Credit Reporting Errors

FCRA Claims in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin

If inaccurate information is appearing on your credit report, federal law may provide a remedy.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates credit bureaus and furnishers of information. When they fail to conduct a reasonable investigation after you dispute an error, they can be held legally accountable.

Todd Murray represents consumers in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin in cases involving serious credit reporting errors that cause real harm.

When a Credit Reporting Error Becomes a Legal Case

Not every mistake leads to a viable lawsuit.

The strongest FCRA cases typically involve:

A clear inaccuracy on your credit report
A written dispute sent to a credit bureau
A failure to conduct a reasonable investigation
Measurable harm, such as loan denial, higher interest rates, housing issues, employment problems, or documented emotional distress

A single, technical reporting error that is corrected promptly without impact is less likely to justify litigation. Our focus is on meaningful violations that caused real-world consequences.

Common FCRA Violations

FCRA cases often arise in situations involving:

Mixed credit files (another person’s data appears on your report)
Accounts wrongly marked as delinquent or in collections
Errors following identity theft
Debt discharged in bankruptcy still showing as owed
Repeatedly denied disputes with no meaningful investigation

How the FCRA Process Works

An FCRA claim generally begins with a written dispute to the credit bureaus reporting the error. The bureaus must then conduct a reasonable investigation, typically within 30 days.

If the bureau fails to correct a verifiable inaccuracy, and that failure causes harm, a legal claim may arise.

In some cases, claims may also be brought against the company furnishing the inaccurate information, such as a lender or debt collector.

Documentation matters. Copies of credit reports, dispute letters, and denial notices often determine whether a case is viable.

FCRA Issues and Bankruptcy

Credit reporting errors frequently arise after bankruptcy. The most common issue I see is debts that were discharged in bankruptcy continuing to be reported with a balance owed.

Damages and Attorney Fees

The FCRA allows recovery of actual damages caused by inaccurate reporting. In cases involving willful violations, statutory and punitive damages may also be available. The statute is fee-shifting, meaning that if a violation is proven, the defendant may be responsible for attorney fees and costs.

Most FCRA cases are handled on a contingency basis.

Learn More About Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act

Tired of fighting a credit report error on your own? Book a free consult with FCRA attorney Todd Murray today.

Serving Minnesota & Western Wisconsin

Since 2009, Todd has helped people across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin fix credit report errors and reclaim their financial stability. He’s recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars for clients and corrected all kinds of credit reporting mistakes. Originally from Wisconsin, and now based in the Twin Cities, Todd brings a close understanding of the region and the challenges local residents face. Clients describe him as professional, approachable, and easy to work with.

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Examples of Clients We’ve Helped:

WISCONSIN CREDIT REPORT ERROR
Our client, an Ashland, Wisconsin man, filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A few months later, he noticed that a credit card account that was included in his bankruptcy was on his credit report as due and owing. He disputed the account by himself, but they wouldn’t fix it.

MINNESOTA IDENTITY THEFT VICTIM
Our client, a Minneapolis woman, was a victim of identity theft. About 12 accounts had been fraudulently opened in her name. She had been trying for months to get the accounts removed from her credit report, but the credit bureaus refused to help.