vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Federal student loan
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Contacted employer after asked not to
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
I called to speak to someone regarding my past due student loan, the rep proceeded to ask my information including my place of employment which I gave him but I did not give him the phone number of my employer because I clearly stated " I can not receive personal calls of ANY TYPE '' he argued with me stating that they would n't call they just need the number, I again said I was not going to give that information. I was unable to complete the call at that time because I was on a time restraint and said I would contact them back later that week. A few days later a rep called me at work when I was off, which means whoever called took it upon themselves to not only call after I CLEARLY stated not to but to also LOOK UP the phone number to my employer because I would not disclose that information. I called them back and spoke to a supervisor who apologized and said it was against policy to call my employer when I had asked them not to and the rep that did so would be reprimanded and it was a mistake. I was very upset and again the issue at hand had not been resolved regarding my loan. This company has since called my employer TWO more times. I called them back and explained AGAIN that they CAN NOT call my employer and the rep told me he did not see a note on my account until he had already called and that by law they ca n't call if there 's a note so they would not be calling again. I have already been reprimanded by my employer multiple times regarding these people continuously calling. I explained I could lose my job over this after the first time they called yet they called again 3 more times. Obviously my request is not being taken seriously and this was my last resort to stop it.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-01-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Credit determination — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I have had an account in good standing with American Express since XX/XX/XXXX. There are significant monthly charges and payments often in excess of $ XXXX/year on this account without incident. 
XX/XX/XXXX I was informed that a 'credit review ' was requested despite re-assurance that the account was in good standing. This contact was made on a weekend morning before XXXX XXXX on my personal cellphone ( this account has been handled by my office through an authorized representative that works for me for more than 5 years ) and requested an IRS 'transcript '. I attempted to comply with the instructions of the 'financial review ' department whom I had never heard of before ( I initially thought the call was 'spam ' ) but was told they would not work with my administrator or accountants and that I must forward correspondence from the IRS to them in unopened envelopes ( so how was I to know whether there was an appropriate response or a form letter in the envelope? ). There was no further contact with American Express despite a note placed on the outside of the IRS envelope asking for them to contact me should the material not be responsive. 
This past Saturday at XXXX XXXX EDT I was telephoned by a representative who told me that although my account remained in good standing financially, American Express was cancelling my account. No recourse, no time to cure, no appeal. I asked for a transcript of this and my prior conversations ( always speaking on a recorded line ) and was told that I would need to submit a subpoena to the 'phone company ' since this recording belonged to American Express . Although I always noted the name of the individual on a call each time I was told that I could not reach the prior individual. I requested a supervisor and multiple times was told they would reach me in '48 hours '. A manager never picked up the phone or returned my calls. 
American Express holds itself out as a bank, identifies itself as a bank, and yet insisted on only addressing my account review on Sundays or Saturdays at non business hours not at my office, the official contact for me, but on my cellphone. 
The behaviors described above violate my rights to due process with a credit agency or bank and are distinctly punitive, in contrast to my 28 year history of business with this company. Clearly there is a rogue department in Arizona that is systematically destroying customer relationships and targeting individuals - this is not the standard of business practice that a company purporting to be a 'bank ' and a credit agency should be allowed to use, randomly targeting individuals with accounts in good standing for no clear purpose.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-16 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: RS Clark and Associates, Inc.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
This a medical bill that my health insurance should have paid and after months of arguing with Insurance company and collection I agreed to settle with the collection agency, I have ask them repeatedly to delete entry from the credit agency and they refuse, I am sick and tired of collection agencies acting like they can ruin peoples life, without any consideration, some consumers are used by the medical/Doctors over billing of insurance companies, and insurance companies under paying and leaving large balances to consumers

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-11-15 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CO

Complaint narrative:
I am still waiting for the letter of apology from Amex sent around XXXX XXXX that describes the disposition of the funds from my Amex account in XXXX XXXX. The number of that account on the credit reporting agency was XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
I have a number of responses to the cover letter sent to me last month indicating that I " insisted '' I had no card with a number ending in XXXX, but I need 2 weeks to respond to that letter. I will be XXXX on Thurs XX/XX/XXXX and will need recovery time and time with the bank to review my records dating back to XXXX to be able to provide accurate account numbers. 
In the meantime, I request that American Express stop adding late fees and interest to my account XXXX as that balance is still in question.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-14 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Transaction issue — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
American Express charged me a {$3.00} XXXX processing fee for an item I purchased from an XXXX company. I was never informed, in advance, that I would be charged this fee and I did n't authorize it. American Express refuses to credit the fee and is insisting that the charge is valid.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting — 
Issue: Incorrect information on credit report — Account terms
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
Midland Funding is reporting an account that was closed in XX/XX/XXXX by XXXX as a Opening date of XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX, which means that this debt will remain on my credit for until XX/XX/XXXX b/c it reflects the account being 1yr and 1 mo old. This is a incorrect date b/c XXXX closed it in XX/XX/XXXX and it should start from that date. I disputed this account thinking that someone stole my information b/c of the dates that were reported as being " opened ''. When I called XXXX XXXX they were unable to find these accounts by my ssn. After doing some digging in their systems they confirmed that it was sold to Midland but it should not show up as a opening date of XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. The lady submitted a dispute with their credit department to have it removed. After doing my investigation midland is re-ageing this account and which they cant do that by law. I called Midland and the rep stated that the date of XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX should not be showing as an opening date on my credit and it should be converted back to the date in which it was closed by XXXX. I explained to her and read what was on my credit report. She said she would document the account b/c its already in a dispute status b/c this is the 2nd time I am disputing this.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Advertising and marketing — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I received a credit card offer. The first page had XXXX lines ( I 've marked those on the attachment ) with numbers indicating footnotes, but there were no corresponding footnotes. The bottom of the first page, the one with all the offer language, stated " Please see page XXXX of insert for Additional Disclosures '' but I could find no additional information or further limitations on their offer.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-02 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Credit determination — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
We were denied credit and the bank said there is an American Express collection on our credit reports. There are XXXX account numbers listed for XXXX collection. We made another complaint and the response had NOTHING to do with our request. Please publish this issue as its unacceptable to not respond correctly. We are currently seeking other avenues to complain as well. We need either a XXXX or a payoff to remedy this debt. American Express can not ignore, legally, this request. Numerous calls to American Express have been futile as their call center is in XXXX and they can not pull up information or send information needed. We have also emailed the corporate office and will make a complaint with the department of corporations as that office has not responded. Calls to the corporate office are also futile. The XXXX account numbers end in XXXX and XXXX. Not sure what this means? This is affecting our ability to borrow money and the fact that American Express does not respond appropriately is not allowed by law as we have requested via phone and email and will send a letter today to their corporate office so also by mail as of XX/XX/XXXX ( today ) a response that is valid to satisfy this debt on credit.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-05-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Advertising and marketing — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
I recently had a horrible experience with American Express. I went to the XXXX Rewards site to book a hotel. Off to the right was an offer to recieve XXXX off the stay if I apply for an American Express card. So I apply, it goes thru and I try to book my room. I find out I do not have the number for the card or any information to reserve the room. I call customer service, they ca n't help me. I go online to get the information from the account site and they can not help me. So where am I supposed to get this XXXX for applying for the card. I spent an hour on the phone with AMEX and XXXX Rewards. In the end I just cancelled the card. No one needs this false advertisement or hassle. I 'm to the point I will highly recommend our company stop using the corporate cards we have. Why advertise something you are not going to deliver on?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
when I checked my credit I found that Asset Acceptance Corp had placed a collection on my XXXX credit report I never received notice of this of any kind this is against the law and I will take legal action against this company if this is not removed from my XXXX report immediately.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-10-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
This company calls me every day to explain how they can collect this debt. They have also contacted my family members to collect this debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-13 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Auto
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: Kramer & Frank, P.C.
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I have a judgement from Kramer and Frank PC for a vehicle purchased for XXXX thru XXXX XXXX from XX/XX/XXXX?? Been so long I do n't remember. When the economy went bad in XX/XX/XXXX we had to let it go, and returned it to the XXXX dealer in XXXX Mo. After that we received a letter stating the vehicle had been sold at auction for XXXX, reducing the amount we owed to XXXX. At the time we also lost our home, so the vehicle was not at the top of our priorities. Today, 11 years later this company continues to garnish my wages. They show I have paid XXXX and still have a total due of XXXX! A year and a half ago, a relative had me ask them if they would accept a settlement, I gave them an offer and they laughed. They said they would accept XXXX. My wife has become ill and has been XXXX with a XXXX, she can not work and is in XXXX. When they renew their wage garnishments every few months, our income gets tight, and we can not purchase all of her medications sometimes. The worst thing of all, XXXX does not even have a record or account with my name on record anywhere.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-15 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
I called and requested additional information to validate the account that is on my credit report. I told MCM that they keep sending credit card statements and that does not tell me anything saying it 's my account. I request MCM to send me something with my signature indicating that i signed for the alleged debt and they told me the only thing they received when the purchased the debt is a credit card statement. I was also told by the rep that by law they dont have to send me any additional information to validate the debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-30 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Customer service / Customer relations — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/XXXX Called American Express ( AMEX ) to cancel credit card. Was told to destroy cards. In subsequent phone conversations Amex claims no evidence of cancellation on this date. At this point our account balance was the annual fee of {$95.00}, due XX/XX/XXXX. 
XX/XX/XXXX Called AMEX again to enquire how to handle the current billing, an item that was not covered the previous day. Representative " XXXX '' advised not to pay current billing and that next billing would prorate the annual fee and the total billing would be $ XXXX {$8.00} ( XXXX ). 
XX/XX/XXXX Received another billing from AMEX. Included in bill was {$35.00} late fee. Called Amex again. " XXXX '' said I should call back in 3-5 business days. 
XX/XX/XXXX Again called AMEX, this time speaking with " XXXX ''. He stated the account showed a balance of $ XXXX {$8.00} and would show on the next statement. 

XX/XX/XXXX Another statement, another late fee. The balance is now {$150.00}. Called AMEX again in attempt to stop the same old runaround. " XXXX '' of AMEX stated the previous representatives had no authority to prorate the annual fee and that I had cancelled the card not on XX/XX/XXXX but on XX/XX/XXXX. She said she would check it out and get back to me in about XXXX business days. 
XX/XX/XXXX Fifteen business days after XX/XX/XXXX and have not heard back from Amex or " XXXX ''. Too, I have not contacted AMEX again. Sent complaint form to MN Attorney General, Consumer Services Division. 
XX/XX/XXXX Received another statement. Balance showing is now {$190.00}. 

Additional information : On XX/XX/XXXX XXXX submitted a charge to AMEX by me in the amount of {$18.00}. It is my opinion that this is a charge that AMEX should not have honored had they canceled the card on XXXX as requested, the date we were told to destroy our cards. The charge was subsequently credited back to my account on XX/XX/XXXX because the item was returned to XXXX. While I fully admit I had forgotten to inform XXXX the card had been canceled I charged the merchandise using XXXX 's 1-Click procedure. Therefore I would readily agree to the $ XXXX {$8.00} prorated AMEX annual charge. 

Attached : Copy of latest statement with closing date XX/XX/XXXX. 


I believe AMEX has internal problems with their customer service and should honor their verbal commitments of the $ XXXX {$8.00} charge and to rescind or cancel any items of delinquencies submitted to any credit service agencies or companies.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-30 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
Encore Capital, Midland & MCM attempt to collect a debt that was past the statue of limitations, and reported the wrong amounts on my credit report and refused to correct it.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-10 00:00:00
Product: Prepaid card — Gift or merchant card
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing account — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX is a credit card from American Express created in conjunction with XXXX.I had my back pay from XXXX XXXX deposited on this card.They currently have XXXX of my back pay money held captive and wo n't release it to me.They XXXX froze it because of a spending limit being reached.So I asked to have the balance wired into my bank account, but they said they could n't do it.So, I asked if they could wire it through XXXX XXXX ; they said they could n't do that.So, I asked if they could mail it to me, they said yes, but I have n't received it yet.it 's been a few days short of a month since their promise to mail it.They keep giving me XXXX story after another.It seems to be just XXXX lie after another.I just want my money.Neither my wife or I work.We desperately need this money to pay bills and to take care of our kids.Can you please help us get our money from American Express or XXXX XXXX ; or whomever has a hold on our money.This has been going on now for over a month now.I call customer service, they put me on hold, and they come back a few minutes later with fake promises to get me my money.They claim to have put a trace on the check that they suppose to have mailed on the XX/XX/XXXX.I have n't gotten any feedback on that trace yet.They just keep telling me whatever sounds good to string me along further and further.So, I 'm currently pursuing legal action because I do n't know what else to do.I 've given them ample time to release my funds but they wo n't. If you can help me, please do.My family and I would greatly appreciate it.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-05-23 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Payoff process — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I went to pay my Amex. It showed I only owed a small amount. However the amount of the bill was over XXXX. I paid the total which over XXXX. I then went and looked at the upcoming closing bill, and realized there were over XXXX in credits on the bill that yet to close. I immediately realized it was applying the credits to the already closed bill. I went in and hit " cancel payment ' for the XXXX. And then paid the minimum of XXXX some odd dollars. The reason being is that if I had not done that, Amex system will automatically take that overage of XXXX and apply to s pay over time portion of my card, shock I did NOT want or authorize. 

The cancel showed in the screen with XXXX pending processing. This was within 20 minutes of the initial transaction. I then receive XXXX emails hours later saying XXXX PAYMENTS were processed. This is unacceptable for XXXX. I then decided to wait a few days to let the next statement close and call if needed. I called and the representative basically said too bad. This is unethical as I as the cardholder and customer should have the right to determine where my payment/money is applied as long as any minimums are met. It should not be up to a system and as well system errors. 

I asked for a supervisor ( and had to fight to get XXXX ). 

A supervisor came on and edit idly told me the same. I pointed out it was obvious what I had done as why would I pay XXXX and then XXXX.? She argued but in the end found a way to put a XXXX charge from my current stating to the pay over time to help even things out. I accepted this as a temporary measure. But am not satisfied as now that sticks with interest and XXXX higher balance on the pay over time portion. 

This is unethical and should be illegal for a card network to force you to allow their erroneous payment system to make decisions for me as a consumer. This is my money and I did NOT AUTHORIZE the application of funds to the pay over time, and the Amex 'cancel ' payment option did not work. ( Even though it showed as cancelled and then disappeared ). 

This is an injustice and I was n't treated well during the process. The Amex system has issues, thus happened in the past and the XXXX was x led to reapply the funds and were apologetic. I feel swindled and find this on the verge of being illegal. I am losing money by the XXXX charge being put into the pay over time. I had planned to use the credits within the bill they appeared in as this keeps my expense tracking ckean, and should be my prerogative. I am greatly angry at the unethical practice of Amex and refusal to address glitches in your system.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-09-27 00:00:00
Product: Prepaid card — Other special purpose card
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
After buying a XXXX rebate eligible product from XXXX, I filled out all the necessary rebate forms and my rebate was approved. I wait the time to receive the card. 

AMEX/XXXX never sent the gift card or was sent back to them by USPS. 

The rebate terms clearly state a fee only AFTER receipt by the cardholder. 
" a {$2.00} monthly service charge applies but is waived for the initial four ( 4 ) months after receipt by cardholder. " XXXXI see this as fraud since when I called AMEX they inform me of the fee and refuses to issue the card in the full amount. Instead I am to be sent a new card with {$2.00} less. I asked for a check but was refused also ( as expected ). 

To further this, the XXXX product that was purchase is an online storage service for 1 year that no longer provides the service.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation