Chicago FCRA Attorneys

Chicago Fair Credit Reporting Act Lawyers

If you’ve been denied a loan, job, apartment, or lost an opportunity because of an inaccurate credit report or background check, you may have a legal claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). At FCRA Attorneys, our Chicago FCRA attorneys represent consumers across Illinois who are harmed by credit reporting violations.

We don’t just fix errors — we fight back. Whether your report is mixed with someone else’s, includes identity theft accounts, or contains outdated criminal records, we can help you correct the problem and seek compensation.

FREE CASE EVALUATION
(888) 498-9533

What Is the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?

The FCRA is a federal law that protects your right to accurate and fair information in your credit and background reports. It applies to credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, as well as background check companies such as Checkr, HireRight, and First Advantage.

The FCRA gives you legal rights to:

Access your reports
Dispute inaccurate or incomplete information
Require reinvestigation within 30 days
Block identity theft accounts
Be notified if a report is used to deny you
Sue for damages if your rights are violated

If you’ve tried to fix an error and were ignored or denied — call FCRA Attorneys. Our Chicago credit reporting lawyers can help.

Common FCRA Violations in Chicago

We’ve seen every kind of reporting error — and most are caused by sloppy data handling or automated systems with no human oversight. Below are some of the most common violations we handle for clients in Chicago and the surrounding areas.

1. Mixed Files

Your report shows someone else’s accounts, bankruptcies, or criminal records due to similar names or Social Security numbers.

2. Identity Theft Accounts

You’ve been a victim of fraud, submitted a police report, and the bureaus still won’t remove the false accounts.

3. Employment Background Check Errors

Old charges, expunged records, or completely wrong criminal data appear in a report, costing you a job or promotion.

4. Re-Aged Debt

Old debts are improperly “re-aged” to make them seem more recent, damaging your score and making collections appear active.

5. Outdated Information

Debts that should have been removed years ago remain on your report, hurting your creditworthiness.

6. Failure to Investigate Disputes

Credit bureaus and furnishers must conduct a reasonable investigation within 30 days. If they rubber-stamp your dispute or ignore it, they’ve violated the FCRA.

How These Errors Impact Your Life

FCRA violations can have devastating consequences, especially in a competitive metro like Chicago:

Home or Apartment Denials – You’re rejected due to criminal or credit issues that aren’t yours.
Job Loss – You fail a background check due to outdated or false information.
Loan Rejection – You’re denied a car, personal, or business loan.
High Interest Rates – Inaccurate reports drop your credit score and cost you thousands.
Emotional Distress – Reputational harm and financial instability can create lasting anxiety.

You Have Legal Options — and We Can Help

At FCRA Attorneys, we take FCRA violations seriously. Our Chicago FCRA attorneys know how to build strong cases, negotiate settlements, and take credit bureaus to federal court when necessary.

We handle every aspect of the case, including:

Obtaining and reviewing your credit or background reports
Investigating the source of the error
Sending disputes to the bureaus and furnishers
Filing lawsuits under the FCRA in federal court
Pursuing full compensation and correction of your record

Why Choose FCRA Attorneys?

We are a national consumer law firm focused exclusively on credit reporting and background check cases. Unlike general practitioners, we have deep experience with federal law, FCRA litigation, and handling claims in the Northern District of Illinois.

✔ No Upfront Fees

You pay nothing unless we win your case. The FCRA allows us to recover attorney’s fees from the other side.

✔ Free Consultations

We’ll review your case for free and tell you if you have a claim.

✔ Nationwide Reputation, Local Focus

Though we represent clients across the country, we handle many cases in Chicago, Cook County, and the greater Illinois area.

✔ Direct Attorney Access

You’ll have regular contact with your attorney, not just a case manager.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If your rights under the FCRA have been violated, you may be eligible to recover:

Statutory Damages – Up to $1,000 per violation
Actual Damages – For financial losses, job denials, rental denials, or emotional distress
Punitive Damages – In cases of willful misconduct
Legal Fees and Costs – Paid by the defendant if we win

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

If you live in Chicago and believe your rights were violated, follow these steps:

Get Copies of Your Reports
Use AnnualCreditReport.com for credit reports and ask your employer or landlord for any background report they used.
Review for Inaccuracies
Look for unfamiliar accounts, false criminal charges, outdated debts, or inaccurate employment records.
Dispute the Errors
Send a written dispute to the credit bureau or background check company. Include proof (court records, letters, police reports, etc.).
Call FCRA Attorneys
If the report isn’t fixed — or you’ve already suffered harm — contact us. We’ll handle the rest.

Who We Represent

We help individuals in Chicago and throughout Illinois, including:

Cook County
DuPage County
Lake County
Will County
Kane County
Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Schaumburg, and beyond

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to fix an error?
A: Credit bureaus and background screeners have 30 days to investigate your dispute. If they don’t fix it, we can sue on your behalf.

Q: What if the report was eventually corrected?
A: You can still sue if the delay caused you to lose a job, apartment, or money — or if they violated your rights in the process.

Q: What if I’m not sure I have a case?
A: That’s what we’re here for. We’ll review your reports and tell you — for free — if you have a claim.

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.

Speak With a Chicago FCRA Attorney Today

Don’t let false data destroy your financial future. Whether you were denied a job, housing, or a loan due to credit or background check errors — you have legal rights, and we can enforce them.

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