Consumer complaint received 2019-11-06
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: WA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
In XXXX we paid XXXX XXXX XXXX monthly money to help with the upkeep of my credit report. It was then when the credit report company alerted me to a debt on my account by Midland Funding. Please see credit report attachment. I had found out that this was for a debt that is not mine, I then challenged it with the credit reporting agency and it was removed. I then filed a police report with the city to document that this was done. I believed that in XXXX my issue was resolved. 
My bank account was frozen in the XXXX of XX/XX/XXXX. I was surprised and when I called my bank they said there had been a garnishment. I had no idea what to do or how to fix it, especially because I struggle with English which makes an additional barrier. 
I then received a letter in the mail which has a copy of the garnishment. This was the first time I had heard of it or seen the paper. I was so upset that no one told me about it or warned me. 
I then called the number on the garnishment paperwork. I had never known there was a court date or a garnishment until I saw this paper. I called XXXX EXT XXXX, and talked to XXXX. I told her this is not my debt. They said I have to pay and asked how much I make a year. I kept telling her to give me proof that this is my debt, provide me proof, why did you guys do this when I already told you this was not my debt in XXXX. All she kept saying is that I have to pay and it doesnt matter that it is not my debt I still have to pay. The conversation went in circles and she never answered my questions on why they never alerted me to a court date, why they can not provide me proof that this is in fact my debt. 
I kept calling back for days and no one answered. 
I was able to talk to someone for a second time on XX/XX/XXXX. I asked her to give me verification of dates, provide me proof that this is my debt, I need a copy of verification of the debt to see if this is a valid debt and if you do not provide me proof you are breaking the law and I have a right to sue you. She then said o yes of course and sent me the judgement against me with no proof of what they are claiming or where the debt started. 
From my investigations, I have found that originally there was a debt that started in XXXX and XXXX XXXX  owned the debt. Later they sold the debt to Midland Funding. In XXXX I informed Midland finding this was not my debt and believed the issue was resolved. 
Later they went after me knowing this was not my debt and garnished my wages. 
This is an unfair practice against Washington residents. I do not know what can be done to help us and this is why they continue to do this. They take money from those that can not pay and those that do not speak good English. This is a predatory practice against certain Washington residents like me. 
I feel like there is nothing I can do but pay a debt that is not mine and this is not fair. Credit agencies should not have this much power to take away from people without proof of the debt. This debt is not my debt and they refuse to provide proof. 
I do not speak strong English and was able to find a person who could translate my complaint so I could submit this to your office. If it was not for this person in the community who informed me that I could submit a complaint I would not have known this is an option. This is why these companies get away with taking advantage of Washington resident like myself, because many of us do not know what to do or where to turn. 
This has caused much hardship in my life. It also has cause our family a great amount of stress. We have not been able to sleep. We feel so unsafe at home because we were told that Midland can take our property, our cars, or what ever they like to satisfy a debt that is not mine. I feel unsafe and scared each day. We have no peace knowing at anytime they can come and take our property. It has caused a lot of problems in my marriage and emotionally with my wife and I. My family, my wife, and I worry everyday. My credit has been low because of this false debt and now since the garnishment my credit has gone lower. I have lots of anxiety now that makes my day to day living vary difficult. 
I need help and I hope that you can help me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation