Your credit report holds a wealth of information about your financial history. It’s more than just a number – it’s a record of how you handle credit, debt, and financial responsibility. Because it carries so much weight, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) limits who can access it.
If someone pulls your credit report without a valid reason, they could be violating federal law. FCRA lawyer Jibrael S. Hindi can help you understand whether your rights have been violated and what steps you can take next. He’s ready to help, so contact our office online for more information.
Any company considering you for a loan, mortgage, or credit card has a valid reason to request your credit report. Banks, credit unions, and finance companies rely on this information to determine whether you qualify for credit and what terms they’ll offer. If a creditor pulls your report after you’ve withdrawn an application or without a legitimate purpose, they could be crossing a legal line.
An FCRA attorney can help you determine if a lender accessed your report unfairly. You might assume that only companies you’ve applied to can see your credit file, but some lenders may conduct “soft” inquiries for promotional offers. These don’t affect your credit score, but if a lender conducted a “hard” inquiry without permission, you may have a claim under the FCRA.
Some employers check credit reports when evaluating job candidates. They claim a person’s financial habits reflect responsibility and trustworthiness, especially for positions that involve handling money. However, they can’t do this without your written permission. If an employer pulled your report without asking, they may have violated the FCRA.
If you were denied a job because of something in your credit report, the employer should have provided a copy of the report and given you a chance to respond. When companies fail to follow these steps, they can be held accountable. An FCRA attorney will assess whether an employer’s actions were legal and discuss your options for moving forward.
A potential landlord might want to review your credit before renting you an apartment. They want to know whether you pay bills on time and if you have any outstanding debts. While this is common practice, they still need your permission. Some landlords pull reports without telling tenants, and others run unauthorized checks after a lease ends.
You could take legal action if a property manager accessed your credit report without a valid reason. An FCRA lawyer will review the situation and determine whether the landlord overstepped legal boundaries.
If you discover an unauthorized credit inquiry, don’t ignore it. You have the right to know who accessed your report and why. If a company, employer, or lender pulled your credit without a valid reason, you can dispute the inquiry with the credit bureau. You may also have a right to financial compensation.
FCRA attorney Jibrael S. Hindi will guide you through the legal process and help you hold the responsible party accountable. You shouldn’t have to deal with unauthorized credit checks on your own. If your privacy was violated, legal action could protect your rights and prevent future misuse of your financial information.
Please schedule a free consultation by calling The Law Offices Of Jibrael S. Hindi at (844) 542-7235 or using our online form.