{
    "objects": [
        {
            "Title": "How can I get a free credit report?",
            "Slug": "how-can-i-get-free-credit-report",
            "Content": "<p>You can request one <strong>free<\/strong> credit report from Transunion, Experian, and Equifax every twelve months.<\/p><p>You can also receive a free credit report if you:<\/p><ul><li>Have been denied credit within the past 60 days.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/what-do-if-your-identity-stolen\/\">Are a victim of identity theft<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Are on public assistance.<\/li>\n<li>Are unemployed and plan to seek employment within the next 60 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul><h3 class=\"c1\">Protect your consumer rights. Request credit reports through&nbsp;U.S. Mail<\/h3><p>To obtain credit reports, write your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/assets\/Uploads\/3e954e9536\/Credit_Reporting_Request_Report.pdf\">Credit Report Request letter<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;include two forms of identification, such as a driver\u2019s license, recent utility bill, or current pay stub. It may take 10 - 15 days to receive your reports by mail.<\/p><p>You may also obtain reports online at&nbsp;annualcreditreport.com<a href=\"https:\/\/www.annualcreditreport.com\/index.action\"><\/a>. However, ordering reports online may bind you through&nbsp;an arbitration agreement when you \"click\" to obtain your reports.&nbsp;This agreement may affect your consumer rights if you pursue a lawsuit or participate in a class action.&nbsp;To protect your consumer rights, <strong>we recommend that you request your reports through the mail<\/strong>.<\/p><p>You can also call to get your report.&nbsp;You'll be directed through a verification process and your reports will be mailed to you within 10 - 15 days. The credit report request phone number is: 877-322-8228.<\/p><h5>Questions about items on your credit reports?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h5><p>Flitter Milz is a consumer protection law firm that represents consumers that have problems with their credit reports.&nbsp; Our firm will evaluate inaccurate listings and determine whether there is a lawsuit to pursue against the credit bureau and\/or the furnisher of the information.&nbsp; <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact Us<\/a><\/strong> for a free legal evaluation.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p>",
            "MetaDescription": "You can request one free credit report from Transunion, Experian, and Equifax every twelve months.You can also receive a free credit report if you:",
            "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00"
        },
        {
            "Title": "What are common Credit Reporting Errors?",
            "Slug": "what-are-common-credit-report-errors",
            "Content": "<p>Credit report errors happen for a number of reasons.&nbsp; The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/practice-areas\/credit-reports\/\">Fair Credit Reporting Act<\/a> provides protections for consumers that have become victim of these common errors.<\/p><ul><li>\n<h5>Identity errors<\/h5>\n<ul><li>Wrong name, address, and\/or social security number<\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/someone-elses-information-my-credit-report\" target=\"_blank\">Someone else's information<\/a> or a mis-merged file&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Accounts resulting from identity theft&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Inaccurate data entries<\/h5>\n<ul><li><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/does-your-credit-report-list-same-account-more-once\" target=\"_blank\">Multiple entries for the same account<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Re-insertion of inaccurate information<\/li>\n<li>Re-aged debt (debt that should have been removed after 7 1\/2 years)<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/li>\n<li>Account information errors - incorrect payment history or balance&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Account status - closed accounts reported as open, incorrect payment&nbsp;dates, delinquencies<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Be sure to dispute credit report errors to ensure that all inaccurate information is corrected. &nbsp;<\/p><h5 class=\"text-clear\">Helpful Tips<\/h5><p class=\"text-clear\">Be sure to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/practice-areas\/credit-reports\/how-do-i-dispute-credit-report-errors\/\">dispute credit report errors<\/a> to ensure that all inaccurate information is corrected. The following tips will help consumers address problems that arise from inaccurate credit reporting are:<\/p><p class=\"text-clear\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Request a credit report from each bureau, Transunion, Experian and Equifax, <br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; every twelve months.<br>2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Request your credit reports directly from the bureaus by writing for the reports.<br>3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Review your reports for large and small errors.<br>4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Send a written dispute to the bureau through the US Mail.<br>5)&nbsp; &nbsp; Send disputes for individual items to the bureaus.&nbsp; Do not send one letter disputing <br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; several items.<br>6)&nbsp; &nbsp; Keep your dispute simple.&nbsp; State the problem.&nbsp; Provide documents that illustrate the <br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; problem. State how you would like the problem resolved.<br>7)&nbsp; &nbsp; Always provide supporting documents that show why the listing is inaccurate.<br>8)&nbsp; &nbsp; Send your dispute by Certified Mail, Return Receipt.&nbsp; The bureaus have 30 days to <br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; address your dispute.&nbsp; You need to know when your dispute letter was received.<br>9)&nbsp; &nbsp; Keep a copy of the complete dispute you send to the bureau -&nbsp;<em>your dispute letter; <br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; supporting documentation; mailing receipts&nbsp;<br><\/em>10) If the bureaus do not correct the error, dispute again.<em><br><br><\/em><\/p><h4 class=\"text-clear\">Seek Legal Help<\/h4><p class=\"text-clear\">Flitter Milz is a consumer protection law firm that represents consumers that have experienced errors or privacy violations with their credit reports.&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact Us<\/a> for a free consultation and review of credit reporting errors.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p>",
            "MetaDescription": "Credit report errors can happen for a number of reasons.\u00a0Common inaccuracies are:",
            "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00"
        },
        {
            "Title": "Who can access my credit report?",
            "Slug": "who-can-access-my-credit-report",
            "Content": "<h3><strong>Consumers must give permission for someone to obtain their credit reports.<\/strong><\/h3><p>Information contained in credit reports can be used to steal someone's identity, damage credit or, at the very least, invade privacy.&nbsp; Federal law, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/practice-areas\/credit-reports\/what-should-i-know-about-fair-credit-reporting-act-fcra\/\">Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)<\/a>,&nbsp;states, although there may be a compelling reason for a company, organization or another person to view someone's credit report, the consumer must provide permission. When a credit report is accessed without permission, the consumer may pursue legal action against that party.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>Various organizations may have legitimate reason to access your credit report.<\/p><ul><li>Insurance companies (at underwriting,&nbsp;not claims)<\/li>\n<li>Landlords seeking a credit check for tenants<\/li>\n<li>Credit card companies<\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/how-your-credit-report-affects-your-job-search\" target=\"_blank\">Employers<\/a> (only with full disclosure and your written consent)<\/li>\n<li>Government licensing organizations (if required to check financial status)<\/li>\n<li>State or local child support enforcement agencies<\/li>\n<li>Government agencies (usually can only look at your name, address, former addresses, and current and past employers)<\/li>\n<li>Companies or organizations with which&nbsp;you've initiated business<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>However, any time your credit report is viewed by one of these companies, a <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/hard-inquiry-and-soft-inquiry-whats-difference-your-credit-report\" target=\"_blank\">\u201chard inquiry\u201d<\/a> gets recorded on your report. Hard inquiries may lower your credit score.<\/p><h5>Seek Legal Advice<\/h5><p>Flitter Milz is a consumer protection law firm that represents people who have experienced harm from unauthorized access to his or her credit reports.&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact us<\/a> to discuss your legal rights and steps to take.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p>",
            "MetaDescription": "Consumers must give permission for someone to access credit reports.The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) states acceptable reasons for\u00a0a company\u00a0to view your credit report. Any organization or\u00a0individual who gets a copy of your report under false pretenses can be\u00a0sued and subject to criminal prosecution.",
            "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00"
        },
        {
            "Title": "10 Things You Should Know About the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)",
            "Slug": "what-should-i-know-about-fair-credit-reporting-act-fcra",
            "Content": "<p>The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. There are many types of consumer reporting agencies&nbsp;including credit bureaus and specialty agencies. Specialty agencies include those&nbsp;that sell information about check writing histories, medical records, employment records, and rental history records.<\/p><ol><li>You must be told if information in&nbsp;your file has been used against you.&nbsp;Anyone using a credit report to deny application for credit, insurance, employment,&nbsp;a rental property, or to take another adverse action against you, must tell you&nbsp;and give you the name, address, and phone number of the agency that provided the information.<\/li>\n<li>You have the right to know what is in your file.&nbsp;You may request and obtain all the information about you in the files of a consumer reporting agency. You are entitled to a free file disclosure if:&nbsp;\n<ul><li>someone has taken adverse action against you&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>you are a victim of identity theft<\/li>\n<li>your file contains inaccurate information as a result of fraud<\/li>\n<li>you are on public assistance<\/li>\n<li>you are unemployed but expect to apply for employment within&nbsp;60 days<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/li>\n<li>You have the right to ask for a credit score.&nbsp;Credit scores are numerical summaries of your credit-worthiness based on information from the credit bureaus. You may have to pay for your credit score from the reporting agency.<\/li>\n<li>You have the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Send your&nbsp;dispute in writing. The reporting agency must investigate your dispute and provide a written&nbsp;response within 30 days.<\/li>\n<li>You may dispute information in your credit file that is incomplete or inaccurate. Consumer reporting agencies must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information. If you report an inaccurate or incomplete listing to the credit reporting agency and provide supporting documentation, the credit bureau is to remove or correct the error within 30 days. If the bureau verifies the information as accurate, they may continue to report.<\/li>\n<li>Consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated, negative information.&nbsp;In most cases, credit reporting agencies may not report negative information that is more than 7 1\/2 years old&nbsp;or bankruptcies that are more than 10 years old.<\/li>\n<li>Access to your file is limited.&nbsp;A consumer reporting agency may provide information about you for specified purposes described in the law, such as the consideration of credit applications, insurance, employment, rental property, or other business.<\/li>\n<li>An employer or potential employer must receive written consent from you to access your credit file. &nbsp;This authorization is separate from a general request to obtain credit information and must include specific disclosures outlining how the information will be used.<\/li>\n<li>You may limit \u201cpre-screened\u201d offers of credit and insurance that you receive based on information in your credit report.&nbsp;These offers must include a toll-free phone number that the consumer can call to remove his\/her name from the list of recipients.<\/li>\n<li>You may seek damages from violators.&nbsp;The credit bureau or furnisher of credit information may be sued&nbsp;if&nbsp;they have violated the FCRA. &nbsp;As well, the consumer's attorney&nbsp;fees may be paid by the credit bureau or furnisher if the law has been broken<\/li>\n<\/ol><h3>Seek Legal Advice<\/h3><p>Flitter Milz is a consumer protection law firm that represents people that have experienced violations to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.&nbsp; If you have errors on your credit report or have had your report accessed without authorization, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact Us<\/a><\/strong> for a free legal evaluation.<\/p>",
            "MetaDescription": "The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. There are many types of consumer reporting agencies\u00a0including credit bureaus and specialty agencies. Specialty agencies include those\u00a0that sell information about check writing histories, medical records, employment records, and rental history records.",
            "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00"
        },
        {
            "Title": "How Do I Dispute Credit Report Errors?",
            "Slug": "how-do-i-dispute-credit-report-errors",
            "Content": "<h3><strong>How to remove errors on Credit Reports, Employment Screening Reports, Tenant Screening Reports, or&nbsp;Consumer Reports<\/strong><\/h3><p>If you spot an error on a report listing your credit information, you need to send a letter directly to that credit bureau and submit a written&nbsp;<a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/assets\/Uploads\/a36ffb1f19\/Credit_Reporting_Request_to_Reinvestigate.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">dispute<\/a>.<\/p><p>Your dispute letter should include:<\/p><ul><li>A copy of the page from your current&nbsp;report showing the error.<\/li>\n<li>Highlight the disputed information so that it is easy for the credit bureau representative to locate the item you dispute.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Briefly state why this item is listed incorrectly.<\/li>\n<li>Attach any supporting documentation that will verify your claim.<\/li>\n<li>Send your dispute letter to the bureau by Certified Mail, Return Receipt. The bureaus have 30 days to respond to your dispute.<\/li>\n<li>Keep a complete copy of your dispute letter.<\/li>\n<li>Maintain a file with all dispute letters, supporting documents and responses from the credit bureaus.<\/li>\n<\/ul><h5>Seek Legal Help<\/h5><p>Flitter Milz is a consumer protection law firm that represents people that have errors on their credit reports.&nbsp; When these errors remain, the consumer's ability to obtain credit, or keep existing credit, could be in jeopardy.&nbsp; The Fair Credit Reporting Act provides legal protections for consumers that experience harm resulting from inaccurate credit reporting.&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/contact-us\/\"><strong>Contact us<\/strong><\/a> for a free legal evaluation&nbsp;of your credit reporting problems.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p>",
            "MetaDescription": "How to remove errors on Credit Reports, Employment Screening Reports, Tenant Screening Reports, or\u00a0Consumer ReportsIf you spot an inaccuracy on a report listing your credit information, you need to send a letter directly to that credit bureau and submit a written\u00a0dispute.",
            "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00"
        }
    ]
}