Consumer complaint received 2024-01-26
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC. (SC)

RE : XXXX XXXX Acct Ending : XXXX I received a letter from Midland Credit Management threatening legal action on a settled credit card debt they bought from XXXX XXXX. In XXXX I entered a Hardship Program with XXXX XXXXXXXX for XXXX credit cards, the principal and interest were halted and totaled. I was repaying monthly payments at a fixed amount with no further interest accruing for 72 months. Each card forgave balances after 72 months of these payments. I completed ALL my Hardship programs with XXXX and received program completion letters stating I had paid the full balance. 
In XX/XX/XXXX, on this specific account, I received a letter from Midland Credit Management stating I owed a balance on this account and to contact them regarding collection. I immediately called their office and informed Midland Credit Management that this account was paid in full in XX/XX/XXXX per a Hardship Program that I had been in for several years. I was told that they would submit my dispute of the settled debt and I would hear from them within XXXX days. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from Midland Credit Management requesting a copy of my satisfied letter from XXXX, this was mailed to them on XX/XX/XXXX. 
I have supplied MCM a copy of the letter from XXXX stating I had met the terms of this hardship program and balance was XXXX, the letter from XXXX also stated that I was now able to reapply for new credit if I would like. 
Since XX/XX/XXXX, I have heard nothing from MCM regarding the documentation I provided them of proof that this debt had been paid prior to MCM purchasing XXXX debts. Not one phone call. Midland Credit Management then emailed me o XX/XX/XXXX, threatening legal action, stating that I have not responded to their attempts at contact, this is a blatant lie. I have spoken with multiple agents of theirs as well as mailed in the proof of this account being paid in full per an agreement from several years ago. I have not received a single call/voicemail from this company. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I called MCM and spoke with XXXX XXXX and reiterated to him all the details provided above. He assured me that he would look into this and could confirm that my letter sent to them in the beginning of XXXX was received but that he could not see what was happening on that side of things. XXXX XXXX stated that he had coded this account with a cease on all letters and actions until the dispute was fully revied and that they would reach back out to me. 
XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, I have not heard anything from MCM, not a single phone call. I have now received a letter in the mail this morning that again threatens legal action " Pre-Legal Notification '' and states that they have made several attempts to contact me. This is a LIE!!! 
This debt was settled in XXXX per terms of a Hardship Program with XXXX XXXX that I paid on for 72 months. I would like this company to provide in writing that this debt has been resolved as I have supplied them a fully satisfied letter from XXXX prior to them buying debts from XXXX. This is harassment and bullying. 
he Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that debt collectors treat you fairly by prohibiting certain methods of debt collection. Within 30 days after I was first contacted, I sent MCM a letter stating I do not owe money. They are threatening me with legal action on an account that I have already paid in full. 

Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, SC XXXX XXXX # XXXX Attached : Copy of Paid in Full letter from XXXX, email and letter from MCM.