Consumer complaint received 2025-07-09 00:00:00
Product: Debt or credit management — Credit repair services
Issue: Didn't provide services promised — 
Company: MCCARTHY LAW PLC
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/XXXX From : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Email : XXXX To : Arizona Supreme Court  XXXX and Disciplinary Commission XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, AZ XXXX State Bar of Arizona Lawyer Regulation Office XXXX N. XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, AZ XXXX Federal Trade Commission ( FTC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX DC XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Department of Financial Protection & Innovation XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Information Center XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Subject : Complaint Against McCarthy Law PLC for Misleading Advertising, Consumer Fraud, and Deceptive Business Practices ( Assigned by XXXX XXXX XXXX ) This complaint is submitted against McCarthy Law PLC, a XXXXbased law firm assigned by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for alleged violations of California and Arizona consumer protection laws. The allegations include misleading advertising, unauthorized access to credit information, and deceptive business practices that have resulted in economic and emotional harm.

1. Chronology of Harm from ClearOne Advantage In XXXX, during a period of personal and financial hardship ( caring for an ill father ), I enrolled in XXXX XXXX  debt settlement program. XXXX instructed me to stop contacting creditors and making payments, collected monthly fees, but failed to settle my debts. 
2. Harm Caused by ClearOnes Misconduct Multiple lawsuits were filed by creditors, despite assurances that XXXX was negotiating and resolving those debts ; Significant damage was done to my credit score, with no corrective action taken, leaving negative entries and defaults unchallenged ; Public court records now appear in online searches and background checks, severely harming my reputation and employability ; I have been unable to pass employment background screenings due to poor credit and unresolved lawsuitsblocking access to jobs for which I am qualified and despite recently completing my UCLA Paralegal studies ( with distinction ). 
Algorithmic exclusion from employment, housing, and financial services has occurred, where automated systems use credit score filters to deny opportunities, often without human review; I now face higher premiums, deposits, and interest rates for essential servicesincluding utilities, insurance, and rental housingbecause my impaired credit score marks me as high-risk ; I incurred out-of-pocket expenses, including approximately {$4000.00}, to hire a third-party service to suppress public court records in online search engines ; I experience significant emotional distress daily due to unresolved debts and professional setbacks. 
3. Misrepresentations by McCarthy Law PLC ( XX/XX/XXXX Email ) In XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX  assigned McCarthy Law PLC to provide credit repair services. 
I received an unsolicited email from McCarthy Law stating : Now that XXXX took care of your debt settlement, it's our goal to finish what you started. McCarthy Law is a nationwide law firm that has a program designed to fix errors on your credit report. 

We can help you request your credit reports, review for errors, and dispute those errors for no charge. If your credit errors are not fixed by a certain time period, we will fight to make sure they do get resolved while also putting money in your pockets. 
This statement was deceptive : No legal services or follow-up communications were provided ; My credit reports were requested, but no disputes or corrections were performed ; The promise to put money in your pockets was unsubstantiated and unfulfilled. 
4. Economic and Emotional Harm by McCarthy Law I delayed seeking other counsel based on McCarthy Laws representations ; I provided personal data, including credit reports, in reliance on their promises ; The breach of trust exacerbated my emotional XXXX  ; No action was taken to repair or dispute my credit entries. 
5. Relevant Statutes & Legal Violations California : California Civil Code 1770 ( CLRA ) : Prohibits misrepresenting the characteristics, uses, or benefits of services.

California Business & Professions Code 17200 ( UCL ) : Bars unfair, unlawful, or fraudulent business acts or practices, including deceptive advertising.

California Consumer Financial Protection Law ( CCFPL ) : Prohibits unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts by debt-relief and credit repair companies.

Arizona : Arizona Consumer Fraud Act ( A.R.S. 44-1522 ) : Prohibits deception, false promises, or misrepresentations in connection with the sale or advertisement of services.

A.R.S. 12-341 : Authorizes recovery of damages for breach of contract.

A.R.S. 12-341.01 : Permits award of reasonable attorneys fees to the prevailing party in contract actions.

6. Requested Actions and Damages I respectfully request : A formal investigation into McCarthy Law PLC and its relationship with XXXX XXXX, including consumer referral practices ; Disclosure of how many consumers received similar marketing communications from McCarthy Law containing misleading or false promises ; A comprehensive review of McCarthy Laws compliance with federal and state laws regarding attorney advertising, solicitation, and the handling of consumer financial data ; Referral to the California Attorney General and the Arizona State Bar for disciplinary review and enforcement action ; Enforcement of civil penalties under the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act ( CLRA ), California Unfair Competition Law ( UCL ), and the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act for deceptive business practices and misleading advertising.

Damages Requested : {$150000.00} in damages for daily emotional distress, economic loss, and reputational harm, consistent with precedent awards in California and Arizona cases involving misleading advertising and consumer harm, such as : XXXX XXXX XXXX McCarthy Co. ( XXXX ) : {$14000.00} in compensatory damages and {$77000.00} in additional damages for egregious conduct ( California ) ; o XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : Asserted {$18.00} XXXX in contract damages ( Arizona ) ; o XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( XXXX ) : Damages awarded for breach of fiduciary duty and nonpayment ( Arizona ). 
{$20000.00} for future legal and XXXX XXXX XXXX, reflecting market rates for correcting derogatory credit entries, sealing or expunging public records, and retaining qualified legal support. 
Thank you for your assistance. 
Respectfully submitted, XXXX XXXX Attachments : XX/XX/XXXX email from McCarthy Law XX/XX/XXXX complaint against XXXX XXXX Cc : XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX of the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX of the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Attorney General of the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Attorney General of California XXXX XXXX, Attorney General of Arizona DOGE Department of Governmental Ethics XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CEO, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX Vice President & Co-Founder, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Legal Counsel, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Chief Marketing Officer, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Managing Partner, McCarthy Law PLC XXXX XXXX, Partner McCarthy Law PLC XXXX XXXX, Director of Litigation / Partner, McCarthy Law PLC XXXX XXXX, Partner, McCarthy Law PLC XXXX XXXX, FCRA Paralegal, McCarthy Law PLC XXXX XXXX, Board Member XXXX XXXX, Board Member XXXX XXXX, Board Member XXXX XXXX, Board Member XXXX XXXX, Board Member Legal Services Corporation XX/XX/XXXX From : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Email : XXXX To : XXXX XXXX, Managing Partner XXXX XXXX, Partner XXXX XXXX, XXXX of Litigation / Partner XXXX XXXX, Partner XXXX XXXX, FCRA Paralegal McCarthy Law PLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, AZ XXXX Subject : Formal Demand for {$170000.00} in Damages Pursuant to California Law Dear McCarthy Law PLC Partners and Staff, This letter serves as a formal demand for payment of {$170000.00} in damages arising from your firms misleading advertising, consumer fraud, and deceptive business practices, as detailed in my complaint dated XX/XX/XXXX. 
Basis for Demand Your XX/XX/XXXX, email promised that McCarthy Law PLC would fight to make sure [ credit errors ] do get resolved while also putting money in your pockets. Despite providing my credit reports and personal information as requested, I received none of the services or financial benefits described. No assistance was rendered in reviewing, disputing, or correcting my credit reports, and no monetary compensation was provided. 
These actions constitute violations of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act ( Civil Code 1770 ), the Unfair Competition Law ( Business & Professions Code 17200 ), and the California Consumer Financial Protection Law, which prohibit misrepresentations and deceptive practices in the provision of services. Courts have consistently held that such conduct is actionable and entitles the injured party to actual damages, restitution, and, where appropriate, punitive damages.

Damages Sought I hereby demand payment of {$170000.00} to compensate for : Economic loss and out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to your firms misrepresentations ; Daily emotional XXXX  and reputational harm resulting from your failure to provide promised services ; Costs associated with hiring third-party services to mitigate the harm caused by your inaction ; Future legal and credit restoration services required to address the ongoing consequences of your conduct.

Deadline for Payment Pursuant to California Civil Code 1782 ( CLRA ), you are hereby provided notice and demand for correction. You have 30 calendar days from the date of this letter to remit payment in full. If payment is not received by XX/XX/XXXX, I will pursue all available legal remedies, including but not limited to filing a lawsuit for damages, restitution, injunctive relief, and recovery of attorneys fees and costs. In addition, I am formally requesting that the California Attorney Generals Office and other applicable state and federal consumer protection agencies investigate these practices for potential inclusion in a class action lawsuit on behalf of all similarly situated consumers. Should your firm fail to address this matter within the statutory period, I will urge these agencies to take enforcement action and seek broader remedies to protect the public interest.

Payment Instructions Please send the full payment to : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Reservation of Rights This demand does not waive any other rights or remedies I may have under California or federal law. Should you fail to comply within the statutory period, I am prepared to take immediate legal action.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX Complaint Letter Cc : Arizona Supreme Court XXXX and Disciplinary Commission State Bar of Arizona Lawyer Regulation Office Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ( DFPI ) Department of Consumer Affairs XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX of the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXX XXXX of the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. XXXX XXXX, Attorney General of the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, Attorney General of California XXXX XXXX, Attorney General of Arizona XXXX Department XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX Vice President & Co-Founder, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Legal Counsel, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Chief Marketing Officer, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Board Member XXXX XXXX, Board Member XXXX XXXX, XXXX Member XXXX XXXX, Board Member XXXX XXXX, Board Member Legal Services Corporation

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation