vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-19 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
I 've been receiving calls from Transworld about a supposed student loan in default for several months now. As far as I know, I do not have any student loans left and wanted to know more information about the origin of this debt. The amount they are collecting for is also close to the amount of the remaining balance of a student loan that was paid in full in the fall. I requested a letter be sent to me in the mail with this info so I could check it against my records. 

I received nothing in the mail and several weeks later Transworld began calling me again. When I called them back, they said they had no record of my phone number in their system and so they had no idea why they would be calling me unless I could give them an account number, which I could n't, as I still have n't received anything in the mail from them. I was finally able to answer a call from Transworld and the agent told me the reason they could n't find my phone number before was because the other agents I spoke to were n't authorized to talk to someone in my state. For the 2nd time I requested the loan info be mailed to me. This was on XXXX XXXX. 

On XXXX I began receiving phone calls from Transworld again. I still had not received anything in the mail from them. I finally did receive something today, but it is just a generic letter informing me of ways to resolve the debt, nothing about disputing it or the debt itself ( amount owed, etc. ). 

I called Transworld today, XXXX, to request, for the 3rd time, info on the loan. I explained and asked for the letter to be sent at the beginning of the call. At first the agent tried to dissuade me from requesting the letter. I told her that I know it is my right to receive that info and she became belligerent with me. She asked what kind of info I wanted and I said, " anything you have, like the origin, amounts, who it was paid to. '' She gave me some info and some of it matched the previously mentioned paid off student loan but some did n't so I asserted again that I wanted a letter in the mail with this info, so I can figure out what is going on. She tried to continue to argue with me until I reminded her, again, that by law they have to provide me with this info or stop calling me, and that this is the 3rd time I 've had to request that info. She finally relented, verified my address, and ended the call. 

I would like to figure out what is going on with this debt and resolve the situation but so far Transworld has sent me XXXX info, yet persists in calling me to collect. The last agent I spoke to was unprofessional and belligerent when I tried to assert my rights. It was also unprofessional of Transworld to not be able to look up my phone number when I called them so that XXXX of their employees literally told me they had no idea why Transworld would be calling me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-14 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: Columbia Collection Service, Inc.
State: OR

Complaint narrative:
I started paying this debt through garnishment XXXX 2014. At the end of XXXX 2014 I was laid off from my full time job. I tried to contact Columbia Collections Services multiple times to pay the remaining part of the bill in full but was never called back. For the last year I have left messages weekly for XXXX, the rep in charge of my account with no response. I have also called the lawyer on file and left messages and never got a response. Instead of letting me pay my debt, Columbia has tried to seize my bank funds twice and has issued garnishment papers to multiple places that I did n't even work at. This process of filing new papers over and over has resulted in over {$2000.00} in fees on an original debt amount of {$1100.00}. I wanted to settle this debt over a year ago and have n't been given the opportunity. I feel like this is unfair and should be illegal. Especially given this debt was from a medical bill that I should n't have even aquired. Columbia is now garnishing XXXX % of my income monthly and still wo n't call me back. My boyfriend has been calling everyday as well trying to pay the debt in full and is also being ignored. 
I am writing you this letter to file a complaint. I am not the first person who this has happened to. When you look Columbia up online, you find nothing but complaints of many people going through very similiar situations. I have since paid my debt back and I understand having some added interest, but doubling the debt is absolutely ridiculous. Had they let me pay it in full, the fees would 've never grown like they have. I would appreciate your assitance in this matter so that I can pay off my debt in full without having to pay the additional amount being charged as a result of the unethical and unprofessional behavior that Columbia Collections Services Inc. has exhibited over the past 18 months. 

Best RegardsXXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-19 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: RS Clark and Associates, Inc.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
RS & CLARK is reporting an account on my credit report that does not belong to me. I asked for debt verification as allowed under the FCRA in XXXX 2016. They sent me a response dated XXXX/XXXX/16 stating that they need additional time to verify the debt, and that was almost a month ago ... I have yet to receive a response.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-11 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — Conventional adjustable mortgage (ARM)
Issue: Loan modification,collection,foreclosure — 
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
I purchased a home through HSBC and it was foreclosed on ...

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-19 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Credit determination — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NV

Complaint narrative:
I applied for a Amex Plum Card and was denied. This was based upon my being an " Authorized User with various companies that did not meet their financial obligations with Amex. XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX, ( 17 years old ), XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX, and XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX. 
My credit was never checked by Amex. I was never the primary account holder for any of these accounts. The date of the letter was XX/XX/XXXX. I received the detailed explanation by calling the XXXX number in the letter. 
It should n't be legal for a credit granting company to use a primary card holder or company 's information that is responsible for an credit account against an " authorized user ''. A copy of the letter of denial is attached. Note, that it says that I was denied due to the fact that American Express cancelled your previous accounts- all of which I was not financially responsible for nor the primary and financially responsible party. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Prepaid card — General purpose card
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing account — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
I was given an American Express gift card at my retirement luncheon. The gift card was inside a greeting card envelope and somehow, I believe it fell out of the envelope as we were leaving the restaurant. I called the restaurant and they reported an unsuccessful search of the dining area and outside on the street. I also called the local police in case someone found the card. I immediately called American Express ( Classic Card ) services and they told me to get a copy of the receipt. I got a copy of the receipt and faxed it to the number they gave me. They took about a week, and I received a " reference number '' along with a response : " Based upon the information you provided, we are unable to locate a valid Gift Card number ''. I called American Express again and was told to contact the seller ( XXXX ), and they provided me with the last XXXX digits of the card ( which was already available on the receipt ). American Express provided additional steps that I should take : Contact XXXX and request a " PROXY # or SERIAL # '' from the XXXX store journal. I made another call to XXXX and was told that I would have to talk store security. Security was very nice, but denied me the information unless I went to my local Police Department and had someone make " official '' contact. My local Police Officer was very nice and tried to cooperate with XXXX, but ended up with NO additional information, only the last XXXX digits again. Another call to American Express and the shared their regrets and said I was at the end of the search ... they could not help me further.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-04-28 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I have been receiving a letter acknowledging my authorization for automatic payment from my bank account on my macy 's credit card and the macy 's XXXX I had until XXXX of 2014 when I cancelled the XXXX out of frustration in not resolving this issue. Each letter I received was addressed to a different name, however it had my address and my account number and the correct billing information for that account. I called mace 's several times : twice I was told it would be fixed and it was not. The last time I was told that it was a computer error and could not be fixed!

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-03-23 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I recieved a notice from Midland Credit Management , Inc. ( MCM ) that I owed an " original Creditor : '' XXXX ( South Dakota ), XXXX. and that the current balance was {$18000.00}. It does not describe what the debt is for or any details concerning it. I have no knowledge of any such debt. 
MCM offers a 70 % discount if I pay {$5500.00} by XX/XX/2015. 
I have never failed to pay a debt in my life. 
I called the phone number which is on the front page of their notice, at least XXXX places, XXXX times over a three day period and recieve a recorded answer : " All circuits are busy, please call back later '' or " Call can not be completed, try again later '' " message TX XXXX MN. ''

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-19 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Credit line increase/decrease — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I 've had multiple credit card accounts with American Express including business. In the last XXXX years of doing business with them never was a bill ever paid late. Due to the financial crisis I was forced to let go of my home causing my credit scores to drop but never the less I chose NOT to file for bankruptcy but RATHER fulfill all my credit obligations. It has been a challenge to increase my credit scores and now American Express dropped my credit limits from {$4200.00} to {$800.00} ( {$800.00} was the outstanding balance on card ) in XXXX card as well as drops to other cards. The impact and something affecting millions of consumers is that I went from XXXX % credit use to XXXX %!!!! maxing out my credit and consequently making my credit scores drop immediately. This is not the first time it has happened it happened once previously with American Express and once with XXXX. I think this is an unethical practice by credit companies to hurt the credit of good standing and paying customers there is absolutely no record of late payments on any of my credit accounts. I now questioned if I should 've file for bankruptcy instead to get new start. I contacted credit company and all they told me was that I should try and apply for credit increase which is nonsense. I have since closed all my accounts with American Express and contacted their XXXX offices where I was told I had to apply for an increase of credit and there was no guarantee that I would get the same limit. Clearly showed I was not treated as a loyal customer.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-21 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Credit determination — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
American Express sends me emails and offer letters offering a XXXX XXXX credit card. They do this several times a year. I decided to apply. I have a credit score of XXXX XXXX depending on which agency is reporting. I made over XXXX a year, own a home, have rental properties and a solid job of 10 years. 
They denied me instantly and when I called to find out what happened XXXX the emailed me a rejection letter ) I was routed to a call center in XXXX. I could barely understand the people I spoke with and no one could tell my why I would be declined. I asked to speak to someone in the USA. But when I did they told me I had to deal with the XXXX Call center. When I told the supervisor they were not able give me any explanation. I was told that there was no one else to speak with. I asked to be put in touch with American Express HQ here in the USA and was refused. I can not believe " American '' Express has no one in the USA that can deal with this type of treatment.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-24 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: DE

Complaint narrative:
Calling every XXXX minutes from XXXX to XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-09-15 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
I have now answered over XXXX calls from a number that keeps calling as XXXX, which documented dates and times. Company appears to be Midland Funding. This must be a computered generated call, because nobody is ever on the phone, it shows blank air time, then a few clicks and disconnected. I do n't have a clue what they are calling about, but this occurs once to twice per day, and I have to drop everything I 'm doing just to hear a line drop with no person available. I wish for them to stop calling, as for whatever reason they are calling, I tired of being harassed.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-12-29 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Can't repay my loan — Can't decrease my monthly payments
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MA XXXX XXXX XXXX, 2015 Honorable Senator : I am in need of your assistance. The situation is thus, a few years ago I cosigned student loans for my Daughter XXXX. Situations that were unforeseen occurred. My Daughter XXXX reneged on repaying the student loans. XXXX of the loans went to collections, when I was contacted by the collection agency I was threatened. Not knowing any better, I started to make payments. I later found out that what they did was illegal. 

I am getting on in years and ready to retire. Things have gotten worse. I had to file for bankruptcy to protect my home. Tried to take advantage of the HARP program, but was denied due to no credit. It 's to the point, We are living paycheck too paycheck. 
We have no funds available to cover any unforeseen problems that may come. 

The funds should 've gone directly to the college instead they went to the student. In our case, she spent all the money on herself and not for further education. The funds should go directly to the college. Out Daughter XXXX, scammed us and the loan originators. 

We are at the point that we can no longer afford to repay these student loans. I believe your office can help us. Why is it that the student is not responsible for repaying the loans, the loan companies go after the cosigner? 

I believe you could submit legislation to prevent this from ever happening to anyone again. The student should be held accountable and be responsible for repaying their student loans and not the cosigner. 

But in the meantime, I need any assistance Your Office can provide Me. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated, in regards to programs or legal legislation that can offer student loan forgiveness. 


Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-11-11 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CT

Complaint narrative:
I had a disputed charge on my card for {$1000.00} with amazon, Citi Card put in a temporary credit until the dispute was resolved. The Dispute was resolved and XXXX gave me my credit. I then noticed online that the dispute was still open and informed Citi it was resolved, so the manually reverse the temporary credit. Several weeks letter, I received a letter from Citi that the dispute was resolved and they would reverse the credit, I called them and told it was already reversed. They said, I was correct and to ignore the letter. XXXX days later I noticed my account had the temporary credit was reversed a second time. So now I 'm out XXXX dollars, I 've connected Citi mulitple times to correct the mistake on there end but have been getting the run around. First they told me I 'd get the XXXX put back in XXXX days, I waited, then called again and told XXXX days, I waited, then told XXXX business days. I 've been getting the run around and still out the XXXX dollars.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-16 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX bought a credit card account from XXXX XXXX I opened in XX/XX/XXXX. The account has never been any activity on the account since XX/XX/XXXX. As of XX/XX/XXXX, the statue of limitation is expired and should be removed from my credit bureaus. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX. has fraudulently made payments to an account that is outside the statue of limitation. A payment of {$1.00} was made by XXXX XXXX to the account to bring the account current. 

XXXX XXXX then proceeded threaten to suit me and finally file a law suit against me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-22 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Communication tactics — Called outside of 8am-9pm
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Contacted at XXXX XXXX EST on XXXX/XXXX/2015 from phone XXXX sears department to my cell phone at XXXX. I told the rep that I will make payment on the next due pay because I had tried to make a payment extension to avoid late fee and it was not granted so I received a late fee. Rep told me if I wanted to make an automatic payment on the due date and I said no. Rep then told me that If did not set the automatic pay I will continue getting calls. I said that 's ok I am busy good bye.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-24 00:00:00
Product: Bank account or service — Savings account
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
American Express XXXX XXXX XXXX Account online. I applied, provided the requested personal information, then there is a message that says " we will contact you for further information ''. I have not been contacted. Why is American Express asking for my personal information if they are not going to approve online, or provide a confirmation or TELEPHONE NUMBER, or contact me as they said?

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
Collection agency : Midland Credit Management , Inc . 
XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Alleged claim of debt amount : {$1200.00} Their assigned account # : XXXX Their claim of representation : CitiBank/Sears Midland Credit Management has written to me on XXXX separate dates demanding I pay their claim of alleged debt. Each time I have replied, in writing, that XXXX validate their claim of debt and prove they are licensed/registered to collect debts in the state I live in. Each and every time I have sent my reply Midland has ignored/refused to validate their claim of alleged debt. 

In addition they have called me on numerous occasions despite being advised in writing not to call me and to handle their alleged claim in writing. I have all XXXX copies of the demand letters they have sent me and all XXXX copies of my written demand to validate their alleged claims including XXXX certified letter receipts signed by Midland associates proving they have received my demands. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Payday loan
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: Pacific Rim Alliance Corporation
State: CO

Complaint narrative:
This company has called repeated times, claiming I owe a debt from Checkmate Payday Loan. I do not recall ever making this agreement, I asked them to send me the original contract, they refused saying to go a website and I can get it there. I asked them for the physical address and licence number and they refused, stating that it is security protocol. I asked to speak to a supervisor and they kept putting me on a silent hold then a hard hold. They are calling my family saying I owe this debt and trying to collect it from them. I explained to them that they need to stop calling my family, they have my direct line and I have answered every time, they refused. They said they would " keep on harassing me until the debt is paid ''. I have asked for the burden of proof 6 times already, they refuse to send it. I downloaded the cease of communication notice and sent that to them today, XXXX/XXXX/16. They are very aggressive and will not stop their harassing collection techniques.

Company response to consumer: Closed