vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2015-11-05 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Identity theft / Fraud / Embezzlement — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: RI

Complaint narrative:
Hi, i had an American Express Gold card that I closed ( with XXXX balance on the card ) about 4 years ago. On XXXX XXXX I got an email stating that my account was past due. I immediately called American Express customer service and told them this card has been closed for years and there is no way it can have a balance. That I have not used the card in years and any thing reflecting on it is unauthorized. I was assured my account was " impeccable '' and it must be a spoof email. i was asked to forward that email to their spoofing dept which i did. A week later I recd a letter in the mail stating the same thing ... which was followed by another call from me to the customer service center and i was told that I was not even the primary card holder on this card and there was no balance whatsoever. Then about 2 weeks later i started getting collection calls and was now told that not only I was the primary cardholder, there was a balance of about {$1000.00} on it. How can a closed card have balance??!!! 
I then emailed their senior executive leadership member to intervene and resolve this case. I got a couple of emails from the executive admin that they will look into the matter and have updated the credit bureau of the error. My repeated requests of a phone call to understand the situation have been ignored. Its been three months and i still do n't have a resolution to my case nor any acknowledgment from American Express that the case has been closed. 
Please help me. I take my credit standing and obligations very seriously and this matter has robbed me of peace of mind. Am i a victim of ID theft? card skimming? what?

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-04-24 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Contacted me after I asked not to
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I have been trying to contact this collection agency for the past two weeks. They do not answer their phones neither answer e-mails. I just filed bankruptcy and I need to let them know my case number. Please help me to contact this collection agency. This agency is holding my debt from HSBC/XXXX Credit Card. ( They have not tried to contact me, you just do n't have an option for my problem )

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-18 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Sent them a certified letter XXXX/XXXX/2014 requesting for " verification of account '', prove the statue of limitations has not expired, licensed to collect in California, and documents proving that I have signed an agreement with them under the rule of " standing ''. Also, improper reporting of this account to the XXXX credit bureaus. 
Never received a reply from them up to now.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-04 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
Transworld system XXXX collection account showed up out of no where on my XXXX XXXX and XXXX credit report this account is identity theft police report number is XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-03 00:00:00
Product: Bank account or service — Checking account
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management — 
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I opened a checking account with HSBC and provided all the requested information. They approved and opened my account and I deposited {$2000.00}. I did this in part because of their sign-up promotion : they promised I would receive a {$350.00} sign-up bonus for paying XXXX bills/month from the account for 3 consecutive months within 120 calendar days of account opening. 

I setup auto payments to fulfill the bonus requirements, which started for the first month. However, then I received a physical letter from them that they would be closing the account unless provided with more information. Since I was n't home at the time, I did n't see it, and then I received a note that my account was closed and that I could wire out my {$1900.00} remaining balance or wait to receive a physical check on XXXX/XXXX/16. 

They also blocked my online banking account so that I could not transfer my money out, so I decided to just wait for the check. However, when I called them XXXX/XXXX/16 to inquire about where my money was, they told me that my account was no longer closed after all ( while acknowledging the earlier communications they sent indicating that it was closed ). So no check was mailed and the money was still with HSBC. I tried logging in again and was still blocked, so I had to call back and wait on hold until they gave me access. I also realized that they had " closed '' my account for so long, it would not be possible for me to fulfill their bonus requirements. 

So I decided to close my account because of their repeated efforts to prevent me from accessing my own accounts and funds, thereby also making it impossible for me satisfy their sign-up bonus requirements. However, when I called their customer service on a weekday afternoon during their business hours, they put me on hold for nearly 30 minutes and refused to let me close my account. They finally told me to call back another day because I 'd been on hold for so long they were about to close ( this was on a call to HSBC on XXXX/XXXX/16, with reference # XXXX ). 

HSBC encouraged customers to sign up for a checking account to receive a bonus, blocked access to my account for long enough to ensure the bonus requirements could not be achieved, promised to close the account and return the deposited funds - but then withheld them and reopened the account so that I would unable to access my funds for over two months while also not being able to benefit from their sign-up bonus, and refused to allow me to close my account and withdraw the funds. This was intolerable behavior, and I 'm writing in the hopes that the CFPB can help me get my money back and force HSBC to pay some type of reparations for making their {$350.00} bonus impossible to receive, while holding my money against my wishes. 

Thanks so much for your help.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-26 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action — Threatened to sue on too old debt
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
XXXX/XXXX/2015 receied call from XXXX claiming to be from the XXXX Law Firm, calling on behalf of XXXX XXXX to collect an old debt. I explained the debt was discharged in Bankruptcy court XXXX years ago but he didnt want my lawyers information. 
He threatened me with IRS issues and said he was investigating me for a criminal act. 
called # back and got voicemail. XXXX search shows this info : XXXX Law Firm, XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXXPhone : XXXX. I called # ending in XXXX and reached same voicemail as the # of the dept collector XXXX. Didnt have my address but wanted it. After not getting info he hung up on me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-19 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: NV

Complaint narrative:
have been a victim of identity theft, this company has continued to report to credit and collect on a fraudulent debt. I have disputed with this company 3 times, they now deem my disputes as " frivolous '' and refuse to accept any documentation on my behalf. I have disputed these accounts over and over again with XXXX. I had my ID stolen at age XXXX, my social security cards, and my ids. They opened numerous insurance accounts, medical, apartments, auto loans, and credit cards, all defaulted on. These debts do not meet FCRA or FCDPA standards. Attaching police reports, and original as well as updated.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-24 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Payday loan
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action — Threatened arrest/jail if do not pay
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
I received a call from some man who would not identify himself from XXXX XXXX stating he was going to have me arrested tomorrow. I asked what he was calling about and he said fraud and I asked again and he would not answer me then attempted to have me verify my social security number and when I said to send something in writing he refused and said all business was handled over the phone. I asked him not to call back and he has been calling me every hour for the past XXXX hours and threatening me if I do not give him my bank account information. He also keeps saying I committed fraud. Fraud on what I have no idea what he is talking about. I asked for proof and he said see you in court tomorrow. he calls from a blocked number is a XXXX number and then leaves XXXX as the number to call back

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-20 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: NV

Complaint narrative:
I had closed my XXXX credit card down due not only an error they made with taking a payment out of my bank account to add to my secured credit card with a value of {$300.00}. When I tried to call to talk about their huge mistake a female customer service agent was less than professional and I said cancel card. At time, as I put {$250.00} down payment, the card had nothing owed, it was caught up to date. However, XXXX illegally sold the account to MCM MIDLAND debt collector who called me constantly and harassed me. I tried to discuss issue with MDLAND XXXX, XXXX credit reporting companies, and XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX and many attempts by me were made for four years to prove my innocence. Enclosed you will find a letter dated in XXXX 2016 where MCM MIDLAND refused to even go over my situation yet again. But, in XXXX 2016, a letter was sent to the XXXX credit reporting companies that stated after 4 years of not XXXX company sending me proof of debt, that they needed to remove them as of identtity theft issues as well. Then as you see all of a sudden after 4 years MCM MIDLAND writes a letter XXXX 2016 saying that XXXX recalled card I actually owe nothing at all, as I tried for four years to prove to both companies and reporting agencies.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-06-16 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
I keep getting calls from Midland Credit XXXX. They call multiple times a day with different XXXX numbers. When you inquire about the issue they do not give you enough information. They say this is about general collections, they give no creditor they are collecting for or any way to dispute their entry. They have bought my charged off debts and are not disclosing any information on resolving them. Midland just says that this is an attempt to collect a debt but does not give you anything else.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
There was a huge mix up with this account and I paid this account. I was never late on XXXX or XXXX 2016. Can they please remove the late payments on this account?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-27 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Advertising and marketing — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
I received an application from American Express promising XXXX point upon spending {$1000.00}. I called them after meeting the requirements and they say i do n't qualify

