Check that it contains accurate information and determine whether the appraiser considered illegal factors, such as the racial composition of the neighborhood. If You Suspect Discrimination Take action if you think you ve been discriminated against. Complain to the lender. Sometimes you can persuade the lender to reconsider your application. Check with your state Attorney General s office to see if the creditor violated state laws.
Many states have their own equal credit opportunity laws.
Contact a local private fair housing group and report violations to the appropriate government agency. If your mortgage application is denied, the lender must give you the name and address of the agency to contact. Consider suing the lender in federal district court. If you win, you can recover your actual damages and be awarded punitive damages if the court finds that the lender s conduct was willful. You also may recover reasonable lawyers fees and court costs.