Consumer complaint received 2021-11-27
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC. (GA)

My complaint is against Midland Credit Management ( MCM ). To date, they have failed to provide debt validation documents I've been requesting since XXXX. Additionally, their agents have given fake names, used abusive, sexist and threatening language towards me and claimed I was a liar. 

I already started paying on this account because of MCM 's harassment and illegal tactics made me feel responsible for a debt my ex-husband opened. I feared further action. Even though unaware of the debt, I assumed XXXX XXXX should have been mine. I repeatedly asked for XXXX documentation showing my name was clearly mentioned in the opening of the account, and showing my signature on file. To date, MCM continues to fail to produce such documentation. 

Since XXXX I have been trying to resolve this debt out of fear of their harassment and threats all while explaining to MCM that debt validation was paramount. However, I have been dismissed, hung up on, threatened, talked down to, called a liar, and endured sexist comments from their agents. All without XXXX documents. 

In XX/XX/XXXX I contacted MCM asking again for proof and to settle the debt for a lesser amount. No less than XXXX agents used abusive language against me saying my offer was a disgrace and they were ashamed to take it to a supervisor. I asked again for debt validation documents and an agent named XXXX said they would be sent and that I could use the website to continue making monthly payments in whatever amount I could afford. However, when I logged in I was only given the option to pay the full amount or enter into another agreement of a set monthly amount. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I spoke with MCM about debt validation documents again. On XX/XX/XXXX, they mailed me what they called proof of the debt. It was a copy of XXXX of the monthly statements from the original creditor dated XX/XX/XXXX and a statement from MCM dated XX/XX/XXXX, saying they owned the debt as of XX/XX/XXXX. It also said they were willing to work with me to resolve the debt. See attached. 

I contacted MCM multiple times on XX/XX/XXXX attempting to once again to discuss a possible settlement and to request XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX called MCM, XXXX, at XXXX spoke to XXXX XXXX XXXX 

I offered to settle for {$1200.00} and he said that was too low an offer to take to an account manager. 

Requested account origination/debt validation documents again ( XXXX request ), he said they sent it in XXXX. I tried to explain that it was just the last statement from XXXX. 
He hung up on me. 

XX/XX/XXXX called back at XXXX When I verified my name and account number, the agent asked how I was related to the name on the account. I said it was me. He said I'm not discussing anything with you because a woman can not have this kind of first name. When I said my parents named me this, he hung up. 

XX/XX/XXXX called at XXXX When I verified my name and account number, the agent hung up on me XX/XX/XXXX called at XXXX, XXXX, XXXX Tried to call back and the call dropped on MCMs end each time XX/XX/XXXX called at XXXX and XXXX Tried to call back and the call dropped on MCMs end each time XX/XX/XXXX called from work phone at XXXX and XXXX Call dropped on MCMs end each time XX/XX/XXXX called from work phone at XXXX Spoke with XXXX XXXX He said they cant re-send the debt validation documents sent in XX/XX/XXXX I stated it wasnt XXXX documentation He said a duplicate would be sent and they have 90 days to get it to me. Within this time frame I do not have to make payments Also said he was raising a " general dispute '' about this account and if I could prove it was not mine or was paid off already then all would be settled I asked for account origination/validation documents to be sent to me by email he said they cant do that but gave me no reason why. 

MCM continues to try and collect this debt through harassment, intimidation and rudeness -- all without providing the required documentation I repeatedly ask for. They refuse to accept my offers to settle for the less than the full amount so they can keep me in a lengthy and unfair repayment period without proving the debt is mine -- as they are required to do -- and without showing exactly what fees or other charges may be involved.