Consumer complaint received 2025-11-20 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Washington XXXX DC XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX Re : Formal Complaint - Systematic FCRA Violations by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX COMPLAINT SUMMARY I am filing this complaint against Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for systematic violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. These violations demonstrate a pattern of non-compliance that requires regulatory intervention. 
SPECIFIC FCRA VIOLATIONS DOCUMENTED XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : Account : Midland Credit Management ( * XXXX ) Shows Code XXXX : " Consumer Disputes This Account Information '' Account continues reporting without evidence of proper verification Violation : CRA failed to conduct reasonable reinvestigation Account : XXXX XXXX XXXX ( * XXXX ) Shows Code XXXX : " Consumer Disputes This Account Information '' No documentation of original creditor verification provided Violation : Debt buyer information reported without proper chain of custody Account : XXXX XXXX XXXX ( * XXXX ) Shows Code XXXX : " Consumer Disputes After Resolution '' Indicates previous dispute was " resolved '' but account remains problematic Violation : Sham investigation without substantive review 2. VIOLATION OF 1681e ( b ) - FAILURE TO FOLLOW REASONABLE PROCEDURES FOR ACCURACY Pattern of Inaccuracies : XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX accounts ( * XXXX, * XXXX ) both showing dispute codes First Premier - XXXX accounts ( * XXXX, * XXXX ) with identical charge-off patterns Multiple collection agencies reporting on same consumer with systematic dispute flags This pattern indicates : Failure to maintain reasonable procedures for maximum possible accuracy Systematic acceptance of unverified debt buyer information Inadequate verification procedures for disputed accounts 3. VIOLATION OF 1681i ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( A ) - FAILURE TO DELETE UNVERIFIABLE INFORMATION Accounts That Should Be Removed : All accounts marked with dispute codes 166, 167, and 022 represent information that was previously disputed but not properly verified, yet continues to appear on credit reports. 
4. VIOLATION OF 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) - REPORTING OBSOLETE INFORMATION Charge-Off Date Inconsistencies : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX payment XX/XX/XXXX, charge-off status unclear Multiple accounts showing extended charge-off periods without proper timeline verification SYSTEMIC ISSUES REQUIRING CFPB INTERVENTION Pattern of Dispute Code Abuse The presence of multiple accounts with codes 166, 167, and 022 indicates that credit reporting agencies are : 1. Marking accounts as " disputed '' without conducting meaningful investigations 2. Using dispute codes as shields to continue reporting unverified information 3. Failing to remove information that can not be properly verified Debt Buyer Verification Failures Multiple debt buyer accounts appear without evidence of : Original creditor verification Chain of custody documentation Legal standing to collect or report Violation of Consumer Rights The systematic nature of these violations demonstrates that CRAs are : Prioritizing data furnisher relationships over consumer accuracy rights Using procedural compliance as substitute for substantive investigation Failing to implement adequate dispute resolution procedures REQUESTED CFPB ACTION I respectfully request that the CFPB : 1. Investigate Systematic FCRA Violations Review credit reporting agency dispute resolution procedures Examine the use of dispute codes as substitutes for proper investigation Assess whether current procedures meet FCRA requirements for " reasonable reinvestigation '' 2. Enforcement Action Issue consent orders requiring improved dispute resolution procedures Impose civil money penalties for willful FCRA violations under 1681n Require audits of debt buyer account verification procedures 3. Consumer Relief Order removal of all unverified information from my credit reports Require credit reporting agencies to implement enhanced verification for debt buyer accounts Mandate clear dispute resolution timelines and procedures 4. Industry-Wide Reforms Issue guidance on proper use of dispute codes Clarify requirements for debt buyer account verification Strengthen oversight of credit reporting agency compliance DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED 1. Complete Equifax credit report showing dispute codes 2. Evidence of systematic patterns across multiple accounts 3. Documentation of previous dispute attempts 4. This detailed complaint outlining specific FCRA violations LEGAL AUTHORITY This complaint is filed under : FCRA 1681s ( a ) ( 1 ) - CFPB enforcement authority 12 U.S.C. 5531 - CFPB supervision and enforcement powers 12 U.S.C. 5536 - Prohibition on unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts CONCLUSION The systematic nature of these FCRA violations demonstrates that individual consumer disputes are insufficient to address the underlying compliance failures. Regulatory intervention is necessary to ensure that credit reporting agencies implement proper procedures for accuracy and dispute resolution as required by federal law. 
The violations documented in my case appear to be part of a larger pattern affecting consumers nationwide. I respectfully request that the CFPB take immediate action to investigate and remedy these systematic violations. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Re : Formal Cease and Desist Demand Under 15 U.S.C. 1692c Harassment, Unauthorized Reporting, and Immediate Deletion of Inaccurate Information To Whom It May Concern : This letter serves as a formal and aggressive CEASE AND DESIST DEMAND stemming from your continued and unauthorized reporting and communication regarding an alleged debt that appears on my consumer file.

Your actions constitute harassment, and they violate my rights under multiple federal consumer protection laws. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692c, I am invoking my right to demand that you immediately cease all communications with me concerning any alleged debt. This demand is absolute. Any continued contact will be documented as intentional harassment and willful noncompliance. 

Additionally, the account you are reporting is inaccurate, unverified, unauthorized, and illegally furnished. Under the FCRA, you are legally obligated to ensure maximum possible accuracy ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) and to delete or correct any information that can not be fully verified ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ). Your ongoing reporting of this unverified account is unauthorized and unlawful, and you are now on written notice. 

You are hereby demanded to : Immediately delete the disputed account from my consumer report due to its inaccurate, unverified, and unauthorized nature. 

Provide written verification of the deletion within 15 days of receiving this notice. 

Cease and desist ALL communication, directly or indirectly, including mailed notices, phone calls, electronic messages, and third-party contacts. 

Stop reporting or re-reporting any information you can not lawfully verify, as continued reporting constitutes harassment and unauthorized data furnishing. 

Your repeated communication attempts and continued reporting despite the lack of proper validation constitute harassment, unauthorized use of my consumer information, and reckless disregard for federal law. Failure to comply will result in : Formal complaints filed with the CFPB, FTC, and my State Attorney General Potential civil action for statutory damages, actual damages, and punitive damages for willful violations This is your final notice. I expect compliance and a prompt, lawful resolution. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation