WHEN THE CREDIT BUREAUS GET IT WRONG — You Pay the Price
How to Fight Back When Credit Bureaus Let Identity Theft Damage Your Score
Victimized by identity theft? Learn how credit reporting agencies can help—or hurt—your recovery, and how R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys can step in to hold them accountable.
Identity theft is no longer a rare crime—it’s a national epidemic. According to the FTC, over 4.8 million identity theft reports were filed in the U.S. in a single year.
When fraud hits your financial life, the damage doesn’t stop at stolen funds. Your credit score can plummet, loan approvals may disappear, and recovering your reputation becomes an uphill battle—especially when credit reporting agencies drag their feet or report incorrect information.
At R23 Law, our California Consumer Protection Attorneys fight on behalf of victims to fix credit report damage and hold negligent agencies accountable.
What Do Credit Bureaus Actually Do?
Credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) compile data from banks, credit cards, and lenders to build your credit report. That report affects your:
Credit score (like FICO and VantageScore)
Loan approvals
Interest rates
Employment or housing eligibility in some cases
Even one error—like a fraudulently opened account—can wreak havoc on your financial health.
How Identity Theft Shows Up on Your Credit Report
Fraudsters can:
Open new credit lines or loans in your name
Rack up charges on your existing accounts
Apply for mortgages or auto loans
Exceed your credit limit and trigger late fees
You’ll be left cleaning up the mess—filing reports, proving the fraud, and battling to have the damage reversed.
Steps to Take if You’ve Been Victimized
Contact the credit bureaus
Request a fraud alert or credit freeze.Check all credit reports
Look for unauthorized accounts or errors.Report the theft to local police
Keep a copy of the police report for creditors.Alert your banks and card issuers
Ask them to monitor and flag your accounts.Change passwords and set up 2FA
Secure your financial and digital accounts.Avoid phishing attempts
Watch out for fake “account verification” emails or texts.Hire an attorney
A consumer protection lawyer can help you dispute errors and pursue compensation for credit damage.
Freeze or Fraud Alert—Which Is Right for You?
Credit Freeze
Locks your credit file to prevent anyone from opening new accounts. It’s free, effective, and does not affect your current credit.
Fraud Alert
Tells lenders to verify your identity before issuing new credit. It lasts one year (or seven if you’re a confirmed victim) and can be renewed.
What If the Credit Bureau Won’t Fix the Damage?
That’s where we come in.
Too often, victims of identity theft follow all the right steps—only to have their disputes ignored or denied by credit bureaus. Delayed responses, repeated errors, or failure to reinvestigate can all violate your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
At R23 Law, our attorneys step in to:
Demand corrections to your credit report
Sue credit bureaus or creditors who fail to comply
Pursue compensation for financial and emotional harm
You Deserve a Clean Slate
Don’t let a fraudulent account or agency negligence ruin your future. If you're tired of the back-and-forth with credit reporting agencies, R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys are here to fight for your credit—and your peace of mind.
📞 Schedule your free consultation today and start reclaiming control of your financial life.
