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Scenarios involving mixed credit files are all too common today.\u00a0 A mixed credit file, or mis-merged file, can happen when your credit information is commingled with someone else’s on your credit report. For years, the credit bureaus have been told their methods of matching consumer data is fundamentally flawed, but the often-devastating errors keep happening.<\/p>\n
TRUE STORY from Flitter Milz<\/strong><\/span> Common mixed file scenarios<\/strong><\/p>\n 1) A parent’s account appearing on their child’s credit file. Mixed credit files can have a serious affect on your life.<\/p>\n Credit Denials:<\/strong> Credit files that have been mixed between one consumer and another can lead to credit denials for an auto loan, mortgage, education or other personal loan. If you have experienced a credit denial due to a mixed or mis-merged credit file take the following steps.<\/p>\n Step 1:<\/strong> Obtain current credit reports<\/strong><\/span> Step 2: <\/strong>\u00a0Review your credit reports for accuracy<\/a><\/span><\/strong> Step 3:\u00a0 Gather denial letters and supporting documents<\/strong> Step 4: Contact qualified Consumer Law Attorneys<\/strong><\/p>\n Scenarios involving mixed credit files are all too common today.\u00a0 A mixed credit file, or mis-merged file, can happen when your credit information is commingled with someone else’s on your credit report. For years, the credit bureaus have been told their methods of matching consumer data is fundamentally flawed, but the often-devastating errors keep happening. … <\/p>\n
\nA Flitter Milz client was denied an auto loan for a car, despite having perfect credit.\u00a0 When he asked the dealership for his credit report, he was shocked to find a negative collection account belonging to his father, who had a similar name, but different date of birth and SSN.<\/em>\u00a0 A lawsuit was filed for our client against the collection agency and credit bureaus under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) for mixing our client’s file with his dad’s.\u00a0 A federal court awarded our client $360,000 plus attorneys fees for continuing to report inaccurate information on his credit reports.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\n2) A child’s debt negatively effecting the parent’s good credit.
\n3) A total stranger’s delinquent auto loan appears on an innocent consumer’s credit report simply because they share a similar name or social security number.
\n4) John Q. Public’s criminal conviction in Ohio is listed on John T. Public’s employment screening report in New Jersey, preventing John T. Public from getting a job.<\/p>\nThe impact of mixed credit files<\/h3>\n
\nEmployment Denials:<\/strong> Errors like these can also cause you not to get a job, promotional or security clearance.
\nHousing Denial:<\/strong> You can also be denied housing, if a landlord relied on an inaccurate credit report.<\/p>\nSteps to address Mixed Credit Files<\/h3>\n
\nWrite to the main credit bureaus — Transunion, Experian, and Equifax — to request a current copy of your reports, or visit annualcreditreport.com.\u00a0 You may need to provide proof of identity, such as a current driver’s license, utility bill or pay stub to have the reports sent to you.<\/p>\n
\nReview listings on each report<\/a><\/strong><\/span> as information may vary from one report to another.\u00a0 If you do not recognize accounts or if the information is incorrect, you will need to take steps to get the errors corrected.\u00a0 Common signs of mixed files include:
\n– Name spelled incorrectly
\n– Wrong SSN, addresses, or phone numbers
\n– Wrong employers listed
\n– Accounts you do not recognize
\n– Inquiries you don’t recognize
\n– Public records or judgments from courts in cities you never lived in
\n– Criminal records that don’t belong to you<\/p>\n
\nCollect copies of all denial letters received from creditors, employers, or landlords, and all other documents related to the error.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/AMM-CLF-JLJ-at-conf-table-8-2017-300x197.jpg\")
Attorneys Cary Flitter, Andy Milz and Jody L\u00f3pez-Jacobs are nationally recognized consumer protection lawyers with experience to evaluate your credit reporting problem. There is no cost for the legal review.\u00a0 Contact Us Today<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Pictured:\u00a0 Attorneys Cary Flitter (center), Andy Milz (left), Jody L\u00f3pez-Jacobs (right).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"