vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-16 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
I was the victim of an Illegal Debt Collection Lawsuit Mill owned and operated by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, a Georgia-based law firm. From what I can tell, apparently XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX take care of all the legal proceedings for Midland Funding, a company that purchased my credit card debt from XXXX, in the amount of {$3500.00}. 

Back in XXXX, I went through a financial hardship, and was having difficulties maintaining my mortgage payment and keeping up with credit card debt. I had no choice but to walk away from our home and all debt. As a consequence for my financial irresponsibility, my credit score dropped all the way down to XXXX and stayed there for over 7 years, making it very hard for my wife and I to purchase things like automobiles, a new home, or get any type of new credit. 

At the XXXX, nearly 7 years later, most of that bad debt started to drop off of my credit report as a result of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) rules and regulations. Through secure credit cards and other means my credit score started to improve ( XXXX ). 

Then in XXXX XXXX, while logging into my credit monitoring account ( XXXX ), I noticed that my credit score had dropped significantly. It was the result of a new default judgement showing up as a public record. Here are the details of this judgement : Date Filed : XXXX/XXXX/XXXX Reference # : XXXX Court : XXXX CO Magistrate Plaintiff : Midland Funding LLC Amount : {$3400.00} I was never given notice of this lawsuit, nor was I ever served. I believe this debt had already exceeded the statute of limitations from the date of last activity ( DLA ). Yet, it is not haunting me, and preventing me from purchasing a new home many years later. 

I also found this article published on your site related to the the unethical business practices used by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, in attempt to make financial gains, through the use of questionable default judgements, at the expense of their victims. 

http : //www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-takes-action-to-stop-illegal-debt-collection-lawsuit-mill/

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-28 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I made arrangement with a XXXX over the phone a few weeks ago to start the process of paying back a debt we owe on a past credit card. I agreed to a {$31.00} payment to start on a monthly good faith payment of {$50.00} once a month. Then he asked for an additional {$300.00} and wanted my bank account number and routing number, I told him no, I do n't give that out over the phone or internet. He understood, and then I told him to call me the following week for me to see if we could pay that {$300.00} due to the holidays. They went ahead and took out that {$300.00} with out my authorization. I called them back right away and talked with a XXXX and he stated that they needed 7 working days for that to be put back into my account. This was on XX/XX/2016, we still have not received that money as of today XX/XX/2016. I even asked to hear the recorded conversation from my first agreement with XXXX just to make sure that I stated no on the {$300.00} and they could not and did not produce that recording for me to hear. I was told by XXXX I was being recorded. I currently have XXXX bank doing a Fraud investigation in this matter but wanted to file this too just in case we have to sue Midland Credit for poor business practice and fraud. This action put my wife and I in a bind for the holidays and our bills.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-11-06 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: LA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX UniversityXXXX XXXXI was a University student that began my education XX/XX/XXXX. After taking a break XX/XX/XXXX because of work, I restarted XX/XX/XXXX and was told I had to get a XXXX loan to get started again. NEVER was I told that I was going to have to make payments while in school. NEVER was I told that the interest rate was going to be 8 %. They say I did n't qualify for funding but yet I did before and I did afterwards so it was very strange to me that I had to get a higher interest rate loan from a 3rd party. XXXX was the only option that was given to me at the time. I have been paying on this loan for 3 years and have missed only XXXX payment which was the XXXX payment because I did n't know that I had to start paying on it while in school. It has been a struggle for me to pay for my federal loans and my private XXXX loan at the same time. My loan was then sold to UAS XX/XX/XXXX this year. I do n't feel the practices that XXXX performed were in my best interest financially but what choice did I have. My loan was for roughly XXXX. This loan was necessary for me to complete the program that I was involved in so doing it was necessary and they knew that. If I did n't take out the loan, than I had school loans for roughly XXXX with nothing to show for it.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-05-12 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing statement — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: TN

Complaint narrative:
I recently submitted ( XX/XX/2016 ) a complaint to CFPB re. the inordinate delay ( two months, twenty days ) that American Express took to post a charge of {$5400.00} to my account ( Complaint # XXXX ) The message of American Express ( XX/XX/2016 ), following my complaint to CFPB is wholly inadequate ( see attachment ). 

First, they do not even mention the CFPB at all, or reference Complaint # XXXX, stating as if their message were completely of their own volition, in an effort to " help us recognize and improve the quality of our work '' : " American Express would greatly appreciate your feedback. Our records indicate we recently assisted you with a billing inquiry. The amount of the billing inquiry was {$5400.00}. '' Actually, if they had thoroughly researched their records, they would find that the recent inquiry was actually the third, in regard to the {$5400.00} XXXX charge to which they refer, going back to my first inquiry, of early XXXX 2016 - over three months ago! 

The only difference between their non-response of early XXXX, and their immediate response of XXXX XXXX 2016, would seem to be my complaint to CFPB earlier that day. 

Thank XXXX for the CFPB! That an overbearing financial behemoth, such as American Express, would actually make at least the appearance of a genuine response, to a humble consumer such as myself, would seen to be a huge step in the right direction. 

I ca n't adequately explain the frustration of restating again and again to representative after representative, my grievance regarding the unconscionable delay of two months and twenty days, which American Express took to post my charge of {$5400.00}. 

And each time, the representative, after listening to my grievance, would ask : But the charge was valid, correct? As if the delay itself was not a valid grievance! The delay is the grievance in its entirety. 

As related in Complaint # XXXX, the delay allowed me to unwittingly exceed my credit limit by {$5000.00}. The validity or invalidity of the charge is irrelevant. 

I completed their Survey, which they claim to be " administered by an [ unnamed ] independent research company, '' gave a detailed account of my grievance, and submitted the complaint. Or rather tried to. A message indicated that there had been a technical problem. Complaint lost. How convenient for them. 

I see now that I have another identical message from American Express in my Inbox. I will respond again to their survey, but this time, instead of restating my grievance, I will refer them to Complaint # XXXX. Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-11-21 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — FHA mortgage
Issue: Application, originator, mortgage broker — 
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
I CAME ACROSS LOAN DOCUMENTS THAT I DID NOT APPLY FOR OR SIGN FOR

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-18 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: False statements or representation — Impersonated an attorney or official
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
This debt collection agency is pretending to be a Law Firm, and has called harrassing me and friends and family. They even give a docket number threatening to show up at my job.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: AE

Complaint narrative:
I received a flyer from American Express asking me to sign up for a business credit card and spend {$10000.00} w/in 3 months to receive XXXX points. When I tried to use the code and sign up online, their website kept telling me it was having problems and to call and sign up. When I did so, I made sure the representative was signing me up under the XXXX reward points code. After fulfilling the {$10000.00} spend requirement, I noticed I was only given XXXX points. I contacted AmEx numerous times, being told that although they confirmed I was offered the XXXX point offer, that I was signed up under XXXX point offer. This is fraud, they intentionally enticed me with the XXXX point offer, then ensured I had to call instead of signing up online where I could have verification of the correct offer ( the rep told me that they make everyone call ), then switched offers after verbally telling me I was getting the XXXX points. Classic bait and switch.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-04-16 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Closing/Cancelling account — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
Dear Sirs : I was the holder of an American Express ( AMEX ) Corporate Card at the request of my employer. My final payment on this account ( which is now a closed account ) exceeded the amount due by {$190.00}. That is the credit balance American Express has agreed that I overpaid. American Express communicated to me, on at least XXXX occasions that They would promptly be issuing me a refund. AMEX employee ident. # s and dates : XXXX XXXX/XXXX/15 ; XXXX XXXX/XXXX/15, XXXX XXXX/XXXX/15 ; XXXX XXXX/XXXX/15, XXXX XXXX/XXXX/15 ; XXXX XXXX/XXXX/15, XXXX XXXX/XXXX/15, XXXX XXXX/XXXX/15. All of these AMEX customer service employees gave me different dates and commitments for when my check was sent to me and when I should expect to receive it. I just learned today that AMEX mailed my refund to my former employer ( XXXX ). They state that my card member agreement provides them the right to do this. The Card member agreement that accompanied my card, AMEX document XXXX # XXXX does not communicate this provision. In fact it states that I am solely responsible for all transactions and charges associated with the card ( section XXXX ). If there is a document that communicates this feature guiding any card member refunds it was not disclosed to the card member. I would appreciate a full investigation of the behavior of AMEX for lying to card members, improper card member disclosure and failure to return an overpayment in an inactive account to the responsible cardholder.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-10-27 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: NE

Complaint narrative:
I settled the account back in 2010 and this collection agency sold my account to another agency even after got a paid in full letter confirming paid off debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-06 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
In XXXX of this year a garnishment was placed on my bank account for a debt owed by my mother instead of me. Her name was on the account, but only for the purpose of emergencies in case I ended up ill or heaven forbid in an accident. The collection agency Midland Credit Management XXXX Midland Funding LLC placed the garnishment immediately after it was granted by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX here in XXXX. I immediately went to the courthouse on the next available business day and filed an emergency motion for a hearing because the money in the account was an entire paycheck and I need that money for bills and my car payment. It took them almost a month before I could see the judge which was on XXXX XXXX of this year. 

We attended the hearing with XXXX XXXX and after speaking with my mother and myself, showing them bank statements and pay check stubs from my account, the judge as well as the representative from the collections agency agreed to lift the garnishment from all three accounts, two of which were my mother and father 's. The judge even instructed the representative to expedite the paperwork to get the garnishments lifted as soon as possible. Since then, we have called the judge 's secretary as well as made multiple attempts to contact the collections agency who continues to brush us off and tell us that they have n't mailed the paperwork yet. 

It is now three months later, XXXX XXXX, and the garnishments are still on the accounts and I have not only incurred multiple late fees and overdraft fees due to this inconvenience and stressful situation, but I have also incurred other charges such as the filing charge for the emergency motion for a hearing as well as the stress of having to continually hound them to lift the garnishment. I am at my wits end. I have sent the Attorney General of the XXXX and the Attorney General of the XXXX where Midland Credit Management resides a complaint. I have also sent an email to both the lawyer on their case as well as to the Chief Compliance Officer at Midland Credit Management and I am still waiting to hear anything back. I mailed a letter to both the lawyer and Midland asking for them to please file the paperwork and lift the garnishment. 

I sincerely need help here because I feel so lost and hopeless, like I ca n't do anything about this situation and I am about to be out an entire paycheck of hard earned money that I need to help my family. This debt is not mine. I should not be held liable for that debt and the monies in that account should be returned to me. PLEASE help me. I seriously need someone who can get them to do what they were legally bound to do by the Judge on XXXX XXXX this year.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-23 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Contacted me instead of my attorney
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
This company is in violation of the USA laws. We are currently in active Bankruptcy and they have contacted us instead of our attorney and attempted to collect money. The last executive was rude and disrespectful to my husband and we do n't have to be putting up with this.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-04-18 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I received an offer from Midland Credit Management to settle an old collection account for " 40 % off '' 'if I paid {$740.00} by XXXX/XXXX/15. I mailed them a check for that amount which cleared on XXXX/XXXX/15. Today I received a letter stating " Our records indicate that your payment plan has expired or you have not yet established a payment plan on your outstanding balance. '' Now they are demanding {$490.00}. I feel this is unfair since I accepted their offer of a lump sum payment and consequently did not need a payment plan. 

I do not wish to speak to company representatives by phone. I took their offer at face value and was trying to do the right thing. I do n't believe their offer was a good faith offer or negotiation.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-15 00:00:00
Product: Prepaid card — General purpose card
Issue: Unauthorized transactions/trans. issues — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
a load reversal in the amnt of XXXX was made on my acct ( call it a ) from merchant affiliated with card company in error on XX/XX/XXXX info was verified by my credit card ( card b ) that funds were removed and posted on orginal date of transactionand prepaid card company cant figure why funds removed nor seem willing to return.. I have spoken with fraud dept, acct protection and merchant affiliated with amex serve and have been given incorrect info, no call backs as promised.. I keep having to contact my cc company and have given my personal cc info 3 times along with my ssn to these reps ( not smart I know )

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-11-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
it has become clear that MCM is in the business of fraud, deceit, deception and prima facea criminal activity. MCM has averred that my husband of 29 years are not married. MCM has sent numerous statements to addresses at which we have never lived. MCM has relentlessly hounded my XXXX year old mother-in-law with phone calls that sent her into a state of sever mental distress. MCM has consistently bargained at a level far below bad faith. to be quite frank it would have been far more pleasurable to deal with XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-09-10 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Can't repay my loan — Can't get flexible payment options
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: TN

Complaint narrative:
I HAVE A PRIVATE LOAN FROM A XXXX I ATTENDED, MY MOM WHO IS NOW RETIRED AND NO INCOME WAS THE CO SIGNER. I AM NOW WORKING ON MY CREDIT AND WAS FORWARDED TO A LAWYER WITH NO PAYMENT OPTIONS. SECOND I DO N'T EVEN HAVE A JOB IN THE FIELD I STUDIED. NEED MORE EXPERIENCE THAN DIPLOMA ACHIEVED

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

Complaint narrative:
I got a letter from XXXX XXXX XXXX stating I owe on a XXXX account in which the account number does not match my credit report for XXXX. They are saying I made a payment in 2012 in which I did not. My XXXX account has been paid off as agreed and now the attorney wants proof of that. But they have a different account number. I do n't understand I think its fraudulent. The balances from both accounts are similar but they do n't even match. The attorney is sending me a dispute packet. They have submitted court documents also ... this is n't fair.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-25 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Customer service / Customer relations — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
AMEX is reporting a balance due for an account that was closed in 2010. By law the balance is no longer collectible as the statute of limitations has run.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-12 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Advertising and marketing — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I was given a promotional offer for a new XXXX rewards card from Amex and was promised XXXX points on spending {$2000.00} in 3 months. 

I was told multiple times by the customer service that i would be awarded XXXX points on calling them to verify the offer. 

The company did not award the points despite me meeting the criteria. 

The company later changed the terms that would make previous members ineligible for the product.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I had a debt with XXXX in which I was paying for a deductible for an accident. I set up a 6 month payment arrangement with an agent for {$310.00}. The first deduction was electronically pulled from my account on XXXX/XXXX/2016. I received no email or written confirmation of this agreement nor did I receive a receipt. I had no idea, at first, what the charge was because all I saw was the amount deducted from my account. I call them in XXXX to request statements and complain about not receiving any. Then I was informed I still owed XXXX after I had already made 4 months of payments. I was also informed the representative that set up this arrangement did not follow proper procedures and that a 6 month arrangement was not an option, that I was supposed to make that payment in 30 days. I then informed them I would not be paying the new balance as that is not what I agreed upon. That day I spoke with XXXX different people from TransWorld. The last person I spoke to was a manager by the name of XXXX XXXX, phone number XXXX. I asked him to retract the recorded call in which I agreed upon the payment arrangement. That was The week before XX/XX/XXXX, he told me to call after the holiday. I told him I did not any more payments being deducted from my account until we figured out what was going on with my account. He assured me he cancelled any future payments. I called XXXX XXXX the first week of XXXX as I finally got my first statement in the mail from Transworld stating they would deduct XXXX from my account on XXXX XXXX. I called XXXX XXXX again to ask him why I was receiving this notice after I told him I wanted to cancel any further payments and he assured me it was just an automatic statement, and that the funds will not withdraw from my account. I also asked if he had heard back from the department that has access to the recorded calls. He said he did not, that he would give me a call tomorrow after he spoke with them. I did not receive a call from him the next day. It is not XXXX XXXX, 2016 and Transworld deducted XXXX from my XXXX XXXX XXXX account today. I am now canceling any future payments from this company with my bank and I want to take legal action.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation