Consumer complaint received 2024-08-25
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action — Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Company: ZWICKER & ASSOCIATES (NJ)

Dear Zwicker and Associates, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally address a critical issue regarding the handling of my credit report. On XX/XX/scrub>, 2024, I requested that my credit report be updated to reflect a disputed status. Despite this, as of XX/XX/year>2024, this update was finally made ( XXXX  ). This delay not only violated my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) but has also had a severe negative impact on my familys financial situation. 

**Legal Obligations Under the FCRA** The Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), codified at 15 U.S. Code 1681, imposes clear requirements on consumer reporting agencies regarding the handling of disputes. Section 611 ( 15 U.S. Code 1681i ) mandates that when a consumer disputes an item on their credit report, the reporting agency must investigate the dispute and update the report accordingly within XXXX  days. This regulation is essential for ensuring that consumer credit information remains accurate and reflects current facts, providing crucial protections against the negative effects of erroneous credit reporting.

Given that my dispute request was submitted to the court on XXXX XXXX, 2024, the XXXX period for investigating and updating the report should have been completed by XX/XX/scrub> 2024. The failure to update my report by this date, especially given the elapsed time and the attached evidence of the current status as of XX/XX/scrub>, 2024, demonstrates a clear disregard for the FCRAs requirements. This delay has contributed to ongoing financial and personal harm. 

**Consequences of Non-Compliance** The failure to comply with FCRA requirements has serious implications : XXXX. **Violation of Statutory Rights** : Under 15 U.S. Code 1681i, the failure to address my dispute within the required timeframe is a clear violation of the FCRA. This delay has affected the accuracy of my credit report, potentially leading to unjust financial consequences such as increased interest rates or denied credit. 

XXXX. **Actual Damages** : As outlined in 15 U.S. Code 1681n, I am entitled to seek compensation for actual damages resulting from the inaccurate credit reporting. These damages may include financial losses incurred due to higher borrowing costs or the inability to secure necessary credit. 

XXXX. **Statutory Damages** : The FCRA allows for statutory damages up to {$1000.00} per violation if the non-compliance is found to be willful. This provision is essential for cases where the breach is clear but specific financial harm is difficult to quantify. 

XXXX. **Punitive Damages** : In cases where the non-compliance is particularly egregious or willful, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are designed to punish and deter severe breaches of the FCRA. 

XXXX. **Attorneys Fees and Costs** : Should legal action be necessary to enforce my rights under the FCRA, XXXX would be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees and court costs. This ensures that I am not financially burdened by the cost of litigation required to address the wrongful conduct. 

**Impact on My Family** The delay in updating my credit report has had severe repercussions on my familys financial and emotional well-being. The inaccuracies have led to : - **Increased Interest Rates** : Due to the unresolved dispute, I have likely faced higher interest rates on loans and credit, placing an undue burden on our familys finances. 

- **Credit Denials** : The failure to correct the credit report has likely resulted in credit denials or less favorable terms, severely affecting our ability to secure loans and manage financial needs. 

- **Emotional and Psychological Strain** : The financial difficulties caused by these inaccuracies have caused significant stress and emotional strain on my family, impacting our overall quality of life. 

**Failure to Represent your client Interests** Your firms failure to address my dispute in a timely manner reflects a serious lapse in your duty to represent my interests. The prolonged delay in updating my credit report suggests a failure to uphold the legal and ethical standards expected in handling such matters. This mismanagement has contributed to ongoing financial harm and personal distress. 

**Attached Evidence** For your reference, I have attached the following evidence : XXXX. **Screenshot of Credit Report Status** : Showing that as of XX/XX/scrub> 2024, my credit report still reflects the outdated information and has not been updated to show the dispute status. 

XXXX. **Copies of Previous Requests** : Documents demonstrating my prior requests for updating the credit report, including the initial dispute request made on XX/XX/scrub> 2024. 

**Recommended Actions** To address this issue and prevent further damage, I request the following actions : XXXX. **Immediate Update** : Update my credit report to reflect the disputed status without further delay. This correction is essential to rectify the inaccuracies and mitigate additional financial harm. 

XXXX. **Confirmation and Documentation** : Provide written confirmation of the update, including a detailed explanation of the actions taken to address the dispute. This should outline the findings of the investigation and the measures implemented to ensure compliance with FCRA requirements. 

XXXX. **Future Assurance** : Detail the procedures your firm will implement to prevent similar issues in the future, including enhancements to dispute handling processes and adherence to legal obligations. 

**Legal Recourse** Should this matter remain unresolved, I will pursue all available legal remedies to protect my rights and seek appropriate compensation. This could involve filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) or initiating legal proceedings. Such actions will seek compensatory and punitive damages, as well as any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

**Conclusion** I urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. The immediate update of my credit report and confirmation of this update are crucial to preventing further harm and rectifying the current situation. I expect a prompt response and resolution to this issue. 

Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide a comprehensive update on the steps taken to resolve this matter. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent issue. 

Sincerely,