Consumer complaint received 2018-04-04
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: PA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official

Complaint:
On Tuesday, XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX, I received a voicemail from phone number XXXX. The caller, XXXX XXXX, left me a message stating that he was calling about a claim sent by his office via U.S. Mail that I failed to respond to. He then stated that either myself, or my attorney should call him back at XXXX immediately. I can assure you that I have received no correspondence via U.S. Mail from XXXX XXXX and/or his Law Office. 

At XXXX on the same day, I called XXXX and spoke to a female and told her that I just received a call from XXXX XXXX XXXX She informed me that XXXX XXXX is an attorney, and that their office is collecting a debt for Midland Funding, LLC. She informed me that if I didnt pay right now, that I would face a lawsuit, and be arrested at my place of employment. I informed her that the Statute of Limitations had expired on this debt per Pennsylvania law. She then stated that the Statute of Limitations have not expired, and that you will be arrested if this debt is not paid. I told her that she is currently violating my rights under the FDCPA, and that I will not pay her. She then stated, well I hope you have a good lawyer, because you are going to need it. Once again, this violated FDCPA law, and I also feel that my personal information is being given out by Midland Funding, LLC. 
Be advised, she stated that she is calling on behalf of Midland Funding, LLC regarding a debt from XXXX. She also told me my Social Security Number, home address, date of birth, balance on account, and place of employment. I have looked into this 800 number, and also XXXX XXXX online, and it appears to be a scam. However, even if it is a scam, they somehow knew that there was a collections account in my name with Midland Funding, LLC. And they somehow received my information from Midland Funding, LLC. This leak of my private information is not appreciated and violates my privacy, and also my rights under the FDCPA. 
The collection account in my name with Midland Funding, LLC, is past the Statute of Limitations here in Pennsylvania. I was also sued in court by Midland Funding, LLC, back onXX/XX/XXXX, but this case was withdrawn in my favor on XX/XX/XXXX. Midland Funding, LLC agreed to cease and desist from calling me regarding this debt. 
Due to the harassing nature of this call, and being threatened to be arrested and sued, I filed a complaint with XXXX County, PA Law Enforcement officials. They are following-up with this information, and have said they will notify me of the results. Due to this breach of privacy, and violation of my rights under the FDCPA, I will be pursuing monetary relief. 
Whether or not this call was made on behalf of Midland Funding, LLC or not, the caller definitely knew that a debt with my name on it was being collected by Midland Funding, LLC, as well as knew personal information about me ( Social Security Number, Address, Phone Number, Balance Owed, Date of Birth, and Place of Employment ). I am hereby demanding that this collection account be removed from, and stop being reported to the 3 Credit Bureaus ( XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX ) immediately. 
Please send me confirmation that this collections account has been removed from alXXXX XXXX Credit Bureaus ( XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX ), and that it is no longer being reported. 
Attached is a copy of XXXX phone bill showing evidence of call.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation