mistakes, you may be able to bring a claim against the CRA and the creditor who furnished the incorrect information in the first place.

All too often, a CRA may temporarily fix an incorrect statement in your credit report, only to reinsert it into your credit report months later. If one CRA has violated the FCRA, it is likely that another CRA may have also done so. You need the assistance of an experienced fair credit reporting lawyer to help you get compensation for the damages that you have suffered.

Attorney James W. Dodson has over 20 years of experience representing individuals who have been injured. James W. Dodson is a well-respected member of the legal community, and he restricts his practice to personal injury clients. His peers have awarded him the highest possible rating for legal abilities and ethics, rating him AV, Peer Review Rated. * Mr. Dodson belongs to a group of lawyers, known as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, that have achieved a trial award, settlement, or verdict of $1,000,000 or more.

All cases are handled on a contingent fee basis so that you will never pay any fee unless you obtain recovery on your claim. The attorney will advance all costs required to pursue your claim and you will only have to repay those costs if a recovery is obtained on your behalf. You will not owe fees or costs if no recovery is made.

James W. Dodson, Attorney at Law represents injury clients in Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, and elsewhere in Pinellas County, Pasco County, Manatee County, and throughout Florida.

Call James W. Dodson, Attorney at Law, at (727) 446-0840 for a free, confidential evaluation of your claim. You can also contact us online.

*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., used with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies.