Miss. sues credit-reporting firm, alleging errors

Source: AP-Excite

By JEFF HORWITZ

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mississippi has sued Experian, the world's largest firm that collects detailed information about consumers to evaluate their financial trustworthiness. The lawsuit — and a separate investigation of the industry by 32 other states led by Ohio — represent a significant new legal challenge to the industry over allegations of paperwork errors and violations of consumer protection laws.

Errors can jeopardize people's ability to get loans and pass job-related background checks. Experian has even wrongly reported that consumers are on a federal terrorism watch list, the lawsuit alleges.

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's complaint accuses Experian Information Solutions of knowingly including error-riddled data in the credit files of millions of Americans, jeopardizing their ability to obtain loans, employment-related background checks and sensitive government security clearances.

The lawsuit against Experian was filed without fanfare last month in a Biloxi state courthouse and transferred to Mississippi federal court late last week.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140616/us--credit_firm_lawsuit-7f2c7428da.html

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FILE - This May 6, 2013 file photo shows Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood speaking in Jackson, Miss. Mississippi has sued credit reporting giant Experian, alleging sweeping errors in the company{2019}s data and routine violations of consumer protection laws. Mississippi{2019}s action _ and a previously unreported multi-state investigation of credit bureaus led by Ohio _ represent a significant new legal challenge to the industry. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)