Consumer complaint received 2021-06-14 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
I was made aware that there was a credit card dispute place with Midland Credit Management on XX/XX/21, I have been trying to dispute this account with the agency since. I requested written proof ( validation ) of the debt, which to date has yet to be presented to me. In accordance, I do not owe said debt unless proof can be furnished to me. A simple invoice or past due notice is not proof. I have received nothing but a letter stating the investigation to the dispute has been finished, with no proof provided to me. I contacted the company on XX/XX/21, XX/XX/21, XX/XX/21, XX/XX/21. I have requested validation this debt 4 times since the first contact received by this company on XX/XX/2021 and still have not received the requested information. 

Collections agencies are required to send me proof of validation within 5 days of our first contact. It is been almost 6 months and all I have received are letters stating that the record shows the debt is valid and still no validation. 

Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 ( b ) this claim is disputed in its entirety and validation is requested. This is NOT a request for verification or proof of my mailing address, but a request for FULL MEDIA VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that ( a ) the account is valid, ( b ) the amount allegedly owed is accurate, and ( c ) I have a contractual obligation to pay Midland Credit Management for this alleged debt.

All of the following MUST be provided to adequately validate the authenticity of the alleged debt AND provide proof of my contractual obligation to Midland Credit Management for this alleged debt : Signed credit application between myself and the original creditor Copies of all signed vouchers from the date account was opened until default Copies of all statements from the date account opened until default Proof of the statute of limitations Proof of agreement that you were hired by the Original creditor ( creditor as defined by the FDCPA ) or A copy of the contract Midland Credit Management purchased the alleged debt. 
If the alleged debt was purchased, provide a copy of an agreement between Midland Credit Management and myself, signed by me, stating that I have a contractual responsibility to MIdland Credit Management for the alleged debt Provide proof that Midland Credit Management is bonded/Licensed for debt collecting in the State of New Jersey Failing to provide ALL of the media requested to validate the alleged debt will invalidate any and all claims Midland Credit Management is asserting regarding this alleged debt. If Midland Credit Management can NOT provide all of the validation media requested above, ALL collection efforts MUST be stopped and the account MUST be DELETED from the Midland Credit Management. If you can NOT validate your claim, you can NOT, by law, collect on it, or SELL it to another collection agency. 

Also, reporting a debt to the credit reporting agencies that can not be validated is a violation of the FCRA ( Fair Credit Reporting Act ), and carries a {$2500.00} fine to be paid to me. 

I do not and have never had a XXXX credit card. This debt is not valid, I do not owe anything.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation