California FCRA Attorneys

California Credit Reporting Lawyers

Have you been denied a job, apartment, or loan because of inaccurate information on your credit report or background check? If so, you’re not alone — and you have rights under federal law. At FCRA Attorneys, we help consumers across California fix errors on credit and background check reports and recover compensation when those errors cause harm.

We represent people throughout the state — from Los Angeles to San Francisco, San Diego to Sacramento, and everywhere in between — in Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) cases. Whether you’re dealing with identity theft, outdated public records, or a false criminal report, we know how to make it right.

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(888) 498-9533

What Is the FCRA?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that protects consumers by requiring credit reporting agencies and background check companies to provide accurate, fair, and private information in your reports.

Under the FCRA, you have the legal right to:

  • Access your credit or background report
  • Dispute inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Require errors to be corrected or deleted within 30 days
  • Be notified if a report is used to deny you
  • Block identity theft accounts
  • Sue for compensation if your rights are violated

Our California FCRA attorneys specialize in holding Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and background screening companies accountable when they break the law.

Common FCRA Violations in California

California is one of the largest and most diverse states in the U.S., and unfortunately, it’s also a hotbed for credit reporting and background check mistakes due to high population density, data automation, and name overlap.

Some of the most common FCRA violations our attorneys see include:

1. Mixed or Merged Files

When your credit or background report includes someone else’s information — such as debts, criminal records, or addresses — due to similar names or Social Security numbers.

2. Reporting Expunged or Sealed Criminal Records

California allows expungement of many criminal convictions, but background check companies often report those records anyway, which can cost you employment or housing.

3. Identity Theft Not Properly Resolved

Even after providing a police report and identity theft affidavit, credit bureaus sometimes fail to block fraudulent accounts as required under the FCRA.

4. Outdated or Re-Aged Debt

Debt that should have fallen off your report after 7 years is still there — or old accounts are re-aged to appear new.

5. Failure to Investigate Disputes

The law requires a reasonable investigation within 30 days after you file a dispute. If the credit bureau rubber-stamps your dispute or ignores evidence, that’s a violation.

6. Unauthorized Credit Inquiries

When someone pulls your credit report without your permission or for an invalid reason.

Real Consequences of FCRA Violations

A single error in your credit or background report can cost you thousands of dollars and damage your reputation:

  • Mortgage or loan denial
  • Rental application rejections
  • Job offer withdrawn after a failed background check
  • Higher interest rates due to lower credit scores
  • Loss of security clearance or licensing
  • Emotional stress, anxiety, and embarrassment

Our California credit attorneys fight to get your reports corrected — and to recover the money damages you deserve.

Your Rights as a California Consumer

In addition to federal FCRA protections, California law provides additional rights under:

  • California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act (CCRAA)
  • California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA)
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

That means Californians have some of the strongest consumer reporting protections in the country — and at FCRA Attorneys, we leverage all of them to your advantage.

What You Can Recover in an FCRA Lawsuit

When a credit bureau, background check company, or data furnisher violates your rights, you may be entitled to:

  • Statutory damages of up to $1,000 per violation
  • Actual damages, including lost income, credit denials, or emotional distress
  • Punitive damages in cases of willful misconduct
  • Legal fees and costs — paid by the other side

We pursue maximum compensation and justice for every client we represent in California.

How FCRA Attorneys Can Help

When you hire FCRA Attorneys, you’re choosing a legal team that specializes in credit report and background check errors — not general practice lawyers or credit repair agencies.

Here’s what we offer:

✅ Free Case Evaluation

We’ll review your reports and your dispute history at no charge to determine if you have a strong FCRA claim.

✅ No Upfront Fees

We work on a contingency basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

✅ We Deal With the Bureaus

We handle the dispute process, legal filings, evidence collection, and litigation — so you don’t have to fight alone.

✅ We Sue in Federal Court

If a bureau or background company violates your rights, we take them to court. We regularly file and settle FCRA cases in California’s federal courts.

You’ll work directly with an experienced FCRA attorney who understands the damage these errors cause — and how to hold companies accountable.

What to Do If You Discover a Credit or Background Report Error

Step 1: Get your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com
Step 2: If you were denied employment or housing, request a copy of your background report from the company that ran it
Step 3: Review the report carefully for errors or unfamiliar items
Step 4: Gather documents such as court records, ID theft affidavits, letters from creditors, or job application responses
Step 5: Contact FCRA Attorneys so we can evaluate your case and help you file a dispute — or a lawsuit, if needed

We Serve All of California

We represent clients across the state, including:

  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • San Jose
  • Sacramento
  • Fresno
  • Oakland
  • Long Beach
  • Riverside
  • Anaheim
  • Bakersfield
  • Stockton
  • Irvine
  • Chula Vista
  • Glendale
  • And all counties including Los Angeles, Orange, Alameda, San Bernardino, Riverside, Santa Clara, San Diego, and Sacramento

No matter where you live, we offer free consultations and fully remote representation — so you can get help fast, from anywhere in California.

FAQs About FCRA in California

Q: How long does it take to fix a report error?
A: By law, credit bureaus and background check companies have 30 days to respond to your dispute. If they don’t, we can sue.

Q: What if I don’t have a dispute letter?
A: If you haven’t filed a dispute yet, we’ll help you do it properly. If you already did and they didn’t fix the problem, we can take legal action.

Q: Can I sue for an old error?
A: Yes, but there are time limits. Generally, FCRA lawsuits must be filed within 2 years of discovering the violation, or 5 years from the date it occurred.

Q: Is hiring an FCRA lawyer expensive?
A: No. We only get paid if we win, and we recover our fees from the other side — not from you.

Contact a California FCRA Attorney Today

You don’t have to accept credit report or background check errors. Whether you’ve been denied housing, lost a job, or suffered financial damage, FCRA Attorneys can help.

WE CAN GET YOU COMPENSATION
FREE CASE EVALUATION
(888) 498-9533



Disclaimer: FCRA Attorneys handles federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) cases exclusively in United States District Courts. Our attorneys may or may not be licensed in the state courts of this jurisdiction and do not handle any state-law matters.

Legal services in this state may be provided by an attorney who is licensed in this state and/or admitted to practice before the United States District Courts located in this state. That attorney will be responsible for all legal services provided to clients in this jurisdiction.

Attorney Advertising: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.