Credit Report Errors

On February 19, 2013, in Bankruptcy, Debt settlement, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Credit Report Errors

Do you have errors on your credit report?

A new study done by the Federal Trade Commission on the United States credit reporting industry revealed that 5% of consumers had incorrect credit reports from three major credit reporting agencies. These mistakes could lead to consumers paying more for products such as auto loans and insurance. It was shown that one in four consumers had errors on their credit report that could affect their credit scores. One in five consumers had an error that was fixed by a credit reporting agency after it was disputed. The study found one consumer had a maximum credit score change of more than 100 points after reviewing mistakes made.

In light of this study, consumers should access their credit report and ensure that their spending and payment history is accurate. Consumers can check their credit for free without affecting their score at annualcreditreport.com.

You should also read our earlier post: How to  raise your credit score for free!

Attorneys in Mineola

Call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC, at 516-858-2620, if you would like us to assist you with disputing items on your credit report or taking action against any of the credit bureaus.

How to raise your credit score for free

On February 28, 2012, in Bankruptcy, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

This is information that we provide to our bankruptcy clients, but others may find it useful as well.

First, beware of credit repair companies that claim they can magically erase derogatory entries from your report. No one can erase derogatory information from your credit report if the information is accurate and properly reported. However, if there is old or inaccurate information on your credit report, you can correct it yourself for free. Here is how:

A few months after your bankruptcy case is discharged, you should obtain a copy of your credit report. You can obtain a free credit report every twelve months by going to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

You should examine your credit report tradelines and dispute any improper or inaccurate entries. You should note any of your discharged debts that are being reported as something other than “discharged” (ask your bankruptcy attorney how specific pre-filing and discharged debts should be reflected on your credit report).

Your dispute can be filed online or in writing. Your credit report will contain detailed instructions on how to dispute inaccurate/improper information. The credit bureau will conduct an investigation and should remove the incorrect information. This, in turn, should have a positive impact on your credit score!

As always, The Law Firm of VAUGHN & WEBER, PLLC is here to assist you.  We are conveniently located in the heart of Nassau County, Long Island. Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a Free bankruptcy consultation.

Rejected Renters to Get a Free Credit Report

On July 16, 2010, in Landlord-Tenant, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Wall Street Reform Bill: Free credit report for rejected renters

The Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform bill which passed through Congress and is headed for President Obama’s desk, contains a provision which will require that rejected renters be provided with a free copy of their credit report.

The Wall Street Journal reports that there is a provision in the bill that “would give prospective renters access to a free copy of the credit score that a landlord or broker used to evaluate their application.”

The article quotes a source as saying “that by forcing landlords to give out these credit scores, they would be deterred from using discriminatory factors like race or age in their decisions of whether or not to rent to particular applicants.”

Click here to read the entire article.

Visit our Landlord-Tenant category to learn more about Landlord-Tenant issues.

As always, The Long Island Landlord-Tenant Law Firm of VAUGHN & WEBER, PLLC is here to assist you.  We are conveniently located in the heart of Nassau County, Long Island, at 217 Willis Avenue in Mineola, NY 11501.  Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a consultation with a  Landlord-Tenant attorney.

Your Credit Score After Filing Bankruptcy

On June 3, 2010, in Bankruptcy, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

How does filing a chapter 7 case affect a person’s credit score?

It will usually worsen it, if that is possible.  If you haven’t been paying your bills, your credit score is likely already pretty low and doing further damage should be the least of your worries.  With that being said, we can pull a credit report which will project what your score will be one year after filing bankruptcy. Often, the a person’s credit score is projected to increase one year after they file for bankruptcy.

How does filing a chapter 13 case affect a person’s credit score?

It may worsen it, at least temporarily. However, if most of a person’s debts are ultimately paid off under a chapter 13 plan, that fact may be taken into account by credit reporting agencies. If very little is paid on most debts, the effect of a chapter 13 case on a person’s credit rating may be similar to that of a chapter 7 case.

Obtaining Credit after filing bankruptcy

The fact that you filed for bankruptcy can remain on your credit report for up to ten years. However, there are some financial institutions that solicit business from people who have recently filed bankruptcy under chapter 7. This is likely because it will be at least 8 years before they can file another chapter 7 case and discharge their debts.

Bankruptcy Attorneys in Mineola

As always, the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC is here to assist you.  Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer.

Please visit our Bankruptcy category to learn more about filing chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. This website is Attorney Advertising. It does not form an attorney-client relationship. We are a debt relief agency and a law firm that helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code – Title 11. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Proudly assisting residents of Long Island, Nassau county, Suffolk county, New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan