Consumer Advocacy
Consumer Resources: Protecting Yourself from Rent-to-Own Credit Damage
If Hopkins Management Group has damaged your credit, you have rights and options. Use these resources to check your credit, dispute inaccurate entries, and file complaints.
Check Your Credit Report
The first step is knowing what Hopkins Management Group has reported about you. Federal law entitles you to free credit reports from each of the three major bureaus every year through AnnualCreditReport.com — the only federally authorized source.
How to Check Your Reports
- Visit AnnualCreditReport.com — this is the only site authorized by the federal government. Do not use look-alike sites.
- Request reports from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. HMG may report to one, two, or all three.
- Search for HMG entries — look for "Hopkins Management Group," "HMG," or related trade names in your accounts and payment history.
- Note any negative marks — late payments, collections, charge-offs, or any other derogatory information associated with HMG.
- Save or print your reports — you will need this documentation if you file disputes or complaints.
Tip: You are entitled to a free report from each bureau every 12 months. Consider staggering your requests — pull one bureau every four months to monitor your credit throughout the year. You can also get additional free reports if you have been denied credit or believe your report contains errors.
Dispute Inaccurate Reporting
If you find inaccurate information from Hopkins Management Group on your credit report, you have the right to dispute it directly with the credit bureaus. Each bureau has its own dispute process, and you should file with every bureau showing the error.
Dispute with Equifax
File a credit report dispute with Equifax regarding inaccurate Hopkins Management Group entries.
Phone: 1-866-349-5191
Dispute with Experian
File a credit report dispute with Experian regarding inaccurate Hopkins Management Group entries.
Phone: 1-888-397-3742
Dispute with TransUnion
File a credit report dispute with TransUnion regarding inaccurate Hopkins Management Group entries.
Phone: 1-800-916-8800
What to Include in Your Dispute
- Your full legal name, address, and Social Security number for identification purposes.
- Identify the specific item(s) you are disputing — include the account name (Hopkins Management Group or HMG) and account number.
- Explain why the information is inaccurate — for example, if HMG promised the financing "will not hurt your credit" but then reported negative payment history.
- Include supporting documentation — copies of your contract, marketing materials showing credit claims, payment records, or correspondence with HMG.
- Request that the item be removed or corrected — be specific about what outcome you want.
Timeline: Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit bureaus must investigate your dispute within 30 days of receiving it (45 days if you submit additional information during the investigation). They must notify you of the results in writing, and if the item is found to be inaccurate, they must correct or remove it.
File Complaints
Filing complaints with federal and state agencies creates a public record and increases regulatory scrutiny on Hopkins Management Group. Every complaint matters — agencies use complaint data to identify patterns and prioritize enforcement actions.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
The CFPB is the primary federal agency overseeing consumer financial products, including rent-to-own financing and credit reporting. They maintain a public complaint database, investigate companies with patterns of consumer harm, and can take enforcement action including fines and mandatory changes to business practices.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
File a complaint about HMG's credit reporting practices. CFPB complaints are tracked in a public database and companies are required to respond.
Phone: 1-855-411-2372
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC enforces federal truth-in-advertising laws and investigates deceptive business practices. If Hopkins Management Group advertised that their rent-to-own financing "will not hurt your credit" but then reported negative payment history, this may constitute deceptive advertising. The FTC uses complaint data to build enforcement cases.
Federal Trade Commission
Report deceptive marketing practices by Hopkins Management Group to the FTC.
Phone: 1-877-382-4357
Your State Attorney General
State attorneys general enforce consumer protection laws within their states. Many states have specific laws against deceptive trade practices that may apply to HMG's marketing claims. Filing with your state AG adds state-level regulatory pressure alongside federal complaints.
Find your state's attorney general and consumer protection resources on our States page. Each state page includes direct links to your AG's complaint portal and phone number.
Know Your Rights: Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that protects consumers when it comes to the information on their credit reports. Understanding your rights is essential when dealing with Hopkins Management Group's credit reporting.
Your Right to Accurate Information
Credit bureaus and furnishers (companies like HMG that report data) must ensure the information they report is accurate. If HMG is reporting information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable, they are violating the FCRA.
Your Right to Dispute Inaccurate Items
You have the right to dispute any information on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate. Once you file a dispute, the credit bureau must investigate within 30 days and the furnisher (HMG) must review their records and report back.
Your Right to Know What's in Your File
You have the right to request and obtain all the information in your consumer file. This includes knowing what HMG has reported about you, when it was reported, and to whom. Credit bureaus must provide this information upon request, and you are entitled to free copies of your report annually.
Your Right to Seek Damages for Violations
If a credit bureau or furnisher violates the FCRA, you may be entitled to actual damages, statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 per violation, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. If HMG continued to report inaccurate information after you disputed it, or if they failed to investigate your dispute, you may have grounds for legal action.
Understanding Rent-to-Own Contracts
Before signing a rent-to-own agreement with Hopkins Management Group or any similar company, it pays to understand exactly what you are committing to. These contracts often contain terms that are not immediately obvious from the marketing materials.
What to Look for in the Fine Print
- Credit bureau reporting language — look for any mention of reporting to Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, or "credit bureaus" in general. This directly contradicts "will not hurt your credit" claims.
- Late payment penalties and fees — understand grace periods, late fees, and at what point a payment is reported as delinquent.
- Early termination clauses — what happens if you need to end the agreement early? Are there penalties? Is the product repossessed?
- Total cost of ownership — compare the total of all payments to the retail price. Rent-to-own agreements often cost significantly more than purchasing outright.
- Ownership transfer terms — when exactly does ownership transfer? What conditions must be met?
Questions to Ask Before Signing
- "Do you report payment history to any credit bureaus?" — get the answer in writing.
- "What is the total amount I will pay over the life of this agreement?" — compare to the cash price.
- "What happens if I miss a payment or need to return the product?" — understand the consequences.
- "Can I get a copy of the full agreement to review before signing?" — never sign on the spot.
- "Are there any fees beyond the monthly payment?" — ask about delivery, setup, insurance, and maintenance fees.
Total Cost Example: A portable building with a retail price of $3,000 financed through a 36-month rent-to-own agreement at $150 per month would cost $5,400 total — 80% more than the cash price. Always calculate the total cost before committing to a rent-to-own agreement.
Take the Next Step
Knowledge is power. Now that you understand your rights and options, take action to protect your credit and hold Hopkins Management Group accountable.