Credit Repair: The Law is on Your Side, Credit Bureaus and the Law

The Center For Debt Management: Credit Repair: The Law is on Your Side, Credit Bureaus and the Law
Credit Repair: The Law is on Your Side, Credit Bureaus and the Law

Note: The Center For Debt Management suggest you Monitor Your Credit Report regularly. Lexington Law Firm is our preferred choice for fast and effective credit repair. Lexington Law
is reputable and is a member of the BBB. They have a satisfactory record with the bureau.

Got Debt?   Settle Your Debt For Less.   Go to Debt Settlement Services



Credit Repair: The Law is on Your Side

Many consumers have the mistaken idea that credit bureaus are federally supported organizations backed by a vast array of laws meant to protect creditors. Nothing could be further from the truth. Aside from the government simply recognizing the need for credit reporting, credit bureaus have absolutely nothing to do with the government. Credit bureaus are simply huge bureaucratic companies which exist for the soul purpose of making money by selling information about you—information they never bothered to verify.

Because of the vast potential for error in the credit reporting system, the United States Congress has enacted laws to protect the consumer from being victimized by the credit bureaus. It is your right and responsibility to make use of these laws.

The Law versus Practical Reality

As the credit bureaus computerized their processes and greatly expanded their reach and influence in the late 1960s and early 1970s, consumer complaints began to mount at the FTC and state attorney general offices. The credit reporting agencies quickly became huge bureaucracies second only in size to the federal government. The credit bureaus expressly served only the needs of their clients, the credit grantors. Many consumers were negatively affected by the credit bureaus, but they had no way to correct or change their credit information.

The American consumer lay completely at the mercy of the credit bureaus. The United States Congress enacted the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in 1971 to insure that the credit bureaus investigate the credit items disputed by consumers. This federal law set procedural guidelines, which gave the consumer the right to challenge the accuracy, validity, and verifiability of the credit listings appearing in their consumer credit report. It also required that the credit bureau delete any credit listing if it was inaccurate or could not be verified.

In theory, the FCRA charges the credit bureaus with responsibility to the consumer as well as the credit grantor. In reality, the credit bureaus resist, resent, and reject consumer disputes. The credit bureaus would rather be left alone to make a profit. And, each time a consumer challenges his credit, profit is lost.

The credit bureaus first defend their profits by erecting walls of stall tactics, including requests for more information, further clarification, and additional identification. The vast majority of consumers give up before they even receive copies of their credit reports. If a consumer manages to get a credit report, decipher the codified information, write a coherent dispute, and mail it, the bureaus may still find some reason to disregard the challenge. The entire dispute system is designed to frustrate and discourage the consumer.

Many consumers have the idea that the credit bureaus must complete their investigation within thirty days or be forced to remove all disputed information. They threaten to sue the credit bureaus if they don't conclude their investigation in time. In practice, such thinking is delusional. Nobody forces the credit bureaus to do anything. However, if you manage to submit a valid dispute letter, and the credit bureau investigates your dispute, the chances of success are good.

If a credit bureau cannot verify an item before completing its investigation, that item will be removed. Many creditor grantors are simply reluctant to take the time to verify the data. While the credit bureaus are in the business of reporting credit histories, creditor grantors are not.

Click Here to Learn about Credit Repair


Note: The Center For Debt Management suggest you Monitor Your Credit Report regularly. Lexington Law Firm is our preferred choice for fast and effective credit repair. Lexington Law
is reputable and is a member of the BBB. They have a satisfactory record with the bureau.

Need to Refinance or Find a Great Home Loan? Go to  The Mortgage Center


Go to Index of Related Articles and Resources!

Click Below To Check Out More Financial Resources

Return to Top

The Center For Debt Management™

Helping Consumers Save Money and Reduce Debt Is Our Only Business!™

We invite you to explore the sectors listed below. We promise that you'll find exceptional values, offers and resources in which to reduce your living expenses and to enjoy life!


Debt Management and Financial Services! The Internet's oldest and most comprehensive debt management agency! Resources for debt management, consumer credit counseling, debt consolidation, debt reduction settlements, legal aid, financial aid, loans and financing, credit repair, credit reports, insurance quotes, income sources, tax assistance, and more.

Established in 1989 and serving the online community since 1992!


This site was created and designed by Daniel A. Gelinas
Disclaimer and Privacy Policy      © Copyright  2007 "The Center For Debt Management"      Contact Us
Return to Top

Credit Repair: The Law is on Your Side, Credit Bureaus and the Law