Unfortunately, many consumers are unaware of their rights and the laws in place to protect them from predatory companies. One of the most important laws is the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which sets rules regarding consumer information. While this helps ensure the information on your report is accurate, it also sets standards for who can request your credit report. The following blog explores what you should know about these matters and what to do if you find an unauthorized inquiry on your credit report. Additionally, you’ll discover why it’s imperative to connect with a California credit report lawyer to discuss your legal options if you’ve suffered damages as a result.
Who Can Request My Credit Report?
Because your credit report contains a considerable amount of personal information, like your Social Security number, legal name, phone number, and address, this information is not available to the public. As such, only those with legitimate business interests are authorized to request and view this information. These individuals and entities include but are not limited to:
- Landlords
- Employers
- Lenders
- Banks and financial institutions
- Credit card companies
- Government agencies
If you find unauthorized inquiries on your report, either from lenders relevant to you that you did not request or consent to or from lenders you do not recognize, it generally means one of two things. In some instances, this can be a sign that you are a victim of identity theft. Additionally, it could also be a sign that creditors have violated the FCRA by conducting an unauthorized credit pull.
If I Find an Unauthorized Inquiry, What Should I Do?
If you discover an unauthorized credit pull on your report, understanding your legal options in these matters is critical. Unfortunately, hard inquiries can impact your credit score, as they will remain on the report for two years. As such, you’ll likely want to limit how often these are performed.
In the event the request was unauthorized or you do not recognize the lender, you may want to dispute the inclusion of the information through the reporting agency. They may be able to assist you in removing these errors from your report.
However, if the reporting agency will not assist, you may need to connect with an experienced attorney. Not only can they help you get this information removed from your report, but they may also be able to hold the lender who performed the unauthorized request liable for compensation due to violating the FCRA.
At Loker Law, we understand how complex these matters can be. Unfortunately, your credit report controls a considerable number of important aspects of your life, so ensuring the information reflected is accurate is critical. As such, it’s in your best interest to connect with our team to learn how we can help you through these matters. Connect with us today to learn how we can fight for you during these times.
