The Vandegrift Group

The Vandegrift Group Consumer rights education and advocacy focused on empowering individuals with knowledge, clarity, and preparation. Not a law firm.

No legal advice or representation. We work with the credit bureaus and your creditors to challenge the negative report items that affect your credit score.

​Easy access to your account 24/7 for live status updates on improvements on your credit reports and scores.​

We’ll maximize your score so you can achieve your goals and learn how to maintain your awesome credit long after our work is done.​

04/07/2026

🚨 Common Credit Report Violations You Can Fight Back Against 🚨

Most people don’t realize this… but your credit report MUST follow strict federal laws under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

If it doesn’t — you have the right to dispute it and hold companies accountable.

Here are some of the most common FCRA violations we see:

❌ Reporting inaccurate account balances
❌ Accounts that don’t belong to you
❌ Duplicate accounts reporting multiple times
❌ Outdated negative items past reporting limits
❌ Incorrect dates (opened, last activity, or delinquency)
❌ Failure to properly investigate disputes
❌ Mixed files (someone else’s info on your report)

These aren’t just “mistakes”… they are legal violations.

At The Vandegrift Group, we help you identify these issues, prepare the proper documentation, and challenge them the right way.

And here’s where it gets serious…

If the credit bureaus or furnishers fail to correct or remove inaccurate information after being properly disputed, you may have the right to pursue legal action under the FCRA.

Through our strategic relationships with consumer protection attorneys, qualified cases may be escalated — and in some situations, clients can recover monetary damages for violations.

💡 This isn’t about “credit repair”… it’s about enforcing your rights.

If you’re tired of being held back by inaccurate reporting, it’s time to take control.

👉 Start with a consumer-initiated credit audit today.

(We are not a law firm. We provide educational support and document preparation. Legal services are only provided through independent attorneys when applicable.)

Most people think once the debt is gone… they’ve “made it.”That’s like losing weight and thinking you’re automatically i...
03/24/2026

Most people think once the debt is gone… they’ve “made it.”

That’s like losing weight and thinking you’re automatically in shape.

You’re not.

You just removed the problem. You haven’t built the strength yet.

💳 Dropping debt = losing the fat
🏦 Building credit = building the muscle

And just like the gym…
If you don’t train it right, you’ll end up right back where you started.

This is where most people mess up:

They celebrate too early.
They stop being disciplined.
They don’t learn how credit actually works.

So their score stays low… or worse, it drops again.

Real progress looks like this:

✔ Clean up inaccurate / bad debt
✔ Establish new positive accounts
✔ Build payment history
✔ Control utilization
✔ Stay consistent

No shortcuts. No magic tricks.

Just like the gym… it’s boring, repetitive, and it works.

If you’re serious about fixing your financial life, understand this:

Getting out of debt is step one.
Building strong credit is what actually changes your future.

— The Vandegrift Group
Consumer Advocacy | Education | Strategy

Most people assume credit reports are always accurate.They’re not.I see the same issues over and over:• Wrong delinquenc...
03/15/2026

Most people assume credit reports are always accurate.

They’re not.

I see the same issues over and over:

• Wrong delinquency dates
• Duplicate debts
• Missing creditor information
• Accounts reported years longer than allowed

The crazy part?

Most people never look closely enough to catch it.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, reporting must be accurate and complete.

But that doesn’t always happen.

So I created a simple checklist that shows the exact things I look for when reviewing a credit report.

If you want it, comment:

CHECKLIST

and I’ll send it to you.

—
Justin Vandegrift
Founder | The Vandegrift Group

💡 Charged-Off Accounts & Your Rights Under the FCRAIf you have a charged-off account still being reported on your credit...
03/10/2026

💡 Charged-Off Accounts & Your Rights Under the FCRA

If you have a charged-off account still being reported on your credit report, there’s an important question that often gets overlooked:

👉 Did the furnisher issue a 1099-C?

When a creditor cancels or forgives a debt, they may issue a 1099-C (Cancellation of Debt). This document signals that the debt has been written off and may be considered cancelled for tax purposes. In some cases, continuing to report the balance as collectible or owed could raise questions about accuracy under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

At The Vandegrift Group, one strategy we use to coach our clients with is during the dispute process to request that the credit bureaus require the furnisher to provide documentation, including whether a 1099-C was issued on a charged-off account.

Why this matters:
✔️ It helps verify whether the debt is still legally being reported accurately
✔️ It can expose potential FCRA reporting violations
✔️ It forces the furnisher to substantiate their reporting with proper documentation

Consumers deserve accurate, verifiable credit reporting. If an account cannot be properly verified, it should not remain on your credit report.

If you’re dealing with charged-off accounts, inaccurate reporting, or questionable balances, understanding your rights under the FCRA is the first step toward protecting your credit.

📩 Reach out to The Vandegrift Group to learn more about how we help consumers challenge inaccurate reporting.

03/05/2026

🚨 I just finished reviewing someone’s credit report and found 3 reporting errors in less than 10 minutes.

Most people assume credit reports are always correct.

But that’s not always the case.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit reporting must be accurate and complete.

Yet many reports contain issues like:

❌ Wrong delinquency dates
❌ Duplicate debts
❌ Incomplete account information
❌ Accounts reported longer than allowed

The problem is most people don’t know what to look for.

So I created a simple Credit Report Violation Checklist that shows the 10 things you should review before disputing anything.

It helps you check things like:

✔ Date of First Delinquency
✔ Estimated removal dates
✔ Duplicate accounts
✔ Balance reporting issues
✔ Missing creditor information

If you want the checklist, just comment:

CHECKLIST

and I’ll send it to you.

Stop paying debt collectors until you hear thisMost people panic when a collection agency contacts them.But before payin...
03/05/2026

Stop paying debt collectors until you hear this

Most people panic when a collection agency contacts them.

But before paying anything, you should know this:

Debt collectors are required to verify the debt and prove their claim.

Many consumers never ask for that verification.

If you’re dealing with collections, it may be worth reviewing your case first.

The Vandegrift Group helps consumers understand their rights and review debt collection situations.

🔥 ANOTHER COLLECTION ACCOUNT REMOVED! 🔥Big win for our client! 💪Between Feb 24, 2026 and Mar 1, 2026, the Jefferson Capi...
03/01/2026

🔥 ANOTHER COLLECTION ACCOUNT REMOVED! 🔥

Big win for our client! 💪

Between Feb 24, 2026 and Mar 1, 2026, the Jefferson Capital Systems LLC collection account was officially REMOVED from their credit report.

Here’s what happened 👇

Jefferson Capital was attempting to collect on an alleged Verizon account — but when challenged, they could not verify their legal right to collect the debt. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), if a collection agency cannot properly validate and verify an account, it must be deleted from the credit report.

And that’s exactly what happened. ✅

🚫 No verification
🚫 No enforceable proof
🚫 No collection account

➡️ Result: DELETED

Collections can seriously damage your credit profile — impacting approvals, interest rates, and buying power. Removing an unverified collection is a major step toward financial freedom and stronger credit health.

This is why we challenge everything. If a collector can’t prove it, it doesn’t belong on your report.

On to the next deletion. 📈

🚀 Big News: We’ve Leveled Up — Strategic Partnership with McCarthy LawWe’re proud to announce a powerful strategic move:...
02/25/2026

🚀 Big News: We’ve Leveled Up — Strategic Partnership with McCarthy Law

We’re proud to announce a powerful strategic move: we are now officially partnered with McCarthy Law — a nationally recognized firm focused on protecting consumers’ rights.

Why This Matters

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) exists to protect individuals from inaccurate, unfair, or improperly reported credit information. When violations occur, consumers may be entitled to $1,000 to $2,500 per violation (depending on case specifics and applicable damages).

That’s not just legal language — that’s real financial recovery potential.

💡 What This Partnership Unlocks

By becoming a strategic partner with McCarthy Law, we now offer:

✅ Direct access to experienced consumer protection attorneys
✅ Professional case evaluations for FCRA violations
✅ Streamlined intake and referral process
✅ Advocacy for clients impacted by inaccurate credit reporting
✅ Potential financial recovery per verified violation

This move strengthens our ability to go beyond awareness — we can now help drive action.

🎯 Who This Helps

Individuals denied credit due to inaccurate reporting

Victims of identity mix-ups or incorrect account data

Consumers facing repeated credit bureau errors

Anyone who has disputed inaccuracies without proper resolution

🔥 Why This Is a Strategic Power Move

This isn’t just a partnership. It’s an expansion of impact.

We’re no longer just identifying problems — we’re aligning with legal firepower to pursue solutions.

That means:

Stronger value proposition

Greater trust

Increased revenue opportunities

More meaningful outcomes for clients

If you or someone you know believes their credit report contains errors that weren’t properly handled, now there’s a path forward.

This is what strategic growth looks like.
This is what advocacy backed by action looks like.

Let’s build. 💼⚖️

Disclaimer: Compensation amounts vary based on case details, damages, and legal review. A consultation with qualified counsel is required to determine eligibility

Why You Should Dispute Incorrect Personal Information on Your Credit Report (Yes, Even a Misspelled Name)Most people onl...
02/25/2026

Why You Should Dispute Incorrect Personal Information on Your Credit Report (Yes, Even a Misspelled Name)

Most people only check their credit report when they’re applying for a loan or credit card. But what many don’t realize is that even small errors — like a misspelled name — can create bigger problems down the line.

Here’s why correcting your personal information matters:

⸻

1️⃣ It Protects You From Identity Mix-Ups

A misspelled name, incorrect middle initial, or wrong suffix (Jr., Sr., III) can cause your credit file to be mixed with someone else’s.

This is called a “mixed file” — and it can result in:
• Accounts that don’t belong to you appearing on your report
• Incorrect balances
• Late payments impacting your score

Even one wrong letter can cause data to attach to the wrong profile.

⸻

2️⃣ It Reduces Identity Theft Risk

Inaccurate personal information can make it easier for fraudulent accounts to slip through.

If your:
• Name is misspelled
• Address history is incorrect
• Social Security digits are wrong

It creates inconsistencies that can complicate fraud investigations and delay corrections.

⸻

3️⃣ Lenders Rely on Exact Data Matching

When you apply for:
• A mortgage
• Auto financing
• Personal loans
• Credit cards

Lenders use automated systems that match your application to your credit file.

If your name doesn’t match exactly, it can:
• Delay approvals
• Trigger additional identity verification
• Cause underwriting confusion

In competitive financing situations, delays matter.

⸻

4️⃣ It Strengthens Your Financial Profile

Accuracy = credibility.

A clean, correct credit report shows lenders:
• You monitor your financial health
• You address discrepancies
• Your file is well maintained

It’s part of responsible financial management.

⸻

5️⃣ Small Errors Can Lead to Bigger Reporting Problems

Sometimes a simple spelling error is the first sign of:
• A reporting issue
• An outdated record
• A creditor data entry mistake

Correcting it early prevents larger disputes later.

⸻

What You Should Do

✔ Review your credit reports regularly
✔ Dispute incorrect personal information directly with the credit bureau
✔ Keep copies of confirmation letters
✔ Monitor updates after the correction

⸻

Bottom Line

A misspelled name might seem minor — but your credit report is a legal financial document.

Every detail should be accurate.

Because when it comes to your financial future, precision matters.

Big News. Bigger Protection.The Vandegrift Group is proud to announce a strategic partnership with McCarthy Law PLC.Why ...
02/18/2026

Big News. Bigger Protection.

The Vandegrift Group is proud to announce a strategic partnership with McCarthy Law PLC.

Why does this matter?

Because consumer advocacy is powerful.
But consumer advocacy paired with legal strength? That’s a different level.

The Vandegrift Group has built its reputation on challenging inaccurate credit reporting, holding collectors accountable, and educating consumers on their rights under federal law.

Now, through our partnership with McCarthy Law PLC, clients who need elevated legal support have access to experienced legal representation when necessary.

This collaboration allows us to:

• Strengthen consumer protection strategies
• Elevate dispute and compliance enforcement
• Provide structured pathways when legal escalation is required
• Deliver a more complete advocacy ecosystem

Most people don’t lose because they’re wrong.
They lose because they’re unprepared.

This partnership changes that.

If you’re dealing with collection pressure, credit reporting inaccuracies, or financial legal stress, you no longer have to navigate it alone.

The mission remains the same:
Protect consumers. Enforce accountability. Restore leverage.

The difference?
Now we’re even stronger.

Address

Jeffersonville, IN

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+18124938218

Website

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