Consumer complaint received 2025-12-31 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Communication tactics — You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent this debt collector a written cease and desist letter via certified mail invoking my rights under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Section 809 ( c ). XXXX tracking confirmed delivery on XX/XX/XXXX. 

The letter clearly stated : " This will serve as your legal written notice under provisions of federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), to cease all communication with me in regard to the debt referenced above. '' VIOLATION # 1 - XX/XX/XXXX ( ONLY 18 DAYS AFTER DELIVERY ) : On XX/XX/XXXX, a mere 18 days after receiving my cease and desist letter, Midland Credit Management sent me a dunning letter attempting to collect the alleged debt. This immediate violation demonstrates willful disregard for my federally protected rights. 

VIOLATION # 2 - XX/XX/XXXX ( 11 MONTHS LATER ) : On XX/XX/XXXX, their attorney XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX sent me another formal demand letter attempting to collect an alleged debt of {$35000.00}. This letter was signed by attorney XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX  XXXX # XXXX ). 

Neither the XX/XX/XXXX nor XX/XX/XXXX communications fell within any of the three narrow statutory exceptions under 15 U.S.C. 1692c ( c ) : ( 1 ) notice that collection efforts were ceasing, ( 2 ) notice of specific remedy being invoked, or ( 3 ) notice that a lawsuit had been filed. 

VIOLATION # 3 - XX/XX/XXXX ( LAWSUIT ) : On XX/XX/XXXX, the company filed a lawsuit against me in XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Case No. XXXX ), continuing the pattern of violations. 

PATTERN OF WILLFUL VIOLATIONS : This is not an isolated incident but a systematic pattern : - XX/XX/XXXX : First violation ( 18 days after cease and desist ) - XX/XX/XXXX : Second violation ( 10 months later ) - XX/XX/XXXX : Third violation ( lawsuit filed ) EVIDENCE OF ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE : On XX/XX/XXXX, I called their attorney 's office and spoke with employee " XXXX. '' I made contemporaneous written notes of this conversation, which I later memorialized in a sworn, notarized affidavit. 

When I specifically asked XXXX whether he could see my cease and desist letter in their computer system, he responded ( as documented in my sworn affidavit ) : " I can see that here... I could not contact you because of it. '' This establishes : ( 1 ) My cease and desist was readily visible in their system, ( 2 ) Their employees were aware of the legal prohibition, ( 3 ) All three violations were sent with actual knowledge they violated federal law. 

VIOLATIONS DURING CFPB MONITORING PERIOD : ALL THREE VIOLATIONS occurred during the company 's federal monitoring period. The parent company XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) has been penalized multiple times : - XXXX : CFPB Consent Order for systematic violations ( CFPB No. XXXX ) - XXXX : {>= $1,000,000} civil money penalty for violating the XXXX order ( Case No. XXXX, XXXX. XXXX. ) - XXXX : Enhanced monitoring period through XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX : {>= $1,000,000} XXXX  Attorney General settlement My violations ( XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ) occurred DURING the current monitoring period, demonstrating that despite over {$27.00} XXXX in penalties and enhanced oversight, they continue to systematically and willfully violate the FDCPA. 

CURRENT STATUS : I am defending against their lawsuit pro se and have filed FDCPA counterclaims in XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Case No. XXXX ). 

HARM SUFFERED : - Three separate instances of emotional distress from continued harassment - Anxiety and stress from unwanted lawsuit - Forced to defend myself pro se in court - Time and expense responding to multiple unlawful collection efforts ( 40+ hours ) - Repeated violation of my federally protected right to cease communication

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation