Legal Rights
Understand your rights under FCRA, FDCPA, and other consumer protection laws.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Explained in Plain English
A comprehensive guide to the Fair Credit Reporting Act and your consumer rights. Learn how the FCRA protects you and how to use it to fix credit report errors.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Your Complete Guide
Learn your rights under the FDCPA. Understand what debt collectors can and cannot do, how to stop harassment, and when to sue for violations.
How to File a CFPB Complaint Against Credit Bureaus and Creditors
Learn how to file an effective complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau when credit bureaus or creditors violate your rights.
Statute of Limitations on Debt: State-by-State Guide
Understand how the statute of limitations affects debt collection and your credit report. Learn your state's time limits and how to protect yourself.
Credit Repair Companies: Red Flags, Scams, and Better Alternatives
Learn how to identify credit repair scams, what legitimate companies can and can't do, and why DIY credit repair is often the better choice.
Civil Judgments and Your Credit Report: What You Need to Know
Learn how civil judgments affect your credit, whether they still appear on credit reports, and how to handle judgments against you.
Tax Liens and Your Credit Report: What You Need to Know
Understand how tax liens affect your credit, the 2018 changes that removed most liens from reports, and what to do if you have tax debt.
Sued by a Debt Collector: What to Do When You're Served
Just received lawsuit papers from a debt collector? Don't panic. Learn exactly what to do, your legal defenses, and how to respond to avoid a default judgment.
FDCPA Violations: Illegal Debt Collector Tactics That Can Get Your Debt Dismissed
Debt collectors break the law constantly. Learn the most common FDCPA violations, how to document them, and how to use them to get your debt dismissed or get paid yourself.
Your FCRA and FDCPA Legal Rights Handbook
Know your rights under federal consumer protection laws. Complete guide to FCRA and FDCPA provisions, how to enforce them, and when to escalate to legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The FDCPA allows you to sue collectors in federal or state court within one year of the violation. You can recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and attorney's fees. Common violations include calling before 8am or after 9pm, using threats, or misrepresenting debt amounts.
Under the FCRA, you have the right to dispute any inaccurate information, and the bureau must investigate within 30 days. If the item can't be verified, it must be removed. You can also sue furnishers (creditors) who knowingly report false information after being notified.
No. The FCRA gives every consumer the right to dispute errors directly with credit bureaus without a lawyer. Our platform helps you generate legally-compliant dispute letters yourself. However, consider consulting an attorney if you plan to sue for damages.
Under the FCRA, you can sue for violations within 2 years of discovering the error or 5 years after the violation occurred, whichever is earlier. There's no time limit on disputing errors with the bureau — you can dispute inaccurate items at any time they appear on your report.
No. Under the FCRA, employers must get your written consent before pulling your credit report. They must also provide a copy of the report and a summary of your rights before taking any adverse action based on it. Some states have additional restrictions on employment credit checks.
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