Consumer complaint received 2023-11-14
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NC
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened to sue you for very old debt

Complaint:
Please note, the pre-determined categories do not fit my situation, so I selected what I thought was the closest to my situation. 

On or about XX/XX/, Midland Credit Management contacted me via email regarding a XXXX card I once held. In the email, the Midland indicated they would like to set up payment arrangements to resolve the debt and that the debt was in a " Pre-Litigation '' status. I called Midland Credit Management at XXXX and spoke with XXXX XXXX. XXXX advised that I could enter a repayment agreement where an initial payment would be made by the XXXX of XXXX and then bi-weekly payments would begin. After determining an amount that I could afford, I agreed to go forward with repayment. XXXX began processing the repayment agreement and advised me that I was required to do a pre-authorization for ACH withdrawals for the payments every two weeks. I advised XXXX that I would not be willing to do that but would most certainly pay online, as there is an online feature to pay. XXXX then explained that I was REQUIRED to pay via pre-authorization for ACH and that I had no option. I refused and ended the call. 

On XX/XX/, Midland Credit Management sent me a " Pre-Legal Notification '' via XXXX. I reviewed the notice and learned they wanted to negotiate payment arrangements for the account. I contacted Midland Credit Management via XXXX and spoke with an XXXX XXXX. XXXX inquired as to what I wanted to which I responded that I was responding to their letter sent via XXXX. XXXX went on to explain that I could enter a repayment agreement, but that I would be REQUIRED to do it via pre-authorization of ACH and if I did not do this, I was refusing to pay. We went back and forth as XXXX attempted to explain that Midland Credit Management is the biggest company and very professional at what they do. I responded by again reiterating my desire to have a repayment plan with the company but that I would gladly make my payments online. XXXX explained that because I would not do a pre-authorization of ACH that he could not allow me to enter a repayment agreement and that this was a refusal to pay. I explained that I am not refusing to pay, I am refusing to give Midland Credit Management an ACH pre-authorization. XXXX responded by telling me it was the same as refusing and further that I do not have the right to call " up there '' and tell them what I am not going to do. XXXX explained that I MUST allow pre-authorization of ACH. I told him again that I would not allow this, and he proceeded to tell me that they were sending the case to a local attorney and that my wages would be garnished, and my bank account levied. When explained that wage garnishment is not an option, XXXX proceeded to tell me that it was and that this is what will happen because I am refusing to pay because I will not provide a pre-authorization. I do believe the call was recorded. I disconnected the call.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation