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.Your disputes sre grounded in protections provided by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA), which safeguards your rights as a consumer against violations by credit bureaus and creditors.
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- Q8What specifically is reported incorrectly?e.g., account not yours, wrong balance, wrong status, duplicate entry, outdated info, paid debt still showing as unpaid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