california CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWYERS
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA)
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(866) 645-1128Protecting California Consumers When Companies Get It Wrong
Ramos Law helps California consumers take action when businesses, banks, credit reporting agencies or other companies fail to play by the rules. Our attorneys use federal and state consumer protection laws to address unfair practices, inaccurate reporting, unauthorized transactions and other violations that can disrupt your finances and daily life.
Why it matters: Your credit, finances and personal information can affect where you live, how you access money and the opportunities available to you. When a company violates your rights or fails to correct a problem, you may have legal options.
What we handle: We represent California consumers in a range of consumer protection matters, including:
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Why Choose Ramos Law for Consumer Protection?
Consumer protection cases often involve complicated records, federal regulations, credit reports, financial accounts and large institutions. Ramos Law takes a thorough, fact-driven approach, reviewing the details, identifying potential violations and helping California consumers understand their legal options.
Focused Consumer Protection Experience
Our attorneys handle consumer protection matters involving federal laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), including issues involving credit reporting, background checks and electronic banking.
Dedicated Leadership
Our consumer protection practice is led by Matthew Osborne, Director of Consumer Protection, who focuses on claims involving federal consumer protection laws, including the FCRA and EFTA.
Clear, Straightforward Communication
Legal and financial issues can be difficult to navigate. We explain the process in plain language, keep you informed and help you understand what your rights and options may be.
Trial-Ready
When negotiations do not resolve a consumer protection dispute, you want a law firm prepared to take the fight further. Ramos Law approaches every case with litigation in mind, building strong claims from the start and preparing to advocate for your rights in court when necessary.
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Consumer Protection Attorneys for California Residents
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Claims
A credit report can influence major decisions, from renting a home or applying for a loan to getting a credit card or even securing certain jobs. When the information in that report is wrong, incomplete or improperly reported, the effects can follow you well beyond your credit score.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) establishes requirements for consumer reporting agencies and gives consumers important rights when their information is reported inaccurately. If you identify inaccurate or incomplete information, the FCRA generally gives you the right to dispute it and requires consumer reporting agencies to investigate qualifying disputes.
Ramos Law helps California consumers evaluate potential FCRA violations involving issues such as:
- Accounts or debts that do not belong to you
- Incorrect account balances or payment amounts
- False or incomplete payment histories
- The same account appearing more than once
- Information that is too old to be reported
- Errors that remain after you have disputed them
- Information that was changed but continues to be reported incorrectly
- Other inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information on a consumer report
Credit Reporting Trends & Statistics
Credit and consumer reporting complaints submitted to the CFPB increased dramatically in recent years.The CFPB received more than 5.8 million credit or consumer reporting complaints in 2025, up dramatically from 2019.
The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network received more than 6.47 million reports in 2024. Credit bureaus and information furnishers accounted for 21% of those reports, making that the largest category tracked by the network. The FTC category includes complaints involving inaccurate information, failures to properly investigate disputes and improper access to credit reports.
Credit Report Mixed Files
A mixed file occurs when another person’s information is mistakenly included on your credit report, often because of similar names, addresses or other identifying information. These errors can result in someone else’s accounts, collections, bankruptcies or other negative information appearing on your report and affecting your access to credit, housing or other opportunities.
Ramos Law helps California consumers investigate potential mixed-file errors and determine whether inaccurate information remains after a dispute.
Mixed File & Credit Reporting Trends and Statistics
- The CFPB specifically identifies accounts belonging to another person with the same or similar name as a common credit report error and notes that mixing two consumers’ information into one file is known as a mixed file.
- The FTC received 449,032 identity theft reports involving new or existing credit card accounts in 2024, making credit card identity theft the most commonly reported type of identity theft that year. The FTC also received 60,188 reports involving auto loans or leases and 95,689 involving business or personal loans.
- Among credit or consumer reporting complaints closed with explanation or relief in 2024, 50% involved incorrect information on the consumer’s report, making inaccurate reporting by far the most common complaint issue. The CFPB also reported that complaints about incorrect information increased 247% compared with the average monthly volume during the prior two years.
False or Inaccurate Background Checks
Background checks can affect employment, housing and other opportunities. But when a report contains incorrect or outdated information, the consequences can be significant.
The FCRA requires consumer reporting agencies to follow reasonable procedures designed to assure the maximum possible accuracy of consumer-report information. Ramos Law helps California consumers address potentially inaccurate background and screening reports, including:
- Criminal records belonging to someone else
- Duplicate or incorrect records
- Incorrect case outcomes
- Expunged or sealed records that still appear
- Inaccurate employment or financial information
- Errors in tenant screening reports
- Other inaccurate or improperly reported information that may affect employment or housing decisions.
Background Check Trends & Statistics
- The CFPB received approximately 26,700 tenant-screening complaints from January 2019 through September 2022, with monthly complaints more than doubling, from about 300 in January 2019 to nearly 700 by September 2022. More than 17,200 complaints involved incorrect information on tenant background reports.
- In a 2023 public inquiry, the CFPB and FTC received more than 600 comments from renters describing problems with tenant background checks, including inaccurate information, difficulty correcting errors and failures to provide required adverse-action notices.
Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) Claims: Personal Accounts Only
Unauthorized transactions can quickly create financial problems, from unexpected withdrawals to overdrafts and missed payments.
The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E provide protections for consumers facing certain unauthorized electronic transfers from personal, family or household accounts.
Ramos Law helps California consumers evaluate potential EFTA claims involving:
- Unauthorized debit card transactions
- Unauthorized withdrawals or transfers
- Electronic payment errors
- Transactions made using stolen account credentials
- Other potentially unauthorized electronic fund transfers
EFTA protections and consumer liability depend on the specific circumstances.
Electronic Fund Transfer Trends & Statistics
- The FTC received 6.5 million consumer reports in 2024 covering fraud, identity theft and other consumer protection issues.
- Consumers reported more than $12.5 billion in losses to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023.
- The CFPB has specifically taken enforcement action involving electronic fund transfers and Regulation E. In 2025, the Bureau ordered Block, Inc. to pay at least $75 million in consumer redress, potentially up to $120 million, along with a $55 million civil penalty, over alleged failures involving unauthorized transfers and error resolution.
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Think Your Consumer Rights Have Been Violated?
Consumer protection laws can be complicated, especially when you’re dealing with inaccurate credit reporting, unauthorized transactions or other financial issues. Ramos Law can review your situation, explain your rights and help you understand your options.
Contact Ramos Law today for a free consultation.
California Consumer Protection FAQ's
What is consumer protection law in California?
Consumer protection law covers a wide range of federal and California laws designed to protect individuals from unfair, deceptive, inaccurate or unlawful business practices. Depending on the circumstances, these laws may apply to credit reporting, background checks, banking transactions, debt collection and other consumer issues.
Can I sue a company for inaccurate information on my credit report?
Potentially. The FCRA provides consumers with rights concerning inaccurate credit reporting and the investigation of qualifying disputes. Whether you have a legal claim against a consumer reporting agency, furnisher or another party depends on the specific facts, how the dispute was submitted and how the parties responded.
What should I do if someone else's debt appears on my credit report?
Review the account carefully and gather documentation showing why the information is inaccurate. You generally have the right to dispute inaccurate information with the appropriate credit reporting agency. Keep copies of your dispute and any responses you receive.
Can a background check contain information that doesn't belong to me?
Yes. Background reports can sometimes contain records belonging to another person, duplicate records, outdated information or incorrect case information. If an inaccurate report affects employment, housing or another opportunity, you may have rights under the FCRA.
What can I do about an unauthorized transaction from my bank account?
If you discover an unauthorized electronic transaction from a qualifying personal account, notify your financial institution as soon as possible. The EFTA and Regulation E provide certain protections and establish requirements for reporting and investigating unauthorized electronic fund transfers.
Does the EFTA protect business bank accounts?
Generally, the EFTA’s consumer protections apply to accounts established primarily for personal, family or household purposes. Business accounts generally fall outside the law’s consumer protections, although the specific circumstances matter.
Can inaccurate credit reporting affect my ability to rent a home?
Yes. Credit reports and tenant screening reports may be used when evaluating rental applications. Inaccurate information can potentially affect whether you qualify for housing or the terms offered to you.
How long does a credit reporting dispute take?
The FCRA generally requires a consumer reporting agency to complete its investigation within 30 days, although the period may extend to 45 days in certain circumstances. Keep records of when you submitted your dispute and any supporting documentation.
What evidence should I keep if I believe my consumer rights were violated?
Save copies of credit or background reports, bank statements, account records, dispute letters, correspondence, transaction histories and responses from companies or financial institutions. Documentation can help establish what happened and how the issue was handled.
How do I know if I have a California consumer protection case?
There is no single test that applies to every consumer protection matter. The answer depends on what happened, which company or institution was involved, what law may apply and what evidence is available. An attorney can review the circumstances and help you understand whether you may have a legal claim.
Fight Back Against Corporate Mistakes in California
Don’t let inaccurate credit reports, false background checks, or unauthorized bank transfers ruin your financial future.
When businesses, banks, or credit bureaus fail to play by the rules, Ramos Law is here to hold them accountable. We leverage federal and state consumer protection laws to fix the errors disrupting your life and aggressively pursue the financial compensation you deserve.