FCRA Lawyer: Nationwide Representation for Credit Reporting Violations

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how credit bureaus collect, use, and report your financial information. When credit bureaus, lenders, employers, or landlords violate the FCRA, you have the right to sue in federal court and recover actual damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.

Schlanger Law Group is a consumer protection firm that focuses on FCRA litigation. Our attorneys — Daniel A. Schlanger (Harvard Law School, 20+ years of consumer protection practice) and Evan S. Rothfarb (Cornell Law School) — represent consumers in FCRA cases in federal courts across the country, with a concentration in New York, New Jersey, and nationwide class actions.

What Does an FCRA Lawyer Do?

An FCRA lawyer represents consumers whose rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act have been violated. Specifically:

• We investigate whether the credit bureau’s dispute investigation met the FCRA’s “reasonable investigation” standard
• We evaluate whether furnishers (banks, lenders, debt collectors) conducted proper investigations when notified of disputes
• We identify which sections of the FCRA were violated and calculate potential damages
• We file complaints in federal district court and litigate through discovery, depositions, and trial
• We negotiate settlements that include correction of the inaccurate information AND financial compensation
• In class action cases, we represent groups of consumers harmed by systematic violations

When You Need an FCRA Lawyer

Consider contacting us if any of the following apply:

• You disputed an error with a credit bureau and it was not corrected within 30 days
• The credit bureau says your disputed information was “verified” but you know it is wrong
• Information that was removed from your report has been re-inserted
• You have been denied credit, a job, housing, or insurance because of what you believe is inaccurate information
• You received an adverse action notice that you believe was based on wrong information
• A background check contained errors that cost you a job or apartment
• You are an identity theft victim and the fraudulent accounts remain on your report
• You have been erroneously marked as deceased on your credit report
• Your student loan servicer has been reporting inaccurate information

Types of FCRA Cases We Handle

Our FCRA practice covers the full spectrum of credit reporting violations:

Our FCRA Case Results

Results from our FCRA litigation include:

• $10,370,000 — Midland Funding class action (credit reporting violations)
• $6,945,000 — Wells Fargo (credit reporting errors)
• $436,000 — Individual FCRA case

These results reflect the firm’s capability and track record — they are not guarantees of outcome in any individual case.

Attorney Credentials

Daniel A. Schlanger — Managing Partner. Harvard Law School. 20+ years of consumer protection litigation. SuperLawyers rated. Avvo 10.0 Superb. Author and speaker on consumer protection law. Featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the ABA Journal.

Evan S. Rothfarb — Cornell Law School. Consumer protection attorney focusing on FCRA and EFTA litigation.

How the Process Works

• 1. Free consultation — describe your situation, we evaluate whether you have a viable FCRA claim
• 2. Case intake — we gather your credit reports, dispute documentation, and any adverse action notices
• 3. Pre-litigation demand — in some cases, a demand letter resolves the matter before suit is filed
• 4. Federal court filing — if necessary, we file in the appropriate federal district court
• 5. Discovery and litigation — depositions, document requests, expert witnesses if needed
• 6. Resolution — settlement or trial verdict; in either case, we pursue correction of the inaccuracy AND financial compensation

Geographic Coverage

We represent consumers in federal courts nationwide, with concentration in:

• Southern District of New York (SDNY)
• Eastern District of New York (EDNY)
• District of New Jersey
• Other federal districts as needed for class action matters

Credit Repair vs. an FCRA Lawyer

Some consumers consider hiring a credit repair company instead of an attorney. Credit repair companies can only send dispute letters — which you can do yourself for free. They cannot sue in federal court, cannot recover damages, and cannot force the correction of errors through litigation. If your dispute has already been rejected, you need a lawyer, not a credit repair service.

Related Practice Areas

• → Credit Report Errors — Full Overview
• → Identity Theft on Your Credit Report
• → Student Loan Credit Report Errors
• → Mixed Credit Reports
• → Erroneously Reported as Deceased
• → Inaccurate Account Information
• → Background Check Errors
• → Denied Credit, a Loan, or a Job?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the statute of limitations for an FCRA lawsuit?

A: FCRA claims must be filed within 2 years from the date you discovered the violation, or 5 years from the date the violation occurred — whichever is earlier (FCRA § 1681p). Do not wait to consult an attorney.

Q: Can I sue a credit bureau and a lender at the same time?

A: Yes. FCRA cases commonly name both the credit bureau and the furnisher (the bank or lender that reported the inaccurate information) as defendants. Both can be liable for the same reporting error if both failed to correct it after proper notice.

Q: Do I need to have a minimum amount of damages to bring an FCRA lawsuit?

A: No. Under FCRA § 1681n, you can recover statutory damages of $100–$1,000 per willful violation even without proving actual harm. However, cases with substantial actual damages (loan denials, credit score impact, emotional distress) are stronger and typically result in larger recoveries.

Ready to Fight Back? Get a Free Consultation.

Schlanger Law Group represents consumers nationwide on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call (212) 500-6114 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free case review.