Glossary
D
DefendantIn a lawsuit, the defendant is the person the lawsuit is brought against. If you are sued for not paying a debt, you are the defendant.
Dismissed with prejudiceA way of resolving a lawsuit that results in the dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims and prevents the plaintiff from ever bringing a lawsuit against the same defendant for the same claims. In other words, if you are sued on a debt and that suit is dismissed with prejudice, you cannot ever be sued on the same debt.
Dismissed without prejudiceA way of resolving a lawsuit that results in the dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims, but without preventing the plaintiff from bringing a lawsuit against the same defendant for the same claims. In other words, if you are sued on a debt and that suit is dismissed without prejudice, you can be sued on the debt again.
DisputeTo make a claim that certain information is incorrect. You could be disputing information such as your addresses, phone numbers, or you could be disputing a debt or an account. The basis of the dispute could be that you are not responsible for a debt because you never authorized the account to be opened, or you never made the charges that are being collected, or because the debt was already paid, etc.
Dispute letterA letter where a person is making the claim that certain information is incorrect and needs to be corrected.
Domestic abuseDomestic abuse is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. The abuse can be physical, emotional, or financial. It is also called intimate partner violence, domestic violence, or private abuse.
E
Extended fraud alertA fraud alert that lasts for 7 years. You must be a victim of identity theft to receive the extended fraud alert. Allows you to have two additional free copies of your credit report in the 12 months following the placement of the fraud alert.
F
Fair Credit Billing ActA federal law enacted to protect credit card holders from unfair billing practices, such as unauthorized charges, charges for unaccepted or undelivered goods and services and other disputed charges.
Fair Debt Collection Practices ActA federal law ensuring consumers are treated fairly by debt collectors.
Federal lawLaws that are enacted by the United States Congress that apply to everyone in the nation.
Defendant
In a lawsuit, the defendant is the person the lawsuit is brought against. If you are sued for not paying a debt, you are the defendant.
Dismissed with prejudice
A way of resolving a lawsuit that results in the dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims and prevents the plaintiff from ever bringing a lawsuit against the same defendant for the same claims. In other words, if you are sued on a debt and that suit is dismissed with prejudice, you cannot ever be sued on the same debt.
Dismissed without prejudice
A way of resolving a lawsuit that results in the dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims, but without preventing the plaintiff from bringing a lawsuit against the same defendant for the same claims. In other words, if you are sued on a debt and that suit is dismissed without prejudice, you can be sued on the debt again.
Dispute
To make a claim that certain information is incorrect. You could be disputing information such as your addresses, phone numbers, or you could be disputing a debt or an account. The basis of the dispute could be that you are not responsible for a debt because you never authorized the account to be opened, or you never made the charges that are being collected, or because the debt was already paid, etc.
Dispute letter
A letter where a person is making the claim that certain information is incorrect and needs to be corrected.
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. The abuse can be physical, emotional, or financial. It is also called intimate partner violence, domestic violence, or private abuse.
Extended fraud alert
A fraud alert that lasts for 7 years. You must be a victim of identity theft to receive the extended fraud alert. Allows you to have two additional free copies of your credit report in the 12 months following the placement of the fraud alert.
F
Fair Credit Billing ActA federal law enacted to protect credit card holders from unfair billing practices, such as unauthorized charges, charges for unaccepted or undelivered goods and services and other disputed charges.
Fair Debt Collection Practices ActA federal law ensuring consumers are treated fairly by debt collectors.
Federal lawLaws that are enacted by the United States Congress that apply to everyone in the nation.
Fair Credit Billing Act
A federal law enacted to protect credit card holders from unfair billing practices, such as unauthorized charges, charges for unaccepted or undelivered goods and services and other disputed charges.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
A federal law ensuring consumers are treated fairly by debt collectors.
Federal law
Laws that are enacted by the United States Congress that apply to everyone in the nation.