Start My Answer
loading...

What is Factual Data On My Credit Report?

George Simons | January 28, 2025

Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.

Patrick Austin
Attorney from George Mason
Patrick Austin, JD

Patrick Austin is a licensed attorney with a background in data privacy and information security law. Patrick received his law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the National Security Law Journal.

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: Factual Data appears on your credit report when a lender checks your credit. Dispute errors with bureaus to remove inaccuracies and protect your score.

If you’ve recently applied for a mortgage loan, you may find Factual Data on your credit report. Keep reading to learn how to remove Factual Data from your credit score and improve it.

What is Factual Data?

Factual Data is not a debt collection agency. Rather, Factual Data is a credit reporting company that specializes in providing credit data to mortgage companies. The company also provides credit reporting services at different steps in the mortgage application process, including:

  • Prequalification associated with soft inquiry reports.
  • Hard inquiry credit reports.
  • Debt monitoring.

Typically, when a consumer applies for a mortgage, a lender has the option to check your credit. They use that information to help determine whether you're a viable candidate for the mortgage loan. However, many mortgage companies do not want to invest time and resources in pulling credit reports, so they hire a company like Factual Data to handle that aspect of the mortgage application process.

Who does Factual Data work with?

In addition to working with mortgage lenders, Factual Data has branched out to assisting rental companies with retrieving credit data to determine whether someone qualifies to rent an apartment, condo, or other property. Factual Data utilizes “DataVerify” to secure income and employment verification from an applicant. DataVerify also provides information on identity. Verifies OFAC, SSA, SSN, date of birth, and other watchlists. They will also check credit reports, employment and income history, property information, and debt information.

Factual Data also uses “AmRent” as a tenant screening service. AmRent uses its own proprietary databases along with outside information to compile data on potential tenants. AmRent reports on the following: criminal records, eviction data, identity verification, credit reports.

Read Factual Data reviews online

If you are looking for intel on what happened with other consumers interacted with Factual Data, then take some time to check out these review:

Objectively speaking, the online reviews of Factual Data are a mixed bag. Nevertheless, the mixed reviews should not deter you from engaging with Factual Data and taking steps to engage with them in an effort to address your credit score issues. Proactive communication is incredibly important.

Learn about your legal rights from the FCRA

Your credit report and overall credit score can be key factors for whether you will get approved for a mortgage or to rent a particular property. This is why Congress enacted the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This federal law is designed to help protect consumers and their credit data.

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the following rights and protections:

  • Credit reporting agencies (including Factual Data) must be certain the information they report is accurate and up-to-date. Oversights and inaccuracies on your Factual Data report, or reports, could very well lead you to being denied a mortgage.
  • You have the right to request a copy of your file from any credit reporting or consumer reporting agency.
  • If you were denied credit, housing, employment, or anything else due to information found in your credit report, background check, or any kind of employment screening, those using the information must tell you, and they must give you the name, address, and phone number of the agency that provide them with the information.
  • You have the right to request a copy of your credit score from consumer agencies that create or distribute these scores (there are three “major” credit score companies in the United States).
  • Any negative information on your credit report that is over seven years old is not allowed to be used in your report.
  • Bankruptcies over ten years old should not appear on your credit report.
  • Any current or potential employer needs to secure your written consent in order to access any consumer reports such as your credit report, background check, or any pre employment screening.
  • You have the right to dispute errors on your consumer reports.
  • When there are mistakes on your credit report or background check, it is important to dispute them right away.
  • You have the right to sue credit reporting agencies that report false information.

Discover Factual Data inquiries on your credit report

If you see an inquiry on your credit report from Factual Data and you have not been working with a mortgage lender, you should consider disputing the inquiry with the credit reporting agency. Why? Because hard inquiries on your credit report can negatively impact your credit score.

Do not let inquiries that should not be on your credit report go undisputed. Failing to remove unnecessary inquiries could potentially result in you having to pay higher insurance premiums and higher interest rates.

Dispute an error on a Factual Data credit report

Whether it is a merged credit report or a CreditIQ credit report from CoreLogic Factual Data, there is a general assumption that these reports should be free from any errors. This is why you should take immediate action if you discover an error on these types of reports. In fact, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) states that consumer reporting agencies should make sure that the information they provide to lenders and other companies is accurate and up-to-date.

Unfortunately, mistakes on these types of reports are fairly common. As a result, the FCRA provides consumers the right to dispute errors on their reports. The credit reporting agencies have 30 days to investigate your dispute and make any corrections. If they fail to take corrective action, you should consider filing a lawsuit in order to beat Factual Data in court.

File a dispute with the main credit reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnion, Experian.

Tips for negotiating a debt settlement

Settling your debt can save you money, and it also protects you from the consequences of a judgment. Here are some recommended steps to try and settle your debt with and improve your credit score:

  1. If you’ve been served with a debt collection lawsuit, file a timely Answer so you avoid getting hit with a default judgment.
  2. Assess the amount you can afford to pay toward the total balance by using the following formula: Amount available to settle = (monthly income – monthly costs) + savings)
  3. Reach out to the debt collector and convey your opening offer. Make sure your initial offer is less than the maximum amount you can pay so you have some room to negotiate.
  4. Do not be surprised if the debt collector declines your opening offer. This is simply part of the process. Be prepared to go through multiple rounds of negotiating.
  5. If you can reach a debt settlement agreement, make sure to memorialize the terms in writing.

For more tips on how to negotiate debt settlement, watch the following interview with a debt attorney:

Take legal action against Factual Data

If you were harmed economically by the oversights contained within your Factual Data credit report, you may be able to take legal action and file a civil lawsuit against the company in federal court. Under the FCRA, you have the right to sue the credit reporting agency. You may also be able to take legal action against the company that used the information provided by Factual Data against you.

Important takeaways on how to beat Factual Data

Here is what you need to do if Factual Data is damaging your credit incorrectly:

  • Know your rights under the FCRA.
  • File a credit reporting dispute.
  • File a lawsuit against Factual Data.

Remember that you have options if your credit has taken a hit because of Factual Data.

If you are being sued by a debt collector, file a written Answer to respond to the debt lawsuit and win in court, block a default judgment, and buy yourself time to work out a settlement.

Good luck!

Settle with SoloSettle

Make an Offer

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Debt collector guides

Are you being contacted by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a great way to legally resolve debt, but it's usually best to consider it as a last resort. Here are some bankruptcy guides to help you decide which debt resolution option is best for you.

Check your case status

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created state guides on how to check the status of your case throughout the US, complete with online search tools and court directories.

Credit

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt, along with other credit-related resources.

Debt collection FAQs

Find answers to some of our the most commonly-asked questions about debt collection below.

Debt collection documents and templates

If you're dealing with debt, these documents and templates will help you respond, protect your rights, negotiate, and resolve your debts.

Debt relief

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt settlement

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created state guides on debt settlement. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

Eviction

Facing an eviction? The following guides will help you navigate your situation with confidence.

Federal debt collection laws

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Legal aid

Helping people find access to justice is at the heart of Solo's misison. If you're dealing with a legal debt issue, the following guides will help you through it.

Medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing with medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Personal finance

Learn how to manage your finances and overcome crushing debt. Check out our personal finance guides below.

State debt collection laws

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote guides on each state’s statutes and more.

Stop collection calls

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Wage garnishment

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in your state, plus other wage garnishment resources.

The Debt Hotline

Hosted by Team Solo, The Debt Hotline breaks down debt and personal finance topics with help from attorneys, financial experts, and industry pros. We respond to real questions to help you navigate debt with knowledge and courage.

Other debt resources


Contents