Consumer complaint received 2026-01-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
I was suddenly thrust into the role my husband had. Trying to figure what got paid automatically or electronically, what bills were due. Changing passwords. I am not computer smart and was struggling with trauma and other things. I could only focus on my mortgage and my family. 
I opened mail from a lawyer XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX It stated I was being sued. I didnt know what it was so I called XXXX. The rep told me what it was about a credit card. I had just paid all my cards. My daughter mentioned to me that her dad took XXXX out in her name and she called the card a few weeks prior when she discovered it, and then resolved it. 
The rep said she was sending me a fraud paper to fill out and send back. I said ok thank you and is that all. She said yes its fraud but if you can send proof, its better. I later emailed just to let them know, i have no clue as to how to prove this. I got no response. Sometimes in XX/XX/year>, mail from XXXX it seems what I sent in was not good enough. And another fraud paper. I found it so weird .. how can I prove this is fraud. So I wrote that, my husband shot himself the day of my sheriff sale. I found out both things at the same time. I didnt know about mortgage. I figured, there you have it, something else I was unaware of. 
I believe, end of XXXX, I recieved something in the mail about court and a few days later, there was a judgement against me. I didnt know what was happening. I went to the court and filled what the clerk told me to do and paid for that. I get a letter that the judge basically said, too bad. I had paid my cards, if this was my card, why would I not pay that one too? I dont even know what it looks like. I sent a lengthy letter and email, pointing out that the bill they keep sending as proof, says recieves bill electronically. I asked about where the application was. Or my signature. emailed several times and called.i got no response. Ive asked several times to please stop sending me bills that say " do not pay '' and blank sheets of paper. That proves nothing. I dont dont believe anyone in that company even read my letter or even opened the envelope. A rep told me in XXXX To call the courts and let them know we are working it out. I did that. I emailed them a again. I called, its in review. But the next morning in regular mail. I get a packet with the same bills that prove nothing and a letter from them. They are still coming after me. So, someone drove down to my house and put that in the mailbox because if it was in review as of dinnertime the night before, it would have never came in the mail the next day. Unless I was lied to. 
I have nothing. I have negative funds in XXXX account. And enough for my mortgage in another. I just started a job 3 days a week.This is not my credit debt.unless they have solid evidence, how can I just get robbed in this way? I filed fraud with FTC. It seems this horrible people that, blindly send people to court, ignoring emails and calls. They told the judge I called them in XXXX. Id like to hear that recording because it wasn't me. These people are just like mortgage servicers. Just rob them .. if they dont see it coming. We'll just ruin their lives. They should all be in jail. 
I want to see proof. No more blank paper and random bills. That is not proof. Which is why they rushed this judgement. So they can steal from somebody who has nothing

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation