vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-06 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
I 've been victimized by the illegal collection practices of Encore Capital Group - Midland Funding LLC. XXXX Consumer is who I acquired the credit card through as a XXXX who just purchased a new house ( 2012 ). Little did I know that this would be a nightmare that would follow me well into my XXXX. With a XXXX limit and an interest rate of 28 %, I tried to stay below the credit limit but seemed to never be able to pay it down with the minimum payment of {$75.00} dollars, the 28 % interest, and the added credit card protection. Eventually I decided to start paying XXXX - XXXX dollars per month or as max as I could get it. The card was closed but I never stopped making payments. XXXX still accepted my payments for three months before they advised that the account was no longer accepting them. Reaching out to XXXX and XXXX XXXX bank ( The company who owned the account at the time ) was a futile effort and they did not provide any useful information or a method for me to resolve the account/pay-off the account. Several years later, I get contacted by Midland Funding LLC., upon requesting more information about the account, they advise that it 's been sold and they no longer own the account. This even though they are the ones listing as a negative reporting on my credit. 

After trying to XXXX this account for several years, I get a notification in the mail that I have a credit that will be applied to the account as a result of action taken against Encore Capital Group - Midland Funding LLC. by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Although this credit is present, Midland decided to robo-sue me for the amount of the original card. Not taking into account the credit provided by the lawsuit or the amounts that paid and accepted after they deemed the account closed. 
This has been very painful and costly ; I only wanted it resolved years ago but Midland with their account shell games with moving the account from one company to another and with them suing without providing proper information or documentation creates a world of torment for the consumer and I 'm still dealing with this nightmare.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-01 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — Conventional fixed mortgage
Issue: Settlement process and costs — 
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
i had the same issue with this company before the issue was never solved. i agee to a loan modification they signed the agreement i signed the agreement. the agreement now they are going back on agreement no taxes or insurance is supposed to come out of the payment they say my county says we were behind my county says they are lying

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-26 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Sirs, this complaint is in accordance with your decision on XX/XX/XXXX-Court action taken against XXXX XXXX XXXX for selling bad debt ( CC debt ), about their engaging in unfair, deceptive, abusive acts and robo-signed affidavits to get a Judgement against consumers.. The exact scenario happened to me with American Express Centurian Bank first correspondence and ending XX/XX/XXXX, final judgment for Plantiff. The debt buyer ( Attorney ) claims he is representing American Express, when in fact, they have : # 1 - Lack of standing, the Chain of Custody has been broken, Florida law in assignment by the OC, American Express assisted third party debt buyers in deceptively collecting debts. This was a written off account refunded back to American Express, either by insurance or the IRS & deemed uncollectable. # 2. A robo-signed affidavit to sue me for unverified debts, .Their refusal of providing production, documents & proof of the custodians mire existence were met with denials, as my rights in the matter were unfair & illegal. I had prepared & studied this case before its hearing, and properly presented evidence. All of my suspicions have been proved by your decision and I thank you for invoking consumers rights Consent to publish the description of what happened?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-03 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Dealing with my lender or servicer — Trouble with how payments are handled
Company: MOHELA
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
I have XXXX direct loans ( XXXX subsidized, XXXX unsubsidized ) currently serviced by Mohela. On XXXX XXXX, 2016 I paid a lump sum of {$1000.00} and directed Mohela to apply the full amount to Loan XXXX, using their online payment system. The payment was applied to the correct loan ; however, my next monthly payment ( auto-debited from my bank account on XXXX XXXX, 2016 ) was not applied correctly - a small amount was applied to Loan XXXX and a larger amount was applied to Loan XXXX. 

I contacted Mohela when I realized this error and was told the revised allocation was because my account was in " paid-ahead '' status. I asked them to edit my XXXX XXXX payment and reapply it as it was supposed to be applied per my repayment schedule and also remove the paid-ahead status - I wanted my payments to remain as they were scheduled, just with a smaller balance on Loan XXXX. I was assured that this would be taken care of and would not cause any further issues. 

My monthly payments for XXXX 2016 through XXXX 2016 ( inclusive ) were applied correctly, but my XXXX 2016 and XXXX 2016 payments were again incorrectly applied. This time, a much larger amount than scheduled was applied to XXXX XXXX and a much smaller amount than scheduled was applied to Loan XXXX. I contacted Mohela again, on XXXX XXXX, 2016. Their response indicated that they did not quite understand the problem. 

Again, Mohela said I was in " paid-ahead '' status and that the additional payment that I made was used to satisfy future bills ( which is exactly the opposite of what I had requested when making that payment and what I discussed with them when I contacted them in XXXX 2016 ). The email response I received said, in part, " The paid ahead status on your account is causing your Auto Debit payments to apply to your XXXX loans differently than what is displayed on your repayment summary. We are currently researching a way to ensure that your Auto Debit payments apply correctly, based on the repayment summary. Once we have completed research on how best to implement this process on your account, we will send you a subsequent secure email on mohela.com. '' I find it difficult to believe that I am the only customer in the history of Mohela and/or the XXXX to want to pay down my loans and continue to have the monthly payments allocated as indicated on my repayment schedule. I also find it incredibly convenient on Mohela 's end to use this excuse - the goal in my paying extra on the loan is to reduce interest over the course of the loan, something Mohela has a vested interest in preventing. They show no interest in resolving the issue and refuse to re-allocate previous payments which were incorrectly applied.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-17 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Advertising and marketing — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX XXXX, I was offered to spend XXXX and get XXXX Membership rewards points. On XXXX XXXX, I called to confirm the offer. They confirmed with me and told me it was the last date to meet the XXXX dollar purchase requirement. Today I called again. Now they are telling me it 's XXXX purchase requirement.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting — 
Issue: Incorrect information on credit report — Account status
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
After multiple disputes with Trans Union they are still inaccurately reporting a late payment on XXXX on my XXXX XXXX. XXXX has sent XXXX requests for the information to be updated yet Trans Union has not updated the information. I do not have any late payments with my XXXX XXXX.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-01 00:00:00
Product: Payday loan — 
Issue: Can't stop charges to bank account — 
Company: GVA Holdings, LLC
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Took out a payday loan and the loan has been paid back since XXXX 2015 plus interest, Payday lender still debiting account. I would like the payday lender to cease and desist from debiting my account, and return any and all funds back to my bank account paid after XXXX XXXX 2015. I 've paid this lender back XXXX so far. This lender also did not follow NJ laws for payday lending and interest rates.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-10 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX XXXX I received a letter for Midland Credit Management inc . They were identifying themselves as the new owner of an account that is no longer in debt at the original creditor. They are charging me {$640.00} from credit XXXX bank account. Account number at MCM is XXXX. As soon as I received the letter I call them at XXXX. I 'm pretty sure that they can confirm this via their call recordings. The first representative was not avail to provide me any information as of why I owe this account to them. When I repeatedly ask him why he could n't provide me any information he said to call again later. After he got tired of me asking why he could't provide me any information and me asking to speak to a US representative that speaks english since I thought that was n't understanding what I was telling him he hang up on me. 

I called a second time and explain that a previous representative had hang up on me the new representative started to laugh at me. When I ask him what was so funny he laugh again and said that it was n't about me. I ask for manager and he send me again to the main number to get another representative. 

For their poor collection tactics I have open this complaint with the XXXX and also with The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

With all of this being said, I require that Midland Credit Management Inc provides me with detailed information that validates this debt as correct. That includes sending me detailed statements about the amount owe, verification from the original creditor that shows that I still owe this debt, Signed contracts or agreements between me and the original creditor. If they can not provide me with all of this information, I require that they stop all collections attempt to myself and to do not report this debt to any of the XXXX credit bureaus ( XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ).

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-16 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Payday loan
Issue: False statements or representation — Indicated committed crime not paying
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
Recieved a telephone call ( voice mail ) stating that they have attempted to send a summons to our home regarding an upcoming court date. Failure to respond could result in a bench warrant ( I have the audio of the voice message saved ). 

On calling the number given XXXX They claim to be the XXXX and this is in reference to a debt from XX/XX/XXXX with XXXX ( XXXX ). They stated the account was charged off in XX/XX/XXXX and then further claim I made single payment in XX/XX/XXXX ( which i did not ) This is obvious reaging of a deb and an illegal attempt to collect.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-01-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Payoff process — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted American Express to let them know my financial situation had changed and I wanted to close the account and set up a 5 year plan with possibly no interest with automatic deductions from my account. At that time, the CSR told me that they could n't help me with that plan but to call in XX/XX/XXXX. I did, by this time I was 30 days late. I was told they could n't help me then and to call back in 2 weeks. I called in XX/XX/XXXX. I was now 60 days late. I was speaking to someone in a call center in another country where the English was horrible. I thought we had agreed to the 5 year plan at a very low interest rate with them deducting {$200.00} from my account. It was supposed to start in XX/XX/XXXX. I get a letter today from a collection agency that American Express has turned it over to them. I spoke to them and they claimed they could n't help me with a 5 year plan. I called American Express and they wo n't speak to me now. This is total abuse by a large credit card.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-09-11 00:00:00
Product: Bank account or service — Checking account
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
It has been more than half year since American Express Blue Bird has unlawfully held my funds. I have made number of attempts and provided documents necessary in order for them to resolve my concern. 
At some point, due to fraud related concerns XXXX XXXX XXXX froze my account, then closed and reopened new XXXX to make sure that I am safe while banking. This issue caused BlueBird American Express account to be frozen or/and hold placed onto it. I went ahead and forwarded American express the letter sent by XXXX XXXX XXXX which states the reasons. American express, did nothing, but treated me in a very unethical manners. Racist operators and unprofessional supervisors refused to assist me and made terrible discriminative comments over the phone.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-02 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Transaction issue — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
I have a credit balance with American Express and have reviewed my cardholder agreement. It does not specify that a refund be conveyed in a particular way ( Ie : check, wire transfer ). 
I requested that I be directed to where it states that it will take ( 7 ) business days to receive my refund and they are refusing to provide the information, expedite the process or allow me to speak to another department with regard to the processing. This refund is in excess of {$3000.00}. While AMEX has written documentation concerning payment, the representative could not direct me to any language that defines how refunds or credit balance are handled. The information provided by the rep kept vacillating stating that it was " processed '' " check with my bank '' to they can not " expedite the process '' to " any other rep of AMEX will tell me the same thing ''.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-14 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I had an American Express Corporate Platinum Card through my employer. I paid a fee to upgrade the basic corporate card to a platinum card so that I could earn membership rewards. My card had XXXX membership rewards points ( redemption value of approx. {$1800.00} ) as of last check. My company canceled the card in late XXXX 2016 due to a pending acquisition. I paid off the remaining charges by mid XXXX 2016. I had a credit of {$570.00} that was, according to American Express, issued to me in the form of a check on XXXX XXXX, 2016. In my mind, the account was closed on XXXX XXXX, 2016, when the final credit was paid. When I reached out to American Express in late XXXX 2016 to discuss rolling my membership rewards over into another account, I was told that the rewards points had been forfeited. At that point, American Express told me that the rewards points were forfeited 30 days after the account was closed by the company, which was in late XXXX 2016. After many hours of waiting on the phone and submitting appeals, I have gotten the same answer : American Express is unwilling to replenish the points. This is a deliberately deceptive and abusive practice by American Express. It never notified me of its forfeiture policy, not at the time I opened the account nor at the time the company closed it. It did not send a reminder after the account was closed that the points would be lost. It never notified my employer about its policy, and my employer never notified me. Moreover, to arrive at its decision to eliminate my points balance, American Express selected an account closing date based on when the card stopped accepting charges rather than when the account activity was settled. Simple decency would say that American Express would remind the customer about the forfeiture. Good customer service would include having some flexibility to make things right when there is a mistake. American Express has neither. I believe this is a widespread practice, designed to disgorge points from unsuspecting members upon account termination. It has to stop. There should be mandatory notification of pending forfeiture of points.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-22 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Midland Credit Management has purchased many old debts from previous lenders of mine and claiming amounts I do n't owe. In some cases, they are somehow updating debt 's last activity and keeping accounts that are over 7 years of age on my file. 

Someone needs to monitor this company, they are asking me to write a letter and accept all the debt, before even negotiating with me to resolve it. I am being victimized by this entity, I am a father and supporter of many. My fico score is being very heavily affected and life is more expensive for me. 

MCM XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-10-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I have been an American Express card member since 1981, and in that time I have never had cause to question the level of service or integrity of the company. In XX/XX/XXXX, I purchased formal wear from the XXXX internet merchant XXXX, which promptly cancelled XXXX of XXXX orders. I immediately cancelled the second order, because the purchase was time-sensitive. I also called American Express to demand a chargeback. American Express claims that I owe {$510.00} for XXXX dresses ( XXXX orders ) I do not have in my possession. 
In XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX agreed to withdraw the claim for {$100.00} for XXXX dress, and refunded the money. Recently, the dispute resolution division of American Express restored this amount to my credit card debt. I am pretty sure they do n't read any of the documents they ask customers to upload when disputing a bill ( or even correspondence generated by American Express ). 
I have been petitioning customer service and billing inquiry since XX/XX/XXXX without success, regarding the second package ( cancelled by me ), a package shipped XXXX. The dispute resolution department is located overseas, and is not accessible by phone. Billing Inquiry says they communicate with dispute resolution by e-mail. It is easy to see how nuances of a case get lost, though mine is n't that complicated. 
Here are the relevant facts : 1 ) Both orders were canceled, one by XXXX, the other by me. 
a ) XXXX canceled the order on XX/XX/XXXX. ( I have a screen shot of this ). 
2 ) The packages were sent, anyway. 
3 ) Both were delivered without my signature. 
4 ) I returned XXXX package unopened to XXXX, which sent the package on to Kansas. XXXX agreed to refund my {$100.00}. However, when I returned the XXXX package unopened to XXXX -- the only way you can 'refuse delivery ' when you 're not home and they drop it off without your signature, the merchant was not so cooperative. 
5 ) XXXX tried to contact the seller for a month 6 ) Finally, the seller sent XXXX an order to 'destroy ' ( rather than authorization to return ) the package. 
7 ) I have supplied documents showing that XXXX picked up the unopened package. See line item XXXX. 
8 ) Documents showing that XXXX tried to contact the seller in XXXX. 
9 ) A document in XXXX and English from the seller authorizing XXXX to destroy this package. 
10 ) A new document of correspondence between myself and XXXX indicating that a ) the seller wo n't correspond with them. b ) that XXXX is not involved any longer in this decision making process, only American Express. 
I can only conclude that American Express is purposely making it difficult for customers to seek redress. 
I want a refund of {$510.00} and no damage to my credit.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-20 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Can't repay my loan — Can't temporarily postpone payments
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I attended XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX New Jersey and my program was XXXX. I attended school 2013 and i wanted to do the XXXX. I I found out in orentation that my program was changed to XXXX at the last moment I felt it was unfair because i really wanted billing andcoding I felt pressured in to the program I did not pick but i wanted new career for myself and thats whst the promise now i ccompleted program and the promise to help get me work and they were sending more than XXXX resume to the same employer which msde it hard for me to grt work. Now im broke no job and XXXX kids to care for i cant afford to pay loans back. I sent my resume to some companies i only got work at XXXX XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: APR or interest rate — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I was charged double interest. 
I paid last statement in full and also prepaid a portion of the current statement ahead of the closing, still XXXX XXXX charged me interest, XXXX calls routed to XXXX were disconnected, and XXXX call to XXXX still waiting, I am in hold for over 100 minutes .... 

I request a full credit of {$25.00} for interest charges that it should not have been, their explanation is that the go back two month.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-09 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Late fee — 
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: NM

Complaint narrative:
Citicard : I subscribed to paperless billing and pay out of my bank account. I provided CITI with bank info. They did not deduct amount due, then claimed I was late, charged a late fee and interest. I decided to close account and pay, but I think this may be a scam and want to report it. I never received a paper bill, although requesting it.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation