Consumer complaint received 2025-11-20 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this statement to provide full clarity regarding the issues surrounding the account reported by Midland Credit Management under reference number XXXX *. This explanation outlines the timeline of events, the concerns I have regarding the accuracy and handling of this account, and the actions taken by me to resolve or verify the information prior to filing this complaint. Everything stated here is based on my experience as a consumer receiving adverse reporting, and it reflects my good-faith attempt to understand, validate, and address an account that appears to be inaccurate, unverified, or otherwise mishandled during the reporting process. 

1. Initial Discovery of the Account I first became aware of the account reported by Midland Credit Management when reviewing my credit reports. The account appeared unexpectedly, and there was no prior notice, billing statement, or communication that would have allowed me to recognize or identify the alleged obligation. The account displayed a past-due balance and a delinquency status that I did not recognize or remember having any connection with. The trade line appeared to be tied to an original creditor that I could not confirm, and there were no itemized details providing clarity. 

I reviewed all three major credit bureau filesXXXX, XXXX, and XXXX found inconsistencies in the way the account was being reported. Certain details appeared incomplete, while others appeared internally contradictory or lacking proper date alignment. The appearance of this account significantly impacted my creditworthiness, and because I could not verify its legitimacy based on the information provided, I immediately began trying to understand its origin and the basis of the reporting. 
2. Lack of Prior Notice or Validation Before the account appeared on my credit report, I never received : A validation notice A letter of assignment A bill or statement A collection attempt compliant with FDCPA requirements Any notification from the original creditor Any documentation explaining how this debt came into Midlands possession Under FDCPA requirements, I should have received a written notice informing me of the debt, my right to dispute it, and information necessary to identify the account. None of this occurred. This lack of communication created immediate doubt regarding the accuracy and legitimacy of the account. 

When I saw the account on my credit file, I was surprised not only by the amount and status but by the absence of any documentation supporting the claim. Without validation, verification, or even a simple introductory notice, I was unable to understand what the debt supposedly represented.

3. Unclear Origin of the Alleged Debt One of the major issues is that the credit reporting does not provide sufficient clarity to confirm whether this alleged debt belongs to me. To this day, I have not received : The name of the original creditor The original account number The date the account was opened The date delinquency allegedly began A breakdown of transactions or charges Any evidence that I entered into any contract related to this account Any documentation with my signature Any communication from the original creditor transferring ownership Without these fundamental documents, there is no reasonable method for me, as a consumer, to confirm whether this debt actually originates from me or whether it was assigned in error, misattributed, or generated due to incorrect matching processes.

4. Attempts to Validate and Understand the Account Before filing this complaint, I took multiple steps to resolve the matter directly.

a. I reviewed my personal financial records I reviewed my past and present accounts, contracts, statements, and financial history. Nothing matched the Midland Credit Management account.

b. I checked for prior correspondence I searched my mail, digital inboxes, and all possible channels where a collection notice might have been sent. There was no communication. 
c. I monitored for updated records I checked for updated reporting from the original creditor. No prior account existed that matched the Midland entry.

d. I attempted to understand whether this could have been fraud or identity confusion I considered the possibility of : Mixed files Incorrect data matching Automated reporting errors An account belonging to someone with similar identifyin
g information Identity misuse But without documentation from Midland, I could not determine whether any of these explanations applied.

5. Concerns Regarding Accuracy Under FCRA and Metro-2 Standards Federal law requires that all information furnished to credit bureaus must be : Accurate Complete Verifiable Based on actual business records Supported by data from the original creditor However, the information appearing on my credit file under this account fails to meet those standards. For example : a. The dates reported are inconsistent
or unclear The reported dates do not properly align with standard delinquency timelines. There is no verified Date of First Delinquency ( DOFD ), which is a mandatory requirement under FCRA and Metro-2 guidelines.

b. The balance and status appear unsupported Without an itemized list of transactions, payments, or charges, I can not confirm how Midland a
rrived at the reported balance.

c. The data fields show gaps or incomplete information Some fields lack detail such as : Payment history Last payment date Original account structure Charge-off documentation Accuracy requires more than assumptionsit requires real documentation.

6. Lack of Chain-of-Title Documentation Another major concern is that Midland Credit Management has not provided proof that it legally owns, purchased, or was assigned this debt. Chain-of-title is essential for confirming that a debt buyer has the legal right to collect or report an account.

To date, I have not received : A bill of sale A purchase agreement A transfer of rights A record-level file linking me to the alleged purchase Any certification that the debt was transferred with complete records Without this information, Midland can not assert ownership or accuracy with certainty.

7. Concerns Regarding Automated Verification ( e-OSCAR ) When I disputed the account with the credit bureaus, the account was quickly reflected as verified. This rapid response suggests that Midland may have used an automated process rather than conducting a full, reasonable investigation required by FCRA. Automated verification systems, such as e-OSCAR, match only limited data fields and do not review original documents.

A reasonable investigation must include : Reviewing original account-level business records Confirming identity Verifying dates and balances Ensuring no mix-up with another consumer Confirming compliance with all credit reporting rules There is no evidence that any such review was performed. The speed of the response strongly indicates that no thorough manual investigation took place. 8. The Impact of This Reporting on Me The appearance of this account has cau
sed significant adverse effects, including : A reduction in my credit score Increased interest rates Denied applications Higher security deposit requirements Difficulty securing credit or financing Harm to my financial stability and reputation Because the accounts accuracy remains unverified, the harm it causes is unjustified.

9. Reason for Filing This Complaint I filed this complaint because : The account appeared without proper notice. 

No validation or documentation was provided. 

The reporting contains inconsistencies.

Midland Credit Management has not demonstrated ownership or accuracy.

The credit bureaus marked the account as verified without evidence of proper investigation.

The account continues to cause financial harm.

I am requesting the CFPB 's assistance because Midland has not met its obligations under the FCRA, FDCPA, CFPB guidelines, or Metro-2 standards.

10. Summary of What Happened In summary : I discovered the Midland account unexpectedly on my credit report.

I never received prior notice, validation, or itemized statements.

The account details were incomplete, unclear, or inconsistent.

The origin of the alleged debt remains unknown to me.

Midland has not produced any documents proving accuracy.

My disputes appear to have been verified through automated systems rather than a real investigation.

The account has caused significant and ongoing financial harm.

My efforts to resolve the matter directly were unsuccessful due to Midlands lack of documentation.

For these reasons, I am requesting CFPB intervention so the company is required to provide the proper, legally mandated documentationor to correct/remove the reporting if they can not.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief