vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2015-12-29 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — Conventional fixed mortgage
Issue: Application, originator, mortgage broker — 
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I was approached by a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( NMLS ID # XXXX ), a loan officer with my current mortgage lender ( HSBC ) with an offer to refinance my home under the HARP program. I had recently looked into the program and do not believe I qualify but the man assured me he could get it done. We spoke twice and he pressed at a 15yr loan. I asked him for other options and he told me he would get back to me. I never saw any other options. 
I immediately received an email containing an " e-sign invitation '' to sign and submit documents online which I refused to do, and then an email informing me that he had submitted a pre-approval on my behalf ... something I did not authorize. Following that I received ( by mail ) a notice about my " credit score and the price you pay for credit '' disclosure, this letter included an XXXX score and my " new loan number '' even though I have not applied for a loan. I never asked him to pull my credit score and never signed an authorization for him to do so. I also received ( by mail ) a " loan estimate '' outlining the single option he seems fixated on ; a 15 yr fixed-rate loan. I was never offered the other options I requested. The letters and documents are attached as PDFs. 
Days later I received ( by mail ) a letter that my " home financing application '' has been pre-approved, even though I never applied for anything. The same day I received ( by mail ) a package of compliance disclosures with many places for me to sign. 
I have to say I believe this man I have yet to meet is proceeding a very long way towards refinancing my home without my participation. I believe his actions to be unethical at best, and would like to know how it is possible for such behavior to exist in our tightly-regulated financial system.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I have submitted XXXX letters demanding verification of debt and this company replies by stating they have verified the debt and are satisfied it is mine but I have not received any verification documentation as allowed by law. They continue collection efforts by continuing to report a negative account to all credit bureaus. They have deliberately ignored my validation requests and continue the collection process on an account that I do n't own. They refuse to provide me with any document containing my signature or any other information requested in my validation requests. They have added a notation to my credit report indicating my dispute and the fact the dispute is invalid as they have validated the account in house.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-10 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Thank you for taking the time to review my file and to help me with this matter of dealing with Midland Funding LLC. To date, Midland has a poor track record in regards to its collection tactics, which have resulted in fines from the United States Government and from individual states as well. As of this year Midland has had to pay close to XXXX dollars in fines and penalties due to their unlawful business procedures, which violate the consumer 's rights. Their illegal actions have caused XXXX consumer 's credit files to be tainted with negative a remark, which includes myself. Please remove Midland Funding LLC from my file ; you can also see that I am apart of a class action lawsuit against Midland Funding LLC and Midland Credit Management. I thank you one again for your time and I look forward to having Midland Credit Management removed from my credit file.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-11-05 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Closing/Cancelling account — 
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Not enough information of validation of debt. I contacted MIDLAND FUNDING through certified mail on XXXX for validation of debt. They placed collection activity on my credit report without any prior notice on XXXX. the account in question is # XXXX. Collection amount { {$600.00} }, however I do not owe this debt and know nothing of it. MIDLAND FUNDING appears to be a third party vendor. I believe they are doing this illegally and want the debt to be removed from my credit report

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-19 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — Home equity loan or line of credit
Issue: Loan servicing, payments, escrow account — 
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Dear Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, I filed Case number : XXXX on XXXX XXXX, 2017. HSBC replied that it needed additional time to investigate this complaint before submitting a final response. I received a letter from HSBC dated XXXX XXXX, 2017 that it plans to transfer this loan to XXXX effective XXXX XXXX, 2017 and that the loan terms would not change. In essence, HSBC is attempting to absolve themselves of this fraudulent transaction by transferring the loan. CFPB must hold HSBC fully accountable and not allow them to " pass the buck '' and demand that HSBC grant the injunctive relief requested in my complaint. A copy of the correspondence received from XXXX XXXX, Senior President, XXXX XXXX XXXX is attached for your review.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Contacted me after I asked not to
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Midland credit management has continually called me on my mobile phone after I not only registered with Do not Call, but told them not to call me during work hours on my mobile phone. I told them I prefer to deal with the debtor directly and for them to remove me from their list. In addition, I moved and was with out a LAN line for several months. Once the LAN line was up, they immediately started calling the new number. I again explained that I was going to deal directly with the company and not them, yet they still continue to call.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-12 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
Here is the letter I sent the collections agency. It describes the situation well. 
XX/XX/XXXX REGISTERED MAIL Transworld Sys XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, PA XXXX Dear Sir or Madam, Today I was reviewing my credit report and I learned your agency filed XXXX collections on my credit report on XX/XX/XXXX. At no time did I receive anything from your company stating that a collection action had been filed nor have I been given an opportunity to determine if these debts were legitimate before you placed them on my credit report. 

In researching these bills I have discovered that these collections were sent to you by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX a billing company for XXXX XXXX XXXX, an in-network XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Despite a date of service XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX failed to bill my insurance until after this account was assigned to your agency despite being given the correct billing information many months earlier. 

It appears that shortly after this account was sent to your company XXXX XXXX finally billed my insurer and was sent payment. On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX, my health insurance company sent XXXX XXXX full payment for all services rendered under all three bills. Under the contract XXXX has with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX he has agreed to accept a discounted amount from members of the network, he was paid that rate in compliance with the contract however your company is attempting to collect the difference between the contracted amount and the amount billed. Your company clearly is aware of these payments because you reflect the updated balance on my credit report, this demonstrates your companies complicity in attempting to collect a debt you are not entitled to. 

XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX have been paid all amounts legally due them under the in-network contract he signed, neither your company nor any other party is entitled to collect any further amount. There is no basis for this collection action whatsoever. I demand you cease all efforts to collect and remove all derogatory information from my credit report immediately. Failing to do so will result in a complaint being filed with the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau. 

I have enclosed the explanation of benefits forms providing evidence that these bills have in fact been paid, had XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX properly billed the insurer they would have been paid within 30 days of the services being rendered like every other party that provided service during this admission. 

Any correspondence regarding this matter must be done in writing. 


Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-23 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
On or around XXXX XXXX, 2016 I called American Express to report fraudulent transactions ( which i became aware of when i went online to make my payment ). The fraud investigator asked if I had my card, I replied that i did not. have a few more questions he asked me to identify all the unauthorized transactions. Therefore I informed him every transaction from XXXX XXXX ( from XXXX {$120.00} ) through XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX {$26.00} ) were not authorized by me. He specifically asked about a few XXXX purchases, I informed him I did not have a XXXX membership and none of those purchases were mine or authorized by me. Incredibly, this investigator began literally interrogating me, asking at least a dozen questions. Finally, i interrupted him and informed him the questions he was asking seem ridiculous and over-reaching of my obligation. I requested an investigation and re-affirmed my dispute of these transactions totaling over {$5000.00}. 
Over two months have passed and American Express has refused to remove the disputed transactions, refused to provide any details of their investigation, have restricted my account, charged me late fees and increased interest rates. 
I thought investigations must be completed within 60 days and/or 3 billing cycles? Well, we have elapsed both. Additionally, twice by phone and once by letter, I firmly requested all communications were to be conducted by USPS or email to make sure I have accurate documentation, since I do NOT trust American Express to provide recorded information. However, American Express has continually called me 4-5 times every single day.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-12 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
The credit card company ( American Express ) changed my credit card from one type ( Blue Cash ) to another ( Blue Cash Everyday ) without my consent, and I would lose cash back money because of that. My current card has an annual cycle system for cash back, which means that the cash back I get depends upon the purchases I have made with this card during a 12 month period. My cycle starts on XXXX of XXXX of each year, and I get a lower cash back percentage for the first {$6500.00} I spend with this card, and after that I get more cash back percentage. This year 's cycle also started on XXXX of XXXX, and in the past 4 months, I have made most of my purchases with this card so that I reach the {$6500.00} limit as soon as possible, and start getting more cash back. Now, just when I am about to reach this limit, the credit card company has sent me a letter notifying me that my card has been converted to a different type, which has a completely different cash back system, and as a result, I would receive much lower cash back compared to what I would have gotten with the old card upon reaching the {$6500.00} limit. I contacted their customer service many times and all of their agents understood my issue, but ultimately did n't do anything other than apologizing to me. I told to the agents that this is cheating, and they said that this is a company-wide policy and they have no control on it. As a solution, I offered them to change my card after my current cycle ends, but they denied it. I also offered them to give a higher cash back on previous and future purchases to compensate for my loss, but they denied it.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-03-22 00:00:00
Product: Consumer Loan — Installment loan
Issue: Taking out the loan or lease — 
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX i filed for XXXX and noticed that i am a victim of XXXX. Someone took out a personal loan/loans using my identity. there for ruining my credit. in XX/XX/XXXX.It has been going on since XX/XX/XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-09-21 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
A debt belonging to an ex-spouse resulted in a lien against my house. I have been divorced for 4+ years. The divorce decree states the debt is her sole responsibility. The debt is in her name ( I am not part of the original contract ). Her name has been removed from the property and has been confirmed by county records. The company Midland Financial refuses to speak with me regarding the matter because my name is not on the account. I am not looking for anything more than getting the lien released from my property since the debt is not mine in any way. Attorneys say they can not help me and the county says there is nothing I can do, but there is no way this can be right? I need your help because I do n't have the money to afford extensive litigation.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-20 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
This company is reporting an incorrect amount on my outstanding balance as well as false late payments. The tradeline has been updated with the date of XXXX delinquency changed and now will show on my credit reports negatively for 10 years. This is a violation of my rights.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-28 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
This company Midland Funding bought the debt, which is 4 years old from first delinquency, according to my credit report, from XXXX. Both Midland Funding and the original creditor are reporting this on my credit report to all XXXX bureaus. Because of the double reporting and the fact that Midland Funding is reporting an amount higher than the original debt of {$130.00}, I disputed the Midland Funding account with the Bureaus. Midland Funding verified the account with the bureaus and would not delete it. Verification, according to the bureau, consists of verifying my name and social security number. Prior to finding them on my Credit Report last month, I had not had any communication with this collection agency whatsoever. I have not received any letter or phone, they just showed up on my credit report. After I disputed and Midland Funding " verified '' and continued to report to the bureau, they have now also added dispute remarks to my credit report and began sending me letters. Perhaps I finally received a letter from them introducing themselves and attempting to collect the debt after the dispute I filed with the bureau. I no longer dispute the account and contacted them to state this and have them remove the remarks from my report. I have yet to hear back about this. I also disputed through the Bureau again, asking that they remove the remarks " account disputed by consumer '' from my credit report, since that statement is no longer accurate. They refuse to remove the remarks, continue to report the account to all XXXX bureaus and have begun collection attempts and sending me letters AFTER my initial dispute.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-04 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Dealing with my lender or servicer — Trouble with how payments are handled
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
Every month UAS charges me {$15.00} because they take too long to process my payment that I make from XXXX Online Bill Pay.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-16 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
I have contacted Midland Funding. They have a judgment against me. I asked them for information verifying what the judgment is for. They just run in circles, asking me if I am disputing the debt. I tell them I do not know whether to dispute it or not that I need more information. They say I can either accept the debt and get the amount owed or I can dispute it. I tell them I need something to show me the debt, what is was for etc. They only have the judgment and if they send me the judgment they ca n't send me the amount owed. If I ask for the amount owed, I guess I am saying that I owe the debt. They wont let me verify the debt with out disputing it. I do n't want to dispute something that may be valid. They just keep speaking in circles in XXXX. The CSR was hard to understand but was not helping me at all.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-09 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting — 
Issue: Improper use of my credit report — Report improperly shared by CRC
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
While checking my personal credit report, I noticed an unauthorized and fraudulent credit inquiry made by AMEX on or about XX/XX/XXXX on XXXX. I did not authorized anyone employed by this company to make any inquiry and view my credit report. AMEX has violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act Section XXXX ( c ). They were not legally entitled to make this fraudulent inquiry. This is a serious breach of my privacy rights. I have requested that they mail me a copy of my signed authorization form that gave them the right to view my credit within five ( 5 ) business days so that I can verify its validity and advised them that if they can not provide me with proof that I authorized them to view my credit report then I am demanding that they contact the credit bureaus immediately and have them remove the unauthorized and fraudulent hard inquiry immediately. I also requested that they remove my personal information from their records. My Social Security # is XXXX and my Date of Birth is XX/XX/XXXX in case it is needed to locate the fraudulent inquiry in their system.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-19 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I have a XXXX or XXXX and XXXX. Both card are consolidate as XXXX card with a balance of {$7400.00}. Due to changes in my military status, I am no longer a monthly paid XXXX since XX/XX/XXXX. The hardship of paying bills become harder and I had to resort to payday loans. The end result is my XXXX was unpaid for several months. 
here is my complaint, I was to receive my XX/XX/XXXX tax return of {$530.00} to be released on XX/XX/XXXX. I never received my refund. I was advised by the IRS automated system that my refund was paid to Transworld System Inc ( TSI ). I made inquiries to TSI and I had asked why is my refund taken. Customer services proceed to say to make payment arrangement. When I inquired why I never received a letter on this collection. They proceeded to say " no letter was return. '' I continued to asked more than 3x for a copy and the proceed with the excuse " no letter was return. '' until XX/XX/XXXX, I have receive an envelope with copies of transaction and a non legible or a very poor scan copy of letters sent to me in XX/XX/XXXX from XXXX. The letter is dated XX/XX/XXXX and the letter gives me 60 days of the date of the letter to sign an agreement for payment arrangement or a Treasury Offset Program will be implemented. 60 days from XX/XX/XXXX will not be until XX/XX/XXXX. my refund was taken from me to early. This violates the letter I never received. I spoke to XXXX customer service on XX/XX/XXXX to gather some information and I spoke to XXXX. She explained to me that various service members have lodge complaints with TSI, so why has nothing been done to rectify these complaints with TSI. TSI is punishing me with there high interest rate with a balance I checked back in XX/XX/XXXX of {$12000.00}. today this balance has gone up to {$13000.00} TSI has lied to me regarding letters sent out in XX/XX/XXXX. TSI has made it clear that I can not pay a single payment of the current balance due my credit report. Why has the FTC stopped this practice if various service members including myself being punished and my credit report will effected since collection will be on going and if I can the balance off in so many year, my credit report will still be negative for another 7 years because of the unauthorized collection practice and interest charges XXXX has suggested to me to inquire with TSI for hardship but the representative only laughed at me and said there is no hardship. I will soon receive my military retirement then my Social Security retirement. TSI will collect all my entitlements and leave me nothing to pay my mortgage, utilities and food. this is unfair to me since someone has given them rights to take this action.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-04-13 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
IN 2005 OVER 10 YEARS AGO I HAD AN ACCOUNT WITH XXXX AND AFTER MY CONTRACT RAN THROUGH DISCONTINUED SERVICES. MIDLAND FUND HAS SINCE BOUGHT THIS JUNK DEBT AND HAVE BEEN CONTINUING TO PERSUE AND REPORT THIS TO THE CREDIT BUREAU AND HAVE ADDITIONALLY PADDED THE AMOUNT INITIALLY WRONGFULLY REPORTED AS OWED.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-19 00:00:00
Product: Bank account or service — Other bank product/service
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management — 
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
My Paypal account was shut down and I am still waiting for my funds to be refunded to me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief