You might not know much about LexisNexis, but odds are the big aggregator and seller of consumer data knows a lot about you.
Tolbert says he eventually traced the bad information to his Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, or C.L.U.E. auto report, a collection of data LexisNexis sells to auto insurers to help them approve clients and set premiums. The C.L.U.E. report and others like it can streamline the approval process for financial products, which is typically a good thing. But in this case, LexisNexis had assigned a motorcycle belonging to a different Thomas Tolbert to his report.
1. Order a copy of your LexisNexis file If you’re checking yours for the first time, consider requesting a “full file disclosure” free on the company’s website. Even a fairly uneventful file might be 50 pages or more. It will have copies of several reports that LexisNexis compiles about you, which could include your C.L.U.E. auto and property reports. LexisNexis should process your request within about 15 days of receiving it, according to its website.
When you return this paperwork, you’ll want to include a copy of your report that notes the errors and a letter that explains why you think the information is wrong. For each error, try to provide documentation as proof. For example, if your LexisNexis report erroneously says you were involved in a car accident, include evidence that you weren’t in the area when the accident supposedly happened.
3. Send in the paperwork — and wait LexisNexis will mail you a judgment after it has completed an investigation. It may take about 35 days from the time the company receives your dispute paperwork to the time you receive its answer, according to the company’s website. If you’re still not getting the outcome you want and you feel the need to escalate the dispute, hiring an attorney might make sense. You can start with the National Association of Consumer Advocates’ database or your local bar association. Look for attorneys licensed to practice in your state who’ve worked on cases similar to yours. If you have a few options, send queries to each one. Ideally, you’ll talk to multiple lawyers before picking one.