Consumer complaint received 2026-03-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding inaccurate and fraudulent information being reported on my credit file, specifically concerning accounts associated with MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT and MIDLAND FUNDING. I do not own these accounts, and I did not authorize or enter into any agreement with Midland or any original creditor tied to these alleged debts. As a result of discovering these accounts, I took immediate action by filing an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). These Midland accounts are currently being reported as derogatory, including collection and charge-off statuses, which is causing serious harm to my credit profile. I have never authorized these accounts, never benefited from them, and have no knowledge of their origin. The presence of these accounts on my credit report is the direct result of identity theft. Upon discovery, I disputed these accounts with the credit reporting agencies and requested a full investigation. I also provided notice that these accounts are fraudulent and submitted an FTC identity theft report to support my claim. Despite this, the Midland accounts continue to be reported, which is both inaccurate and a violation of my rights under federal law. I specifically requested that Midland and the credit bureaus provide full validation of the alleged debts. This includes original signed contracts, complete account histories, and documentation showing how Midland obtained the alleged accounts. To date, no such documentation has been provided. I have not received any proof that I entered into any agreement related to these accounts. Instead, it appears that the accounts were verified through automated systems or by relying solely on information provided by Midland. There has been no evidence of a reasonable or independent investigation. I have not been provided with any method of verification, audit trail, or documentation showing how the accounts were matched to me. Additionally, I requested documentation showing the full chain of assignment from the original creditor to Midland. This includes any purchase agreements or legal documents demonstrating that Midland has the right to collect or report the alleged debt. No such documentation has been provided. The continued reporting of these accounts is in direct conflict with FCRA 605B, which requires credit reporting agencies to block information resulting from identity theft once a valid identity theft report is submitted. I have fulfilled my obligation by filing an FTC report, yet the accounts remain on my credit report. Furthermore, under FCRA 611 ( a ), a reasonable reinvestigation must be conducted when a consumer disputes information. A reasonable investigation requires more than simply confirming data with the furnisher. It requires reviewing actual documentation and verifying that the information is accurate and belongs to the consumer. In this case, it appears that no such investigation has taken place. I am also concerned that these accounts may not have been properly marked as disputed by consumer during the investigation process, which is required under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 3 ). Failure to include this designation misrepresents the status of the account and further harms my credit. These inaccuracies have caused significant financial harm, including lowering my credit score, limiting my ability to obtain credit, and negatively impacting my financial opportunities. This situation has also caused unnecessary stress and inconvenience. I have made multiple attempts to resolve this issue directly with the credit reporting agencies and Midland, but the accounts remain. This indicates a failure to properly investigate and correct inaccurate information. As a consumer, I have the right to have only accurate and verifiable information reported on my credit file. I also have the right to be protected from identity theft and fraudulent reporting. The continued reporting of these Midland accounts violates these rights. I am requesting immediate removal of all MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT and MIDLAND FUNDING accounts from my credit report due to identity theft. I am also requesting confirmation that these accounts will not be reinserted without proper verification and certification, as required under federal law. Additionally, I am requesting that a full investigation be conducted into how these accounts were added to my credit file, including a review of the procedures used to verify the information and the role of any third-party furnishers. I also request written confirmation that my identity theft report has been properly reviewed and applied, and that all protections under FCRA 605B have been implemented. If this issue is not resolved promptly, I am prepared to escalate this matter further by filing additional complaints and pursuing legal remedies for noncompliance. This matter requires immediate attention and resolution. I expect a full and detailed response addressing each of these concerns and confirming the removal of all fraudulent Midland accounts. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief