Consumer complaint received 2026-04-01 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Auto debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I went with my then-husband and his friend, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to a small dealership called XXXX XXXX XXXX because they asked me to help by signing only as a co-signer so he could obtain financing for a vehicle ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ), since he did not qualify on his own. At no time was I clearly informed that I would be listed as the primary borrower on the loan. Had I known this, I would never have agreed to sign, as I had no intention of purchasing a vehicle at that time and had just started a rental agreement. Additionally, I planned to preserve my credit in order to apply for student loans to continue my education. I was not provided with a copy of the loan contract at the time of signing, and I never knowingly authorized being listed as the primary borrower on this loan. At the beginning of XXXX, the individual who had possession of the vehicle informed me that the car was experiencing mechanical problems and had been taken to a body shop after one of its windows was broken. The last time I knew the vehicles location was XX/XX/XXXX. He later told me that the mechanic was not responding and that he had paid money but still could not recover the vehicle. He also stated that he would contact XXXX XXXX to request repossession of the vehicle because he had no other way to recover it. After that, he told me he removed the license plate from the vehicle at the body shop to prevent it from being lost during the repossession process. Based on this information, I believed the bank had recovered the vehicle and assumed any negative impact on my credit was related to that repossession. I never imagined that the loan had been processed listing me as the primary borrower without my knowledge or informed consent. Later, I received a letter from Midland Credit Management stating that I owed approximately {$19000.00} related to this loan originally financed through XXXX XXXX. When I contacted Midland, they informed me that I was listed as the only primary borrower on the account, which was completely unexpected. After this conversation, I contacted XXXX XXXX and was informed verbally that they were never able to recover the vehicle and that the account had been sold to a collection agency. I did not receive any written documentation regarding repossession, sale of the vehicle, or a detailed explanation of how the remaining balance was calculated. Because I did not know the vehicles location and feared possible legal consequences, I filed a police report on XX/XX/XXXX. I never received : Notice of repossession Notice of intent to sell the vehicle Notice of sale results Deficiency balance calculation documentation regarding the vehicles final disposition evidence of attempts to recover the vehicle I also never received clear information at the dealership indicating that I would be listed as the primary borrower on the loan. I believe I am a victim of misrepresentation and possible auto loan fraud, as I signed believing I would only be a co-signer, never had possession or control of the vehicle, and the only person who used the vehicle from the day of purchase was XXXX XXXX XXXX. I made payments to Midland Credit Management totaling approximately {$540.00} only out of fear of legal action and without accepting responsibility for this debt. I formally request a full investigation into how I was listed as the primary borrower without my knowledge or informed consent. I also request complete validation of this debt, including a copy of the original signed contract, the credit application, and all documentation used to approve the financing. I also request an investigation into how the credit application was completed and submitted in my name. Additionally, I request documentation showing whether the vehicle was repossessed, sold, or never recovered, including any Notice of repossession, Notice of intent to sell vehicle, Notice of sale results, and the calculation of the deficiency balance. I request correction or removal of any inaccurate information regarding my responsibility as the primary borrower if it is determined that there was an error, misrepresentation, or improper use of my personal information during the financing process. Finally, I request an investigation into the actions of XXXX XXXX XXXX for possible irregularities or fraud in the financing process and the potential unauthorized use of my personal information.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief