{"id":414499,"date":"2026-10-29T10:57:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T15:57:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=414499"},"modified":"2026-10-29T10:49:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T15:49:57","slug":"can-i-sue-a-credit-bureau-for-bankruptcy-errors-fcra-rights-and-damages","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/bankruptcy\/after-bankruptcy\/can-i-sue-a-credit-bureau-for-bankruptcy-errors-fcra-rights-and-damages.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sue a Credit Bureau for Bankruptcy Errors? FCRA Rights and Damages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sue a Credit Bureau for Bankruptcy Errors? FCRA Rights and Damages<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

You can sue credit bureaus and creditors under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) if they refuse to correct bankruptcy reporting errors. If you’ve disputed errors multiple times without resolution, you can seek statutory damages ($100-$1,000 per violation), actual damages (financial harm from denials), and attorney fees. FCRA violations include failing to investigate disputes, verifying inaccurate information, and refusing to correct errors they cannot verify.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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In general, the court discharges certain debts during approved bankruptcy filings. A credit card<\/span> debt that was in a charged-off status becomes a \u201cdischarged\u201d debt once your bankruptcy is complete.<\/p>\n

However, credit bureaus<\/span> and creditors don\u2019t always update these accounts properly. Not only can this impact your credit score<\/span><\/a>, but it can also make it difficult for you to secure new loans, certain jobs, and even housing.<\/p>\n

If this happens, you do have options. Ideally, once you contact the creditor or reporting agency, they will fix the problem. If they don\u2019t, you may have to take legal action<\/span> against them<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article explains why these reporting errors occur and what you can do to fix them. This may include a civil lawsuit, FDCPA<\/span> complaint<\/a>, or other type of action.<\/p>\n

If you recently filed for bankruptcy and your credit report doesn\u2019t reflect that, consider consulting a local consumer protection attorney<\/a> or bankruptcy lawyer right away.<\/p>\n

When Disputes Aren’t Enough<\/h2>\n

When you first learn a\u00a0creditor is reporting your debt<\/a>\u00a0incorrectly, contact them immediately and demand\u00a0they fix it. Unfortunately, this isn\u2019t always enough to resolve the issue. Sometimes, no matter how many times you complain or dispute the incorrect entry, nothing happens.<\/p>\n

The good news is that the Fair Credit Reporting Act<\/span><\/a> (FCRA<\/span>) gives you the power to hold creditors and the credit bureau<\/span> accountable. Depending on the specific facts of your case, you may end up suing for damages or at least filing a complaint with the relevant government agency.<\/p>\n

You know that you\u2019ve done \u201cenough\u201d when you can answer \u201cyes\u201d to the below questions:<\/p>\n