When you lease a car or take out a loan, you expect your credit report to reflect accurate information. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen—and when it doesn’t, the consequences can be serious. A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit shows that consumers have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting
In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it would be ending its VA Servicing Purchase (VASP) program — a last-resort option that allowed the VA to purchase certain delinquent VA-backed loans from mortgage servicers and offer veterans affordable repayment terms. The program will stop accepting new applications after May 1, 2025, leaving
In today’s digital age, peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platforms like Venmo, Zelle, Apple Cash, and Cash App make it easier than ever to send and receive money. Whether you’re splitting dinner with a friend or paying rent, millions of consumers rely on these services every day. But what happens if something goes wrong—like a fraudulent transaction
In a significant win for consumers, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently ruled that companies reporting information to credit bureaus—known as “furnishers”—can be held accountable under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) for failing to investigate disputes that involve both legal and factual issues, as long as the disputed information is
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently imposed a significant fine on Equifax, one of the three largest credit reporting agencies in the United States. This action has drawn attention to the practices of credit reporting agencies and their responsibilities toward consumers. Below, we explore the reasons behind the fine, its implications for Equifax, and
Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C. Partner Jim Francis Interviewed by The Washington Post in Report on Social Security’s False Death Listings A recent Washington Post investigation has uncovered that the Trump administration pressured the Social Security Administration (SSA) to falsely declare over 6,000 living immigrants as deceased — a move designed to strip them of their
The New Jersey Data Privacy Act (NJDPA, N.J. Stat. Section 56.8-166.4 et seq.), went into effect this past Jan. 15. Signed into law Jan. 16, 2024, the NJDPA represents New Jersey’s entry into the burgeoning field of data privacy laws, as it joins 18 other states that have passed such laws. The NJDPA primarily affects large
At Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C., we are committed to protecting consumers from the devastating consequences of bureaucratic errors. A recent case handled by firm partner, Jim Francis, highlights the profound impact such mistakes can have and underscores the importance of vigilant legal advocacy. In December 2023, Joyce Evans, a retired federal employee, received a letter
A negative mark on your credit report can significantly impact your financial well-being, but under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most delinquent debts must be removed from your credit report after seven years from the date of the first missed payment. However, errors and outdated debts can linger beyond this timeframe, damaging your credit score
One of the most common causes of inaccurate information on credit reports and background checks is the mixing of information belonging to two different people, often because of similar names and addresses. This is a particularly common problem with twins, who share a date of birth as well as last name and usually address history.