Florida Eviction Record From Identity Theft

If you apply for an apartment and learn that your tenant screening report shows an eviction you know nothing about, identity theft may be the reason. Someone may have used your name, Social Security number, or other personal information to rent a home and then failed to pay the rent. A Florida identity theft attorney at Sharmin & Sharmin, P.A. can help you understand what happened and what you can do next.

Why Choose Sharmin & Sharmin, P.A.?

Our firm represents consumers dealing with identity theft and inaccurate reporting. Clients choose us because:

• More than 20 years of experience: Our attorneys have decades of litigation experience involving identity theft and credit reporting.
• Experienced trial lawyers: We are lawyers who pursue legal claims under federal law, not a credit repair company that charges monthly fees.
• No attorney fees unless we recover: We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless there is a recovery.

We are also selective about the cases we accept so each case can receive detailed attention.

How Identity Theft Can Cause a False Eviction Record

Landlords often use tenant screening companies to review rental history, credit information, and public records before approving an application. If an identity thief rented an apartment using your information, an eviction case could later become connected to your name.

Errors can also happen when a screening company matches you with another person who has a similar name, date of birth, or other personal information. You might even see an eviction from an address where you never lived.

A false eviction can cause real housing problems. A landlord may deny your application, ask for a larger security deposit, require a co-signer, or offer you less favorable lease terms.

What Should You Do About an Eviction That Is Not Yours?

If you discover a false eviction, find out which tenant screening company provided the information. Ask for a copy of the report and look closely at the eviction, address, dates, and identifying information. You can also take these steps:

• Gather your records: Keep copies of your identification, leases, proof of your past addresses, court records, and identity theft reports that may show the eviction does not belong to you.
• Dispute the mistake: Send the screening company a written dispute explaining what is wrong and include copies of helpful documents.
• Keep a paper trail: Save your report, dispute letters, delivery records, rental denials, and any responses you receive.

These records can become important if the company fails to correct the problem.

Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act

Tenant screening companies are generally consumer reporting agencies covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The law requires them to follow reasonable procedures designed to help ensure the information they report is accurate. When you dispute inaccurate information, they also have duties to reasonably investigate the dispute.

If a company fails to properly address a false eviction after being notified of the mistake, you may have legal options under the FCRA. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek damages for financial losses or other harm caused by violations of the law.

Talk to a Florida Identity Theft Attorney

Someone else’s eviction should not stand between you and a place to live. Contact Sharmin & Sharmin, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation to discuss a false eviction record caused by identity theft.