Consumer complaint received 2025-10-22 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/XXXX I called MCM to dispute XXXX debts they were trying to collect from me. The rep who answered my call forwarded my call to XXXX XXXX XXXX. I told her I didnt think these were my debts and if they were I wouldnt be sending them a XXXX because they bought my debt for pennies on the dollar regardless of their legal right I wouldnt pay. She kept me on the phone explaining that it would hurt my credit and that if they took legal action I could lose more. She explained the various ways a judgement could harm me. I told her my only sources of income were XXXX and XXXX, my car is financed, I dont work, I dont own anything so if necessary I would bring documentation to court. She then became empathetic to my situation and kept on about low payments and such. I again told her her I wont pay collection companies but if able would be willing to set up with original creditors. Within a minute she told me that misunderstood her and that all pmts would go to them. When I questioned her she stated that yes they are a collection agency but collecting for individual companies. After more assurances from her I agreed to set up pmt arrangements for all XXXX companies. I paid {$59.00} on XXXX and {$52.00} for another that same day and would pay set Amt on each of the other XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. I received XXXX emails the next morning outlining the arrangements, which accounts, how much, when due, etc down towards the bottom of each email it state sole owner of each account was in fact MCM. I became livid. I spent the day researching online everything I could find on debt collection laws. That evening I emailed MCM and revoked any and all arrangements because I was lied to, I was deceived deliberately, and misrepresentation by XXXX XXXX as to company collecting for individual businesses. The next day I tried to get into my account online, couldnt and given a number to call. I did so, asked why I couldnt get into my account she forwarded me to another supervisor. I stated what had been said on the previous call, she told me I must have misunderstood or misinterpreted what was I said, I told her I absolutely did not misunderstand or misinterpret what was said or the reassurances to me I was paying original debt. She told me that calls are recorded and it would be easy to verify my claims. I told her that was great, please listen to it from beginning to end. I told her to please call me back after listening to it if she believed I was wrong and if possible please send me a copy of both of the recordings regarding my calls to them. I never heard another word from them after them, no letters, no recordings, no emails, nothing. I honestly thought they found I was correct, they violated the law and could be sued by me, so they made no more attempts to collect. On XX/XX/XXXX I received XXXX separate letters dated XX/XX/XXXX stating I had until XX/XX/XXXX to pay in full each of the debts. The letters state MCM Legal Collections Department. They state they intend to file a lawsuit for non-payment + legal fees, court costs etc I had no intention of filing this complaint but they waited 17 months to reactivate this and I know they only keep recordings for 3 years which will expire in XXXX XXXX weeks. They have forced me to consult with an attorney which I may have to pay for legal defense in the end.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation