vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: APR or interest rate — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
I have had a Business Management Account with American Express since XX/XX/XXXX. That account was closed in XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX. I have no issue with that. However, all of my balance has been at the cash advance APR, while I have not taken a cash advance in the last 10+ years. Amex now claims that this was now due to a {$60.00} cash advance I took XX/XX/XXXX, but they are not sure. 
However, once I complained XXXX of my balance is now shown as cash advance and remaining balance at a lower limit which American Express ca n't explain. I have called American Express 15-20 times over the last 2 months to resolve this, and quite frankly Amex has no answer, they push me off to escalation who promises to call me back the next day. As of this writing, the representative has called me back once when the process started, I returned her call and have not heard from her since. It has gotten so bad that when I call her voice mail, I start off by saying " I sincerely hope you are ok ... ''. Her manager told me that she has returned my calls but ca n't say when - but I do have a receptionist and voice mail so this seems disingenuous. 
Amex went from being my card of choice to a company that I would n't wish on an enemy. I had XXXX platinum cards with them and I ca n't get the decency of a return phone call? 
Just a horrible customer experience.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-29 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Contacted me instead of my attorney
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
" Midland Funding , LLC '' is a heavy handed collections company that " buys '' bad credit card debt for pennies on the dollar and then aggressively pursues the debtor. 
Since my ex husband was not taking care of his half of the debt, after the divorce, I decided to hire an attorney to help me negotiate his half since it was still affecting my credit. 
At the time of the negotiations, " Midland Funding '' only presented 1 account to my attorney. It was negotiated out of court and paid as agreed, even though the statute of limitations had past and they could no longer go after me legally. I really just wanted to clear up the damage on my credit that my ex husband had caused. 
Then, a few weeks later, I started getting calls and letters again concerning 2 additional accounts that they had also purchased at the same time as the settled account. The problem is " Midland Funding '' was/is required and should have presented all collection accounts they had in my name. They failed to disclose all accounts not only to my attorney but to the courts and the Judge. 
This all took place about a year ago and they are still contacting me by phone and by mail, even though they know my attorney, first hand. I calmly direct calls to my attorney and have turned over the letters to him. 
I do not want to take them to court. But I will if that 's what it takes for them to follow the law and rules of the courts. I really just want the calls and letters to stop or be redirected to my attorney. And if I am understanding the law, it is illegal for them to pursue me and to still report the other XXXX accounts on my credit report since they failed to submit all XXXX accounts at the time of negotiations and settlement. 
Thank you for this format to allow consumers to report illegal behavior.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: APR or interest rate — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
I received a letter from American Express in late XXXX ( I believe ) more or less stating that my interest rate on my credit card was being adjusted to nearly TRIPLE the rate I have had for almost 23 years. The reason was not one wherein I did anything to default on my card terms and conditions or anything of the like. I called in XXXX to address the matter and was told that American Express needed to align its card product to be in better alignment with market standards. It was due to a subjective business decision in other words. I was told that in order to contest the interest rate change, I was REQUIRED to go though an appeal process. Required. The supervisor with whom I spoke said she would submit one for me stating she understood and was in agreement that I had a stellar relationship with them for a long time and never paid late as I stated etc ... Within three days I received a letter in the mail stating that my FICO score which was very good. But AMEX still has chosen to raise my interest rate without material reason. The letter provided a number to further discuss and what proceeded was a sham. I spent nearly an hour on the phone being passed around to various persons because the number provided was misleading in that I could get further information. I have a record of all of the dates that I called and with whom I spoke. I suspected they were running a game hoping I would go away. AMEX is imposing usury level interest charges to suit their greed. If you provide a line of credit based on credit worthiness and the consumer has not breached any of the terms, it is beyond unreasonable to just decide to triple the interest rate because my guess is AMEX did not like the fact that I had recently let me balance run higher than normal. I have that right because it is in line with what I was approved for and I even paid off the entire balance. One time I was even connected to a group called Responsible Lending and spoke with a very reasonable rep who demonstrated the patience to hear out all details and he even said he did not understand why my interest rate would be raised so high. Yet he could not help me ultimately because I had been improperly transferred for the 3rd time that day. That aside, in terms of quality of customer service, in all of my nearly 23 years with this company, AMEX gets an F+ for making a decision to communicate such an egregious unfounded change to my interest rate after being an EXCELLENT customer so long. There is a deficiency in the internal processes to handle these sorts of matters which leads me to believe it is intentional. I am not going to just swallow a usury application of a charge. I made many efforts to identify the proper party to speak with re : what would become a SFP complaint and some were just ignorant and others just did not seem to care. Very unfortunate.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-18 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NM

Complaint narrative:
XXXX bank is reporting on my credit report I do not or did not have a XXXX credit card or credit card with any company associated with them. I researched it and they state they are reporting due to XXXX but that is not accurate. I request they delete the collections from Midland and ask that they delete any negative credit reporting.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-20 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action — Seized/Attempted to seize property
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
Had previously set up a payment plan with a withdrawal out of our joint checking account. A year later they claimed I still owed on the debt full amount. When I was contacted I was driving and told them numerous times I did not have the information in front of me. A month later, I received a notice from my bank stating they froze the joint bank account until the amount of {$260.00} was paid to close the debt. Then after waiting two weeks for them to unfreeze out XXXX account, I received a letter still stating we owed the full {$3400.00}. Also, this debt is from 2009. In their letter, it states that they can not sue me or persue me for the amount because of the age of the debt but can continue reporting it on our credit report. 
The debt has been paid. But they misled me on the phone saying I owed the entire amount and never told me it was only {$260.00} that was left. Also by freezing my bank account it caused us numerous hardship because we had bills scheduled to be paid automatically. 
Legally they were not allowed to collect the debt due to the age. 
Do n't get me wrong, I 'm glad we do n't owe them anything but I do n't believe they were allowed to do it the way they did.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Privacy — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
AMEX gave my personal information to XXXX during the XXXX credit card change over fiasco AGAINST MY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS. I called AMEX as soon as I found out what was transpiring and was told the only way to stop the information from flowing to XXXX was to cancel my AMEX account, which I did immediately ( XX/XX/XXXX ). Today, XXXX XXXX, I received his and hers XXXX cards in the mail. Absolutely UNCONSCIONABLE. AMEX has proven its incompetence at keeping customers and I guarantee that I will NEVER be a customer of theirs again nor will I ever recommend to any of my friends or family to be members.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-14 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting — 
Issue: Incorrect information on credit report — Account status
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
Paid the bill but someone stole my cards and used it without my permission.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-30 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
It has been two months that I have been asking for verification, still have an unverified account from MIDLAND FUNDING LLC. I had previously disputed this account. I have never done business with MIDLAND FUNDING LLC. Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) 15 U.S.C.1692g, I dispute the validity of the debt purport I owe. I request that MIDLAND FUNDING LLC Provide verification of the following : 1. ) The original Application or contract ; 2. ) Any and all statements allegedly related to this debt ; 3. ) Any and all signed receipts ; 4. ) Any and all canceled checks ; 5. ) Original date of default and collection activity begin 6. ). Whether you purchased the debt, and if so, the amount paid for the debt 7. ) The date ( s ) the debt allegedly accrued ; 8. ) An itemization of the costs, including an accounting, for any additional interest, charges, or other fees placed on this account. I want to request that MIDLAND FUNDING LLC. Cease and Desist all further communications and collection actives and provide the verification of the purported debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-13 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: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NM

Complaint narrative:
I called after seeing this on my report. I spoke to someone and they could n't find any information in their system and seemed irritated that I was trying to figure out what the debt was. I asked them to remove this reporting from my report or provide all the documentation to me showing that what the debt is for and that it is mine and was never paid. They never sent anything but still continue to report it messing up my credit costing me lots of money because this debt was from XX/XX/XXXX and they are reporting a XXXX day late as of XX/XX/XXXX which from my research on the internet is completely illegal.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-12-16 00:00:00
Product: Consumer Loan — Installment loan
Issue: Managing the loan or lease — 
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Midland Funding LLC is dstill reporting my XXXX XXXX credit card as open. It was paid in full in XXXX of XXXX. They ignore my requests to report it properly. 

This is how it is showing on my credit report : Details Last Reported XXXX XXXX, XXXX Collection Agency MIDLAND FUNDING LLC Original Creditor XXXX XXXX BANK Status Open Opened Date Apr XXXX, XXXX Closed Date -- Responsibility Individual Balance {$1200.00} High Balance {$1000.00} Remarks Account information disputed by consumer, meets FCRA requirements Creditor Contact Details MIDLAND FUNDING LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Thank you

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-11-07 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Privacy — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
American Express, listing itself with XXXX different addresses, has repeatedly run my credit report illegally. These inquiries are 'soft ' inquiries, however, it is illegal! I have not been a cardholder or done business with American Express in over 12 years. I also have a LIFETIME ban with all credit reporting agencies for promotional inquiries. I do not know why this company feels that they need my credit report but they will be sued if they run my credit report again. They have done this several times a years for the last several years. American Express is to not contact me or run my credit again for any reason.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-09 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Talked to a third party about my debt
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
Someone from Trans World Systems Inc called a business line ( XXXX times this morning ) and divulged serious personal information and was asking several office staff members from my XXXX. I called back and they wanted me to verify my social security number because there was " conflicting numbers '' and they needed to verify. Also, they would not tell me who or what was owed and kept asking me for my SS #. I do not think that someone should be able to call an employer XXXX # and divulge that kind of information to someone that is not part of what is going on and all while asking people completely not involved for my social security number. I feel extremely harassed and am scared as a consume to think an " debt collector '' who does n't know if it is my actual debt and is asking random office members for my social security number and divulging that it is to collect a debt. This also feels like slander as they told people things that probably are not true ( XXXX different employees answered XXXX of the XXXX calls made today ). Horrible business practices and should not be allowed to operate like that. 

Here number is XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-12 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
I was recently garnished on my wage and I have no idea why. I received a letter in the mail from my employer about the garnishment and on the paper it had a case number and a company that issued the garnishment. When I called the company about it, they tried to look me up in the computer and they said they could not find any accounts for me and that they have no idea why I am being garnished. I contacted the company that handles my paycheck, and they told me to call the court house that agreed to issue the garnishment. When I called them, I got transferred to the Small Claims Department at the XXXX Court XXXX XXXX XXXX, and the woman I spoke to looked up the case number that I had and she said it had my name on it, but that was all the information she could give me. The other person that I was told to call by my payroll company, was the lawyers office that apparently handled " my case '' and I have been calling and calling and nobody answers the phone. I know that I do n't owe anyone money, and I have never had anything in collections and I have no derogatory marks on my credit.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-01-03 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
first call from midland credit management was on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, which I thought was a little strange. My phone service is XXXX which is XXXX. I get a lot of spam calls, so I downloaded a program on my computer called " XXXX '' which my phone only rings once and stops ringing. I have checked my credit report from XXXX and there is nothing negative on it except for the bankruptcy in XXXX. 
I have filed a complaint with the XXXX against Midland and threaten to report them to the nys attorney generals office. Back in XXXX midland credit was sued by the XXXX. The company was sued for XXXX dollars and more than XXXX improperly obtained judgements were vacated. I have never received any written information from them of who I owe and how much I owe. I am current with all my bills.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
This has been a 3 month issue and after three attempts to to resolve the issue in the most conservative manner possible I am not sure what else to do. I have been repeatedly told contradicting information by American Express, the individuals I have spoken with over the phone and online continually misrepresent what I need to do to get the issue resolved, they refuse to escalate the issue and find out why I am continually getting the run around. They state each time I inquire that they will reach out to me if there is any need for clarification and when they resolve the issue they will call or email me. I have never been contacted via email or phone and my attempts for clarification are met with indifference. The best they have done is to send me vague letters saying they side with the repair shop. 

XX/XX/XXXX I payed for auto repairs with my American Express card. The company that I had do the work damaged my car making it unsafe to drive ( randomly stalls, suspension improperly installed causes altered handling, and the exhaust was not installed correctly and has a loud exhaust leak ) and did not return my car on time so I filed a complaint with American Express to pull back the funds. They said that I need to provide documentation from a third party mechanic showing that the work was not done correctly and then they would pull the funds back. I took my car to a third party mechanic who validated all of the claims I made and I sent them a pdf copy of the result. The mechanic even states on the document to call him if there are any questions. American Express said that there claims department reviewed the issue and sided the with car repair shop because I did not give them documentation. Because of a failed first attempt I resubmitted the claim and this time when I asked about the the documentation I submitted they were unaware I had submitted the documents, so I again submitted the information. Again they resolved the case and said there was not evidence that there had been an issue with my car. On the third attempt I sent them photographic evidence ( the images have dated time stamps ) in addition to the letter from my mechanic and again they state they do not have evidence of an issue with my car. 

Because I have patiently followed their instructions three times providing the exact documentation they ask for yet they will not follow through on what they say they will do I am writing to make a formal complaint.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-26 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Communication tactics — Threatened to take legal action
Company: Gurstel Law Firm, P.C.
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
I received a Student Credit Card XXXX when I had turned XXXX and at that time attended XXXX University in XXXX as a full-time student and working only part-time and XXXX XXXX knew this. I was originally born and raised in XXXX, XXXX. I also attended XXXX XXXX full-time while working only part-time until XX/XX/XXXX when I relocated to Arizona for residency and to continue my college education at XXXX. In the meantime I have only worked part-time jobs barely making minimum wage. XX/XX/XXXX while attending school, I got laid off from my job and became unable to make payments. I had some help from family members but then they got sick and could not help me. I told XXXX XXXX this at the time. Never got a response. To date, I had never received any correspondence from XXXX XXXX other than was I working full-time, how much money I make and did I graduate from college yet. I never received any letter other than the one I received dated XX/XX/XXXX from Gurstel Chargo Attorneys at Law threatening and hurrying to file a judgment against me for {$2300.00}. ( see attached letter ) in which they served to my XXXX yr old grandma on XX/XX/XXXX. I have never been married and I do n't know where they got this false/fake information from other than they have me mixed up with my father. XXXX XXXX has violated by legal rights under the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act ( FDCPA ) as I feel XXXX along with their attorneys Gurstel Chargo of XXXX, XXXX have abused and practice false and deceptive acts against me and I hereby file a complaint against them. I will also be filing a complaint with the Consumer Protection Bureau for violation of my legal rights. Because I was never properly notified by letter, etc. and then this shows up at my address for judgment. XXXX XXXX has also violated my legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and because of lack of communication this is deceptive & abusive practices which has caused me a lot of mental anguish and stress.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation