Equifax Ordered to Pay $18 Million in Damages

Like many other consumers, Oregon resident Julie Miller
(“Miller”) had errors on her
credit report.  Like many other
consumers, Miller disputed the errors on her report on multiple
occasions.  Like many other consumers, despite Miller’s
attempts to fix her report, Equifax would not listen to her request
and verified the information as accurately reported.  Like
many consumers, Miller took her frustrations to court and but
unlike many consumers, Miller was awarded $18.6 Million in damages
against Equifax in a tiresome battle this past week.

Specifically, in 2009 Miller requested a copy of her credit file
from Equifax after she was denied credit for a bank loan. 
Upon receipt, Miller reviewed her credit report and after careful
scrutiny, she believed her credit
report included inaccurate information that was devastating to
her credit worthiness.  Miller’s report contained derogatory
accounts, collection accounts and a Social Security number and
birth date that did not belong to her.  When Miller began her
dispute process,
Trans Union and
Experian corrected the mistakes in response, however
Equifax, in January of 2010, requested she provide additional
identifying information prior to completing its investigation and
Miller complied.  In mid-January, Equifax responded to
Miller’s dispute by verifying the account and personal identifying
information as accurately reported.  On nine separate
occasions between January of 2010 and September of 2011, Miller
continued to reach out to Equifax requesting it fix the errors on
her report, however her attempts were futile.  Each time,
Equifax continued to send the same form letter requesting
additional personal identifying information, on each occasion
Miller provided the same requested information and in response, her
credit report was verifying.  During her dispute process,
Miller was denied credit from Key Bank for a loan she was co-signing
with her son based on information contained in her Equifax
report.    

In response to her efforts, Miller filed a lawsuit against
Equifax and in 2013, was awarded an $18.6 million in punitive
damages and $180,000 in actual damages for lost credit
opportunities.  While Miller took the necessary steps to be
aware of her credit report after being denied credit, studies show
that over 20% of American consumers have never even reviewed their
credit report and one in five consumers have errors on their
report.  To avoid being categorized into this 20%, know your
rights and access your credit report annually.  Under the law,
as a consumer you are entitled you to one free credit report a year
at AnnualCreditReport.com from each of the three
major credit reporting agencies and you are entitled to a free copy
of your report when you are denied credit.   
   
If you believe you have errors on your report and need assistance
with your inaccuracies, contact SmithMarco
P.C. for a completely free case review.