vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-11 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action — Threatened to sue on too old debt
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
The debt collector sued me in local court and obtained a judgement lien which has been placed on my home. This home is the only property I own. A notice was given to me informing me of the suit being initiated against me. Within my state of SC, the statute of limitation for filing a judgement on a non-federal student loan is 3 years. My understanding was that the court would not grant the lien because the statute of limitation had expired so I did not respond. However, the local court did grant the lien. I later found that I had to present my case regarding statute of limitation in court. My question is, Is it legal for a debt collector to seek a judgement claim even though the statute of limitation for doing so expired? 

Does this fall in the category of unfair or abusive debt collection practice?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-14 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not disclosed as an attempt to collect
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
CREDIT SCORE XX/XX/2015 -- -- -- -- -- MIDLAND FUNDING LLC # XXXX XXXX , CA XXXX XXXX -- - Remarks XXXX PLACED FOR COLLECTION & lt ; Estimated month and year that this item will be removed : XX/XX/2015

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-30 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
To Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am submitting a claim related to deceptive business practices from American express regarding their membership reward program. 

On XXXX XXXX, I applied for an American Express platinum card with a sign up bonus of XXXX points after {$3000.00} in spend within 3 months. I was approved automatically. 
Since receiving this credit card, I spent a total of {$4100.00}. This include the {$450.00} annual fee for this card. I received {$200.00} in airline credit from American express as a benefit of the card, and {$25.00} for a special Amex offer for purchases made at a selected merchant. All my charges were paid on time to American Express. 

American Express posted XXXX membership reward points to my account on XXXX XXXX, as well as XXXX points for qualified spend earned for prior months. The earning rate for the qualified spend is at a rate of XXXX point per {$1.00}. On XXXX XXXX, American express reversed the sign up bonus with a debit transaction of XXXX American Express membership point. 

Upon discovery that the bonus points had disappeared, I called American express to inquire about it. XXXX, an American express customer service representative, assisted me with this matter, and upon further research, informed me that the reversal of the bonus points was due to several credit transactions that caused me to fall below the minimum spend requirements. She said this was due to the {$200.00} in airline credits I had received from American express. I argued this was not correct, and asked for a detailed explanation in writing. She said I should receive a letter from American express explaining this. I have not yet received any written communication from American express. 

I decided to further look into this myself and performed my own account reconciliation. Looking at my past transaction history, I realized that American Express 's reason for taking the bonus points was not valid, and that despite the {$220.00} in credit received year to date, I still met the {$3000.00} spending requirements. As you can see on my American Express membership points history, as of XXXX, I had earned XXXX American Express points at a rate of XXXX points per {$1.00} through regular spending, exceeding the {$3000.00} spend requirement for the bonus. None of the earned points through regular spending were credited back. 

I am requesting the help of CFPB to address this matter with American express and look for similar deceptive patterns from American Express with other customers. It is disappointing to see how this company is handling this issue. 

I am also requesting that American Express re-post the XXXX Membership points I have earned through qualified spending. 

Attachment Screen capture of application Screen capture of Membership reward account history Screen capture of account transactions for the first 90 days

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I had a balance of {$700.00} and made a payment of {$200.00} bring me a balance of {$590.00}? Being I do not use the card I was skeptic. I filled a online dispute with American Express. The only complaint I could make, XXXX Billing dispute ) was that I did not make this payment. I realized this was the wrong dispute being I did make the payment and contacted customer service right away. I was explained the details of the {$590.00} and excepted the explanation. I asked to have the online dispute closed and was told that the online dispute was closed. However, my balance is now {$790.00} and I do not use the card. I called American Express for help and was told that {$200.00} was being sent to my checking account without my consent and was being charged {$200.00}. I contacted my checking account and no money has been received from American Express. American Express says it will take 7days for the money to show up in my checking account. What STRESS.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-10-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Identity theft / Fraud / Embezzlement — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
I called to cancel my spg american express card. The american express rep talked me into upgrading my card to a XXXX XXXX card. I reluncantly accepted. They send me the new card and I see they upgraded a different card. I have contacted American Express 5+ times and have gotten no where. This is fraud as they upgraded another account that I did not request and they will not fix this issue. Mulitiple requests have been sent and cases have been closed they say by error.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-13 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Talked to a third party about my debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Midland Credit Management , Inc, is reporting me for collection unjustly because I tried to pay my supposed debt with them and they say that my account is under other company. However, they continue reporting me for collection. It is happening for at least three months. In addition, they have increased the amount of my debt without a reason. My question is, how a company can report me to collection when I have called them three times on three different months to pay my debt and they do not want to give a solution to my case? According to their representatives, my debt is under a legal department but I did not receive any paper from that department and also they have to supposed to receive my payments and do not report me for collection because I have been opened to pay my supposed debt

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-29 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
I applied the American Express Platinum card and paid {$450.00} annual fees with XXXX points bonus reward after I spending {$3000.00} or more within 3 months. I did spend about {$3000.00} in XXXX and got XXXX bonus reward. In addition, I spent another {$160.00} in travel and American Express credited during 3 months period these money back to account so the total purchase was still about {$3000.00}. However on XXXX XXXX, 2016 they took away my XXXX bonus points which they called " Point Adjustment ''. I chat with American Express online on same date and he and his supervisor told me they subtract the money which I got credit so the amount was below {$3000.00}. I explained to them American Express already subtract this money which was additional purchase nothing to do with my total purchase {$3000.00}. They acknowledged that I am correct and gave me the XXXX which is American Express Reward team. On XXXX/XXXX/16 I called Reward center around XXXX AM and the person I talked with put me on hold and looked over my information and came back told me he did know see anything in my case they should not take away my bonus reward and he also said this in unusual case and opened the case for me.and told me that someone from American Express will call me in 2-3 days. I was waiting but no phone call. On Wednesday XXXX I called back and asking what happen and why nobody contacts me. She told me it seems they have big issues with these cases so it would take a while and filed the complaint to headquarter for me and gave the case number and assured me someone will call. Today I still do not hear anything from them.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
I received a copy of my XXXX credit report and noticed that transworld systems have been checking my report on XXXX different times XXXX and XXXX. I do n't have a account with this company. I XXXX the company name to find that they are a collection agency. They never tried to contact me by phone or mail just keep looking at my report as an account inquiry. I do n't know who they are and would like them to stop looking at my report I do n't want this to end up on my report without any verification.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-12-22 00:00:00
Product: Prepaid card — Gift or merchant card
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing account — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Received a prepaid card and was unable to use it. The funds expired and American Express will not re-issue the card or provide me the funds. 

In their minds it is a rewards card, but that seems like a way to simply skirt the CARD act and not follow it, and look after the consumer.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-16 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: False statements or representation — Indicated shouldn't respond to lawsuit
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
Served Summons and Complaint along with letter from attorneys indicating response is voluntary. It 's very misleading.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-16 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Transaction issue — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I consulted XXXX to consider taking my legal case. I was told that I needed to pay a retainer so the law firm would be able to take my case because they where pro bono to the max. After making payment, I suspected that the firm turned my retainer into an opinion letter with no real consideration on representing my case and notified the law firm that I already paid for an opinion letter and I was only interested in having my case represented. The law firm use bait and switch tactics presenting me an opinion letter with various errors and conspired to make me talk to their XXXX and used that as the sole reason to deny representation after the fact. I was told that I may have to pay fees to the doctor but I was never informed that I would have to talk to a doctor and the single reason my case would be denied representation could be based on just that fact. Additionally, the law firm invoiced me and went back and added more charges after the fact. The service that I was led to believe I was paying for was substantially misrepresented and converted into a fancy email with many material factual errors and when those errors where mitigated the law firm decided to fall back to the 30 minutes XXXX as the sole reason to shirk their duty. I was substantially led to believe my case needed to be evaluated so that I could be represented by XXXX when in fact XXXX only planned to rush an error prone glorified email report with no real intentions of representing my case using any means to reduce the merits of my case even though I corrected the majority of the discrepancies only to be denied from their internal XXXX report even though a retainer had been solicited. Retainers are generally used for the duration of legal representation in my opinion and this bait and switch tactics is not acceptable.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-20 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: MI

Complaint narrative:
This is my second complaint Against midland with no resolution on account number XXXX. I have pulled my credit reports again due to another alert. Again the midland account has updated a collection as an open collection account on my credit report bringing it current. I 'm beginning to think Midland is now intentionally causing harm to my credit as it has changed numerous of times over the course of the last 8 months. I have disputed and disputed this only to comeback verified as reporting correctly when it 's not reporting correctly. Its showing a payment history up until XX/XX/2016, Showing an updated date of XXXX/XXXX/2016, the account shows open, when in fact it 's not an open collection account.. I am requesting a formal verification of accuracy or have the tradeline completely deleted from my CR. 
I believe this is in direct retaliation due to the disputes and the current XXXX Settlement Case No. XXXX XXXX. The FRCA has guidelines in place that if an account is reporting incorrectly that it must be corrected or deleted according to the metro XXXX CRA reporting guidelines. Midland is shifting the blame once again on the CRA 's and I have submitted proof after proof that it is reporting incorrectly and keeps reporting incorrectly. So either midland is intentionally reporting it, or the CRA is intentionally reporting it incorrectly. I am bringing it again to midlands attention and the FCRA that it is in fact reporting incorrectly. and it should be deleted. This screen shot is directly from the dispute page of XXXX. I 'm not disputing it again through XXXX. I need this taken care of ASAP please. I have talked with the CRA 's and they have told me the only way to have it corrected or deleted is by midland doing it. They can not change and or delete the account without the consent of midland. So I 'm bringing it to the CFPB to help with the issue

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-04 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: OR

Complaint narrative:
I have been paying back a {$70000.00} loan from Beneficial for over 20 years, and have repaid it more than twice over. 
Now that the loan is almost paid off they keep adding new charges to my loan without my permission every month. Last month it was an insurance policy, over {$500.00}, this month they paid my taxes, which I had already paid, over {$600.00} in new charges, plus they raised the payment with monthly insurance and tax charges. 
I have always paid my own taxes, it seems illegal to suddenly start paying the tax, then adding it to the loan without permission, adding interest, late charges, insurance and whatever else they can think of, especially when it is almost paid off, and could be paid off this year if they did n't add enormous charges every month, and they know I 'm old on a fixed income. 
XXXX, an accounting clerk with the Department of Assessment & Taxation with XXXX County, OR responding on behalf of the Assessor. 
" After further review of both accounts, it does appear that there are, in fact, two duplicate payments from both you and your lender. '' ( my XXXX is divided into XXXX sections, XXXX ) I had applied for the Senior citizen ' tax deferral program, but they turned me down after the first year because I did n't have insurance. 
The XXXX I had before, filed for bankruptcy ( The fellow who ran the business said there were too many claims due to GLOBAL WARMING ) - and according to the insurance lady that took over the office - because I live in a XXXX there is no insurance available. 
Several women have told me that their insurance was cancelled out in this area because they live too close to the " XXXX ''? 
I know you do n't control the insurance industry, but I wonder how it is that no insurance company will insure my property for me, but they will issue a policy for my property for Beneficial 's interest only? 
And if it is insured now can I get the senior citizen 's deferral? 
Is that why they paid the tax? 
Do they actually pay somebody to figure out how they can squeeze the last dime out of old people who are almost debt free? 
Or am I just a conspiracy theorist? 
They do n't have contact info on their bills, no phone, no website and they do n't respond to letters. 
Anyway, thanks for your help.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-21 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: ID

Complaint narrative:
Midland Credit holds several accounts under my name. They have re-aged each of them on my credit file. All of these accounts were first reported delinquent in 2009. Midland Credit has purposely re-aged the accounts to cause them to remain on my credit file for longer than the seven year limit in violation of Federal Law. I sent them a letter listing all these accounts and they have refused to provide me with correct information verifying the debt and date of delinquency. I have listed all of the accounts in a letter that I sent to Midland, attached hereto. They sent me a letter in XXXX saying they needed more information but I only have the information on my credit files.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Transaction issue — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MS

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/2016, I ordered some cosmetic products at XXXX, XXXX, NV XXXX for delivery by shipment on XX/XX/2016 - because the merchant did not have all of the products in stock and because we did not wish to attempt to return to our home in XXXX with those ( requiring additional airline baggage fees ). The merchant agreed to ship those products for free due to the size of the purchase - {$2200.00}. However, upon reflection, we decided we would cancel the order and returned the next day to do so. Since the merchant prevaricated about how that could be done ( for several days including in person, via text and email messages, and over the phone ), the credit card used for the charge ( American Express ) was called and the charge disputed. Though the credit card receipt said " There are no refunds or returns '', research of the Uniform Commercial Code with later confirmation by a lawyer we engaged indicated that we were within our rights to cancel that order regardless of the receipt verbiage, especially since we had not received the product. Initially, the merchant communicated with us about still shipping the product ( even creating a shipping label of which we were advised by FedEx ) and promising additional discounts. Using only the CC receipt, they attempted to rebut the dispute and initially gave American Express the ( unused! ) tracking number for the shipping label as proof of delivery. In one call with American Express, their agent even said that the merchant had claimed to have shipped the product ; however, when tracking status and other information ( text messages and emails from the merchant ) showed that the product had not been shipped, the merchant then claimed the product had been picked up at time of purchase. American Express tentatively accepted several disputes, but for each dispute eventually sided with the merchant. I feel that American Express has knowingly abetted a commercial fraud by the merchant by continuing to post the charge to my credit card account. I believe they have done so to curry favor with the merchant to ensure continued acceptance of their card by the merchant and/or to ensure they collect their credit card processing fee from the merchant. Our lawyer has advised that suing either American Express or the merchant for this fraud would cost more than the charge. It appears that both the merchant and American Express are aware of this and so are confident that they can perpetrate the fraud with impunity. Note that my wife has a similar dispute with her XXXX credit card purchase at the same merchant, but I suppose that will need to be filed separately.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Advertising and marketing — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
To whom it may concern, I have opted out of prescreened credit card offers permanently through the information provided by the FTC around XX/XX/XXXX. All offers have stopped except from American Express who continue to send me prescreened offers almost weekly. 

Additionally, around XX/XX/2016 I was a victim of identity fraud and as a result I put a freeze on my information through the credit bureaus. I was supposed to stop receiving prescreened offers but again continue to get them from American Express almost weekly. I have contacted the company multiple times, through writing and through phone to no avail. 

I just want these offers to stop as they could potentially put me at risk for more fraud. 

Thanks, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-24 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I 'm not familiar with this debt and feel it should be removed. is been reporting for over 5 years and they continue to not work with me to remove it. This is hurting my family 's ability to get the financial help we need. Your help will be greatly appreciated. 

I attached the XXXX collections this same company is reporting and they 've sent harassing mail to me. I would like the all removed from the XXXX credit bureaus.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief