Consumer complaint received 2025-10-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint to report MCM 's unlawful attempts to collect an unverified debt exceeding {$1000.00}, tied to an alleged old credit card account ( e.g., from XXXX XXXX XXXX ). MCM has no legal standing to collect this debt in XXXX because : ( XXXX ) they have failed to provide proof of required XXXX debt collector licensing/registration ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ; ( XXXX ) the debt is time-barred under XXXX XXXXivil Practice and XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX statute of limitations for contracts ) ; ( XXXX ) they lack proof of ownership/assignment or a valid contract with my signature ( FDCPA 1692g ) ; and ( 4 ) their actions began with an unauthorized inquiry without permissible purpose ( FCRA 1681b ). These failures deprive MCM of any legal standing to collect in XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX ). Below, I describe everything in chronological order, including what happened, my actions, MCM 's responses, direct violations, and my demands. All assertions are supported by attached evidence ( e.g., my dispute letters, MCM 's inadequate responses, credit report excerpts showing the inquiry and tradelineredacted for privacy ). I request a full reinvestigation, enforcement of violations, deletion of all related items from my credit reports, cessation of collections, and {$1000.00} statutory damages per willful violation ( FDCPA 1692k ; FCRA 1681n ), plus actual damages for harm to my credit. 

Phase XXXX : Pre-Complaint Events ( XX/XX/XXXX Leading to Initial Issues ) This phase covers how the problem started for me. 

XX/XX/XXXX : Unauthorized Hard Inquiry by MCM MCM conducted a hard inquiry on my credit report without permissible purpose, as evidenced by attached credit report excerpts. At that time, MCM had not acquired the debt ( acquisition on XX/XX/XXXX ). I provided no consent, and this inquiry harmed my creditworthiness. No validation or communication occurred. MCM has no legal standing to collect in XXXX  due to this unauthorized action and lack of licensing proof. 

My Actions : I discovered this via my credit report and preserved evidence. 
MCM 's Actions : They performed and reported the inquiry inaccurately to CRAs like TransUnion. 
Direct Violations : This is a direct violation of FCRA 1681b ( no permissible purpose, per XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX ). This is a direct violation of XXXX XXXX compliance ( inaccurate inquiry logging/status code ) and E-OSCAR processes ( no audit trail ). This is a direct violation of CFPB Regulation F ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) for dispute mishandling. 
My Demands : MCM must provide evidence of permissible purpose under FCRA 1681b, XXXX XXXX details ( status code/inquiry logging ), and E-OSCAR XXXX XXXX. Delete the inquiry and correct inaccuracies within 30 days ( FCRA 1681i ( a ) ). Failure to do so confirms willful violation. 
XX/XX/XXXX : MCM Acquires the Debt MCM acquired the alleged debt but provided no initial validation notice ( e.g., creditor name, amount, dispute rights ), as evidenced by the absence of such notice in my records. Collections began without proof of validity, ownership, or non-time-barred status. MCM has no legal standing to collect in XXXX due to the time-barred debt and unproven licensing. 

My Actions : I preserved records of non-receipt. 
MCM 's Actions : They assumed ownership and initiated collections.

Direct Violations : This is a direct violation of FDCPA 1692g ( no validation notice ) and CFPB Regulation F 1006.34 ( misleading notices ). This is a direct violation of XXXX XXXX ( reporting without accurate balance/charge-off date ). 
My Demands : MCM must provide original signed contract, payment history ( dates/amounts ), charge-off date/amount, proof of ownership/assignment, and XXXX  licensing. Confirm no post-SOL fees ( CFPB Regulation F, Appendix B ). Conduct forensic audit. 
Phase XXXX : Collection Attempts and My Disputes ( XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ) This phase describes how collections escalated and how I responded. 

XXXX XX/XX/XXXX : Initial Collection Attempts Begin MCM initiated aggressive collections, including repeated phone calls ( multiple daily ), letters, and tradeline reporting, as evidenced by attached call logs and credit reports. Calls occurred at inconvenient times/places ( e.g., before XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX during work ). MCM has no legal standing to collect in XXXX due to unlicensed harassing tactics on a time-barred debt. 

My Actions : I filed CFPB complaint # XXXX, disputing the debt ( attached ).

MCM 's Actions : They continued using automated systems without ceasing. 
Direct Violations : This is a direct violation of FDCPA 1692c ( inconvenient communications, 1692c ( a ) ( 1 ) ; failure to cease, 1692c ( c ) ; unauthorized third-party contact, 1692c ( b ) ). This is a direct violation of FCC TCPA ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) for unconsented automated calls. This is a direct violation of FTC XXXX XXXX ( unfair/deceptive practices ). This is a direct violation of CFPB Regulation XXXX XXXX ( failed validation ) and FCRA 1681i ( unaddressed inaccuracies ).

My Demands : Cease communications ( FDCPA 1692c ( c ) ) ; provide XXXX encryption logs ( XXXX XXXX ) and data-sharing contracts. 
XX/XX/XXXX : I Send Dispute Affidavit I disputed the debt in writing, demanding validation and cessation, as evidenced by attached affidavit. MCM has no legal standing to collect in XXXX without proving licensing and non-time-barred status. 

My Actions : Sent affidavit via mail, invoking FDCPA 1692g, XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, and FCRA 1681i ( demanded contract, chain of title, XXXX confirmation, licensing proof, inquiry deletion ). 
MCM 's Actions : They received it but did not pause or verify. 
Direct Violations : This is a direct violation of FDCPA XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and FCRA 1681i. 
My Demands : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) ; provide XXXX audit trail. 
XX/XX/XXXX : MCM 's Inadequate Response MCM sent an insufficient validation letter, lacking key elements, as evidenced by attached response. They continued collections. MCM has no legal standing to collect in XXXX  due to deceptive practices on an invalid debt. 

My Actions : Reviewed and documented deficiencies. 
MCM 's Actions : Provided superficial info without halting. 
Direct Violations : This is a direct violation of FDCPA XXXX ( misleading validation, per XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) ; FCRA 1681e ( b ) /i ( no accuracy proceduresXXXX reinvestigation ) ; CFPB Regulation XXXX XXXX ; XXXX XXXX ( no " XB '' XXXX ) ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
My Demands : Correct inaccuracies within 30 days ; provide written findings. 
XX/XX/XXXX : MCM 's Response to My Initial CFPB Complaint MCM 's response was evasive and non-compliant, as evidenced by attached CFPB records. They did not cease or delete items. MCM has no legal standing to collect in XXXX 

My Actions : Monitored and preserved response. 
MCM 's Actions : Failed to provide proofs or resolve. 
Direct Violations : This is a direct violation of FDCPA, FCRA, and CFPB Regulation F. 
My Demands : Provide records within XXXX days ; confirm actions. 
XX/XX/XXXX ( Current Date ) : I Send Final Demand Letter I sent a final demand, but MCM has not complied, as evidenced by attached letter. They persist without validation. MCM has no legal standing to collect in XXXX 

My Actions : Reiterated demands, sought damages, warned of action. 
XXXX 's Actions : Continued collections. 
Direct Violations : This is a direct violation of FDCPA, FCRA, CFPB XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, E-OSCAR, FTC rules, FCC regulations, and XXXX laws. 
My Demands : Full validation checklist ( A : Financial docs ; B : Data compliance ; C : Credit reporting ). Halt, delete, impose penalties. 
Phase XXXX : Overall Violation Mapping ( Tied to Timeline ) These laws were directly violated chronologically : XX/XX/XXXX : FCRA 1681b, XXXX XXXX, CFPB XXXX XXXX. 
XX/XX/XXXX : FDCPA 1692g, CFPB 1006.34, XXXX XXXX. 
XX/XX/XXXX : FDCPA 1692c, FCC TCPA, FTC 5, CFPB Regulation F, FCRA 1681i. 
XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX : FDCPA 1692e/g, FCRA 1681e/i, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX, FTC XXXX XXXX 
XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX : FDCPA, FCRA, CFPB XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, E-OSCAR, FTC, FCC, XXXX laws. 
All violations are willful, as MCM ignored disputes and evidence.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation