CREDIT BUREAUS – A Comprehensive Guide to The Big Three and Smaller Agencies
While most people are familiar with the Big Three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—there are numerous smaller bureaus that specialize in specific areas like employment screening, banking violations, and tenant history. Knowing how to contact these companies and understanding what information they hold can help you stay on top of your financial and personal records.
Note, when it comes to disputing inaccuracies on your credit report, sending a dispute letter via certified mail with return receipt is the best way to ensure your complaint is addressed. Certified mail provides proof that the bureau received your dispute, which is essential for legal protection.
Always REMEMBER TO keep copies of your dispute letter, supporting documents, and the proof of delivery.
The Big Three Credit Bureaus
Equifax
Overview: Equifax is one of the oldest and largest credit reporting agencies, dating back to 1899. It collects data on over 800 million consumers and 88 million businesses worldwide. Equifax reports contain detailed information about credit history, including payment behavior, credit inquiries, and public records such as bankruptcies. It also offers consumer services like credit monitoring and identity theft protection.
Litigation and Complaints: Equifax has been involved in several lawsuits, most notably the 2017 data breach that exposed the personal information of nearly 148 million consumers. This breach led to a $700 million settlement and widespread outrage, with federal investigations highlighting Equifax’s failure to secure sensitive data. Additionally, many consumers have complained about the difficulty of resolving errors on their credit reports, with slow dispute processes and inadequate responses to correcting inaccuracies.
Phone: (888) 548-7878
Mailing Address: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian
Overview: Experian is a global credit reporting company operating in over 37 countries. It maintains records on more than a billion consumers and businesses, providing data on credit history, payment behavior, and public records. Experian is known for offering credit monitoring and score improvement services. Its credit reports are widely used by financial institutions, landlords, and employers when assessing applicants.
Litigation and Complaints: Experian has faced criticism over data security breaches and misleading advertising. In 2015, it experienced a data breach that exposed personal information of 15 million T-Mobile customers. Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) fined Experian $3 million in 2017 for misleading consumers about the use of its credit scores. Consumers have also voiced frustration over unresolved disputes and inaccuracies that persist on their reports.
Phone: (888) 397-3742
Mailing Address: Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion
Overview: TransUnion collects credit data on more than 200 million consumers in the U.S. alone. It compiles credit history information such as payment behaviors, public records, and personal identifying information. TransUnion also offers various credit protection and identity theft prevention services to consumers.
Litigation and Complaints: TransUnion has been sued multiple times for misreporting information. In 2017, the CFPB fined TransUnion $17 million for misleading consumers about credit scores and services. It has also faced several class action lawsuits due to inaccurate credit reports, slow dispute resolutions, and failure to remove errors even after consumers successfully dispute inaccuracies.
Phone: (800) 916-8800
Mailing Address: TransUnion Consumer Solutions, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Smaller Credit Bureaus – Specialized Agencies That Can Still Ruin Your Life
These bureaus focus on specific industries like banking, employment, and tenant screening. They collect specialized data that can affect your ability to get a job, secure housing, or open a bank account.
Background Check Bureaus
Background check bureaus play a crucial role in employment, housing, and various other sectors. These companies gather and provide information about individuals, including their criminal history, employment records, education verification, and even driving history. Employers, landlords, and gig economy platforms often rely on these background checks to make decisions about hiring, tenancy, and service eligibility. Errors or outdated information in background check reports can have significant consequences, such as job denials or lost housing opportunities. Knowing who these companies are and what they report can help consumers better understand and manage their records.
These background check bureaus can significantly influence your career and housing prospects. If you find errors on any of these reports, you have the right to dispute the inaccuracies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). R23 Law’s California Background Check Violation Lawyers can help ensure your rights are protected and that these agencies correct their errors promptly. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Checkr
Overview: Checkr is a leader in the background screening space, particularly within the gig economy, providing services to companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash. Checkr’s reports typically include criminal history, driving records, and employment verification. Its streamlined technology allows companies to make quick hiring decisions, but errors or outdated records can severely impact a person’s ability to get work.
Litigation and Complaints: Checkr has faced lawsuits over inaccuracies in its reports, particularly in cases where outdated or expunged criminal records were reported, causing individuals to lose job opportunities. Consumers have complained about delays in correcting these errors, which can prolong unemployment for affected individuals.
Phone: (844) 224-3257
Mailing Address: Checkr, Inc., 1 Montgomery Street, Suite 2400, San Francisco, CA 94104
HireRight
Overview: HireRight provides pre-employment background checks, offering services such as criminal history searches, employment verifications, and drug testing. Its reports are used by businesses across a wide range of industries to vet job candidates. Because many employers rely on HireRight, errors in its reports can lead to lost job opportunities.
Litigation and Complaints: HireRight has settled multiple lawsuits over inaccurate background checks, including a $2.6 million settlement for errors that cost individuals job offers. Consumers have reported significant delays in correcting mistakes, with some being denied jobs due to false information in their reports.
Phone: (866) 521-6995
Mailing Address: HireRight, P.O. Box 33181, Tulsa, OK 74153
Sterling
Overview: Sterling is a prominent background check provider for industries like healthcare, retail, and finance. Sterling’s reports include criminal records, employment verification, and education history, helping businesses evaluate potential hires.
Litigation and Complaints: Sterling has faced legal action for inaccuracies in its background reports, including wrongful inclusion of criminal records or outdated data. Consumers have raised concerns about slow dispute resolution and the harm done by incorrect data in the reports.
Phone: (877) 424-2457
Mailing Address: Sterling, 1 State Street, New York, NY 10004
First Advantage
Overview: First Advantage is a major player in background screening, serving large businesses across different sectors. Its services include criminal checks, education verification, and driving history reports. Errors in First Advantage’s reports can disrupt job applications and cause delays in hiring.
Litigation and Complaints: First Advantage has faced lawsuits for incorrect background reports, with consumers complaining about inaccuracies such as outdated criminal records. In 2021, First Advantage was part of a class-action lawsuit over reporting errors that led to job losses.
Phone: (800) 845-6004
Mailing Address: First Advantage, P.O. Box 105292, Atlanta, GA 30348
General Information Services (GIS)
Overview: GIS offers background checks for a variety of industries, specializing in criminal background reporting, credit checks, and employment history verification. It has a wide reach and is used by many employers as part of their pre-employment screening process.
Litigation and Complaints: GIS has been criticized for including outdated or inaccurate criminal history in its reports, which has led to employment denials. The company has been involved in several lawsuits regarding failure to correct errors in a timely manner.
Phone: (866) 265-4917
Mailing Address: General Information Services, P.O. Box 353, Chapin, SC 29036
Pre-employ.com
Overview: Pre-employ.com offers comprehensive background screening services for employers, including criminal records, education verification, and drug testing. It is known for providing quick background checks but has faced challenges in ensuring data accuracy.
Litigation and Complaints: Pre-employ.com has faced consumer complaints over inaccurate criminal records and employment histories, leading to missed job opportunities. Its dispute resolution process has been reported as slow, frustrating many consumers.
Phone: (800) 300-1821
Mailing Address: Pre-employ.com, 2301 Balls Ferry Road, Anderson, CA 96007
Trak-1 Technology
Overview: Trak-1 Technology provides background checks for employment, tenant screening, and volunteer services. It offers criminal history checks, employment verification, and driving record reports.
Litigation and Complaints: Trak-1 has faced lawsuits over inaccurate data in background reports, with consumers reporting outdated or incorrect criminal records in their screening results. These errors have caused significant delays in job applications and housing approvals.
Phone: (800) 600-8999
Mailing Address: Trak-1 Technology, 9805 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
GoodHire
Overview: GoodHire specializes in employment background screening and offers criminal checks, credit checks, and employment verification services. It is often used by small and medium-sized businesses for quick hiring decisions.
Litigation and Complaints: GoodHire has faced consumer complaints for inaccuracies in background checks, particularly regarding outdated criminal records. Although generally known for faster correction times, consumers have noted that initial disputes can still cause employment delays.
Phone: (888) 906-7351
Mailing Address: GoodHire, P.O. Box 391403, Omaha, NE 68139
Banking Violation Bureaus
Banking violation bureaus focus on monitoring consumers’ banking behavior. These agencies collect and report data on overdrawn accounts, bounced checks, and unpaid fees. Banks and financial institutions rely on this information to determine whether to approve new accounts or extend financial services. Inaccurate or negative information on these reports can lead to denials when opening new accounts or even result in existing accounts being closed.
These banking violation bureaus play a crucial role in determining your ability to open new accounts, write checks, and access other financial services.
If you find errors in your reports, disputing them promptly can help protect your financial reputation.
R23 Law’s California Background Check Violation Lawyers can assist you in navigating these disputes and correcting any inaccuracies. Contact us for a free consultation today.
ChexSystems
Overview: ChexSystems is the leading banking violation bureau, used by most banks and credit unions to assess the risk of a consumer when opening a new account. ChexSystems compiles data on banking behaviors such as bounced checks, unpaid overdraft fees, and account closures. If you have negative information in your ChexSystems report, it could lead to denial when applying for a new checking or savings account.
Litigation and Complaints: ChexSystems has faced criticism for the long-term impact of negative items on consumer reports, as entries can remain for up to five years. Many consumers have complained about difficulty in resolving disputes or removing outdated information from their reports, leading to banking restrictions for extended periods.
Phone: (800) 428-9623
Mailing Address: Chex Systems, Inc., 7805 Hudson Road, Suite 100, Woodbury, MN 55125
Early Warning Services (EWS)
Overview: Early Warning Services (EWS) is owned by major U.S. banks and provides detailed reports on consumers’ banking behavior, especially accounts closed for negative reasons like unpaid debts or fraud. EWS also monitors account openings, helping banks detect potential fraud or risky financial behavior before opening new accounts.
Litigation and Complaints: EWS has faced numerous consumer complaints, particularly around the reporting of fraudulent activities that were, in fact, identity theft incidents. Consumers report difficulties in clearing their names after being flagged by EWS, leading to significant challenges in opening new accounts. Additionally, EWS has been involved in lawsuits over data inaccuracies and failure to correct errors in a timely manner.
Phone: (800) 325-7775
Mailing Address: Early Warning Services, LLC, 16552 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
TeleCheck
Overview: TeleCheck focuses on maintaining a history of consumers’ check-writing behaviors. Retailers and financial institutions rely on TeleCheck reports to assess whether to accept checks from customers. Negative entries, such as bounced checks or fraud, can lead to declined transactions.
Litigation and Complaints: TeleCheck has been involved in legal actions for reporting inaccurate or outdated check-writing data, causing consumers to face wrongful rejections when attempting to write checks. Consumers have also reported challenges in disputing errors on their TeleCheck reports, particularly when trying to reverse incorrect fraud accusations.
Phone: (800) 366-2425
Mailing Address: TeleCheck Services, Inc., P.O. Box 6806, Hagerstown, MD 21741
Certegy
Overview: Certegy provides check verification and risk management services, mainly for retailers and financial institutions. Its reports help businesses decide whether to accept checks from consumers. A negative report from Certegy, such as bounced checks or fraudulent activity, can result in declined transactions.
Litigation and Complaints: Certegy has faced consumer lawsuits regarding inaccuracies in its reports. In one case, Certegy paid a $3.5 million settlement for mishandling consumer data, which led to numerous denied transactions for consumers with clean check-writing histories. Many consumers have reported long delays in resolving disputes with Certegy.
Phone: (800) 237-3826
Mailing Address: Certegy Check Services, Inc., P.O. Box 30046, Tampa, FL 33630
CrossCheck
Overview: CrossCheck offers payment guarantee and check verification services for businesses that accept checks. CrossCheck helps reduce the risk of check fraud or bounced checks by evaluating a consumer’s check-writing history.
Litigation and Complaints: CrossCheck has faced complaints from consumers for reporting incorrect check declines and difficulties in clearing errors from their reports. Negative marks on CrossCheck reports have led to issues with check acceptance, particularly for consumers with a history of check fraud.
Phone: (800) 843-0760
Mailing Address: CrossCheck, Inc., 1440 N. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
Teletrack by CoreLogic
Overview: Teletrack focuses on tracking consumers’ non-traditional credit data, such as payday loans, rent-to-own agreements, and installment loans. It provides financial institutions with alternative credit data, particularly for consumers with subprime credit or no traditional credit history.
Litigation and Complaints: Teletrack has faced lawsuits over reporting inaccuracies, particularly when it comes to consumers being denied financial products based on incomplete or misleading data. Consumers have reported difficulties in resolving disputes with Teletrack, especially when dealing with payday loan entries.
Phone: (877) 309-5226
Mailing Address: CoreLogic Teletrack, P.O. Box 509124, San Diego, CA 92150
LEGAL HELP AVAILABLE
–
LEGAL HELP AVAILABLE –
Understanding and keeping track of the information these credit bureaus hold is essential to protecting your financial standing and employment opportunities. If you find errors in your reports from any of these agencies, R23 Law’s California Background Check Violation Lawyers are here to help.
YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT IN ADDITION TO FIXING THESE PROBLEMS!
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us assist you in disputing inaccuracies and protecting your rights.
