Consumer complaint received 10-05-2017 about Debt collection (Credit card debt) with ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC. (GA).
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint: XXXX XXXX is reporting a delinquent account for which I can not get them to provide proof that the account belongs to me. 

I 've been married for over XXXX years and have been relying the finances and credit accounts of my husband and had no credit accounts in my name. Upon divorcing my husband and subsequently having to build my own credit, I found that XXXX XXXX had been reporting on my credit for years. I contacted each Credit Bureau and XXXX XXXX, attempting to get proof of the account. XXXX XXXX continues to report the account as accurate to the Credit Bureaus and have only sent to me the same information that they had been reporting to the Credit Bureaus. I 've followed up saying that they have not provided sufficient information to verify that they have the right person. 

I 've sent certified letters to XXXX XXXX on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, XXXX/XXXX/XXXX and XXXX/XXXX/XXXX to no avail. I 've filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX and rejected XXXX responses from XXXX XXXX. I was then advised that I should file a complaint with the CFPB. 

Not only is this company reporting on my credit without proper validation, a clear violation of my federally protected rights, but they chose to update dates and listing categories across all Credit Bureaus in an attempt to cause the most damage. For example, it was reported as a closed collection account with XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX account with another and open delinquent on the other. Dates also staggered and were not consistent across the XXXX Bureaus as well as the amount owed so, it seemed to me as if this company is seeking to cause maximum damage to my ability to receive new credit. 

At this time, the tradeline has been removed from XXXX XXXX XXXX but continues to report on XXXX And in a discussion with an XXXX resolution XXXX, I was informed that XXXX XXXX is only required with them to respond by verifying the information that was previously submitted by XXXX and no other proof or verification was requested by the XXXX She said if the information had not been submitted to me by XXXX in response to my direct requests, them I should file a complaint with the CFPB. And since I had not received the requested information after several attempts, and the BBB is unable to compel the information, I am submitting this complaint in, yet another attempt to receive proper validation of debt with clear evidence of the ownership of this alleged debt. It is a small amount, in my opinion. If this debt were proven to belong to me, I have no problem in making payment. However, this company has been relentless in its refusal. I mentioned to the BBB that XXXX has been previously sued and it has been found that they merely purchase lists of debt and not entire files so, they themselves are unable to provide legitimate proof of debt ownership. So, there is a high probability that they are reporting inaccurate information but continue to do so to harass people, hoping that they just pay. I need proof of ownership of this debt. And until that is provided, XXXX is violating my rights under the XXXX XXXX by reporting inaccurate or unvalidated information. 

Further, I challenge the accuracy of the information being provided, as it has varied across the XXXX major Credit Bureaus. Such reckless reporting is highly injurious to my ability to obtain credit at fair rates. 

XXXX shows that this tradeline will only report for a few more months. However, I 'd like to take action now, during the period of violation and while I am being damaged. 

XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation