Quick Answer: A federal lawsuit was filed against Clerk Credit Systems LLC in Florida on January 30, 2026. The complaint alleges the credit repair company charged illegal advance fees of nearly $400 plus $95/month, promised to remove negative items within 45 days, and delivered no meaningful results. This is a legal filing—not a verdict.
Important: A lawsuit filing contains allegations—claims that have not been proven in court. Clerk Credit Systems has not been found liable for any wrongdoing. This article summarizes the complaint for educational purposes.
Case Information
- Court: U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division
- Plaintiff: Scott W. Ouweleen
- Defendant: Clerk Credit Systems LLC
- Claims: Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) and Florida Credit Services Organization Act (FCSOA)
The Story Behind This Lawsuit
According to the complaint, Scott Ouweleen had been looking for help improving his credit score since approximately September 2023. He eventually found Clerk Credit Systems online, where the company allegedly marketed its services as helping consumers with credit improvement and loan approvals.
The complaint describes a phone call on or about July 8, 2025, where a representative of Clerk Credit Systems allegedly made several specific promises:
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- The company would assess negative items on Ouweleen’s credit report and submit disputes to have them removed
- After viewing his credit report, the company allegedly claimed it could remove virtually all derogatory information—not because it was inaccurate, but because “the paperwork was completed incorrectly”
- All negative information would be removed within 45 days of signing up
- Ouweleen’s credit score would improve substantially
The Fees
The complaint alleges Ouweleen was charged nearly $400 upfront, plus approximately $95 per month in ongoing fees. Beyond these disclosed amounts, the complaint alleges he was also hit with additional undisclosed “hidden junk fees” for what the complaint describes as “illusory services.”
The Results
According to the complaint, despite paying for months, Ouweleen experienced no meaningful improvement to his credit. The complaint alleges the company was unable to get the extent of negative information removed as promised because it was challenging items that were accurate and had no reasonable basis for removal.
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What the Complaint Alleges
The lawsuit brings two counts:
Count I: Federal CROA Violations
- False and misleading representations about services (§1679b(a))
- Charging money before services were performed — illegal advance fees (§1679b(b))
- Failing to provide required disclosures in a separate document (§1679c)
Count II: Florida FCSOA Violations
- False or misleading representations in the sale of credit services (§817.7005)
- Engaging in deceptive practices in connection with credit services
Why Advance Fees Matter: Under the federal Credit Repair Organizations Act, credit repair companies are prohibited from charging or receiving any money before fully performing the services they agreed to provide. This is one of the most commonly violated provisions in credit repair law.
Who Is Clerk Credit Systems?
According to the complaint, Clerk Credit Systems LLC is a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware with its principal place of business at 600 North Broad Street, Suite 5 #391, Middletown, Delaware 19709. The complaint describes it as a credit repair organization that offers consumers services intended to improve their credit.
What This Could Mean for Consumers
The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) provides important protections for consumers who use credit repair services. Key provisions include:
- Credit repair companies cannot charge you before they have fully performed the promised services
- They cannot make false or misleading claims about what they can do
- They must provide specific written disclosures in a separate document before you sign a contract
- You have the right to cancel within three business days
The complaint also notes that required CROA disclosures include informing consumers that no one has the right to have accurate, current, and verifiable information removed from a credit report. According to the complaint, these disclosures were buried in the same document as the contract rather than provided separately.
Before You Sign Anything: If you’re considering hiring any credit repair company, run their contract through the Contract Decoder first. It’s free—and it’s your last chance to spot red flags before you commit.
Common Credit Repair Red Flag: Any company that claims it can remove accurate, verified information from your credit report is making a promise the law says no one can keep. Only inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable information can legally be disputed and removed.
How to Follow This Case
Track this case and read all court filings through PACER:
- Go to pacer.uscourts.gov
- Create a free account (required)
- Search for Case Number:
8:26-cv-00279-MSS-AEP - Select Court: Middle District of Florida
PACER charges $0.10/page, but the first $30/quarter is free for most users.
Sources
- CourtListener — Docket and complaint filing for Ouweleen v. Clerk Credit Systems LLC
- Complaint PDF (PACER/RECAP) — Full text of the complaint filed January 30, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Credit Repair Organizations Act?
The CROA is a federal law that regulates credit repair companies. It prohibits deceptive practices, requires specific disclosures before consumers sign contracts, and bans credit repair companies from collecting fees before services are fully performed.
Can credit repair companies charge upfront fees?
Under federal law (15 U.S.C. §1679b(b)), credit repair organizations cannot charge or receive money for services before those services are fully performed. This is one of the allegations in this lawsuit.
Can anyone remove accurate information from my credit report?
No. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, only inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable information can be disputed and removed. No company or individual has the legal right to remove accurate, current, and verifiable information from a credit report.
What should I do if I think a credit repair company misled me?
For legal questions about your specific situation, consult with an attorney licensed in your state. You may also file complaints with the FTC, CFPB, and your state attorney general’s office.
Contact Clerk Credit Systems Directly
If you have questions about this lawsuit or are a current customer of Clerk Credit Systems, I encourage you to contact them directly rather than jump to conclusions based on allegations alone:
- Address: 600 North Broad Street, Suite 5 #391, Middletown, DE 19709
A Note to Clerk Credit Systems: I believe in fair coverage. If you would like to provide a statement about this lawsuit for my readers, please contact me. I will add your response to this article so readers can hear your perspective.
TL;DR: Clerk Credit Systems LLC faces a federal lawsuit alleging it charged illegal upfront fees, promised to remove negative credit items within 45 days, and delivered no meaningful results. The complaint cites violations of both federal and Florida credit repair laws. This is a complaint filing—allegations, not a verdict. Use the Contract Decoder before signing with any credit repair company.
(Source: CourtListener / U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida)
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