Credit Report Error Lawsuits in Virginia

Virginia does not have a general state credit reporting act. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act sets the main rules for credit report accuracy and disputes in Virginia. Credit bureaus must use reasonable procedures for maximum possible accuracy. Bureaus and the banks, collectors and servicers that furnish data must investigate disputes. A consumer can sue for actual damages, and for statutory and punitive damages when a violation is willful.

Virginia's main state law on credit files is its security freeze statute, Va. Code 59.1-444.2. A bureau must place a freeze within three business days of a written request, or within one business day of an electronic request sent to its designated address. When a consumer asks electronically, the bureau generally must lift the freeze within 15 minutes. The law bars any fee for freeze services. A separate section, Va. Code 59.1-444.3, covers freezes for protected consumers such as minors.

Virginia also protects renters who are victims of family abuse. Under Va. Code 55.1-1203, when an otherwise qualified rental applicant has a low credit score, the landlord must consider evidence that the applicant is a victim of family abuse. Examples include a court order, a police report or a letter from a domestic violence program. A freeze or a state rule does not correct a report that is already wrong. Those errors are disputed and, if needed, litigated under the FCRA. Virginia has two federal districts. The Eastern District sits in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk and Newport News. The Western District sits in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, Danville, Abingdon and Big Stone Gap.

Where Virginia FCRA cases are filed

FCRA claims are federal, so they go to a United States District Court. Cases from Virginia are heard in 2 federal districts:

Eastern District of VirginiaCourthouses: Alexandria, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond.Filed with local or cooperating counsel
Western District of VirginiaCourthouses: Abingdon, Big Stone Gap, Charlottesville, Danville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Roanoke.Filed with local or cooperating counsel

Our attorneys are licensed in Texas, California, and Georgia. Where they aren't admitted in your local federal court, we work with local or cooperating counsel who are. You may also be able to sue where the company that reported you is based, in a court where our attorneys are admitted:

Experian: HQ in C.D. California · Dispute Processing in E.D. Texas · Offices in N.D. Illinois
Equifax: HQ in N.D. Georgia
TransUnion: HQ in N.D. Illinois
Santander Consumer: HQ in N.D. Texas

Which court is right depends on your facts. We'll tell you at your free case review.

Virginia laws that add to the FCRA

Virginia Security Freeze Law (Va. Code 59.1-444.2)
Lets a consumer freeze their credit report with no fee. A bureau must place a freeze within three business days of a written request, or one business day of an electronic request, and generally lift it within 15 minutes when asked electronically. Read it
Rental Applications and Family Abuse Victims (Va. Code 55.1-1203)
Requires a landlord to consider evidence of family abuse when an otherwise qualified applicant has a low credit score. It also caps most application fees at $50 plus actual third-party screening costs. Read it

Common credit report errors

Accounts that aren't yours, including mixed-file and identity theft accounts
Late payments you didn't make, or payments not credited
Paid, settled or discharged debts still shown as owed
Collections reported past the seven-year limit or re-aged
A deceased indicator on a living person's file

Learn how these cases work on our credit report lawsuits page, or read our lawsuit guides for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly must a credit bureau freeze my credit in Virginia?

Under Va. Code 59.1-444.2, a bureau must place a freeze within three business days of a written request, or within one business day of an electronic request sent to its designated address. The bureau may not charge a fee for freeze services.

Can a Virginia landlord deny me because of bad credit caused by abuse?

If you are otherwise qualified but have a low credit score, Va. Code 55.1-1203 requires the landlord to consider evidence that you are a victim of family abuse. That evidence can include a protective order, a police report or a letter from a domestic violence program or an attorney.

Where are FCRA cases filed in Virginia?

Federal FCRA cases from Virginia are filed in either the Eastern District of Virginia or the Western District of Virginia, depending on where you live or where the events happened. FCRA claims can also be filed in Virginia state court.

How long do I have to file an FCRA lawsuit in Virginia?

FCRA deadlines are the same everywhere: generally two years from when you discover the violation, and no more than five years from when it happened (15 U.S.C. § 1681p). Waiting can cost you the claim.

Sources

Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.