Consumer Law Resources
Attorney Intake Interview
Questions & Preparation Guide
These are questions a client may receive from attorneys to familiarize the legal team with the information required to evaluate and build your case.
Credit Reporting Errors & FCRA Violations — Sample Intake Questions
Sections at a Glance
- Client Identification & Background
- Credit Report Review
- Dispute History
- Adverse Actions & Tangible Harm
- Emotional & Non-Economic Damages
- Identity Theft / Fraud-Related Issues
- The Furnisher (Creditor / Debt Collector)
- Willfulness & FCRA Violation Type
- Documentation & Evidence Checklist
- Case Viability & Legal Strategy
1
Client Identification & Background
Establish identity; confirm reporting errors are tied to the correct person
- Q1What is your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number?
- Q2Have you gone by any other names — maiden name, alias, or name variations — that may appear on your credit reports?
- Q3What addresses have you lived at over the past 7–10 years?
- Q4Have you recently moved, changed your name, or had any significant life changes that may affect your records?
- Q5Do you share a similar name or SSN with a family member?Mixed file screening
2
Credit Report Review
Identify which reports are affected and what specific errors exist
- Q6Have you obtained copies of your credit reports from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion?
- Q7Which bureau(s) contain the error(s)?
- Q8What specifically is reported incorrectly?e.g., account not yours, wrong balance, wrong status, duplicate entry, outdated info, paid debt still showing as unpaid
- Q9Is the error appearing on one bureau, two, or all three?
- Q10When did you first notice the error on your report?
- Q11Was there any event — like identity theft, a data breach, a divorce, or bankruptcy — that may have triggered the inaccuracy?
- Q12Are there any accounts on your report that you do not recognize at all?
- Q13Are there accounts listed as open that you know were closed? Or vice versa?
- Q14Is there a bankruptcy, judgment, or lien on your report that has already been resolved or does not belong to you?
- Q15Are any derogatory items past their legal reporting timeframe?7 years for most negatives; 10 years for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
3
Dispute History
Determine if prior disputes were filed and how furnishers/CRAs responded — critical for FCRA claims
- Q16Have you formally disputed the error(s) with any of the credit bureaus?
- Q17Did you dispute in writing, by phone, or online?
- Q18Do you have copies of the dispute letters you sent?
- Q19Did the bureau send you a written response? What did it say?
- Q20Did the bureau claim to have investigated the dispute? What was their finding?
- Q21Did they correct the error, partially correct it, or refuse to remove it?
- Q22How long after submitting your dispute did you receive a response?Statutory window is 30 days under FCRA § 611
- Q23Did you also dispute directly with the creditor or debt collector who reported the information (the "furnisher")?
- Q24Do you have proof — certified mail receipts, emails, screenshots — of any disputes sent?
- Q25Did the furnisher acknowledge your dispute? Did they continue reporting the inaccurate information after being notified?
- Q26Have you filed multiple rounds of disputes on the same item? Did the error keep reappearing after being removed?Re-insertion without notice is a separate FCRA violation
4
Adverse Actions & Tangible Harm
Establish concrete damages — the foundation of an FCRA lawsuit
Adverse actions are a key component of damages. Gather all denial letters, notices, and any documentation showing financial harm before your intake meeting.
- Q27Have you been denied credit, a loan, or a credit card as a result of this error?
- Q28Did you receive an Adverse Action Notice? Do you still have a copy?
- Q29Were you denied housing — an apartment, mortgage, or rental application?
- Q30Were you denied employment or a promotion because of something on your credit or background report?
- Q31Were you offered credit or a loan at a higher interest rate than you should have qualified for?Higher rate/less favorable terms is also considered adverse action
- Q32Were you denied insurance coverage or offered it at an inflated premium?
- Q33Did you lose a business opportunity, contract, or professional license due to your credit report?
- Q34Can you quantify the financial impact?Higher interest paid, lost income, application fees, moving costs, etc.
5
Emotional & Non-Economic Damages
Document actual damages beyond financial loss
- Q35How has this error affected your daily life, relationships, or mental health?
- Q36Have you experienced stress, anxiety, embarrassment, or humiliation related to this reporting issue?
- Q37Has this impacted your ability to provide housing or stability for your family?
- Q38Have you sought medical or psychological treatment related to the stress from this situation?
- Q39Has this affected your professional reputation or standing in your community or industry?
6
Identity Theft / Fraud-Related Issues
Identify potential mixed file or ID theft violations under FCRA § 605B
- Q40Do you believe someone used your personal information to open fraudulent accounts?
- Q41Have you filed a police report or an FTC Identity Theft Report?
- Q42Have you placed a fraud alert or credit freeze on your reports?
- Q43Have you requested a Security Freeze with all three major bureaus?
- Q44Did any bureau fail to block fraudulent information after you submitted an identity theft report?
7
The Furnisher (Creditor / Debt Collector)
Identify who is reporting the error and their response to disputes
- Q45Who is the original creditor on the disputed account?
- Q46Is a third-party debt collector or collection agency also reporting this account?
- Q47Did you ever have an account with this creditor, or is it entirely not yours?
- Q48If the debt was yours, has it been paid, settled, or discharged in bankruptcy?
- Q49Did the creditor or collector continue reporting the error after you disputed it with both them and the bureau?
- Q50Did you receive any communication from the creditor or collector after your dispute?
8
Willfulness & FCRA Violation Type
Determine whether the violation was negligent or willful — affects damages significantly
Willful violations allow for statutory penalties up to $1,000 per violation plus punitive damages. These questions help determine the strongest possible claim.
- Q51Did the bureau or furnisher correct the error initially, only for it to reappear later without notifying you?Unlawful re-insertion — FCRA § 611(a)(5)(B)
- Q52Did the bureau refuse to provide you a description of the procedure they used to investigate your dispute when you asked?FCRA § 611(a)(7)
- Q53Did the creditor fail to report that an account was "disputed by consumer" while under investigation?
- Q54Did you request your credit score or file disclosure and were denied or charged improperly?
- Q55Was the error one the bureau had been notified about previously by other consumers?Pattern of conduct
9
Documentation & Evidence Checklist
Items the attorney will typically ask the client to produce
- Full credit reports from all 3 bureaus (dated copies)
- All dispute letters sent (with certified mail tracking numbers)
- All responses received from bureaus and furnishers
- Adverse Action Notices
- Denial letters (credit, housing, employment)
- Any loan or interest rate comparisons showing financial loss
- Police report or FTC Identity Theft Report (if applicable)
- Any communications from debt collectors regarding the disputed account
- Medical or counseling records if emotional distress damages are claimed
10
Case Viability & Legal Strategy
Assess timelines, ongoing harm, and the client's readiness to proceed
Statute of Limitations: 2 years from the date of violation; 5 years if the violation was willful — FCRA § 618. Do not delay seeking legal counsel.
- Q56When did you first suffer harm from the error?Statute of limitations: 2 years from date of violation; 5 years if willful — FCRA § 618
- Q57Are you still experiencing ongoing harm, or has the error been resolved?
- Q58Have you worked with any credit repair company, counselor, or prior attorney on this matter?
- Q59Are you aware of any other consumers who may have had the same error with this furnisher or bureau?
- Q60Are you prepared to participate in the legal process — depositions, document production, and potential court appearances?
Sources Referenced
Mehalic Law PLLC (FCRA Practice) · Ginsburg Law Group (FCRA Deposition Prep) · The Kim Law Firm LLC (Willful FCRA Violations) · ConsumerProtection.net / SLG (Credit Report Errors) · NOLO (Most Common FCRA Violations) · CFPB / FTC FCRA Guidance