A FCRA law firm protects consumers’ privacy rights by fighting for accuracy and fairness in their credit reports. If you’ve been hurt by a mistake in your credit history or have been the victim of an illegal inquiry, you may be entitled to compensation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). A Philadelphia FCRA lawyer can help you fight for your rights and bring legal action against anyone that has violated your rights.
The FCRA regulates consumer reporting agencies — the companies that gather and sell your personal financial information, such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It also governs those who furnish information to these reporting agencies, including credit card companies and debt collectors. The statute imposes strict requirements on who can access your private financial information and what they can do with it.
For instance, the law prohibits employers from pulling your credit report without your consent before hiring you. It also prevents unauthorized inquiries by lenders, insurance companies, and other parties. Even if you are a suspect in a criminal investigation, you must give your consent for an inquiry before a government agency can pull your credit report.
There are several common types of errors in credit reports that can harm a consumer. They include: Inaccurate balances, missed payments that have been made, and inaccurate addresses and contact information. Some of these mistakes can be corrected when the consumer disputes them with the credit bureau. But others can’t be fixed. That’s why it’s important to have a skilled and experienced credit attorney on your side.
Our clients have included individuals and businesses of all sizes – from credit card issuers to debt buyers, mortgage servicers to medical providers. We’ve helped them resolve alleged violations of the FCRA relating to credit reporting and employment background checks, as well as allegations that a business accessed a consumer’s sensitive medical data without permission.
We have fought for our clients’ rights in federal courts across the country, and we are well-versed in the technical aspects of this very complicated statute. The FCRA allows plaintiffs to recover damages for actual injuries suffered as well as statutory damages, which are designed to compensate consumers for the time, money and inconvenience they have endured because of the violation. In addition, the FCRA entitles victims to attorneys fees and costs.
If you believe that your rights have been violated, call us today for a consultation with a Philadelphia FCRA lawyer. I can explain your legal options and determine if you have grounds for an FCRA lawsuit.
One of the most important elements of the FCRA is the permissible purpose rule. A consumer’s credit report can only be accessed by an authorized party for a permissible purpose, which includes lenders, creditors, and prospective employers. It also covers certain government agencies, like the IRS, and a debt collector who is trying to collect past-due debts from you. However, other than these specific cases, a company must have your consent to access your report.