Short answer
Keep copies of your credit or background reports, every dispute you sent and proof of mailing, every response, any denial or adverse action letters, and records of how the error affected you, such as lost opportunities, costs, and stress.
FCRA cases are often won or lost on documents. Good records help prove what was wrong, that the company was told, what it did, and how you were harmed.
The reports
- Copies of every credit, background, or tenant screening report showing the error, with the date you obtained it.
- Later reports showing whether the error was fixed, changed, or reappeared.
Your disputes
- Copies of every dispute letter and enclosure. The FTC recommends keeping copies of everything you send and sending copies, not originals, of supporting documents.
- Proof of mailing and delivery. The FTC suggests certified mail with a return receipt.
- Screenshots or confirmation numbers for any online disputes.
The company’s responses
- Dispute results, reinvestigation letters, and any requests for more information.
- Letters from lenders, collectors, or servicers about the account.
Proof of harm
- Adverse action or denial letters. The CFPB notes that anyone who uses a report to deny your application or take another adverse action must tell you and identify the agency that provided the information.
- Loan or card offers showing a higher rate, lower limit, or a required deposit.
- Job offer withdrawals or rental denials.
- Receipts for postage, copies, travel, and time off work.
- Notes written at the time about stress, lost sleep, or embarrassment, and names of people who saw the impact.
Why this matters
- Timing. The FCRA’s deadline runs from when you discovered a violation and when it occurred (15 U.S.C. § 1681p), so dated records matter.
- Standing. After TransUnion v. Ramirez (2021), federal plaintiffs must show a concrete harm. Evidence that an inaccurate report was sent to a third party, or caused you a specific loss, can be important.
Bring these records to a free case review, with no fee unless we win.
Related
- How an FCRA Lawsuit Works: From Case Review to Resolution
- Background check lawsuits
- Tenant screening lawsuits
Sources
- FTC, Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports
- CFPB, A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681p, limitation of actions (Cornell LII)
- TransUnion LLC v. Ramirez, 594 U.S. 413 (2021) (Cornell LII)
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.