OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE Empowering Consumers Nationwide Fighting against Inaccurate Credit Reporting, Identity Theft, and Background Check Errors.

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers — Financial Service
Co-Recipients of Frankie Muse Freeman Top Pro Bono Law Firm Award
One of the most innovative, and successful, consumer advocacy practices in the United States. – National Consumer Law Center

We Help Clients With

Problems with Credit Reports

You have federal rights to know what’s in your credit report and to ensure it is accurate.

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Problems with Credit Reports
Identity Theft

Identity theft is an increasingly common problem facing consumers in the world of electronic information sharing.

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Identity Theft
Inaccurate Background Checks

False information on a background check can cost you employment opportunities and more.

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Inaccurate Background Checks
Debt Collection Abuse

Debt collectors must treat you with truth, fairness, dignity, and respect.

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Debt Collection Abuse
Mortgage Company Problems

Federal law provides you with important protections regarding your home and how it’s financed.

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Mortgage Company Problems
Unwanted Cell Phone Calls

Federal law, as well as some state laws, provides important protections from harassing telemarketing calls.

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Unwanted Cell Phone Calls
Fraudulent Car Sales

If you have been deceived by an auto dealer, you may be entitled to legal relief.

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car rv warranties
Car and RV Warranties

Have you purchased a new vehicle that is not working as expected?

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Car and RV Warranties
Predatory Lending

Are you facing high-interest loans?

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Consumer Protection Lawyer

Consumers have many rights under federal law. Among these is the right to have a fair and accurate credit report, background check, and employee report. Unfortunately, companies providing these services often fail in this obligation. This can result in you facing higher interest rates on loans, being denied on an application, or even accounts entering collections. Inaccurate background checks could see you lose out on a new job or place to live.

A consumer protection lawyer could help you to seek out a remedy. Our dedicated attorneys could take the necessary steps to bring an error to the attention of the bureaus, evaluate your losses, and demand appropriate remedies through settlements or lawsuits. We work on contingency, meaning if we fail to recover compensation for you, there is no fee for our services.

What Clients Say About Us

We were sued by a company with a long history of illegal debt collection practices in and around Virginia. Mr. Bennett was able to win against this company, giving us much needed relief from their garnishments. It is much appreciated. We highly recommend CLA!
– Maria McCoy
★★★★★
I hired Consumer Litigation Associates to handle an issue that I was having with one of the major credit bureaus. Consumer Litigation Associates handled my issue and concerns with professionalism and courtesy from the receptionist to my attorney C. Marchiando. My case was settled out of court with monetary compensation that I can live with. If you or someone that you know are going through unnecessary trials and tribulations with...
– Michelle Simmons
★★★★★
Mr. Bennett and Donna helped me a ton when I was denied credit because of inaccurate information on my credit report. The office was always so helpful and the front desk was always so nice when needing to speak to Donna constantly.
– A. McCann
★★★★★
CLA helped me get Justice when being declared deceased by my bank, thus, ruining my credit. I would highly recommend this company.
– Debbie Bruckart
★★★★★
Len Bennett and the entire Consumer Litigation Associates staff were amazing to work with. Len is truly a God-send. We fought big banks and won! Len brings deep consumer protection experience and expertise that is unmatched. I am surprised to see anything else than 5 stars for this law firm!
– J. M.
★★★★★
CLA and their lawyers are national-level experts in consumer protection litigation. As an attorney myself, they are simply great to work with. For consumers, they will fight to get the very best results.
– Mark Leffler
★★★★★
One of the best consumer law firms in the country with a history of ground-breaking results and elite advocacy. I've worked with the lawyers at Consumer Litigation Associates on many occasions as co-counsel and we have achieved some great results for out clients.
– John Albanese
★★★★★
Thanks so much to Amy Austin for her patience and professional advice! She made a difficult situation understandable and provided excellent advice going forward!
– Quita Tansey Collins
★★★★★
Very friendly and easy to work with, they go above and beyond to ensure what ever issue you have there is at least an answer or solution to the problem. I would recommend them to anyone!
– Chris Fitzpatrick
★★★★★
Best firm if your name was falsely reported to criminal background reporting agencies.
– Jose Rivera
★★★★★

What Damages May Result from an Inaccurate Credit Report or Background Check?

Inaccurate credit reports can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common include a false missed payment mark, a failure on the part of a financer to provide up-to-date information, and identity theft. It is also possible that a background check company could report an arrest that never occurred or state that a person is in default on a court judgment.

At the minimum, a person with an improperly negative report may find that they face higher interest rates on loans. This could add thousands to a potential payment plan. In other situations, a lower credit score could result in a denial of financing for necessary home repairs, a new vehicle, or even a place to live.

Similar concepts apply to the use of background checks. The FCRA requires these companies to produce accurate information on these reports. Unfixed errors could result in the loss of employment opportunities or rejections on housing applications.

Being able to calculate how an inaccurate report has impacted your life is essential to protecting your legal rights. A consumer protection attorney could take the lead in this process as a step towards recovering the compensation that you deserve.

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Available Remedies Under the FCRA

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides that all credit reporting companies have a duty to provide accurate information concerning your credit history and background. A major part of this includes thoroughly investigating allegations that a credit report is inaccurate. Once a company receives this report, it must act quickly to take appropriate steps to resolve the matter. It is when a failure to take these steps results in financial harm that you have the right to demand a remedy.

The providers of background checks must also act when an apparent error comes to their attentions. The FCRA holds these companies to the same standards as those who provide credit reports.

The nature of this remedy depends upon the nature of the reporting company’s failure. If the error is the result of a mistake or simple error, the law says that you can demand compensation in the amount of your actual losses. A consumer protection lawyer in could help to calculate those losses.

The other potential remedy is available when an error is the product of willful misconduct. This could include intentionally ignoring evidence of an error. Here, the law says that all people can demand a remedy of between $100 and $1,000, even if the error did not impact their finances. They also have the option of demanding compensation in the amount of their actual losses.

Success Stories

Sanders v. Global Radar Acquisition – $3.6 million settlement
CLA resolved the FCRA claims of a class of consumers on whom Global Radar provided background checks without obtaining the appropriate certifications from the users...
Gibbs v. Rees and TCV – $50 million settlement
CLA represented a national class of consumers who borrowed money at what they believed were legal rates because of the lenders’ supposed alignment with American...
Berry v. LexisNexis Risk Management, Inc. – groundbreaking settlement
CLA represented a class of consumers against a company that claimed the FCRA did not apply to it, so it would not comply with any...
Brim v. Midland Credit Management – $723,000 FCRA jury verdict
A federal jury returned a verdict for CLA’s client Mr. Brim against debt buyer Midland Credit Management in a case where Midland attempted to collect...
Domonoske/Rivera v. Bank of America – $10 million settlement
CLA negotiated an eight-figure settlement for a class of consumers alleging Bank of America failed to meet the FCRA’s requirement that it provide certain credit...
Hargrett v. Amazon.com – $5 million settlement
CLA resolved the FCRA claims of approximately 454,000 consumers that led to one of the country’s largest employers revising its background-check procedures so they would...
Thomas v. Equifax Information Services, LLC – watershed settlement
CLA represented a class against Equifax for violations of the FCRA relating to its reporting of public records like liens and judgments. The result was...
Moody v. Ascenda USA, Inc. – $2.5 million settlement
CLA resolved claims of nearly 50,000 consumers nationwide, and leading to both defendants revising their procedures so that they would comply with the FCRA. The...
Ridenour v. Sterling Infosystems, Inc. – $5.9 million settlement
CLA represented a nationwide class of 36,002 consumers on whom Sterling sold background checks to employers. All told, a national class and a subclass of...
Gibbs v. Plain Green, LLC and Great Plains Lending, LLC – $55 million groundbreaking settlement
CLA represented classes against lenders Plain Green, LLC and Great Plains Lending, LLC for violations of federal and various state laws by (a) making and...

Reach Out to a Consumer Protection Attorney Now

The credit agencies and background check companies have an affirmative duty under the law to produce accurate reports and take allegations of errors seriously. Whether this error was the product of identity theft, an improper submission of data from a credit card company, or a mistake concerning your identity on a report, reporting companies must take these matters seriously. A failure to adhere to this duty means that these companies are liable for all resulting damage.

A consumer protection lawyer could help you to pursue appropriate compensation. This could result in the receipt of the payments you need to regain financial stability. We work on contingency, meaning that if you do not recover compensation, our legal services are free. Contact us today to make an appointment.

Firm News And Updates

Class action settlement provides $489 million in relief to victims of illegal internet payday lenders
After three years of extensive litigation, the settlement will provide relief to approximately 555,000 consumers who were subject to illegal practices by internet payday lenders. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2022   Richmond, VA – The federal court in Richmond today gave...
Donna Winters Selected by Virginia Lawyers Weekly for Unsung Legal Heroes 2021
Congratulations to Donna Winters, one of our Lead Paralegals, for being selected by Virginia Lawyers Weekly for Unsung Legal Heroes 2021! Click the link below to learn more about the award: https://valawyersweekly.com/2021/12/23/vlw-unsung-heroes-2021/  
The National Trial Lawyers Announces Kevin Dillon as One of Its Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Virginia
The National Trial Lawyers is pleased to announce that Kevin Dillon of Consumer Litigation Associates, PC has been selected for inclusion into its Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Virginia, an honor given to only a select...