joseph mcclelland, ESQ.
Attorney & Author of Identity Theft: The Steps Before Litigation
When Your Credit Report Is Destroying Your Life,
We Take It to Federal Court. Nationwide FCRA litigation for consumers wrongly reported deceased, mixed with another person, or denied employment due to a background check error.
About Joseph McClelland
Attorney Joseph P. McClelland brings 25 years of experience and a track record of 300+ federal court cases to your side — fighting credit bureaus, background check companies, and debt collectors on behalf of consumers nationwide.
He has been featured on NBC News and quoted by Martha Stewart Living, Investopedia, Newsday, and others. He is also the author of Identity Theft: The Steps Before Litigation.
Admitted in New York and Georgia. Representing clients in all 50 states on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Some of What We Do
Being reported as deceased on your credit report isn't just wrong — it's a serious federal violation that cuts off access to credit, banking, and employment overnight. We've litigated hundreds of these cases and know how to move fast. Learn about being mistakenly declared dead on credit reports and when the Social Security Administration says you're deceased. If you've been wrongly declared dead, this is for you. Also, see our new page about what to do when Equifax says I'm deceased, TransUnion reported deceased, or Experian reports deceased.
Time is critical. Every day you're wrongly listed as deceased, you're being denied credit, loans, and financial opportunities. We move quickly to restore your credit file and secure compensation for your damages.
Is another person's debt and credit information being listed on your credit report? This is a serious issue and a significant violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We focus our energy on helping consumers fight inaccurate credit reporting like this that causes damage to their lives. A mixed credit report file is a type of case that should always involve an attorney. Sometimes the accounts belong to a stranger. At other times, the accounts belong to a family member or a twin.
Mixed files don't fix themselves. Without legal intervention, these errors often persist for years, destroying credit scores and blocking major life purchases. We have the litigation experience to compel credit bureaus to permanently correct these violations.
Identity Theft Attorney
Being left to clean up someone else's fraud is unfair and potentially illegal. An experienced identity theft attorney can force creditors and credit bureaus to follow the law. Identity theft issues are of growing concern in America. Being left to pay another person's bill is not only not fair, but a potential violation of the law. Get an identity theft lawyer to help make them follow the rules and do what's right.
Credit Report Lawsuits
Do you think you have an error on your credit report? You have a right to dispute that information. Learn more from a credit report lawyer about repairing credit mistakes.
Collection Robocalls
Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, if you told them to stop calling and they continued to call, then you may have a claim. Learn more from a robocall lawyer about how to stop robocalls. What to do if you are getting collection calls for somebody else.
Other Items
See our list of collection companies that may have violated the law, and see our page on statute of limitations on debt collection. Learn more in the Newsroom.
Background Check Errors
Denied a job because of something wrong on your background check? Under the FCRA, you have rights — and the company that made the error may owe you damages. We represent consumers against HireRight, First Advantage, Checkr, Sterling, Accurate Background, and others.
Free Case Evaluation
Fix All Credit Problems
These errors cost you higher interest rates, loan denials, apartment denials, and loss of employment.
Get Paid Damages
We make the credit agencies and/or the creditors pay you damages under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
No Fee Guarantee
We don't charge you one penny unless we get a recovery on your case.
Joseph P. McClelland, LLC
235 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 215
Decatur, Georgia 30030
(770) 775-0938