Consumer complaint received 2025-12-04 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: KY

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Complaint Regarding Deceptive and Abusive Debt Collection Practices by Midland Credit Management ( MCM ) To Whom It May Concern : I am submitting this complaint regarding Midland Credit Management ( MCM ) and its representative, XXXX XXXX, for multiple violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). The conduct described below occurred during a chat conversation on Wednesday, XXXX XXXX XXXX The chat conversation commenced at XXXX I contacted MCM to request settlement options for two accounts because the collection letter they mailed to me stated that I could set up long-term payment plans online and that they wished to avoid the cost of litigation. I engaged in the conversation in good faith.

During the chat, MCM displayed several unfair and deceptive practices, including : Misrepresentation of settlement terms The representative offered a {$900.00} settlement for one account ( XXXX ) and then later increased the amount to {$1000.00} after I accepted the {$900.00} offer. This occurred without explanation and appears to be a bait-and-switch tactic. 

Coercive pressure and false urgency I was told that settlement offers were only valid during the length of the chat and would not be available later. I was also repeatedly told the account was in pre-legal stage in a way that implied legal action was imminent. This created unnecessary pressure and is inconsistent with FDCPA requirements. 

Contradicting written communications MCMs own letter stated I could set up long-term payment plans, yet the representative refused to provide settlement amounts unless I paid in one lump sum. He also told me long-term plans would only receive a 1020 % discount, contradicting the written option of flexible long-term repayment. 

Manipulative statements and bad-faith negotiation The representative claimed he had stretched his limits, stated take it or leave it, and repeatedly increased previously agreed settlement amounts. These tactics were used to pressure me into higher payments than I could reasonably afford. 

Unfair tie-in of settlements between accounts When I attempted to negotiate the second account, the representative increased the settlement on the first account, again without justification. This practice is misleading and coercive. 

Because of these deceptive, inconsistent, and manipulative tactics, I was unable to reach a fair resolution despite trying for over an hour. The representatives behavior created unnecessary emotional distress and violated multiple FDCPA provisions, including ( but not limited to ) 15 U.S.C. 1692d and 1692e.

I am requesting that the CFPB investigate MCMs practices, require them to cease deceptive settlement behavior, and ensure that any future communications comply with federal law. 

A copy of the full transcript will be uploaded and included within this complaint for reference. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief