Consumer complaint received 2022-11-04
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: ID
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
Midland Credit Management and the XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX are both equally horrible companies. First off I wrote back when initially receiving my letter from Midland Credit Management and a letter after stating they bought my debit. I asked for debit verification as I believe the amount to be lower than stated. While waiting for that to come I did space paying this or being on top of it. They never responded and then this last Sunday I got served papers about a judgment. In that judgement they stated I was notified more than 10 days before. I was not. They have XXXX proof their letter even left their building. They state they have XXXX in the computer, but took no such steps as to validate it was actually mailed. I had no clue my account was even with the law firm or else I would of once again asked for the proof for a second time. 

To include with the business shady acts, I asked on Tuesday XX/XX/XXXX if I Could get in writing they would not move forward with garnishing wages if I did a payment plan. The man I was speaking said they do not do that and only give verbal commitments. He said they wouldn't move forward with garnishing but would not put it in writing. Which I said well every government site says not to pay unless you get what's agreed in writing and I needed to do research. HE then proceed to say I can do more research but tell me why I'm wrong as a act to dissuade from me researching. I then ask if I could record that, he said yes. While trying to turn on voice memo and the speaker phone, the call got disconnected. I then called back immediately with a call recording app, stating I was on a recording line and the new lady helping me all the sudden when I asked if they could do something written, she said yes I'll send you this document that we will file stating you want payment agreement and we will not garnish your wages, etc all you got to do is sign it and send it back. I still have the voice recording file but there's a buzzing over the whole call. With how shady this company is, I would not be surprised they have some sort of recording blocker. I'm sure they can find the calls though as they record everything. I know this to be a fact as when my wife tried to contact the lawyer on my paperwork, she stated she could not talk about it because it had to be a recorded line. 

When my wife asked about documentation on Wednesday, XXXX XXXX XXXX representatives said that was a question for Midland Credit Company. So my wife calls midland, and repeadtly gets told she needed to call the lawyers. Eventually they relented after my wife saying multiple times the lawyers said to come to them for that question. When asked about proof of debt, they said they have to speak to someone and will call back. Guess who did receive a call back? Us. She also asked about receiving writing from XXXX XXXX about paying in full and dropping lawsuit. Once again she is told they don't do that and only give verbal comitments but if we choose pay the debt in full, they would discontinue the judgment process and not charge fees. Their site won't even let me make payment on XX/XX/2022. They also have tried to tact on extra legal fees without even receiving a judgment, which can be proven by listing to their call. 

I once was XXXX with my credit but I work hard to take care of it now. Midland and XXXX XXXX have no intention to be honest or work with someone.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation