Orlando Mistakenly Reported Deceased Attorney

Finding out that your credit report says you are dead can be hard to believe. You may learn about the mistake when you apply for a mortgage, try to finance a car, open a credit card, or request your credit report. Instead of getting a normal response, you may be told that your file shows you as deceased.

An Orlando consumer protection attorney at Sharmin & Sharmin, P.A. can help you understand why this happened and what you can do about it. We represent Florida consumers dealing with inaccurate credit reports, identity theft, and other problems covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). We use federal law to pursue claims when credit reporting companies fail to correct inaccurate information.

Why Choose Sharmin & Sharmin, P.A.?

Correcting a serious credit reporting mistake may involve dealing with large credit bureaus and financial companies. Our team at Sharmin & Sharmin, P.A. focuses on representing consumers facing these types of problems. Clients choose our firm because:

• More than 20 years of experience: Our firm has over two decades of experience handling consumer credit and identity theft matters.
• Trial experience: We are a trial law firm with substantial experience litigating FCRA matters.
• Personal attention: We are selective about the cases we accept so that each matter receives careful attention.
• Consumer-focused representation: We are a law firm, not a credit repair company that charges monthly fees to send dispute letters.
• Contingency fees: We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not charge attorney fees unless there is a recovery.

We have helped hundreds of consumers dealing with identity theft, fraud, and credit reporting problems.

How Can Someone Be Reported Deceased by Mistake in Orlando?

Credit reporting companies handle information about millions of consumers. Mistakes can happen when information is entered, transferred, matched, or reported incorrectly. A deceased notation may be connected to:

• Mixed credit files: Information belonging to another person with a similar name or identifying information may become mixed with your file.
• A deceased family member: Problems can sometimes arise when a spouse, parent, or another person connected to an account dies.
• Incorrect information from a creditor: A bank, lender, credit card company, or other business may send inaccurate information to a credit bureau.
• Data or clerical errors: Incorrect names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or account codes can cause information to be attached to the wrong person.

Whatever caused the mistake, it is important to find out which credit reports contain the incorrect information and whether the problem affects one account or your entire credit file.

What Problems Can an Orlando Deceased Credit Report Error Cause?

Being wrongly reported as deceased is not a minor typo. Credit reports are used when people apply for loans, housing, credit cards, and other financial products. An error this serious may make it difficult for a lender or another business to confirm your identity and review your credit history. You might experience problems such as:

• Being denied a mortgage or other loan
• Having trouble financing a vehicle
• Being denied a credit card
• Having difficulty renting an apartment
• Losing access to favorable loan or credit terms
• Having trouble getting your credit report
• Seeing accounts incorrectly listed as belonging to a deceased consumer

The mistake can also take a great deal of time to correct. You may spend hours calling companies, sending documents, checking reports, and trying to explain that you are alive.

Check Your Reports With All Three Credit Bureaus

If you discover a deceased notation, check your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The mistake may appear with only one company, or it may have spread to more than one report.

Review each report carefully. Look for a deceased notation as well as other information that does not belong to you. This may include unfamiliar accounts, incorrect balances, missing accounts, or personal information that belongs to someone else.

Save copies of the reports showing the error. You should also keep any letters, emails, or notices you receive from lenders, credit bureaus, or creditors.

Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law that protects consumers when information is collected and reported about them. The law places duties on consumer reporting agencies and companies that provide information to them. The FTC explains that businesses furnishing information to credit bureaus have obligations concerning the accuracy and completeness of the information they provide.

Consumers also have the right to dispute inaccurate information. When a credit bureau or company receives a valid dispute, it generally must conduct a reasonable investigation.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made clear that companies cannot create unfair barriers that prevent consumers from exercising their dispute rights. If a company fails to properly investigate or correct inaccurate information after receiving notice, the consumer may have rights under the FCRA.

What You Should Do If You Are Reported Dead

Taking organized steps can make it easier to show what went wrong and how the mistake affected you.

• Get your credit reports: Review reports from all three major credit bureaus so you can see exactly where the deceased notation appears.
• Save proof of the mistake: Keep copies of reports, denial letters, account notices, emails, and other documents connected to the problem.
• Keep records of your disputes: If you send a dispute to a credit bureau or creditor, save a copy. Keep any response you receive as well.
• Write down how the error affected you: Document loan denials, higher interest rates, lost financial opportunities, or other problems caused by the incorrect report.
• Consider speaking with an attorney: If the mistake remains after you have tried to correct it, an Orlando mistakenly reported deceased lawyer can review your reports and dispute history to determine whether you may have an FCRA claim.

You should also notify the credit bureaus and any lenders or creditors that provided the inaccurate information.

Can You Recover Compensation?

A credit reporting error can cause financial and personal harm. The type of compensation available depends on the facts of the case and the type of FCRA violation involved.

For example, you may suffer financial losses after being denied credit, losing a favorable interest rate, or missing an opportunity to purchase or refinance a home. A serious reporting error may also cause stress and other harm. Our attorneys can review what happened, how the companies responded to your disputes, and the losses you experienced to determine what damages may be available.

Speak With an Orlando Mistakenly Reported Deceased Attorney

You should not have to struggle to get a mortgage, car loan, credit card, or other financial opportunity because a company wrongly reported that you are dead. If you have already tried to correct the problem and the inaccurate information remains, you may have legal options. Contact Sharmin & Sharmin, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation with an Orlando mistakenly reported deceased lawyer.