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Credit Report Errors

Debt Collection Defense

Recent News & Updates

Post-Pandemic Identity Theft

In today’s post-pandemic world, identity theft is becoming a rampant problem. It can happen in various ways, even between people who know each other. Roommates who forget to secure their personal information, parents using their children’s identity for their own benefit, and even grown children taking advantage of their elderly parents are just some examples. The worst part? The fraudulent activities are usually reflected in your credit report.

Discovering identity theft can be a nightmare, especially when it happens while applying for a loan, renting an apartment or getting a mortgage. If you suspect identity theft, taking immediate action is crucial. Filing a police report and contacting the credit reporting agencies are the first steps. When notifying the credit reporting agencies, make sure to write a detailed letter listing all accounts that belong to you and the ones that don’t. Also, specify whether the balances on the accounts that belong to you are accurate. To ensure delivery and proof of receipt, send the letter via certified mail or a trusted courier service with a tracking number.

But don’t worry, Abel Pierre and his team are here to help! With 20 years of experience in representing identity theft victims nationwide, Abel Pierre offers affordable solutions for people in need. If you suspect any fraudulent activities or mistakes on your credit report, don’t hesitate to contact us at 888-744-0757 or send us a message by clicking here. We’ll fight hard to get your credit report corrected and protect your family from the devastating consequences of identity theft.

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I Never Opened a Citibank Account, Was My Identity Stolen?

It might not always seem like it, but your credit report is one of the most important assets you have. The information in your credit report shows what your relationships with your creditors are like, which influence your credit score. It’s for this reason that you should ensure your credit report always reflects the most accurate information about your debt and your creditors.

So, what if you pull a soft inquiry on your credit report and notice accounts, debt, or other information that you don’t recognize or is incorrect? If you’re like most people, you’d probably feel alarmed and fear that you’ve become a victim of identity theft – but have you?

Not always. Sometimes a credit report error not due to fraud is to blame.

What Is a Credit Report Error?

A credit report error is exactly what it sounds like: an error on your credit report. As it turns out, these mistakes are very common and affect about one in three Americans.

Some common credit report errors include the following:

  • Incorrect information about you (name, phone number, address, etc.)
  • Mixed files (your information is mixed with someone else’s)
  • Closed accounts are reported as open
  • Accounts incorrectly reported as delinquent or late
  • Incorrect or missing payment information
  • A debt is listed more than once
  • Incorrect account balances or credit limits

Sometimes credit report errors are due to identity theft and fraud, but they are most often the results of data input and management errors. These mistakes can occur at various levels and originate from your bank, another financial institution, the credit reporting agency, or even you.

Are Credit Report Errors Serious?

They can be. Because an error on your credit report can adversely affect your credit score, you shouldn’t leave it unaddressed. Credit report errors that go unnoticed or are allowed to persist can drastically lower anyone’s credit score, damaging their reputation, limiting their ability to secure credit, and even costing them money.

Are Credit Report Errors Easy to Fix?

Some are, some aren’t. You may be able to quickly resolve relatively simple errors, such as a misspelled name, incorrect address, or a wrong account number. In these cases, the mistake can be corrected within a few days. More complicated problems, such as disputes concerning account balances or accounts in your name that you never opened, can take several days or a few weeks to resolve.

How Do I Fix an Error on My Credit Report?

You can fix an error on your credit report by filing a dispute with the credit reporting agency that provided the report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) makes both you and any credit reporting agency responsible for correcting any inaccurate information.

As you prepare your error dispute, include copies of all documentation that show the error and prove why it’s incorrect. Once you file an error dispute, the credit reporting agency must investigate your claim within 30 days. You should expect notification of the results of this investigation and receive a free copy of your amended credit report if any changes were made.

Do I Have to File Multiple Disputes for the Same Error with Other Agencies?

No, you shouldn’t have to dispute an individual error more than once. If one credit reporting agency agrees to fix an error you reported to it, the other two reporting agencies should receive this updated information.

Who Can Help Me Fix My Credit Report?

If your credit report is showing incorrect information, you can reach out to The Law Offices of Abel L. Pierre, Attorney at Law, P.C. for help filing a credit report error dispute. You should secure our legal representation as soon as possible because any errors on your credit report may be damaging your credit score.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, contact us online to schedule a consultation.

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3 Common Credit Reporting Mistakes

Did you know that roughly 1 in 4 consumers has an error on their credit report? This is why it is important to remember to occasionally check the information contained in your credit report. Your credit report can affect your financial well-being, making it all that more important to ensure its accuracy will give you the best possible interest rates and credit options.

There are a few credit reporting errors that are more commonly made than others. In this blog, we talk about 3 common credit reporting mistakes.

Incorrect Account Information

The first most common mistake people find on their credit report is incorrect information about their accounts. Sometimes, creditors will provide inaccurate information to the credit reporting agencies. This usually happens when the creditor sends wrong information or the credit reporting agency incorrectly enters the information they have been given.

Make sure you review each of your accounts to see that they have been accurately reported. Examples of inaccurate account information include:

 

An “open” notation on a closed account

Inaccurate credit limits

Late payments

Unpaid balances

Inaccurate Personal Information

The second most common error seen on credit reports is inaccurate personal identifying information. With the millions of consumers that each of the three major credit reporting agencies are responsible for reporting about, personal information for people with similar names can sometimes end up merging together.

Sometimes the inaccurate information can be a wrong street address, while other times the information can be far more detrimental to your report. For example, an inaccurate social security number or annual income can have major consequences on your financial standing. Check your report and make sure the information belongs to you and is correct. While a wrong address might not seem like a big deal, it can potentially lead to another person’s account being added to your credit report.

Fraudulent Accounts

The third most commonly reported error found in people’s credit reports is fraudulent accounts. A fraudulent account is a serious credit reporting mistake that can substantially affect your credit rating. Fraud, or identity theft, occurs when someone uses your personal information to open accounts in your name.

If you find fraudulent accounts on your credit report, you will need to alert the police and consult with the credit reporting agency. Submitting a fraud alert on your report will prevent future accounts from being opened without you first being contacted by the creditor.

How Do I Fix a Credit Reporting Error?

If you come across an error when you are checking your credit report, you need to contact the credit reporting agency to dispute the account. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute and request an investigation for any inaccurate information you find on your credit report.

After receiving your notice of inaccurate information, the credit reporting agency must contact the furnisher of the information, conduct an investigation, and respond to you within 30 days.

Let Us Help You Resolve Your Credit Reporting Error Today

If you are having trouble disputing a credit reporting error, our attorney can help you uphold your rights. In fact, we can help you resolve your credit reporting error free of charge.

At The Law Offices of Abel L. Pierre, we offer a wide range of debt collection defense services that we can use to remove potentially harmful mistakes from your credit report. Let us assist you today.

Call (888) 744-0757 to schedule a consultation with our legal team today.

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Bad Debt Collectors

There are many law firms that make it their business to oppress everyday consumers into paying debts that they do not owe. These rogue lawyers and law firms use sneaky tactics to weasel money out of hardworking everyday people. One of the most notorious of these is the law firm of Houslanger & Associates.

Todd E. Houslanger founded the firm of Houslanger & Associates since 2005. They have been at the forefront of bad collection practices for a long time. They continue to get away with it when consumers, who do not know their rights, are bullied into paying more than what they should. In fact in 2009 Houslanger & Associates was one of the law firms sued by the New York State Attorney General.

Houslanger & Associates are also sometimes associated with Libra Equities, Pinpoint Technologies and other Debt collection firms. They use their powers to freeze bank accounts and wage garnishments. They have been sued multiple times in federal court for unlawful collection practices.

If you or a loved one received a phone call or letter from Houslanger & Associates do not speak to them without consulting with your own lawyer first.

The Lawyers at the Law Office of Abel L. Pierre, have decades of experience fighting rogue debt collectors. We know your rights and we can make sure that you get the lowest and best possible solution for your case. Call or Email us Today.

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Pinpoint Technologies LLC

Many people are dealing with the reality that old debts and accounts often creep up out of nowhere. That account may have been 15 even almost 20 years old in some cases. However there are debt collection agencies that specialize in breathing new life to these old debts. Two of these rogue collection agencies are known as Pinpoint Technologies LLC and Pinpoint Technologies Too LLC.

Pinpoint Technologies has a rather infamous reputation for being one of the most notorious debt collection companies. Pinpoint Technologies has often been accused and sued for utilizing unlawful, sneaky, unfair and deceptive collection practices in order to coerce and trick poor consumers into paying debts that they did not owe. Pinpoint Technologies has also repeatedly been sued for using tactics such as sewer service in order to slip judgments through the court system. This means that Pinpoint Technologies was accused of falsifying affidavits in which they claimed to notify consumers of collection proceedings against them. Of course because the affidavit was falsified, the consumer was never actually notified about the collection cases and judgments. They would only find out about the unlawful acts after receiving a notice from a Marshal or Sheriff notifying them of a wage garnishment or a freeze on their bank account.

Pinpoint Technologies and Pinpoint Technologies Too LLC sold their judgments to a few companies one of which being Libra Equities. This new collection agency is represented by Todd E. Houslanger from Houslanger and Associates PC. If you received notice of judgment from a Marshall, Sheriff, Pinpoint Technologies our law firm can help fight this problem for you. We have decades of experience in removing judgments, stopping wage garnishment, and lifting bank levies. Feel free to send us an email or call us today.

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Can a Gym Send You to Collections?

As a new year rolls around many of us make resolutions. One of the top resolutions that people make is the commitment to finally get in shape. With that, we join a gym and sign on the dotted line which obligates us to pay a low monthly fee. But then our schedule changes and we may even relocate thus needing to cancel our gym membership. Then we go on with the rest of our lives and don’t even consider if a gym can send you to collections.

Can a Gym Send You to Collections?

Yes. If you sign a contract with a gym and fail to pay, a gym can send you to collections. If the cancellation is not done in writing you will still be sent to a collection agency which will assign a debt collector to try to collect the balance of the bill.

However many times it’s not so simple. People get caught in the trap of owing a lot of money based on those gym membership fees and don’t even realize it until they are contacted by a debt collector, collection agency, or have a judgment on the credit report.

This happens because a lot of time gym memberships are similar to an apartment lease. That means many gyms will obligate you to a gym membership for a period of time such as one or two years. During that time you are not allowed to cancel except for relocating or medical reasons. Thus when you try to cancel the membership you may still be hit with the bill.

Do Smaller Gyms Send Members to Collection as Well?

There are many gyms, especially the smaller ones, that have taken the practice of sending every canceled account to a collection agency regardless of whether or not the cancellation was properly done. Sometimes unknowing consumers get barraged with collection calls from debt collectors who demand a lot more money than the balance that was left on the contract.

Other times unwittingly the client doesn’t know that they’re being sought until a judgment is taken against them which shows up on their credit report. Sometimes the consumer’s wages are garnished or their bank accounts frozen. Then after much digging, they realize that the $200 that they had left on the a gym membership has now ballooned to thousands of dollars worth of interest, penalties, legal fees, and miscellaneous disbursements.

It’s always advisable if you must cancel your gym membership to do it in writing. However if you are receiving collection calls as a result of a canceled gym membership do not hesitate to immediately contact the Law Office of Abel Pierre. One of our attorneys will be happy to speak with you and develop the most effective strategy to permanently resolve your situation.

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New York FCRA Lawyer

Disputing Credit Report Errors for Clients in New York City

Your credit report has vital information affecting many areas of your life. Your report records everything from your history of paying your bills to whether you’ve filed for bankruptcy. Credit reporting companies are responsible for providing accurate credit history information to lenders, employers, and similar entities.

However, many credit reports contain errors created by creditors, debt collectors, or the credit agencies themselves. Incorrect information on a credit report can drastically affect your score. It can also lead to collection harassment for debts that you do not even owe. Therefor, if your report is affected by such errors, it is important to get these errors corrected as soon as possible.

Common Types of Credit Report Errors

Common errors on credit reports include:

Multiple Listings - TA single debt is listed two or more times on your credit report. This negative information can incorrectly inflate the amount you actually owe. Whole accounts can also be reported multiple times, with a more dramatic effect on your score.

Incorrect or False Delinquency Reports - Your report states you are behind on a debt. However, that is actually current or was already paid off. Alternatively, it may be a debt you don't recognize, often resulting from identity theft.

Social Security Number Errors- Another person's credit information can be included on your report. Referred to as a "mismerged" report, it typically occurs in cases where two individuals have similar Social Security numbers.

Impermissible Access- When you apply for credit, your credit report is often reviewed. This can have an impact on your overall credit score. If someone reviews your credit report without authorization, it can look like you've applied for credit more than you actually have. This can be detrimental to your score.t

If you have discovered errors on your credit report, contact our law office right away. We will work towards correcting your report and filing your dispute. We can also help you recover compensation for any financial damages you have sustained as a result of the disputed item.

How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) makes both the credit reporting agency and information provider responsible for correcting inaccurate information in your report.

When you identify an error on your credit report, you will want to contact the reporting company regarding the inaccuracy. You will need to include copies of supporting documents and clearly identify the disputed information.

The FCRA requires credit reporting companies to investigate your claim within 30 days, unless they consider the claim frivolous. Additionally, all information must be forwarded to the information provider, who must also investigate the claim.

Upon completion of the investigation, the credit reporting company will issue you the results of your claim, along with a free copy of your credit report if there was a change. The disputed and fixed information will also be sent to all three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, Transunion, and Experian).

File a Credit Report Dispute With Our Attorneys

Utilizing the Fair Credit Reporting Act, there are many legal options we can explore in seeking a resolution. This includes filing a debt collection lawsuit against the responsible parties, if necessary. We will do whatever it takes to help you regain your financial footing.

The Law Office of Abel L. Pierre, Attorney at Law provides a broad range of debt collection defense and credit repair services. We can assist you with the dispute process if your credit report contains potentially harmful errors.

Contact the Law Office of Abel L. Pierre, Attorney at Law, P.C. for help in addressing errors on your credit report

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“If I had to cross mountains and rivers to have Counselor Pierre again, I would do without thought. He is a remarkable lawyer and made sure a false debt collection against me was vacated. With ...”
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