CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE THEY WRECK YOUR CREDIT — A Legal Checklist for Spotting Reporting Errors
A single error on your credit report can cost you thousands — in denied loans, higher interest rates, or even lost housing
Shockingly, 1 in 4 Americans has at least one error on their credit report. If you haven’t reviewed yours recently, the best time to start is now.
This checklist, developed from insights by R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys, walks you through exactly what to look for in your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports — and what to do when you spot something wrong.
Review All Three Credit Reports — Not Just One
Every consumer has three different credit reports — and they’re not always consistent. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each gather and report information separately. That means one might have accurate data while another includes a damaging error.
You’ll want to carefully examine the following sections on each report.
1. Personal Information
This is where identity confusion often starts — especially if your name is common or similar to someone else’s.
Look for:
Incorrect names or aliases
Wrong addresses or phone numbers
Mismatched Social Security Numbers
Multiple birthdates
Former spouses still listed as current
Even a small typo here can trigger account misattribution — or worse, credit identity fraud.
2. Public Records
This section covers bankruptcies, judgments, tax liens, and other legal matters tied to your financial history.
Flag these red flags:
Old bankruptcies (more than 10 years old)
Unlabeled bankruptcies (should be identified as Chapter 7 or 13)
Judgments over 7 years old (10 in California)
Records filed by someone else (like a spouse)
Paid liens still listed as unpaid
Errors here are serious legal red flags — and often actionable under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
3. Credit Accounts
Most errors show up in this section. Look carefully at loans, credit cards, collection accounts, and medical billing entries.
Watch out for:
Inaccurate dates of delinquency
Debts discharged in bankruptcy still listed as active
Accounts marked repossession when you voluntarily returned the item
Duplicate entries or false accounts
Accounts that belong to someone else
Missing dispute notations
Child support debt older than 7 years
Any entry you don’t recognize at all
If you see accounts that aren't yours or reflect actions you never took, you may be a victim of identity theft.
4. Inquiries
This section shows who’s been checking your credit — and not everyone has a right to.
Look for:
Car dealers or retailers checking credit when you didn’t apply
Employers pulling your report without permission
Former creditors on discharged accounts making new inquiries
If someone accessed your report without a valid reason, they may have violated the FCRA, and R23 Law can help hold them accountable.
What To Do When You Spot Errors
Once you’ve found discrepancies, don’t panic — but don’t ignore them either.
You have rights under the FCRA to:
Dispute errors directly with the credit bureau
Submit documentation proving the mistake
Receive a decision within 30 days
Escalate the issue if the error isn't corrected
Some cases are simple; others may require tenacious follow-up or legal action — especially when errors keep recurring or impact your financial well-being.
Legal Backup from R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys
At R23 Law, our attorneys don’t just fix errors — we fight back against credit bureaus, lenders, and data furnishers who violate your rights. We assist clients with:
Repeated credit report mistakes
Identity mix-ups due to name similarity
Inaccurate bankruptcies or judgments
Mixed credit files with family members or strangers
FCRA violations and credit-related emotional distress
If your report has damaging errors, you may be entitled to monetary damages, statutory compensation, and attorney’s fees — and we’ll make sure you get what you deserve.
Take Control of Your Credit — Before It Controls You
A single credit report mistake can cost you big. But with the right checklist — and the right legal team — you can take back control.
📞 Contact R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys for a free consultation. We’ll review your report, evaluate potential legal claims, and guide you through the dispute process step-by-step.
