vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-10-11 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
I 've been with American Express for four years without any financial problems of paying my monthly bill. I still believe this is a fine company. However, what I do n't understand is why my card was suspended recently ( XX/XX/2016-XX/XX/2016 ) until I paid my bill which I had to XX/XX/XXXX to do. However, my problem is are they looking at a certain population of people. What was the reason for my suspension. Out of four years I had this card I paid my account late once by one day,. Due do a mix-up. They never had another problem out of me with a late payment. My problem is the many reasons I was given for the suspension of my card.. Reasons like I charged XXXX on my card and I have not done that in six months. So! I was always told that I do n't per say have a limit. Also, I had just charged {$1300.00} XX/XX/XXXX. Why not the concern then. I glad I was n't trying to pay for something at the time the card went down. If below {$1300.00} is going to be my limit, why not give me that in writing so I will know what not to go over? I discussed with why in XX/XX/XXXX {$1300.00} was alright to charge and in XX/XX/XXXX a very, very, very red flag of sort goes up and now it 's an ALARM? Tell me what I can charge without being suspended? 

XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-30 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
In XXXX, 2014 I entered a written dispute with XXXX reference account number XXXX as contained on my consumer credit profile at XXXX, XXXX and XXXX XXXX. Specifically alleged, ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC was attempting to collect a debt for which I had no knowledge and alleged was fraudulently opened by an unknown XXXX party. Moreover, said account was appearing XXXX on my consumer credit profile notwithstanding the allegation of a single debt owed. 

ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC failed to investigate, verify, or validate said debt. Although I also filed a cease and desist demand with ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC an absolute requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act is to report said debt as disputed pending resolution of an investigation. ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC failed to report said debt as disputed and failed to conduct an investigation into my allegations of fraud. As such, my credit worthiness has been negatively impacted by the erroneous reporting of this account. 

A review of records compiled by the state XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in Florida indicates that ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC is not currently licensed to conduct business pursuant to section XXXX, Florida statute. As such, the imposition of this debt and the erroneous reporting to XXXX, XXXX and XXXX XXXX is an unfair and deceptive trade practice. 

Several phone calls to ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC have met upon deaf ears. When I called to inquire on the status of the disputed account, I was advised that Florida licensing was not required. I was further advised that the debt remained due notwithstanding a lack of validation and claim of fraud. At this point the call was terminated. My written dispute remains outstanding. Said account remains on my XXXX, XXXX and XXXX XXXX notwithstanding the existence of a dispute, lack of validation, and my allegations of fraud.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-30 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
I was a victim of Identity theft XXXX years ago. I resolved the issue obtaining a police report and submitting it to the company and credit bureau and it was removed from my credit reports. Three years ago I discovered the debt was sold to a third party creditor who in turn confiscated my tax return. I was on XXXX at the time and did n't have the means to dispute with a lawyer ( I did try to fight it previously, but the judge told me to get a lawyer ). When the judgement expired, that Midland Credit Management had obtained XXXX years earlier, they purposefully sent the paperwork for a new judgement to the wrong address so that I could not show up for court, and was able to renewed the judgement. Keep in mind none of this has been on my credit report and I have never been notified!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-29 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Can't repay my loan — Can't get flexible payment options
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
I took out private student loans when I was in college. My grandmother was the co-signer. She got down and ill and passed away and all the student loan debt fell on me. I just could not afford to pay it. I 'm a mother of XXXX children living pay check to pay check. My student loan debt is more than my salary. I went to college to try and get out of property, but now I 'm just another person in property with a XXXX degree. This bondage has to be removed. Now my wages are being garnished and I do n't have enough money to provide for me and my kids needs. Please help. There has to be better way to handle this student loan debt. I want to pay them, I just can not pay that much at this time. I 'm being garnished almost {$700.00} a month. This is awful.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-11-29 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

Complaint narrative:
In my credit report there are XXXX accounts of american express these accounts do n't belong to me

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-09-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Application processing delay — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
In XX/XX/XXXX, I received, in the mail, an application from American Express for their credit card. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email stating AMEX was unable to approve my request due to my credit freeze on my credit file. On XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX PST, I called AMEX and provided AMEX with my PIN and the agent informed me that she was successful in " unfreezing '' my credit file. The agent informed me that everything looks good and that I would receive a call back within XXXX hours regarding approval or status of my application. No phone call was ever received. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received duplicate letters from AMEX stating they could not access my frozen credit file. On XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX PST, I called AMEX and was informed by AMEX that they in fact have my PIN, was able to access my credit file and apologized for the confusion on AMEX 's behalf. I was assured that I would receive a decision in 5 working days or on or before XX/XX/XXXX. To date, ( XX/XX/XXXX ), I have not received anything from AMEX regarding their decision. I would call AMEX a XXXX time and provide my PIN but I am reluctant because I sense evasiveness and a lack of transparency from AMEX. I had no choice but to contact CFPB and attempt to resolve this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-16 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: IL

Complaint narrative:
I was informed that I owe from a credit card taken out in my name that I did not authorize, and I am being sued for the amount of {$840.00}. 


Midland was asked to send verification of debt owed on XXXX days, and that was not abided by. Cease and desist of reporting to credit bureaus was demanded while debt was in dispute for fraud. This did not happen. I was summoned to appear in court even after I had disputed this claim. I lost out on a day 's wages to go to the court date.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-30 00:00:00
Product: Prepaid card — General purpose card
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Half a year or so ago, my American Express XXXX XXXX account was hacked and used for fraudulent activities. 

{$500.00} was on my account at the beginning of the fraudulent activity. On the first day, the perpetrator used my credit card account which was linked to the OneVIP Serve account to transfer a daily maximum of {$200.00}. Afterwords, he/she withdrew the money as an " Unauthorized transaction '' ( the money went to an account to the name which I do not have any recollection of, seen when I logged-in at a later date ). The next day, {$200.00} was transferred to Serve using the credit card and then withdrawn into the the same unknown name as an unauthorized transaction. At this point, I logged in and found out my account was being targeted for fraud. I called XXXX to gain access to my account ( email, password, & personal information were changed ), remove my credit card from the account, then called XXXX again to submit a fraud claim. I did not receive any notification or alerts when the perpetrator changed nearly all of my account information. 

An American Express Serve account representative has told me that the transactions were valid and that they can not recoup my losses.They have closed my account as the representative told me it was standard procedure when a fraudulent activity report is denied. 

At this point, {$400.00} has been returned to me by the credit card company ( XXXX XXXX ) for the two unauthorized transactions of {$200.00} each. XXXX is unwilling to recoup the {$500.00} I lost from the unauthorized transactions. I have submitted a CFPB complaint a few months ago and no resolution has come.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-07 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Can't repay my loan — Can't get flexible payment options
Company: MOHELA
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
I want a payment I can actually afford. I have had my loan for years and been on the income driven repayment plans. Every year the payment goes up to an amount that is difficult to afford. I have had to resort to taking XXXX loans and even cashing in some of my XXXX with the XXXX % penalty to afford the payments. There are now new plans that base repayment on 10 % of income but I am being told that I do not qualify as I am not a new lender although the site that estimates payments show me that I do and shows a payment I can afford. I have repeatedly sent the servicer notes and the never take the time to review the questions and provide a full response. At no point, even after asking, have they indicated they have a true loss mitigation program that would lead to lower interest rates and truly look at debt to income and the actual expenses a borrower has to determine their ability to repay. I do n't understand why student loan servicers are not held to the same standards as mortgage servicers. The payments are so significant that making them could impact the ability to pay a mortgage payment and thus will have the same potential impact of costing someone their home. This servicer and all other student loan servicers need to be forced to develop true loss mitigation and loan modification programs.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
I signed up for an American Express XXXX credit card with an awards points offer. I met the spend limit but my awards points are " locked '' because my account is under review per the awards team members I have spoken with. They told me my points could be locked for XXXX8 weeks during the review. I am trying to use XXXX of the XXXX points I have to book travel with my family. I do n't understand why it would take XXXX8 weeks to verify my spend on the card. They do n't expect me to take XXXX8 weeks to verify the charges and make payment when they send me a statement. 
When I called to talk with American Express about this issue they told me that 's just the way it is and there was no one I could talk to about it.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-05-30 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: VA

Complaint narrative:
I do not have knowledge of this debt. I do not have a contract with this company.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-24 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
Little less than a year ago we started a credit card with American Express. We were told by them that items purchased at a grocery store would be given a 6 % cash back credit. We live within XXXX mile of XXXX XXXX and buy almost all our groceries at this store. After several months we noticed that we only received a 1 % credit instead of 6 %. My wife, XXXX XXXX, and I, XXXX XXXX ( both of us have this credit card ) called them about two months ago to see why we were n't getting the promised credit. We were told that it was a mistake and were given a partial credit for previous charges for the extra 5 %. I recently noticed that for the last two months we were again only being paid the 1 %. The reason, they said American Express changed their policy. Grocery stores that have gas stations no longer are eligible for the 6 % credit. Since XXXX XXXX has gas stations at their stores, that makes the grocery purchases not eligible for the American Express 6 % credit. I explained to them that our local grocery store at XXXX does not have a gas station. They responded that since some of the XXXX XXXX stores do have gas stations that that is how they code all XXXX XXXX stores. I complained that certainly this was n't fair but they refused to change our account to get the full 6 % rebate. Appreciate you help on this unfair matter. Thank you XXXX and XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-05 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action — Sued w/o proper notification of suit
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I have had payment arrangements with this debt collector for several years now. Thay have been taking the arranged payment from my bank account on a monthly basis. The terms of my arrangement have expired and they claim that because I have n't contacted to make new arrangements, they have opted to sue me. Two days prior to being served, this company did take a payment from my account. I have never received any kind on notice outlining new payment arrangements.. I have never been sued and I find this to be just an excuse to get additional money from me. I am emotionally distraught over this. They have served me and I want to know if I shoulld retain a lawyer to protect me from any further action. I do n't want to tarnish a very good credit rating.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-29 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: KY

Complaint narrative:
I got up this morning on XXXX/XXXX/17 at XXXX and called my phone company to pay my phone bill of {$50.00} and it did go through, I called my card to make sure I had {$60.00} left for my kids diapers wipes and food and there was only {$10.00} left on there. I did got to my phone company and they pulled up my account and there was only XXXX transaction that was approved for only {$50.00}, but the American Express company took out an extra {$50.00} which is by law called fraud. So I called my phone company head office and they even said only one payment was approved for {$50.00} thAt American Express has frauded me of an extra {$50.00}. I have already talked to a lawyer and I will be aiming to press charges

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-15 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Late fee — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I 've been an American Express customer for over ten years and have never had a late payment. I always keep everything on autopay. In 2013, I switched from a Blue Cash card to a Blue Sky Preferred card at the urging of a telephone representative. The sales rep told me that my autopay for my old card would be carried over to the new card and I would n't need to take any further action. This turned out to be untrue. While I was out of the country, the autopay did not carry over, and my first payment on my new card triggered a late payment, charging me a fee and affecting my credit report. I 've tried to get them to correct the error a couple of times, and they did credit back the late penalty. What they failed to do, though, was " re-age '' the account so the late payment would n't hurt my credit score. I 've now just tried once again to resolve the issue with them, and they 're still not being helpful. They already admitted the error years ago when they credited me the late fee. The fee was negligible, though, as was the amount of the late payment -- the real issue was the impact on my credit score. I 've never had a late payment in my life. When I spoke with them today, the woman I talked to impugned my integrity instead of acknowledging their obvious error ( which they had acknowledged in the past ). The woman I spoke with was named XXXX, badge number XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-28 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
XXXX has denied access to my membership rewards for no reason.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-19 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Credit line increase/decrease — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I own a small company that has been using American Express credit cards to pay for court filing fees for our clients for over XXXX years. My accountant received a call yesterday from Amex stating that they were reducing our limit from {$280000.00} per month to {$50000.00}. I joined the call and spoke with several managers ( all recorded ) and was told the reduction would take place in XXXX hours, that I could appeal but it would take XXXX days after I compiled the information they require for them to make a decision, and that there was no other options. I asked if they had planned to notify us by mail and they stated a letter was going out that day ( yesterday ). When I asked why they decided to reduce the credit limit with almost no notice I was told we had been late on XXXX payments. I reviewed both payments with them and provided statements from their system that our payments had in fact been made early, not late, and that we had not been late on these or any payments in the past. We are require by the courts to pay for most case filings with a credit cards ( eFilings ). This is a service that we provide to our clients and in most cases the filings are timely and must be filed promptly to meet filing deadlines. Because we were only given XXXX hours notice, we will be informing our clients that we will not be able file their cases until I am able to secure a different credit card with a high limit or get the appeal settled with Amex. We will also see our credit score drop dramatically because the reduction in the line will cause our loan-to-available-credit ratio dramatically increase. I believe this act should be considered Unfair, deceptive, abusive acts and practices as defined by the Dobbs-Frank Act. Had we been given enough time to respond and appeal prior to the massive reduction taking place, the chances of loosing a large client would have been far less. As it stands now we are scrambling to find a new solution and to compile the financial information requested by the underwriters at Amex.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-12-04 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Federal student loan
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Transworld Systems inc bought out XXXX. through XXXX I did the loan rehabilitation program. They did not follow throgh on their legal agreement. Now they are refusing to send me in writing the original application and terms and agreement of the loan. The ombudsement group is useless. Who is going to make these people reaponsible? You already let them get away scott free for calling my job and trying to collect on the debt which is illegal. Now they are refusing to provide XXXX with documentation about the loan rehabilitation program.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
card was paid as part of a settlement. however, is still showing on my credit file and it is affecting my credit worthiness

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-17 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Other — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
Someone submitted multiple electronic applications in my late mom 's name to American Express, American Express provided the application dated XXXX 2011 but did not provide the XXXX dated XXXX 2011. The name on the application was XXXX XXXX, my mom 's name was XXXX XXXX American Express had me submit death certificate, durable power of attorney, trust documents and will documents, but did not provide the application

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation