First American Registry fraudulent credit reporting victimized many consumers rockville Maryland

When I applied for apartments in Maryland I found that I was falsely reported on by this First American Credit. I even went to the previous rental company that they had falsely listed as the one who reported negative information for me, and that rental company wrote a letter stating that I did not owe when I moved out and that they never had to sue me for money.

First American Credit would not remove the information from my file regarding judgements that were erroneous.

I have now had the rental company manager go to the courthouse to give me proof from the Glen Burnie Courthouse regarding the information as proof that I have paid my rent.

These people need to be stopped. If they are not going to give current, correct information, they should not be used as the sole justification for denying housing to consumers who probably do not and have not had rental judgements or maybe even paid their rental judgements prior to moving.

What many people don't know is that there are three major credit bureaus in the U.S. Trans Union is just one of them. Each credit bureau collects their information independently, so each of the three credit bureaus can have differeent information on you.

From what you've told us, it sounds like First American Registry MAY have acquired your report not from Trans Union, but possibly Exeprian (formerly TRW) or Experian (formerly CBI). It's recommended that you check your credit report with each of the three credit bureaus once a year to make sure that they have accurate information in your credit file.

Equifax (800) 685-1111
Experian (888) 397-3742
TransUnion (800) 888-4213

Residents of Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont are allowed a free copy of their report once per year. Georgia residents are entitled to two copies per year. Residents of other states may have to pay a small fee ($3-$9 per report), unless they fall into one of the following categories, in which case they would also be eligible for a free copy of their report:

If you are unemployed & intend to apply for employment within 60 days, receive public welfare assistance, believe that your consumer file contains inaccurate information due to fraud, or if you have been the subject of adverse action, such as denial of credit or insurance within the past 60 days.

Each credit bureau will also offer you a "credit monitoring service" that will inform you every time someone obtains a copy of your credit report. This is optional and is NOT required to obtain a copy of your own credit file.

If there is inaccurate information on your credit report, you are allowed to dispute the information on your report. The bank or lender then has to provide proof that you owe/owed money. You also have the opportunity to provide proof of payment of any loans that are listed as unpaid on your credit report. If you are unhappy with the results of their investigation, you are allowed to put a "consumer statement" in your credit file that will be included with your credit report whenever anyone views your credit history from that particular credit bureau.

Even when a tenant screening company provides the apartment community or management company with a copy of the credit report, they are not the ones who are making the decision to deny you an apartment. That decision lies squarely on the owners of the apartment. Most times, the management company will tell the screening company what they consider acceptable credit.

First American Registry does not have any control over what is on your credit report - only the credit bureaus do. The only ones who can make or even request changes to credit file are you and your creditors.

If First American Registry told you the information came from Trans Union when it actually came from another credit bureau, then that is the problem that should be brought to their attention.

For more information on your rights in regards to credit reports, you can visit http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm for a copy of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the law that governs how credit reports can be compiled and used.