vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-05 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action — Sued w/o proper notification of suit
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
I had a credit card that I disputed within the first 30 days. While in dispute, my file was sold to Midland Credit Management. I immediately filed my dispute with them. I assumed we were still in the dispute process when I was served with papers. I immediately contacted the number listed on my summons. I have tried to work things out with them but they never return my calls no send me documents I need to move forward. I feel that my legal right to dispute the validity of the debt has been violated and ignored.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: IA

Complaint narrative:
I obtained an American Express Platinum Card that had a bonus of XXXX points after spending {$3000.00} in 3 months. 

I completed the spending and received the XXXX points. However, American Express has frozen the points on my account and it has been close to 2 months since my points have been frozen without any notification as to when they will be unfrozen.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-12-17 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: VA

Complaint narrative:
Disputed debt on credit report asked for validation with my signature, and they have start legal action against me. So in turn i have started a class action against them. Debt buyer Midland Credit Management, Inc

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-29 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Identity theft / Fraud / Embezzlement — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
My sister submitted a credit card application using her name, social security number, date of birth, and address but the application somehow was associated with me and my credit report was pulled resulting in a new hard inquiry. I helped my sister submit her application and I am 100 % sure that all the information was hers and not mine.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-02 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
American Express ( AMEX ) is charging me {$3000.00} in fraudulent charges. While I was in XXXX, my colleague and I visited XXXX of their night clubs. I received my bill for {$1600.00} and paid it with my XXXX credit card. After talking with the management about the service that I received, they agreed to reduce my bill and charged by AMEX {$1200.00} and told me that they would void my XXXX transaction. Which they did n't and I had to file a separate dispute with XXXX, who immediately credited my account. My colleague received his bill for {$3000.00} and was unable to pay it due to not alerting his credit card companies that he was over seas. After multiple hours of waiting for him to settle his bill by talking to the credit card companies over the phone, I finally agreed to pay his bill so that we could leave. The night club charged me {$3000.00} and then {$2600.00} for the same bill. As soon as I received my alert from AMEX on my phone I immediately called and told them that this club had XXXX charged me. AMEX claimed that I had to wait for the transaction to post before I could dispute it, in case it was simply a hold placed on the card while they checked to see if the larger transaction would go through since my colleagues cards had been declined. Once the transaction posted, I disputed the charge for {$2600.00} and was denied. I then thought that perhaps the {$3000.00} was the fraudulent charge and disputed that, again they denied me. Next I showed them how XXXX receipts had the exact same service listed and again disputed XXXX of the charges and they still denied me. None of these times was I ever contacted my AMEX or explained why they felt that these XXXX charges were valid. For a company that actively promotes their protection against fraudulent charges, I was extremely disappointed. Especially since I was willing to pay the other XXXX charges without any problems and have done a lot of business with AMEX over the years.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: RUI Credit Services, Inc.
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
I have had several issues with RUI Credit Services related to what they claim is a cable bill not paid. They began calling me XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, and leaving voice messages that did n't contain any information. They continued to call either every day or every other day after this point. I never received any written notification of any debt owed and I contest that I do not owe any debt to anyone. At first I did n't respond, because I did n't even know if they were legitimate or a con artist. When I did respond they claimed that I owed {$100.00} for failing to return a rented modem from XXXX. The modem was bought, not rented. I told them I would clear this up with XXXX, which I did, however, they continued to call and harass me about a debt I did not owe. They finally sent a written notice marked XXXX XXXX, XXXX, almost 2 months after the harassing phone calls began. They have artificially inflated the debt to {$180.00} which seems an arbitrary number they chose. I am currently writing to them to contest my claim, but due to the harassing measures they have already taken, I am not sure that they will comply with regulations and cease and desist. I have read the Fair Debt Collections Act and I count numerous violations : Harassing phone calls, failure to send a written notice of amount owed within 5 days of phone calls, arbitrary inflation of the alleged debt from the first phone call to the written notification. 

I have phone records of their calls and a copy of the written notice. This should prove that they did not comply with the 5 day limit of sending written notice from the first phone contact. I can also provide a list of the times that they called, establishing a pattern of harassment.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-19 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: AK

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX/XXXX/15 I paid Transworld Systems Inc. for an old military debt on my XXXX XXXX Card for the amount of {$3700.00}. I had a garnishment on my paycheck prior to that and on XX/XX/XXXX {$500.00} was garnished, and again on XX/XX/XXXX my pay was garnished for {$240.00}. I have contacted Transworld Systems Inc for the overpayment and have still not received my overpayment refund and can not get an answer to when and if it will be refunded. I also contacted the XXXX XXXX XXXX card and the balances between the collection agency and the debtor do not match. Transworld has been very hard to deal with and the XXXX XXXX put me on hold for an hour when I requested a manager. I 'm very frustrated with the XXXX agencies and would like for them to contact each other, figure out my overpayment, and refund me immediately, I have paystubs that can verify the garnishment as well as the wire transfer from my bank when I paid the debt off.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-10 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I was a victim of identity theft and noticed a collection from MIDLAND FUNDING I 've attempted to dispute multiple times however no response on their end. Not sure what else to do. Police department told me to contact the federal trade commision which I wrote a formal complaint against MIDLAND FUNDING in regards to this matter. The FTC also instructed me to complete a id theft affidavit through identity theft.gov. Attached is my document. Thank you

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-02 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Federal student loan
Issue: Communication tactics — Threatened to take legal action
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX XXXX XXXX threatened to garnish my wages when I offered a {$5.00} payment outside of the rehab program I had been deceived by XXXX XXXX XXXX into accepting ( though I never signed their papers ) In XXXX XXXX, I agreed in principle XXXX, who convinced me by saying they would backdate it to start a year ago ( since I had already been making the $ XXXX/month payments, saying that I could 've even done it at $ XXXX/month with my income and expenses. However, each time they sent the paperwork it never showed the backdate, so I never signed it or returned it. Another problem with the XXXX is they were no longer willing to set up my payments with my pay schedule from work, but insisted on the same day each month. He initially placed it too early in month, but did later say fixed it till end of month, but they would n't accept future payments when I attempted to make them. 
Going back to XXXX XXXX, XXXX, when I got on phone with XXXX XXXX, it was my XXXX call in to the number XXXX provided back in XXXX. Now, XXXX told me that it was n't the correct department, hence my issues getting through earlier. On top of that, like I wrote earlier, he threatened garnishment on me. This is the XXXX time they threatened garnishment outsuide of their company policies and DOE regulations. I am trying to make payments, but this company continues to harass me and cause me undue mental anguish in trying to resolve these accounts. 
( A little background here, these loans were less than half their current balance when I was in hardship deferral after college and was arrested in XXXX, sent to prison in XXXX. I feel that they are unjustly higher based on circumstances outside my control as no one advised me I had to renew the deferral annually and I did n't get mail until XXXX in prison when they were already in default. )

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-03-23 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
I continually receive calls from XXXX which shows as " HSBC XXXX XXXX '' requesting to speak to somebody who i do not know and is not at my phone number, i have had this same phone number for 5 years. i ask the person to identify where they are calling from and they refuse to do so. I ask specifically if they are calling from XXXX XXXX and they say no, it is a personal business business matter for the person they are trying to reach. i explain the person is not at this number, never has been and ask them not to call, but they keep calling. at least 10 times in past week,

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
There were fraudulent transactions on my credit card for which I promptly notified XXXX XXXX. They cancelled the current card and sent out a new one. In the mean time they purported to open a fraud investigation about the charges. However after 3 calls and waiting 30 days, the charge is still on my credit card in addition to a fee for foreign transaction fee levied by XXXX XXXX. Over the course of those 3 calls they assured me it would be removed in 30 days, but we 're still waiting and I refuse to pay the bill with fraudulent charges on the statement. They could have easily put the charge in disputed status so it neither affected my balance nor was added to my statement, but the refused.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-24 00:00:00
Product: Bank account or service — Other bank product/service
Issue: Making/receiving payments, sending money — 
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
CC payment of {$47.00} due XXXX/XXXX/16. Paid {$50.00} on XXXX/XXXX/16, the next official banking day. Assessed late fees of {$35.00} by bank. Called on XXXX/XXXX/16 to complain and late fees were reversed. However, bank maintains that I still owe {$82.00} ( {$47.00} + late fees ). I have been called on five separate occasions to request immediate payment and I refused. I have asked HSBC to stop the phone calls, but they still come. I am on XXXX and paying more than {$50.00} is a financial hardship.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-31 00:00:00
Product: Bank account or service — Checking account
Issue: Using a debit or ATM card — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: SD

Complaint narrative:
I have an American Express Debit card which was stolen from me on XX/XX/2017 along with my phone. yes I know its not ideal to keep your pin and password information in you wallet but I did. I filed a claim once I had realized that card had been being used which was on XX/XX/2017. 10 business day have clearly passed and they keep give me the run around, I have not received a resolution, provisional credit, nothing! I have contacted them on numerous occasions and have even been transferred to manager to manager and all the keep saying is that they are escalating it since they can see I filed the claim on XX/XX/2017 ... today is XX/XX/XXXX and we are 4 days pass regulation e what can I do now?

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-14 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
A " Pre-Legal Notification '' was received from company concerning a debt allegedly owed by claimant. On XXXX/XXXX/2015 claimant sent a certified w/ return receipt letter to the company at the address on their notice requesting verification of the debt. The return receipt was stamped ( not signed ) by " XXXX XXXX '' and returned. The original certified mail and return receipts are in claimant 's possession and can be presented upon request. 

On XXXX/XXXX/2015 claimant received another " Pre-Legal Notification '' from the same company, from a different address in the same city, with no verification of the debt claimed. Company therefore failed to suspend collection activities in order to verify the debt in violation of the FDCPA.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-30 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Midland Funding targeted me by some how seeing that i was trying to buy a home. The day after my credit was pulled by my mortgage company they placed XXXX balances on my credit in attempts to drop my mid score. They listed fake dates, balances, payment history and that it was in reviewing status or " DISPUTED '' even though I had never even received a right to dispute. THEY WERE BEGGED REPEATEDLY to correct this and, even once given the opportunity to prevent this complaint, begged for this complaint be filed. They refused to provide me any of the information necessary to validate or substantiate this claim and failed to do so. I stand to lose XXXX in Ernst Money and they laughed as they continue to report with intent DEFRAUD ME OF MY RIGHT TO PEACE.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-17 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: OH

Complaint narrative:
Calls from this company off and on for at least XXXX years. Each time I have to prove I am not the person they are trying to contact. Each time they say they will take my number off the list only to have them calling me again a couple months later.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-28 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
Motion for deletion of debt due to cramming charges law suit XXXX federal trade commission vs XXXX. I had XXXX around said time, left due to cramming charges.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-03-25 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: VA

Complaint narrative:
Midland Credit Management has sent letters regarding a debt of {$640.00} that I owe them. I spoke with a company representative directly and was told to disregard the notice because the SSN associated with the account did not match. The recent notice I received is threatening legal action if some or all of the debt is NOT paid by XXXX XXXX. I spoke with the original creditor ( XXXX XXXX Bank in XXXX XXXX, NV ) and was told that there was no account registered under my SSN. This account has not been removed off of any of my credit reports, and I have recent submitted a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission with an affidavit to submit to the XXXX. Someone fraudulently used either my name, address, or SSN to open and close the account.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-07-05 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Closing/Cancelling account — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NE

Complaint narrative:
I was previously listed as an authorized user on an XXXX XXXX card. I was taken off of the account on XXXX XXXX, 2016. I am not liable for this account and did not give explicit permission to be added. This account should be removed from my XXXX credit report as it is an authorized user account. When speaking with someone from the XXXX credit reporting team, I was told per the FCRA, it has to be listed for XXXX years. I would like to know exactly where in the FCRA it states that authorized user accounts can not be removed on request.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-13 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
I requested Midland Credit Management/Midland Funding to validate an alleged debt they are reporting. The failed to provide any response and are continuing to report the inaccurate alleged debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-28 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
I am receiving phone calls from Midland Credit Management. Several within just hours. They were trying to verify personal information, which I will not give them. I have perfect credit, which is monitored for credit changes and fraud. Therefore I am certain they are attempting to collect on a debt that is not mine or a very old past the statute of limitations debt. I do not trust collection agencies therefore I want this complaint on file in the event I have to sue this agency for whatever reason. I do not have outstanding debts and this agency is not going to be paid for debts that are not mine or old. They were told to cease communication by phone and mail. Letter was faxed and mailed to them.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-09-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: AE

Complaint narrative:
I purchased an airline ticket for XXXX in the amount of {$2100.00}. I was not allowed to board the plane to no fault of my own on the date of the trip. XXXX said I could use the ticket within a year. When I tried to use the ticket in XXXX, XXXX attempted to charge me an additional fee. I asked why this was the case and I was told they needed to research the situation and would get back with me but my seat was reserved and the price would not increase. I was never contacted after many attempts but I was emailed documentation showing I could bid to update this rain-check reservation trip into a business seat. I guessed the issue had been resolved but I had not contacted. When I tried to fly in XXXX I was again denied travel and I was given a vague response from the carrier as being confirmed but not reserved or vice versa. I had enough and I knew I had 6 months to open a dispute with American Express as I was getting nowhere with XXXX. I explained the situation in full to american express with documentation and I also explained that XXXX had been very unprofessional and unresponsive thus far and I would be surprised if American express would get anywhere as well with them in this matter. XXXX did not respond to AMEX and the credit card company proceeded to decline my dispute on these grounds alone. I immediately re disputed the charges with AMEX since the 6 month dispute window was close to having passed only to have them state that they may not succeed considering 6 months have now passed. My account has now been charged {$2100.00} for a ticket that was never honored to no fault of my own. I have also been told by AMEX to go back and try to talk to XXXX when they have had no success on XXXX separate occasions and I have had no success in doing so for months. I want a full refund. I will not be billed for a trip I did not receive when I have done nothing wrong.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I have account with American Express Blue and they have refused to take a dispute regarding XXXX interest charges that change with date year and amount in every monthly statement I receive and each time can not explain why and refuse to take dispute interest charges amount to XXXX dollars this is not for the regular monthly interest charge on my credit card for example for this month XX/XX/XXXX a charge for the month of XXXX XXXX {$36.00} promotional interest charged and same monthly statement XXXX XXXX purchase charge XXXX each month same date year different amount in interest charged this has been going on for almost XXXX yrs and each time refuse to take dispute against own credit card company even though I have paid off balance in question this year XX/XX/XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation