STECKLEIN ROBERTSON LAW 2026-09-22T13:44:25Z https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1204821/2026/09/SteckleinRobertsonLaw-Site-icon-75x75.png by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[How to Remove Incorrect Late Payments From Your Credit Report]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46360 2026-09-07T10:34:42Z 2025-04-07T20:19:47Z How Do Late Payments Affect Your Credit Health? A late payment can have a significant impact on your credit health. However, it can depend on where you are starting. For example, if your credit health is top tier and you’ve never missed a payment before, one late payment could cause your credit score to drop significantly. On the other hand, if you consistently miss payments, your credit score will be low on average. The effect of lay payments on one’s credit score can look different for everyone, but at the end of the day, don’t let incorrect reports skew your credit health.

How Long Do Late Payments Stay on Your Credit Report?

Late payments will have a long-lasting effect on your credit report. They will stay on your credit report for seven years. Fortunately, their impact on your credit report will have less influence over time. Additionally, closed accounts will stay on your credit report for ten years. So, if you have a late payment in 2015 and then close the account the same year, the late payment would fall off in 2022, but the account itself would not fall off until 2025.

How to Remove Incorrect Late Payments From Your Credit Report

With the significant impact late payments can have on your credit report, you do not want false reports to drop your credit health. While you can not remove accurate late payments from your credit report, there are four steps you can take to remove incorrectly reported late payments.
  1. Review Your Credit Reports
Take the time to review your credit report. You can do this through the three main credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. By doing this, you can see exactly where the errors are and who might have caused them. You can then gather information and evidence so you can dispute these incorrect late payments later on.  You can get them for free every week at www.annualcreditreport.com
  1. Check to See if They Are Reported Accurately
However, throughout this assessment process, while you might not recognize a late payment right away, it does not mean it is not accurate. If a payment is late, even by one day, it will be reported on your credit report. It is essential to take your time and cross-reference your bank statements and credit reports to ensure that the late payments you see are accurate or not.   Save your bank statements and checks as proof of payment to include in your disputes.
  1. File a Dispute With the Creditor
If you have assessed your credit report and come to the conclusion that the late payments are inaccurate, it is time to file a dispute with the Credit Bureaus. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to file a dispute for free.  Send a letter by certified mail, with proof of payment, to the credit bureaus who are reporting you late.   They have up to 30 days to review your dispute and handle it. During this time, monitoring your credit for any changes is essential.
  1. Seek legal help if the dispute process does not work.
If the credit bureaus fail to correct the inaccurate credit reporting, they should put a note on the account that you disputed it.  But that won’t get you were you need to be.   You should consult an attorney who specifically handles Fair Credit Reporting Cases to seek legal action to have it corrected.  Because the Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to collect your attorneys fees as part of your recovery, the hiring of the attorney should not cost you anything out of your pocket up front.

Stay Alert

Throughout every step of this process, it is essential to stay alert. The only way to avoid the long-term consequences of incorrect late payments is by catching them early. So, for the health of your credit report, stay alert and take advantage of your free weekly credit report checks from the three main credit bureaus. Additionally, stay alert throughout the investigation process. If the creditors are unable or unwilling to help your circumstance, you don’t need to stand for that. You have the right to a fair credit report under the FCRA. It could be time to contact a consumer law attorney to stand up for your rights. If you have further questions or have found yourself in this circumstance, contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law.]]> by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[Top 5 Errors Found in Credit Reports and How to Fix Them]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46376 2026-09-07T10:34:44Z 2025-02-26T22:16:32Z
  • Incorrect Personal Information
    • One of the most common mistakes people find on their credit reports is errors in their personal information. This might be a misspelling of their name, an incorrect number in their address, or a wrong birthday listed. No matter what it might be, don’t ignore it. Incorrect personal information could lead to future credit issues, so it is essential to remedy the situation as soon as possible.
    1. Incorrect Account Reporting
    When you assess your credit report, check for issues such as accounts that claim to be open when they should be closed, accounts that claim to have late payments when they shouldn’t, or incorrect payment dates. You’ll also want to see if there are any accounts on your report under your name that you did not open yourself. These errors could not only indicate that reporting companies have your information wrong, but they could also be a sign of possible identity theft.
    1. Old Accounts Still Being Recorded
    Old debts and bankruptcies will appear on your credit report, but they should not still be there after a certain amount of years. If you still see bankruptcies that you conducted over seven years ago on your current credit report, it could be because they were reported incorrectly or because the company needs to be tapped on the shoulder to update its records. Depending on what they are, old accounts should not still be reading on your credit report.
    1. Balance Errors
    Balance errors are another common credit report error that many consumers find. If your credit report shows an incorrect current balance or credit limit, it could be because the credit companies, banks, or financing companies are reporting your information wrong. Balance errors can lead to more serious problems when applying for loans or obtaining additional lines of credit.
    1. A Mixed Credit Report
    Looking at your credit report and seeing someone else’s personal information or accounts on your credit report could be a sign of a mixed credit report. It is common that those with similar names might get mixed up by the reporting companies. However, a mixed credit report might also be a sign of possible identity theft. Thieves will utilize your credit to open accounts and take out loans, so if you start to see items on your credit report that you did not create, it is best to dispute them as soon as possible.

    How Errors on Your Credit Reports Could Have Occurred

    Errors on your credit report could happen for a multitude of reasons. For one, errors can happen because the credit companies input the wrong information. Credit companies are provided information from furnishers, so it could likely be that information got skewed somewhere down the line. If information is wrong at any level, it will be written into your credit report without anyone knowing. Errors can also appear because of identity theft. If you are the victim of identity theft, your credit report will show a slew of errors as the thief opens accounts and claims to be you in their nefarious actions. Identity theft can cause significant issues within one’s credit report and financials, so if you spot strange errors on your credit report, you must report and dispute them quickly.

    How to Fix the Errors on Your Credit Report

    To correct the errors on your credit report, you must take the time to dispute the errors with the credit bureau, Equifax, Experian, and/or Trans Union. You can dispute the information through mail or directly to their company through their website. When you do this, you should include as much information as possible about the incorrect information, what exactly is wrong, and what the correct information is. Outlining exactly what needs to be fixed is best to ensure that the companies understand the situation and properly remedy it within the allotted 30-day period. If you have been the victim of identity theft, there are some additional steps you will need to take to fix the errors on your credit report. Firstly, you will still need to dispute the claims to the credit reporting companies and furnisher, but you will also need to report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission,Identitytheft.gov. There is a fraud affidavit at that website that should be included in your disputes with the credit bureau. You should also report the theft to your local police department and include that report in your disputes. The credit bureaus have 30-45 days to investigate and fix your credit report. If they fail to correct the inaccurate information, contact a consumer law attorney to ensure your disputes are heard and properly remedied. If you have further questions or are not being listened to by the credit bureaus, contact the team atStecklein Robertson Law.]]>         by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[How to Dispute Credit Report Mistakes: A Legal Perspective]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46375 2026-09-07T10:34:45Z 2025-02-11T22:14:10Z What Are Common Credit Report Errors? A credit report provides a detailed rundown of you and your finances, so it can be overwhelming to assess every inch of it. So, here are some common errors to keep an eye out for:
    • Incorrect name, address, birthday, phone number, or other personal information.
    • Accounts that do not belong to you and are under someone with a similar name.
    • Completely incorrect accounts made by an identity thief.
    • Closed reports that are now shown as open.
    • Incorrect dates of payments
    • Debts are listed twice or still show up when they shouldn’t be.
    • Accounts show the incorrect balance.

    How to Prepare a Credit Report Dispute

    When you find incorrect information on your credit report, you want to take the time to create a strong dispute for your case. This dispute should ensure that the three main credit bureaus and furnishers understand what is wrong and will correct it immediately. It all starts with collecting the proper documentation. When you gather all the necessary information first, you can avoid any delays in your dispute. Any documents you attach to your dispute should directly show what is wrong and correct about your credit report. So this could be bank statements, utility bills, name change documents, letters for creditors, marriage or death certificates, or police reports. Once you gather all the necessary documentation, you can move on to the next steps.

    Start by Contacting the Three Credit Bureaus

    You can contact the three main credit bureaus by mail, online, or phone. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each have their own contact methods. If you were to dispute your credit report through the mail, it is essential to include information such as contact information for yourself, your credit report confirmation number, each credit error you want fixed (with appropriate documentation attached), a clear explanation as to why you are disputing the information, the outcome you wish to have, and copies of your credit report. Any documentation included in the letter should be copies, not the originals. Here is where to send your information: Experian Online: experian.com Phone: 855-414-6048 Mail: P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 Equifax Online: equifax.com Phone: 888-378-4329 Mail: P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374-0256 TransUnion Online: transunion.com Phone: 800-916-8800 Mail: P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016-2000

    Contact the Companies Who Provided the Incorrect Information

    The information on your credit reports is gathered from other companies called furnishers. Furnishers could be considered your banks, landlords, or other financial institutions. If there is incorrect information on your credit report, your next step is to report it to the furnishers who supplied the information. You can send in your credit report dispute through the mail or a specified email address. These companies will have 30 days to investigate the dispute, determine if the information is wrong, and work to remedy it. If they do, the credit bureaus will fix the error on their side.

    Possible Credit Dispute Outcomes

    The main credit bureaus and furnishers have 30 days to investigate your dispute. Throughout the investigation, you will likely get updates on when your case is opened and when it is being worked on. However, if you wish to have more detailed information on your case development, you can contact the bureaus. After the investigation, there is the chance of multiple different outcomes: Updated – The information in your dispute was updated on your credit report. Added – The information was added to your credit report. Deleted – The information was removed from your credit report. Processed – The information was either updated or deleted. Verified and Updated – The information you disputed was proven accurate, but other information was updated outside of that. Remains – The information was proven accurate, and nothing was changed.

    What if Identity Theft Was Involved With the Credit Report Issues?

    While many times your credit report is incorrect because of the activities of the furnishers, there are times when the errors are larger than that. Credit report errors can also derive from identity theft. If you are seeing opened accounts, new loans, strange medical bills, or things that simply do not make sense to be on your credit report, it could be because someone stole your identity. If you are the victim of identity theft, it is not only good to dispute credit report errors, but it is also wise to report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. When you do this, you can get a recovery plan and ensure your credit report is rectified. So, during this time, report the theft to identitytheft.gov

    Was Your Dispute Written Off?

    More often than not, when you dispute information on your credit report, the three main credit bureaus and the furnishers will agree with the dispute and work to remedy the situation. However, there are times when your dispute is written off, and the credit companies will claim that the information is correct and does not need to be fixed. You have the right to resubmit your claim and try again, but if you are not getting the results you deserve, you don’t need to accept it. Under the FCRA, you have the right to a correct credit report. If the credit companies are not helping, it could be time to partner with a consumer lawyer to ensure you are heard and properly represented in your case. A consumer lawyer can review your dispute, create a strong case, and stand up for your rights as a consumer. Don’t allow your credit report to be wrong. Fight back with a consumer lawyer by your side. If you have further questions or are finding yourself in this situation, contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law.]]>         by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[What Happens if Your Credit Report Errors Are Not Resolved?]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46373 2026-09-07T10:34:46Z 2025-01-09T22:11:23Z Understanding Credit Report Errors Credit report errors can have a significant impact on your financial well-being. These errors can occur for various reasons, such as incorrect information provided by furnishers, identity theft, or mistakes made by credit bureaus. It is essential to understand the types of errors that can occur on your credit report and how to identify them. Some common credit report errors include:
    • Inconsistent names, addresses, or Social Security numbers
    • Incorrect credit account information, such as account numbers, balances, or payment history
    • Unauthorized inquiries or accounts
    • Inaccurate public records, such as bankruptcies or foreclosures
    • Missing credit accounts or positive payment history

    The Importance of Resolving Errors

    Resolving errors on your credit report is crucial to maintaining good credit health. Errors can negatively impact your credit scores, making it difficult to obtain credit or loans. Additionally, errors can also lead to identity theft, which can have severe financial consequences. It is essential to review your credit report regularly to identify any errors or inaccuracies. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax). If you find any errors, you should dispute them immediately to prevent any further damage to your credit. By addressing errors promptly, you can ensure that your credit report remains accurate, which is vital for securing favorable interest rates on loans and credit cards, and for protecting yourself against potential identity theft.

    Make Sure You Have Filed the Correct Credit Report Error Claims

    A simple way that could be stopping your credit report from being fixed is because the wrong information was filed with the credit bureaus or the information was filed incorrectly. The first thing you must do is contact the businesses involved with the incorrect credit information on your credit report. When doing this, it is essential to supply evidence of the incorrect information and the correct information that should be there. If loans were opened in your name by an identity thief or a business is still reporting bankruptcy after its allotted time, you must provide the information stating that those claims are incorrect. Additionally, you must send this same information to the three main credit bureaus. Once you send your credit information to both the credit bureau and the organizations that supply information to the bureau, they must open an investigation to see what is wrong or incomplete about your report. The credit bureaus have 30 days to conduct their investigation. Send Your Information To: Equifax Online at Equifax.com By Mail: Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30348 Experian Online at Experian.com By Mail: Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Online at TransUnion.com By Mail: TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016

    Tracking Your Dispute Status

    Once you have submitted a dispute to the credit bureau, it is essential to track the status of your dispute. You can do this by:
    • Watching your mail and email for responses
    • Logging into your account on the credit bureau’s website
    • Contacting the credit bureau’s customer service department
    • Checking your email for updates on the dispute status
    It is crucial to keep records of all correspondence with the credit bureau, including dates, times, and details of conversations. This documentation can be invaluable if you need to escalate your dispute or provide additional evidence. Staying organized and proactive in tracking your dispute status will help ensure that your case is handled efficiently and effectively.

    Obtain Your Credit Report Error Claim From the Credit Reporting Agency Along With Any Other Documentation Within the Case

    At any time in the investigation, you may request your statement of your credit report case. This will include all the credit information you supplied and the statement that the credit bureaus have started an investigation into the incorrect information. If you have been told that there is not enough information for your case to be finalized or that it is a weak case and the credit errors can not be corrected, you can use this statement moving forward to attempt to strengthen your case or use it as evidence that an attempt to remedy the situation was made.

    Attempt to Push the Credit Report Error Case With the Credit Agency and Main Credit Bureaus

    It is possible to report your incorrect credit on multiple occasions. If the businesses and main credit bureaus come back to you with no remedy, you can choose to file again. With the statements you obtained from the prior claims, as well as possibly more evidence of incorrect credit information, you can attempt to file again. However, you might face repeated denials in your case if businesses have conducted their own investigations into the incorrect credit information and found nothing on their end, as they will send this result to the credit bureaus, who will accept it unquestionably. This might lead to multiple claim denials even after numerous attempts to remedy the information. Fortunately, there is an outcome where the businesses do not respond to the case, which will allow the credit bureaus to delete the disputed information from your credit report immediately. If your credit report claim has been denied after multiple attempts, there is still a way to proceed.

    Possible Dispute Outcomes

    There are several possible outcomes when disputing errors on your credit report:
    • The error is corrected, and the information is updated on your credit report.
    • The error has not been corrected, but the information remains in your credit report.
    • The credit bureau requests additional information or documentation to support your dispute.
    • The dispute is denied, and the information remains on your credit report.

