Furnishers send data

Banks, lenders, debt collectors, landlords, and others (“furnishers”) send information about your accounts and history to credit bureaus and other CRAs.

Bureaus compile your file

Major credit bureaus and specialty CRAs (background check, tenant screening, insurance, etc.) combine this data into reports. They often rely on automated systems and massive databases.

Matching is imperfect

Instead of using the full Social Security number and multiple identifiers, some systems match people by name, partial SSN, address, or date of birth. That’s how mixed files happen — someone else’s information ends up on your report.

Data is old, incomplete, or misread

Public records, court outcomes, and account updates aren’t always timely or correctly interpreted. A paid or dismissed account can be reported as open and delinquent; an old judgment can show up long after it should.

Disputes are handled poorly

The FCRA requires reasonable investigations, but many companies rely on quick electronic codes and minimal review. If a furnisher simply hits “verified,” a bureau may parrot that back without truly investigating.

1. Another person’s accounts or public records appear on your file.
2. Similar names (e.g., Sr./Jr.) or shared addresses cause confusion.
3. Identity theft and mixed-file errors get tangled together.

1. Payments wrongly reported as late.
2. Balances and credit limits reported incorrectly.
3. Accounts showing as open and delinquent after they were paid, settled, or discharged in bankruptcy.
4. Duplicate reporting of the same debt by multiple collectors or furnishers.

1. Negative information reporting beyond the FCRA’s time limits in many situations (often seven years for many items).
2. Certain bankruptcies, judgments, or liens still reported when they shouldn’t be.
3. Sealed, expunged, or vacated records still being reported by specialty CRAs.

1. Bureaus “verify” obviously incorrect information without meaningful investigation.
2. Furnishers ignore documentation you send or fail to correct known errors.
3. The same error reappears repeatedly after temporary removals.

1. Reporting a debt without noting that it was disputed.
2. Failing to show that an account was settled, paid, or included in bankruptcy.
3. Leaving old addresses, employers, or personal information that supports ongoing fraud or mixed files.

Accuracy and fairness

Consumer reports must be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as reasonably possible.

Notice of adverse action

If a company denies you credit, housing, insurance, a job, or otherwise takes an adverse action based on a report, they must give you a notice, including the CRA that provided the information and your rights.

Access

You can request copies of your reports from credit bureaus and many specialty CRAs to see what’s being reported about you.

Dispute and investigation

If you find information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, you can dispute it. The CRA and, in many cases, the furnisher must conduct a reasonable investigation, usually within a set timeframe.

Correction or deletion

If the information can’t be verified or is found to be inaccurate or incomplete, it generally must be corrected or removed — not left on your report.

Compensation and enforcement

If a CRA or furnisher willfully or negligently violates the FCRA, you may be entitled to recover actual damages (including emotional distress), statutory damages in some cases, and possibly punitive damages — plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

For consumers

You tell us what happened—denials, errors, failed disputes, mixed files, or identity theft—upload your credit reports, background reports, dispute letters, and responses to our platform, and we match you with licensed consumer-law attorneys who focus on FCRA and inaccurate-reporting cases in your state.

For partners

Mortgage and real estate professionals, credit-repair companies, HR firms, auto dealers, and other partners who often see report errors first can refer clients through Leadia instead of turning them away, and can track referrals and earn rewards when qualifying cases move forward with attorneys.

For everyone

Our focus is making it easy to connect cases with lawyers who specialize in this area, and most attorneys in our network work on contingency, so clients don't pay upfront legal fees.

Focus on no out-of-pocket costs for the consumer

Most attorneys in our network handle these matters on a contingency basis.