Consumer complaint received 2023-04-03
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC. (IN)

This company started contacting me in XXXX in which they would call multiple times a day 4-6 at least on various numbers on everyday of the week. Their phone calls left me in tears on numerous actions due to the never ending harassment despite attempting to resolve the matter. Thus sending me in emotional distress due to their manipulative practices. I informed them that I lost my job due to the federal shut downs of COVID as the tanning salon I worked at was closed due to Governor XXXX mandate. Additionally leading to the store closing therefore I was on a limited income and could not consent to a payment plan at the time. They were relentless in their harassment. They contacted my grandfather XXXX XXXX as well as my XXXX XXXX XXXX various times as well revealing my debt owed and attempting to solicit my information. They were informed multiple times to stop calling by both my grandfather and aunt as the matter did not relate to them. They coerced me into a payment plan threatening to sue me if I did not consent to a payment plan. They would claim the accounts were in different departments transferring me numerous times leading to hour long phone calls trying to resolve the matter. Despite suggesting in their mailed communications and on their website that they will work out budget repayment plans and work around hardships this has been quite the contrary. They forced me into a payment for two accounts beginning in XX/XX/XXXX in which they received payments from me until XX/XX/XXXX. The are falsely reporting my balance to the credit unions which is impacting my credit score preventing me from finding some where to live. They are also falsifying the balance in a claim to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I had a starting balance on account Midland Credit Management XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  of {$810.00} however I have made payments from XXXX and the balance should be at {$360.00}. I have another Midland Credit Management account # XXXX the balance started at {$1400.00} however there were payments made from XXXX and the balance should have been reduced to {$860.00}. I have attempted to communicate with employees such as XXXX XXXX and XXXX at midland as well as countless others who have been complete rude, belittling, and deceptive. They attempted to deny the multiple payments despite myself previously receiving payment plan contracts in email and paper coupled with my bank records showing their payments were taken out. This company falsely claims to work to resolve the debt yet they do not reduce the amount report to credit unions and try to pursue legal actions despite receiving payments. This combined with the never ending harassment of myself and my family members is completely unacceptable and a violation of protection laws. This company is the only company I have issued resolving my debt with. I have filed a dispute with the credit reporting agencies regarding my credit report. I am concerned that the company will continue to harass me and pursue legal action despite my attempts to resolve the debt. Even if I pay them the full amount I am concerned they will attempt to falsify information and continue this harassment as this has been going on for 3 years the company still is not telling the truth, falsely reporting balances, and harassing me by means of fear through threats to sue me. The company falsely suggests consumers can work through their website however no contact information can be updated. When payment plans are updated through the portal the following payment ends up not being pulled despite a confirmation popping up. They falsely state on the phone and through mail communications that their website may be used to manage the account however it does not list all of the payments that are made and while having a tab for Mcm documents there are never any files uploaded for receipts of payment, communications between debt collector/consumer, etc. in attempt to hide if the consumer did in fact attempt to resolve the debt. The only documents listed on their site are from the original creditor this making it appear as if the consumer never attempted to resolve the account. XXXX XXXX XXXX informed me as well that to dispute the balance I would have to cancel any payment plans therefore leaving it to appear as if I have not paid or am not attempting to resolve the debt.