You’ve done everything right. You pay your bills on time, maintain a solid income, and have built financial stability through years of responsible credit use.
Then, during a major life moment—such as applying for a mortgage, refinancing student loans, or securing new employment—you receive a rejection you didn’t expect because of inaccurate credit reporting.
The letter says your credit report shows you as deceased. Or it lists accounts you’ve never opened. Or worse, it reflects financial activity that belongs to someone else entirely.
These aren’t one-off technical glitches. They’re symptoms of deeper flaws within the credit reporting system (errors by major credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) that affect millions of Americans each year. And while the emotional impact is often severe, many consumers don’t realize that they have strong legal rights under the FCRA to fight back.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law designed to protect your financial identity. When credit bureaus fail to meet their obligations under this law, they can—and should—be held accountable.
Credit Reporting Mistakes That Ruin Financial Lives
Credit report errors impact consumers’ access to housing, employment, healthcare, and financial opportunities. When those reports contain false information, the harm is swift and far-reaching.
Being Falsely Listed as Deceased
One of the most shocking credit bureau mistakes consumers face is being falsely reported as deceased. A mistake in the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File, a miscommunication from a bank, or even a relative’s incorrect report to a creditor can trigger this flag.
Once applied, the deceased indicator can:
- Freeze your credit entirely
- Cause lenders to deny new applications
- Prompt banks to close or restrict existing accounts
- Block insurance companies from processing claims
- Stop background checks in their tracks
Being treated like you no longer exist financially can be isolating, disorienting, and frightening. Many victims describe the experience as surreal—finding themselves unable to rent an apartment, secure a loan, or even get approved for a cell phone plan.
Mixed Credit Files
Mixed credit files occur when credit bureaus merge your records with someone else’s. Often triggered by similarities in names, addresses, or Social Security numbers, these errors can lead to your report reflecting accounts, debts, and judgments that have nothing to do with you.
Consequences include:
- Artificially low credit scores due to someone else’s missed payments
- Denied applications for housing or employment
- Account rejections due to conflicting data
- Repeated cycles of error reappearance, even after alleged corrections
This isn’t just a paperwork mistake. A mixed file is a violation of the FCRA that can falsely portray you as irresponsible or high-risk, leaving you fighting an uphill battle against a data trail that doesn’t even belong to you.
Fraudulent Accounts and Identity Theft
When someone uses your personal information to open credit in your name, the damage can be long-lasting. Fraudulent entries might include:
- New accounts you didn’t open
- Purchases you never authorized
- Addresses or employers you’ve never used
- Credit inquiries from unfamiliar companies
Once present, these entries can torpedo your credit score, lead to denied applications, and damage your reputation. Credit bureaus are required to investigate these issues—but their systems aren’t always equipped to handle fraud with the care it demands.
Why These Mistakes Persist
Most consumers assume that when they point out a clear error, the bureau will correct it. But in practice, response systems are often automated, impersonal, and dismissive.
Many investigation claims consist of:
- Automatic database queries
- Minimal review of supporting documents
- Over-reliance on the word of data furnishers
- Pre-written response letters indicating the issue “meets FCRA requirements”
This last phrase—meets FCRA requirements—has become a generic deflection. It’s often used to imply that your dispute has been resolved properly, when in reality, no thorough investigation took place. It suggests finality. But it’s just the beginning.
Your Legal Rights Under the FCRA
The FCRA gives consumers enforceable rights designed to ensure that credit data is fair, accurate, and reflective of reality. Among these rights:
- The right to accuracy: Credit bureaus must have reasonable procedures in place to maintain accuracy in your file
- The right to investigation: They must promptly investigate errors flagged by consumers
- The right to correction: If disputed information cannot be verified, it must be removed
- The right to notification: You must be informed of any changes and offered a free copy of your updated report
- The right to legal action: If a credit bureau fails to meet its obligations and harm results, you can seek damages
These rights are more than guidelines. They’re legal standards set forth by federal law. And when a bureau violates them—either through negligence or refusal to act—you’re entitled to hold them accountable.
Real-Life Consequences of Inaction
Each year, thousands of consumers suffer serious setbacks due to uncorrected credit report errors:
- Housing denials due to inaccurate debts or deceased flags
- Missed career opportunities because employers receive background checks containing errors
- Increased interest rates, costing consumers thousands over time
- Account closures that undermine banking relationships
- Emotional distress stemming from repeated rejections and mistrust
These aren’t abstract scenarios. They’re daily realities for people who did nothing wrong—but whose financial lives were undermined by flawed systems.
Legal Action Isn’t Just an Option—It’s a Right
When credit bureaus ignore documented evidence, dismiss valid concerns, or refuse to investigate properly, they violate federal law. And consumers who’ve been harmed are entitled to pursue compensation for their damages.
Legal remedies under the FCRA include:
- Actual damages—for lost opportunities, higher costs, and financial strain
- Statutory damages—for clear violations of the law, even without monetary loss
- Recovery of attorney’s fees—so financial constraints don’t block access to the legal system
FCRA cases are typically filed in federal court. Victims of inaccurate credit reporting often recover settlements and jury verdicts that cover their losses, restore their credit, and affirm their dignity.
What Raburn Kaufman Does Differently
At Raburn Kaufman, we represent individuals nationwide who’ve been wrongfully harmed by credit reporting violations. Our team understands how credit bureau systems operate and what happens when they fail to meet their legal obligations.
We focus on:
- Holding credit bureaus and furnishers accountable for real harm
- Building legal claims that reflect the full impact of reporting errors
- Fighting for compensation that acknowledges both tangible losses and the emotional toll.
No Financial Barrier to Legal Help
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win. This model ensures that everyone, regardless of income, can access representation when it matters most.
Whether you’ve been falsely marked as deceased, saddled with someone else’s debts, or denied key opportunities due to inaccurate information, you deserve to be seen, heard, and restored.
Your Credit Report Should Tell Your Story—Not Someone Else’s
Inaccurate data can silence your financial voice. It can reshape your future based on someone else’s history. And it can cost you relationships, stability, and peace of mind.
Contact Raburn Kaufman today for a free consultation with our credit reporting attorneys. We’ll evaluate your case, walk you through your options, and fight to uphold your legal rights under the FCRA so your credit report reflects the truth.
You have rights. You have power. And you don’t have to accept silence from systems that claim to speak for you.
