Wrong info on a background check or credit report
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act (CCRAA)
Two laws (one federal, one California) say that the companies who pull background checks and credit reports have to get it right. When they don't, and it costs you something real, you have a case.
What it covers
Reports that contain wrong information: a felony that isn't yours, a mix-up with someone else's identity, a debt that was wiped out in bankruptcy years ago, an account that was never yours. The case rests on whether the reporting company knew the report was wrong, or could have caught it.
Common scenarios
- You were denied a job after a background check showed a record that wasn't yours.
- An apartment application was rejected because of a credit report containing accounts mixed with someone else.
- A debt that was wiped out in bankruptcy still appears as outstanding, affecting credit decisions.
What it pays
What it actually cost you, plus damages set by law of $100 to $1,000 for every deliberate mistake, plus our fees. Some cases also support extra damages meant to punish the company.