    If Results Are Still Not Found, Contact a Consumer Law Attorney to File a Lawsuit

    You have the right to a correct credit report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If your claims are being denied by the businesses and main credit bureaus repeatedly, you do not need to accept that outcome. Individuals must ensure their personal details are consistent when applying for credit and rectify any inaccurate or incomplete information as mandated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You are protected as a consumer to fight for your credit report to be correct and represent you fairly. If you are not getting the results you want, it is time to contact a consumer law attorney to help build your case and be heard by the businesses you are reporting to. A consumer law attorney can ensure that all the documentation and information you are sending over is correct, add any essential information to the case, and represent you in your credit report claim. Partnering with a consumer law attorney will help uphold your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and push for your credit report to be resolved. Don’t let your credit report remain incorrect for any longer. If you need to take it further, contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law.]]>         by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[Do You Have Someone Else’s Information on Your Credit Reports or Background Checks?]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46371 2026-09-07T10:34:47Z 2024-12-23T22:08:40Z How Someone Else’s Info Got on Your Credit Report or Background Check It might seem outrageous that someone else’s information got onto your personal documentation, but it is far more likely than we might think. There are many avenues for this to happen, from simple mistakes to illegal thievery. Some Examples Are:
    • You Have the Same or Similar Name as Someone Else
    • There Was a Data Entry Inputted Incorrectly (DOB, Spelling, Address, etc.)
    • You Share an Address With The Individual
    • Identity Theft

    What to Do if Your Background Check Info Is Someone Else’s

    If your background check contains information from both you and someone else, here is what you must do to remedy it. Gather Up the Right and Wrong Information If there is someone else’s criminal information, addresses, or general information on your background check, gather that data along with proof that it is, in fact, incorrect. Contact the Background Check Company  Once you have evidence of the false information and proof of your true identity, report the error to the company that provides the background check. Many times, it is their mistake that it happened, and they can get it resolved quickly. Notify Those Involved If you were in the midst of applying for a job, house, or other large purchase, keep them updated on what is happening and let them know that certain information is false. Be aware that this might not change the outcome, but it does help to communicate. Follow Up and Ensure It’s Revised Don’t simply report the issue and assume it’s been remedied. Keep checking in on the report and ensuring the incorrect information is removed. If it is not and the background check company did not remedy the situation, it could be time to contact a Consumer Attorney to help push your case.

    What to Do if Your Credit Report Info Is Someone Else’s

    If you find errors on your credit report, it is essential to resolve them as soon as possible. Errors on your credit report could mean a possible identity theft, so it could be wise to check your bank accounts and take the proper steps to protect yourself from continued theft. Identify the Errors You’ll want to pinpoint the exact errors in the report and then gather information to prove that they are wrong. This could include addresses, credit accounts, newly opened loans, or other identification information. Contact the Three Main Credit Bureaus  After gathering your information, you can dispute the incorrect data to the three main credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You’ll want to outline what is wrong and what correct information should be there. Protect Your Accounts  If you find incorrect information on your credit report, it could be wise to look into your bank accounts and set up fraud alerts or freeze the accounts while you sort out the information so nothing more can occur. Report to the Federal Trade Commission If you believe you have been the victim of identity theft, you must report the findings to the FTC. You will be given a recovery plan and information to help you through the process. Follow Up and Ensure t’s Revised Once again, you don’t want to simply report and walk away. Keep up with the recovery process and ensure your credit report is remedied. If it is not, it could be wise to connect with a Consumer Attorney to help push your case. Finding someone else’s information on your personal documentation can be confusing, alarming, and possibly harmful. Don’t let it shake you up too much. If you have further questions or have not seen any movement in your claim, contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law.]]>         by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[Are Your Credit Reports Wrong?]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46370 2026-09-07T10:34:49Z 2024-10-06T21:05:39Z Common Credit Report Mistakes to Look Out For When you open your credit report, it can be easy to miss possible errors if you are skimming it. So, watch out for these common mistakes next time you review your report. Such as…
    • Incorrect Personal Identification (Name, Birthday, Address, etc.)
    • Closed Accounts That are Recorded Open
    • Incorrect Payment Dates
    • You Are Listed as the Owner of an Account When You Are Just an Authorized User
    • Incorrect Balances
    • Incorrect Credit Limit
    Credit bureaus and businesses input data into your credit report, so when you find that something is wrong, you have the ability to report it back to them to fix it directly.

    What to Do If Your Credit Report Is Wrong

    With the information on your credit report being supplied by the credit bureaus and the businesses involved, you will need to contact them directly to get your report fixed. Thankfully, they have to fix all errors for free. So, to correct your credit report, you must directly contact the three main credit bureaus and the businesses that reported the incorrect information, show them the inconsistencies, and explain exactly what is wrong. It is wise to do this through a written letter.

    How to Contact the Three Main Credit Bureaus

    When you report incorrect information to the three main credit bureaus, you are expected to write a letter that states your personal details, the mistake, the accurate information, and copies of the correct and incorrect records. Here are the mailing addresses of the three main credit bureaus: Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30348 Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016 Additionally, the same type of letter and information should be mailed to the businesses that reported the incorrect information.

    Don’t Let Your Case Be Ignored

    Once you send this information, the credit bureaus will have 30 days to investigate and correct the data on your report. The businesses will also start their own investigation to change the information. However, there are instances when credit report cases are drawn on or denied. Don’t let that happen to you. If you have incorrect information on your credit report and it is not being fixed promptly (or at all), you don’t have to accept that. When credit bureaus or businesses are not considering your case, ensure you are heard by a consumer law attorney. If you have questions or are in this situation, contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law.]]>         by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[Did Someone Use Your Credit Card, and Now You Are Stuck With the Tab?]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46369 2026-09-07T10:34:50Z 2024-08-27T21:01:31Z What Are Your Rights? Identity theft and credit card fraud are illegal – plain and simple. Your rights as a consumer protect you from being affected by a thief. However, if you are reacting to money already being spent, there are some steps to take to ensure you are not getting stuck with the tab and that your credit score is not permanently changed because of someone else’s actions. Consumer protection laws ensure you are heard. If a bank or credit card company is trying to make you pay for something you didn’t do, don’t accept it.

    Understanding a “Card Present” Transaction

    One of the reasons that a bank might stick you with the bill is because it was a “card present” transaction. This means that the card was physically used to make the purchase. However, you know for a fact that the card was in your possession the whole time, so that doesn’t make sense, right? Unfortunately, a “card present” transaction can happen even if the genuine credit card is in your wallet. Thieves have adapted to the times and can now create identical copies of chips and cards to use as they please. Thankfully, many stores ask for identification, but when they don’t, you are susceptible to being stolen from by thieves who made a copy of your card. If this is the case, it is essential to provide evidence that you were not at the location of the purchase and that the card has been with you.

    What if the Banks Don’t Investigate?

    If a bank is sticking you the tab, it is most likely because they concluded that your case was insufficient to support an identity theft claim. Now, of course, you know you didn’t make that purchase, and being told that the bank will not further investigate and will force you to pay it can be infuriating. If the bank chooses not to investigate, you are not stuck. You can ask for a detailed explanation as to why they won’t investigate and then take that explanation and start an appeal process with the bank to try to override the decision. Additionally, you can report the bank to its regulator, ensuring that you get the bank’s attention. You have options if the bank decides not to investigate. Moreover, taking these steps with a consumer attorney by your side can ensure that your case is sound and heard by the right people.

    Do You Really Need to Pay for a Thief’s Purchases?

    You will not have to pay for a thief’s purchase if you push for an investigation and continue the process of reporting identity theft to the FTC, police, your bank, and other organizations. At most, if you catch that your credit card was stolen after purchases have been made, you may be stuck with paying a maximum of $50. However, anything past that can be fought against. To ensure you are heard, your case is backed with the proper evidence, and you take the ideal steps moving forward, partnering with a consumer law attorney can be your best choice. An attorney can go up against large businesses for you to make sure you are heard in your case and that the organizations are moving forward with the claims.

    What Does This Fraud Do to My Credit Score?

    Aside from sticking you with the tab, the extra charges can also have a profound effect on your credit score. Your credit card most likely has a credit limit. The thief has used up some of that limit. This affects what is called the credit utilization ratio. Credit utilization ratio, also known as credit utilization rate, is the percentage of revolving credit you’re using compared to the total amount of revolving credit you have available. It’s an important factor in your credit score. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30%. The higher your credit utilization rate, the lower your FICO credit score. So, have you been stuck with a tab you didn’t rack up? If so, it’s time to speak to a consumer law attorney. Contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law.]]>         by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[Did You Fall for False Advertising on a Vehicle or a Property?]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46368 2026-09-07T10:34:51Z 2024-08-01T20:56:10Z What Is Considered False Advertising? False advertising entails a business wrongly labeling and claiming “facts” about their products. However, false advertising can also be what is not said about the product. For example, this could include sellers who claim that a car has no wreckage history, has X amount of miles when it actually is double that, or that a property is clean of any issues when it needs significant upgrades. False advertising gives consumers misleading information in order to purchase a product, leading them to pay more than it is worth or to purchase it in the first place.

    The Different Types of False Advertising

    The very basic forms of false advertising are when companies use words such as “light,” “organic,” or “natural” when the product is not. Regarding vehicles or housing, you might find false advertising in misleading photographs, modifications, or quality. However, there are four distinct types of false advertising to be aware of. The Bait and Switch This form of false advertising involves a seller advertising one product or sale to get people interested and then completely changing the sale or product when the purchase is made. Hidden Fees When buying a vehicle or house, you have a good idea of what fees to expect, but if you suddenly see your total a couple of grand higher than expected, you might have been hit with hidden fees. Deceptive Quantities Businesses might place products in larger containers to trick consumers into thinking they are getting more than they are. You might see this more often in food products. Misleading Labels  If businesses use words that do not accurately represent their product, this could be considered misleading advertising. This means using words like “recyclable” when it is not or saying a vehicle only has 10,000 miles when it actually has 100,000.

    Collect All Your Evidence

    It is crucial to remember that if you are going to file for false advertising, you must be able to prove it. Collecting all the evidence to back your claim is essential. First, you must prove that you initially purchased the vehicle or property. From there, you must have evidence to prove that the advertisement was false or misleading, that the company lied about something important, that you saw the false advertisement, and that you relied on that false advertising to make your purchase. Then, you must show that you suffered financial harm from the purchase.

    Remember That You Are Protected

    If you were wronged by false advertising, you have the right to sue the company you purchased from. You are protected as a consumer nationally by the Federal Trade Commission and under Missouri Law by the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA). Both require the collected evidence on your claim, and both will ensure you are rightly protected as a consumer.

    Find a Consumer Lawyer

    Before proceeding with large claims and threatening to sue, it is wise to contact a consumer lawyer to ensure you have all your ducks in a row and that your voice is heard once you take that first step. A consumer lawyer can help you gather the proper evidence and take the right steps to file your claim and sue. It is best to do this alongside the experts. So, if you have fallen for false advertising and want to take the next steps, contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law today.]]>         by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[What to Do if a Debt Collector Is Calling About Debt You Don’t Owe]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46367 2026-09-07T10:34:52Z 2024-06-26T20:51:52Z Collect Validation Information Fortunately, debt collectors are legally required to provide you with certain information about the debt, also called validation information. This information can help you properly assess the debt and determine your next steps. Validation information can include:
    • The amount owed
    • The creditor’s name
    • The option to dispute the debt, but you must do it within 30 days, or else it will be assumed valid.
    • Verification of the debt if you dispute it within 30 days
    • The option to request the original creditor’s name and address within 30 days

    What to Do if it’s Not Your Debt

    Once you obtain the verification information and conclude that it is not your debt, you must get to work immediately. Your first step is to dispute the debt altogether within 30 days of getting the notice. Once you have disputed the debt, the debt collectors can not contact you any further. If you believe that the debt was put on your record illegally, for example, through identity theft, you must take further action to report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission and start the process of analyzing your accounts, credit report, and finances to see if there are any inconsistencies elsewhere. This can help prevent and stop further identity theft issues.

    What to Do if You’ve Already Paid the Debt

    If you obtain the verification information and are able to see that the debt being reported is past debt that you have already paid off or released from your record, you can take steps to stop the collectors. Firstly, ensure that the collectors calling you are who they say you are and not part of a scam to collect your information illegally. You can be sure they are who they say they are if they have the proper validation information. Then, take the time to explain that the debts have already been paid and send over copies of documents to prove you made the payments. This could be canceled checks, credit card statements, and correspondence on settling the debt. If you don’t have this information on hand, you can always go back to the original collector and ask for documentation saying you’ve paid off the debt. Once you have sent that over to the collectors, communication will cease.

    Keep Records and Collect Evidence

    Throughout this process, it is wise to keep records of any files or documents that debt collectors send you, along with detailed documentation on when they call and what was discussed. These records might never be necessary, but on the off chance you need to speak with an attorney about the debt because it is a larger problem than initially thought, having these records can be helpful. Additionally, if you take steps to dispute a debt, hold onto any and all records of that process. Essentially, if you are doing anything that revolves around your debt or the debt of an identity thief, you want to keep careful and detailed records for your sake. Debt collectors can call any of us, but picking up the phone is essential. If you have further questions or are dealing with creditors who are not taking your situation seriously, contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law.]]>         by Stecklein Robertson Law <![CDATA[Red Flags to Look Out for When Purchasing a Vehicle]]> https://www.steckleinrobertsonlaw.com/?p=46366 2026-09-07T10:34:53Z 2024-06-18T20:43:05Z Title Washing If you are purchasing from a used car establishment, it is fairly evident that most of the cars will have previous repairs, possible accidents, or title transfers in the past. However, if you are given information on a vehicle that is entirely void of past problems and does not have any information on liens, salvage titles, or rebuilt titles, you could be in the middle of a title washing scam. During title washing, any negative history about the vehicle will be replaced with a squeaky clean history to help make the car look more valuable. If you feel as if the vehicle has been through more than it lets on, try to get information on the VIN or from a verifiable source.

    No Test Drive

    A huge red flag to keep an eye out for is when a seller does not let you test drive the vehicle. Whether you are trying to buy a new or used car, you should be allowed to test drive the car not only to see if it is a good fit but also to see if there are any potential problems. Sellers will likely try to stop you from test driving if they are hiding significant information or issues within the car and do not want you to find out so the value does not deplete. Without a test drive, the seller has too many opportunities to hide things.

    Curbstoning

    If a seller instructs you to meet at a location that is not related to a dealership, you should take this as a red flag. Curbstoning is a great avenue for sellers to get rid of damaged cars much easier. They will likely do the easiest repairs in order to get it drivable but won’t allow you to get it inspected by a third party. Additionally, you might not be handed the proper documentation to change the car to your name. The seller could give you a fraudulent title, but thankfully, you can fact-check this by looking up the vehicle’s history report and seeing if the VIN matches. All in all, if you don’t feel comfortable going to a strange location to purchase a car, trust your gut and find a new vehicle.

    Fraudulent Escrow Services

    If you are asked to put your money into an account before providing you with a car, you should take that as a giant red flag and look for another vehicle. While escrow services can provide a level of security in some cases, when you are purchasing a vehicle, and the seller demands you to use a specific service over any others that you might trust, it is likely that they will take your money without giving you the car. Fraudulent wire transfers are no joke and could lead you to lose thousands within the blink of an eye. If something feels strange about how they are asking you to pay, take that as a sign to move on.

    It’s Too Good to Be True

    Lastly, one of the biggest and tried and true red flags you should look out for is when it is all too good to be true. Let’s say you find your dream car, a shiny classic that runs perfectly, and it is way under the market value. It’s perfect, right? Wrong. It is too good to be true. If you find your dream car way under market value with seemingly no issues to be seen, that’s because all the issues are well hidden. It is extremely common for sellers to mark down the vehicle, do the least amount of repairs on it, and try to sell it to an unknowing buyer. On top of the price, if the seller doesn’t go into details about the vehicle’s past, you can assume something nefarious is going on. Don’t purchase a vehicle with rose-tinted glasses on. These red flags could cost you money. If you have further questions or have been scammed to no avail, contact the team at Stecklein Robertson Law.]]>