Do I Need an Attorney?
The Adkins Firm helps identity theft victims and consumers with credit report or background report errors across the U.S. We have represented consumers in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Our typical clients have already tried to clear their name by disputing false information to credit or background reporting companies. Consumers with these types of errors quickly realize that it is an uphill battle and can begin to feel helpless, especially when false information is reported or verified over and over. That feeling of helplessness is usually at the boing point when consumers decide whether to throw in the towel and live with the scarlet letter or seek help and guidance from someone who understands the credit reporting and background system and is willing to fight billion-dollar corporations.
When a client retains us, we take on their burdens and lead the charge in clearing their name. The process often includes filing a lawsuit in federal court for two reasons. To prevent companies from reporting false information and to recover money damages for the harm caused by the unlawful conduct.
Typical Clients Who Retain Us
1. Identity Theft Clients
Identity theft victim discovers fraudulent school loans and credit cards on her credit reports. She notifies the police and the creditors. She also disputes the fraudulent accounts to the credit reporting agencies. In response, the credit bureaus notify the identity theft victim that the disputed fraudulent information has been “verified” and will remain on her credit report. As a result of the fraudulent information appearing on her credit reports, her applications for credit are denied.
2. Mixed File Clients (family members or strangers)
Consumer obtains his credit reports. The credit reports include information that relates to his son, who has the same first and last name because he is a junior. The consumer disputes the false information to each of the credit bureaus, but the credit bureaus “verified” the information belongs to consumer and continues to report false information. As a result of the false information on the credit reports, the consumer was denied credit.
3. Clients Reported as Deceased
Consumer applies for a car loan. Car dealership obtains credit reports in connection with the consumer’s application for credit. The credit reports indicate the applicant is deceased. As a result of the credit report error, the applicant is denied a car loan.
4. Employment Denial Clients
Employee receives job offer contingent upon clean background check. In connection with the application for employment, the employer obtains background report concerning the applicant. The background report includes false criminal history. The information is false because the criminal history does not relate to the applicant. The false criminal history relates to someone else who has the same or similar name. As a result of the background report error, the employer rescinded the job offer.
5. Housing Denial Clients
Consumer completes an application to lease an apartment. In connection with the housing application, the apartment manager obtains a background report that includes criminal history that does not belong to the applicant. The criminal history belongs to someone else who has the same or similar name. As a result of the background report errors, the apartment manager denies the housing application.
6. Public Record Error Clients
Consumer files Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The bankruptcy court enters an order discharging the indebtedness. The credit bureaus do not update the bankruptcy status to “discharged” and it appears to the consumer’s potential creditors that the consumer has an active bankruptcy case. Creditors continue to report delinquent payment history, balances and not with the appropriate bankruptcy status, such as discharged through bankruptcy or reaffirmed. The consumer disputes the information to the creditors and the credit reporting agencies, but the false information is “verified” as accurate. As a result, the consumer is denied credit.
Do any of these fact patterns sound familiar to you?
Get in Touch
The Adkins Firm represents identity theft victims. Contact us to schedule a case review.