Consumer complaint received 2017-10-06
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
In went on XXXX XXXX as I had a foreclosure and enough time had passed so I wanted to work on my credit. I located a DEBT {$870.00} with Midland Credit Management ( MCM # XXXX ) for a XXXX XXXX Bank ( # XXXX ) credit card. 
I DID NOT APPLY FOR., RECEIVE, and/or USE a CREDIT CARD. 
I tried to call and speak to Midland, they were rude. I called XXXX XXXX Bank. They were helpful, in the fact, they let me know date the account was opened XXXX/XXXX/XXXX. The address that was used for the credit card : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL. The date they sold the account to Midland Credit Management, XXXX XXXX. They instructed me to call Midland Credit Management back and request a Resolution Letter/Fraud Packet. I did same. However all Midland Credit Management sent was a BILL for the {$870.00}. I never received the Fraud Packet. 

This is NOT my debt. I was married and lived at that address at one that time. HOWEVER, I divorced and moved to XXXX in XXXX XXXX. 
My Divorce was Finalized XXXX XXXX. 
This account was XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Again I did NOT live at the Address of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. FL when the account was opened and used. I did not apply for any credit card. I obviously never received the credit card as I had not lived there for almost XXXX XXXX. However, my ex-wife DID live there at the time the account was opened. As we were once married, she knows my Social Security # etc. I can not say she is the one who did this, but it appears she had means and opportunuty. And during this time she has multiple arrest for fraud, stolen property etc, as a result of her drug habit. 
I sent BOTH XXXX XXXX Bank and Midland Credit Management a Certified Letter stating the issue andagain asking for a FRAUD PACKET, a copy of the APPLICATION, a copy of the exact CHARGES and locations of those charges. 
XXXX XXXX Bank responded they do not own Account to contact M idlandCredit Management.
Midland Credit Management responded that they " investigated '' and determined it was a correct debt.??? 
How is that possible? Someone FORGED my name, USED my Social Security #, basically STOLE MY IDENTIY, ran up a debt under my name. 
How is this a legitimate debt? 
I NEED and DEMANDED from MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT to provide me : 1. Fraud Packet 2. Copy application including signature card 3. Copy Ledger of each of the purchases ( dates/location/amounts ) assocaited with this debt 4. Verification of exact date and address the credit card was mailed. 

Again I have been repeatedly DENIED this information. 
I need this information to file a Criminal Case with the XXXX 's office. 

I need assistance. Someone STOLE my identiy and Midland Credit Management is REFUSING to provide me information that I need to 1. determine WHO stole my identity and 2. pursue a criminal case against that person. 

I can be contacted at XXXXXXXXXXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX, FL XXXX. 

Thank you XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation