vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-11-16 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: Stellar Recovery, Inc.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I filed for dispute of a collection placed against me from XXXX for XXXX for a debt that was setteled at time of account closure due to damages caused to my home and theft during an alarm install. My thermostat was taken with them when they installed thier system and the drilled holes through my shutters to mount a camera without my authorization. XXXX agreed to cancel my contract as well as close my account with zero balance due to the above situation. The dispute cleared from the previous debt collection agency and was taken off my report. Now a few months later a new company called stellar recovery inc . It is to my understanding that once removed a new company can not refile and place back on your credit report. I have now redisputed as it caused my credit score to drop almost XXXX points. XXXX has already deleted XXXX is pending and has not shown back up on XXXX. I am seeking help to stop this from reoccuring as it has damaged my credit severely and as I have read an illegal act on stellar recoverys part to reissue to creditors as negative information on my report

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-19 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: Franklin Collection Service, Inc.
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX, LA XXXX Franklin Collection Service XXXX XXXX XXXX, MS XXXX Account Number # XXXX Dear Franklin Collections, I am in receipt of your company 's letter informing me you are handling the collection of the account mentioned above. However, after reviewing my records, I am unable to nd any documentation of any contractual relationship between ( name of company ) and me which makes you a person entitled to enforce a commercial claim against me. This letter is not a request for verication or validation. This is a request for proof of contract to substantiate your claim. Provide me with a certied copy of an original contract, with my signature, specically naming your company as a person entitled to enforce a commercial claim against me. Certication can be done through the presence of a notary public, who duly swears the copy made is in fact a copy of the original paper contract in question. Failure to respond and provide strict proof of contract will constitute your tactic agreement that you, ( name of president ) and ( name of company ), are not entitled to enforce a claim against me. In the event you continue your collection efforts against me without providing proof of contract, I will le a complaint with the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission, and le a police report against you for harassment and invasion of privacy. You have 30 days to provide strict proof of contract. In the event you can not provide strict proof of contract, you must cease and desist any and all collection efforts and immediately remove any derogatory information reported to the consumer reporting agencies. If you transfer this account to an attorney without providing proof of contract, he will be immediately reported to the State Bar Association and Professional Liability Fund for code of ethics violations. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-22 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: Pinnacle Credit Services, LLC
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
I have sent several requests to Pinnacle Credit Services per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S. Code 1681, Fair Credit Reporting Act section 623 ( a ) ( 1b ) and section 623 ( b2 ) requesting the show me the documents required by law that they have to hold me responsible to this debt. 

At this time I am submitting this as so that the FTC will have on record that I have attempted on numerous occasions to have this company obey the law and they have refused to produce the documents they are required to have on file to continue to report this derogatory information. I have been given no original contract bearing my signature or documentation of any kind. 

It was advised that I try to have this issue resolved though the mediation of the CFPB before I filed suit in state court seeking remuneration for several things including but not limited to : Violation of the FCRA, Violation of the FDCPA, Defamation of character and Identity Theft as they have opened this account without my knowledge or consent. I have lost opportunities due to this illegally reported information remaining on my credit profiles. 

I am attaching a copy of the most recent USPS Certified mailing sent to this company in XX/XX/XXXX which has well surpassed the 30 days allowed by law for a response.

Company response to consumer: Closed
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-18 00:00:00
Product: Prepaid card — Government benefit payment card
Issue: Unauthorized transactions/trans. issues — 
Company: Comerica
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX/XXXX/2015 as soon as my Social Security XXXX Direct Deposit credited to my card, Direct Express suspended my card. I ca n't transfer my income to another bank, make purchases or view transactions online. 
On XXXX/XXXX/2015 I wrote Direct Express after viewing my XXXX Statement ( postmarked XXXX, had insufficient postage, and arrived XXXX ). The XXXX Statement showed unauthorized charges and credits which I outlined in detail in my letter. Direct Express did n't respond to my letter. 
On XXXX/XXXX/2015 my XXXX Statement also had unauthorized charges and credits on it so I wrote Direct Express outlining them in detail, some of these came through my account on XXXX, XXXX, XXXX after my XXXX suspension which is n't fair to me. 
To date, unauthorized credits minus unauthorized charges total a {$4.00} loss from my account. 
Direct Express charges me XXXX cents per month for the paper statements which are checked by me for suspicious activity as soon as they arrive. I notify Direct Express as soon as I find anything wrong, in detail. 
Direct Express is holding 3 months of my income. Social Security advised me to contact Direct Express and so I did. I have followed instructions on my monthly statement. I watch the mail for anything from Direct Express, an Error Resolution Form, a replacement card, but they do n't respond. I have no other source of income. My card has been suspended since XXXX/XXXX/2015.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-01 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: Stellar Recovery, Inc.
State: CO

Complaint narrative:
What happened to me is almost verbatim what is described in XXXX v. XXXX XXXX XXXX filed in Florida XXXX District Court. I switched from a reliable internet provider because XXXX was offering a higher speed ( XXXX ) for less money. What they did n't tell me was that the outdated lines in my neighborhood could n't support the speed that they had promised. For six months I struggled by with speeds between XXXX and XXXX, usually much closer to the XXXX which was completely unusable. I called XXXX 's tech support line numerous times with no relief. During that time, XXXX was being auto-paid directly from my bank account in full and on time each month. After six months, I had to cancel and switch back to a reliable provider. After termination, XXXX continued to bill me for another month before I was able to terminate the auto-pay. They then sent me a {$200.00} termination bill which I refused to pay since my termination was only due to XXXX 's inability to provide the service. I have tried to resolve this issue directly with XXXX to no avail. Their stance is that they provided me service at a reduced price for six months and are entitled to a termination fee. What I have pointed out and they seem unwilling to consider is that the " service '' that they provided during the six months was significantly reduced over what was promised. They charged me an extra month for which they were providing no service. And, the account was only terminated because of their inability to provide the agreed upon service. If anything, I should be sending XXXX a bill.

Company public response: Company can't verify or dispute the facts in the complaint
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-02 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Dealing with my lender or servicer — Don't agree with fees charged
Company: Social Finance, Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX/XXXX/2015 we made a payment from our XXXX XXXX XXXX account for our student loan at SoFI. On XXXX/XXXX/2015, we paid off the total loan balance in full. Because we were signed up for auto-pay, and our autopay dates was the XXXX of the month, I requested that SoFI cancel the XXXX auto pay because the balance had been paid in full. SoFI responded that they could not cancel the autopay and that I could ask my bank to do a stop payment. I requested XXXX XXXX to do a stop payment in case SoFI tried to pull an additional payment. 
On XXXX, we received a letter from SoFI saying that our account was paid off in full and that our account was free and clear. Then, on XXXX XXXX we received and email saying that there was a {$380.00} balance due. Since then we have spoken to SoFI representative multiple times and forwarded them all of the information that they requested and yet they have not updated our account and are continuing to insistent that we owe a final balance. 
Loan is a refi for an XXXX from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-03-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: Praxis Financial Solutions, Incorporated
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I was contacted XX/XX/XXXX by a collection agency representative who claimed he was an " officer '' and made threats of immediate arrest and intimidation. This, despite my having sent the collection agency a letter asking them to cease all further communication in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. They have since repeatedly contacted me in violation of this law.

Company public response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-30 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: Stellar Recovery, Inc.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
I looked at my credit report last week and noticed that XXXX had reported that I had an outstanding bill of {$250.00}. I challenged the validity of the bill, especially since I had not been with XXXX for since last XXXX XXXX 2014 XXXX and I had not received any bills stating that I owed any money since I switched XXXX. In addition, I stated to her that during the last conversation I had with a XXXX Representative, I understood that I did not owe any money. Anyway, I explained to her that the only mail I ever received from XXXX was mail soliciting my services with offers of gift cards as incentives. I could not understand why they 'd want to have me as a customer if I had an outstanding balance. I however asked the Agent to send me a statement verifying this outstanding amount. Yesterday, when I got home from work I received a large envelope from XXXX with a bill for {$110.00}. Amazingly, the balance was lowered and I was given a date of XXXX to pay this amount. I still have'nt reviewed it for accuracy because I was tired and went to bed. This morning, I received a call from XXXX XXXX, who stated that he was from Stellar Recovery and he was calling about an outstanding debt of {$250.00} from XXXX. He demanded from me when I was going to pay this amount. I explained to him what transpired with the XXXX Representative last week, but he was unwilling to listen to my explanation. The manner and tone with which he spoke was very rude and disrespectful. He continued to ask me when I would pay the {$250.00}, even though I told him I would not make any payments until I had reviewed the statement I received from XXXX and I added that in any case I would deal with XXXX on resolving he matter. He kept on demanding I make a payment today. Eventually, I disconnected the call and I blocked the number XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I just recovered XXXX and I can not deal with XXXX being harassed and threatened, especially when I tried to explain the situation and the XXXX XXXX refused to listen.

Company public response: Company believes complaint represents an opportunity for improvement to better serve consumers
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-20 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: Stellar Recovery, Inc.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
My XXXX son has a not so new cell phone. Apparently the person who previously had that cell phone number owes money to someone. Today, a third debt collector called my son 's phone in an attempt to collect the prior person 's debt. We have informed both prior debt collectors that the phone number they were calling is that of a minor. While that may have stopped that debt collector, that had not stopped debt collections directed at my son, who is not the debtor, and who it is illegal for the debt collectors to call. 

The issue that I think the CFPB needs to address is how to stop this marry-go-round of illegal activity. There does not appear to be any duty of the debt collector to report to the creditor that the phone number associated with the account is bad. Likewise, there is nothing to prevent the creditor from asking a new debt collector from making an improper phone call to a minor to collect a debt the minor does not owe. 

In addition, as with happened with prior debt collectors calling my son, it is not so easy to get them to stop. When I told the agent that they had called the wrong person and had called a minor 's cell phone, she told me that they would take his number out of their system within two or three days. When I objected, I was connected to a supervisor who agreed to stop them from calling that number immediately. 

I then asked the supervisor to please send a letter of apology to my son. My thought is that after someone violates a federal law, the least they could do is appologize. The manager said he would say he was sorry on the phone to my son, but he refused to send a letter of applogy. 

One last thing, we live in XXXX, which requires that debt collectors have a special business license. While this debt collector claims to be located in XXXX, they used a XXXX telephone number to contact my son, and appear to be transacting business in XXXX. The supervisor informed me that his company does not hold the appropriate XXXX business license. As such, It think they should also be reprimanded for doing business in areas they are not licensed to act.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-10-06 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: American Collections Enterprise, Inc.
State: DE

Complaint narrative:
Without verification or validation, this debt was placed on my credit report.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Communication tactics — Used obscene/profane/abusive language
Company: Messerli & Kramer P.A.
State: ND

Complaint narrative:
The company is Messerli and Kramer, a debt collector. They took over the account I had with XXXX -- that was sent to XXXX XXXX. The original amount, according to my credit report was {$3200.00}. I paid XXXX payments of {$100.00} to Messerli/Kramer. When I called them the week of XXXX XXXX, the representative was very rude. Told me the balance was $ XXXX My payment had stopped on XXXX of 2015 -- I have written proof of payments from my Credit Union . According to the balance, they have issued unauthorized charges of interest of approximately {$1000.00}. I told the representative, XXXX, that I intended to dispute this, and he told me I coul n't dispute it. I believe that they have made unauthorized charges unfairly to my account.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-11-10 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: Stellar Recovery, Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
After pulling my credit report I found that I had a collection account from Stellar Recovery Inc . I reached out to them at XXXX and spoke with XXXX representatives. The first agent I spoke with in regards to this matter was unable to locate an account. After getting annoyed by the situation I was then transferred to XXXX who was able to locate the information. When trying to find out why I was n't given the proper notification so I am able to handle the matter at hand I was informed that not only did they not have the correct address on file which the vender Century Link does have to proper address on file. I asked if they verified any information and was informed they did not. I then proceeded to figure out why they went against FTC collections policy and what it was going to take to get this handled and removed. They told me they would not do anything and if I pay it they will just mark it as paid on my report. I also found that they shared my information with XXXX parties which I did not agree to. 

By law all this information was supposed to be verified by the vender including the mailing address. This company failed to follow those compliances the demanded that I pay it so they can mark it as paid.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-12-01 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action — Attempted to/Collected exempt funds
Company: Messerli & Kramer P.A.
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
I had made a deal with a credit card company to have fund taken out of my checking acct of XXXX a month until it was paid so they took out XXXX payment then sold to a collection agencythen took XXXX more payments of the same amount this was a XXXXXXXXlimit card at the time I made the deal I had like XXXX before theyhad late fees over the limit fee how can I be over my limit when I have maid payments now I have all paper work they took payment after they sold the note. 
Now they Are going to garnish my pay forXXXX

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-11-08 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: Stellar Recovery, Inc.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
In XX/XX/XXXX Stellar Recovery reported a outstanding balance of {$58.00} to my XXXX credit report. No only did this collections agency report this without sending a notice to me, the amount is wrong also. My amount due in full with the original creditor was {$57.00} and was paid in full on XX/XX/XXXX. I emailed XXXX XXXX Executive Customer Relations XXXX | XXXX. Office : XXXX, ext. XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX regarding this outstanding bill however, this person did not respond to me. I was unaware that my bill was reported to a collections agency and since Stellar Recovery reported this to my XXXX credit report, my credit score dropped XXXX points. I never received any notice or phone call from this collection agency.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-15 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: Stellar Recovery, Inc.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I have previously filed XXXX complaints regarding this issue but XXXX XXXX has now referred the matter to a fourth collection agency. I nor my wife owe XXXX XXXX anything.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-27 00:00:00
Product: Consumer Loan — Installment loan
Issue: Problems when you are unable to pay — 
Company: Lendmark Financial Services
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
I purchased furniture from XXXX in the summer of 2014, I was financed through Lend mark financial. When we purchased the furniture the sales rep advised their was a special promotion were no payments needed to be made until 6 months. I was approved.. Not realizing that this was incorrect information, as statements were being mailed to a wrong address that they had on file. I received a statement from a neighbor which stated I was XXXX months behind. I immediately called the number and explained to the representative, that I was not aware of any past due balance. as the representative at XXXX gave wrong information. The sales rep did not have my correct sale phone number or address correct in the computer, as I did not receive any phone calls or statements. By this time the account was in collections, I explained to the rep that I was currently on bed rest and was only receiving 50 % of my income. She stated I needed to bring account current or account would be charged off. I again tried to explain the situation, to no avail they were not able to help until account was current. I than received a letter stating that there would be court date. I advised that I could not attend due to bed rest. They stated they would send me out paper work to sign and return. I advised when I received the paperwork that I did not agree. I received a judgment on my credit and now they are garnishing my wages 25 %.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-16 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: Phoenix Financial Services LLC
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
The company put this on my credit report without notifying me of the debt, did not give the right to disputed, and reinserted an old debt as new debt on my credit file without giving me a five days notice first.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation