Consumer complaint received 2026-03-11 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint against MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT XXXX XXXX ( Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX BANK ) to DEMAND the IMMEDIATE PERMANENT DELETION of their inaccurately reported account from my XXXX and XXXX credit reports. Midland Credit Management is in direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) and 1681i, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ), the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act ( CCCRAA ) at Civil Code 1785.25 ( a ), and the California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( Civil Code 1788 et seq. ). MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT IS REPORTING CONTRADICTORY AND UNVERIFIABLE INFORMATION I have attached copies of my credit reports proving Midland is reporting contradictory, impossible, and unverifiable data across XXXX and XXXX. These inconsistencies are not minor errors ; they are proof that this debt is unverified, can not be validated, and must be deleted immediately under both federal and California law. CONTRADICTORY " DATE LAST ACTIVE '' - VIOLATION OF FCRA AND CCCRAA : To XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX To XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX The Truth : A single debt can not have two different " last active '' dates spanning over three and a half years. The XXXX date reported to XXXX is a blatant attempt to illegally " re-age '' this debt, making it appear newer than it actually is to damage my credit score unlawfully. This is a direct violation of FCRA 1681e ( b ) ( failure to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy ) and California Civil Code 1785.25 ( a ), which prohibits furnishing information that is known or should be known to be incomplete or inaccurate. INCONSISTENT " DATE OPENED '' : To XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX To XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX If Midland can not consistently report the same " Date Opened '' across bureaus, it proves they lack uniform records and are simply guessing at the data they report. INCONSISTENT " LAST REPORTED '' DATE : To XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX To XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX This further highlights the lack of a unified and accurate reporting process, violating the requirement that furnishers maintain reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy. MISLEADING " DATE LAST ACTIVE '' - EVIDENCE OF FABRICATION : The " Date Last Active '' of XX/XX/XXXX reported to XXXX is demonstrably false. The " Last Reported '' date to XXXX is XX/XX/XXXX, yet the " Date Last Active '' to XXXX remains XX/XX/XXXX. If the account was truly active in XX/XX/XXXX, both bureaus would show that date. This proves Midland is fabricating activity dates to manipulate the appearance of the debt. DEMAND FOR PROOF OF OWNERSHIP AND CHAIN OF TITLE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA LAW Under the California Fair Debt Buying Practices Act ( Civil Code 1788.50 et seq. ), debt buyers like Midland Credit Management must comply with strict documentation requirements. I formally demand that Midland produce the following documents IMMEDIATELY : PROOF OF OWNERSHIP : The original signed contract bearing my name and signature from the original creditor " XXXX XXXX BANK '' establishing that the debt is validly mine. COMPLETE CHAIN OF TITLE : A full, unbroken chain of custody for this specific account showing : The date XXXX BANK allegedly charged off the account. The date XXXX BANK sold the account and to whom. Every subsequent sale and assignment of the account. The bill of sale and assignment of assets proving Midland specifically acquired THIS account ( Account # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), not just a portfolio of accounts. FULL ACCOUNTING : A complete payment history from XXXX BANK showing how the {$440.00} balance was calculated, including all charges, fees, interest, and payments. PROOF OF XX/XX/XXXX ACTIVITY : Specific documentation proving any transaction, payment, or communication from me in XX/XX/XXXX that justifies the fraudulent " Date Last Active '' of XX/XX/XXXX reported to XXXX. PRIOR ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE Before filing this complaint, I disputed this account directly with XXXX and XXXX. The " Comments '' section on my reports confirms this : " Account information disputed by consumer, meets FCRA requirements '' ( XXXX ) and " Customer disputed account - reported by subscriber '' ( XXXX ). Despite these disputes, XXXX has verified the information as accurate without providing the requested validation and without correcting these fundamental inaccuracies, violating FCRA 1681i. LEGAL VIOLATIONS UNDER CALIFORNIA AND FEDERAL LAW FCRA 1681e ( b ) : Midland has willfully failed to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy. The contradictory " Date Last Active '' ( XXXX vs. XXXX ) proves they are reporting data they know, or should know, is false. FCRA 1681i : Midland has failed to conduct a proper investigation of my dispute. If they had investigated, they would have discovered they can not verify a XX/XX/XXXX " last active '' date and would have been forced to delete the entry. California Civil Code 1785.25 ( a ) : Midland is furnishing information to credit reporting agencies that they know or should know is incomplete or inaccurate. The inconsistent dates across bureaus are prima facie evidence of this violation. California Rosenthal Act ( Civil Code 1788 et seq. ) : As a debt collector, Midland is prohibited from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Reporting contradictory dates that artificially " re-age '' the debt is inherently deceptive. California Fair Debt Buying Practices Act ( Civil Code 1788.50 et seq. ) : Debt buyers must possess and be able to produce documentation showing ownership of the debt, the debt balance at charge-off, and the date of default or last payment. Midland can not produce this documentation, as evidenced by their inconsistent reporting. FDCPA 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ) : Midland is falsely representing the character, amount, and legal status of this debt by reporting fraudulent dates to make the debt appear newer. CEASE AND DESIST - FINAL NOTICE Pursuant to the FDCPA 1692c ( c ) and California Civil Code 1788.17, I am ordering Midland Credit Management , Inc. to CEASE AND DESIST ALL COMMUNICATION with me regarding this alleged debt immediately. The only acceptable communication from them is written confirmation that this account has been PERMANENTLY DELETED from all three credit reporting agencies. WHY THIS ACCOUNT MUST BE DELETED Midland Credit Management has proven they can not report this account accurately. The contradictory " Date Last Active '' spanning XXXX to XXXX is not a minor errorit is proof that they have no valid records and can not verify the basic facts of this alleged debt. Under California law, debt buyers bear the burden of proving they own the debt and that the information they report is accurate. Midland has failed this burden.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation