Author: Larry Smith

This morning, April 5, 2022, the television program Good Morning America ran a very alarming story about bank scams.  As it was reported, the Electronic Funds Transfers Act, is the regulation enacted to protect consumers from fraudulent or unauthorized electronic transfers of money from consumer accounts.  This story is an important one and can be […]

Every day millions of Americans find errors on their credit reports.  A large number of those errors can cause credit or employment denial.  Therefore, it is important that when you find an error on your credit report, you immediately dispute that error. Any disputes over your credit report should go directly to the credit reporting […]

Most employers today require prospective employees to pass a background check before getting the job.  It can be quite embarrassing when the employer advises you that you failed the background check, even though you know you have a clear record.  You also may be  lost as to what to do next to clear your name […]

Millions of Americans have false or inaccurate information on their credit files.  A certain amount of these inaccuracies can lead to credit or insurance denials.  It is not only important to check your credit regularly, but also to make sure to dispute inaccurate information.  What is the best way to dispute your credit report? The […]

You apply for a job and go in for the interview.  Everything goes well.  The employer is eager to have you on board.  You are hired, pending routine background check.  Then a few days later, you receive a letter from that employer that tells you that they cannot hire you because of the results of […]

SmithMarco, P.C.’s managing partner, Larry Smith, met with The Rideshare Guy, Harry Campbell earlier this year on a podcast.  The discussion was about background checks being utilized by rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft.  Many drivers are being blocked from access on the driving platform because of items that appear in the background checks.  […]

The first thing most consumers look at when it comes to their credit is their credit score.  However, as we have written here in our blog, a credit score completely depends upon the information in the credit report.  Thus, it is most important that you view your credit report to see that the information on […]

When it comes to conducting background checks for employment purposes, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) applies to protect consumers.  But that is not the case in every instance.  The FCRA does not cover all background checks.  It covers most. When Does the FCRA Apply? A consumer report is one that bears upon a persons […]

Consumer’s that suffer from debt problems may notice some accounts reporting a “charge-off” on a credit report.  There is a lot of confusion on just what this means.  Does it mean the debt is no longer owed?  Can the creditor still pursue it?  And, how long can it be reported? A charge-off is a designation […]

SmithMarco, P.C. scored another trial victory when receiving an award of $780,000 against AR Resources in the matter of Ramones v. AR Resources, 19-cv-62949, pending in the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division.  The trial, handled by partner David M. Marco, was a Fair Credit Reporting Act case wherein a debt collection agency reported accounts […]