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-09-27 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: APR or interest rate — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I just realized that when I do n't pay the full balance of my American Express Blue card, I am charged accumulating interest on the unpaid balance that remains after I pay my bill ( that is expected ), AND -- suddenly -- -I am billed accumulating interest on my newly purchased items that I have not yet been billed for. In other words, I am suddenly paying an interest from day one before I am given a chance to pay it off. For instance -- -one month, I did n't pay {$80.00} of my full balance. Into the following month, I used the card on new purchases. Because I did not pay the {$80.00} ( out of over a {$1000.00} billed to me the month prior ), I was charged interest on the {$80.00} ( fine ), PLUS my new charges ( not fine )! The girl had to explain it to me several times, because I thought I was not understanding her correctly. They charged me interest on my new purchases BEFORE giving me a chance to pay it off! Unreal!! And, this is ONLY because I carried over an {$80.00} balance. I found out that this happened a few times to me in 2015 on small balances I carried over. She said it was in my " agreement. '' Maybe it was, but it is unorthodox and it should be investigated. They must provide me a way to pay it back before they can charge me interest on it. Do n't you think?? How many people do n't realize that they are paying interest from day one on their purchases?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-12 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Dealing with my lender or servicer — Received bad information about my loan
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I was a student at XXXX college. I had a loan through the school via XXXX XXXX. The school was shut down and now a private collector, University accounting Services is attempting to collect on the loan. All other loans through were forgiven by the US Department of Education. I have been paying on this loan so as not to damage my credit however the company, University Accounting Services, have been mishandling my records and gving my information to other companies who have been calling me attempting to collect on the loan. Secondly the college and company owning my loan have filed for bankruptcy in the state of Maine. I was notified of this. My complaint is that University Accounting Services is mishandling my financial information and charging me for a loan that should be forgiven. Secondly University Accounting Services Representatives claimed they never sent my loan to anyone else for collection and that the company calling me and sending me letters, XXXX XXXX, are fraudulent.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-11-19 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Closing/Cancelling account — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I have had a credit card with American Express since 2005. I had a limit as high as {$50000.00} at one point. After the economy collapse, my credit limit was slashed. I understood why that happened. I 've watched my interest rate increase including twice in one year. Again I did n't say anything. I extended myself buying and refurbishing a rental house including this card. Finally, when I was able to place a mortgage on my rental, I used the funds to pay off debts, including this card. I 'm consolidating and closing accounts but I wanted to keep this card. It was accidentally closed when it was paid off. I called and asked to have my account reinstated and it was denied. I was n't asking for anything more than I already had. I always enjoyed the great customer service so I also opened a savings account. I will be closing all my accounts. After treating a long term member that has never had a late payment the entire time like this, has caused me to re-evaluate who I choose to do business with.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-06-08 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: CO

Complaint narrative:
The company Midland funding has filed a lawsuit against me, after that the original creditor XXXX XXXX has investigated this identity theft and dismissed all debt, The collection company was contacted by XXXX XXXX and informed to cease-and-desist, The bad debt was bought back from Midland funding by XXXX XXXX, yet Midland funding is still trying to collect on the debt they no longer own and also has been found to be under identity theft and has been investigated, I have giving copies letters from the original creditor to Midland funding 's attorneys and the attorneys still persist on suing me for debt that they do not own and have been told that it is under identity theft, also copies of the FTC identity theft reports and police reports and they still ignore that this has been found to be identity theft. I have spoken with XXXX XXXX the original creditor and they are going to resend all their letters to Midland funding. Not only am I being sued for debt that I do not own and that debt that Midland funding does not own but this is also in my credit reports in which they refuse to remove from my credit in which is stopping me from buying a home. I have paperwork with XXXX XXXX 's account numbers and Midland funding 's account numbers on the same letterhead from Midland funding I have also brought this to light and that this was dismissed By letter from XXXX XXXX. Please any help with this would be appreciated.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-11-10 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: IL

Complaint narrative:
Midland credit management, inc contacted me to collect a debt. I am in the process of paying off my debt and i had believed i was finished. 
The debt did not show up on my credit report so i requested more information from the individual at midland. He refused to supply anymore information or debt verification. I gave up and stated that i would pay in full as long as they could provide me what we had discussed in writing as i had with all the other company 's. Midland refused to provide this as well so i hung up. 

They keep sending mail, they call my cell phone at all hours of the day, they contact my work looking for me, and have even called relatives and friends of mine.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-01 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Good Morning, My issue with this company was that in XXXX XXXX I signed up for their web hosting service. During their whole pitch it was n't mentioned that XXXX was tied to a one year contract. Well XX/XX/XXXX I was told by superlative that it was a one year contract by XXXX XXXX, the person that came to XXXX pitching his horrible web hosting service. So I tried cancel ; ling it the following month which was the anniversary month in XXXX XXXX. I left 2 voicemails and an email!!!! Thinking they had honor the request and I did as I was told, I was still charged the following month. They refused to grant my request!!! Then they kept charging be XX/XX/XXXX until I finally cancelled my card in XXXX XXXX. They kept calling me and harassing me. I told them I canclled them back on anniversary date which was XXXX XXXX but they refused to honor it. I then got a bill for {$100.00} on XXXX XXXX XXXX. A year way too late in which they finally agreed to cancel my contract. They decided to take it upon themselves to cancel it on their terms. I was told by their debt collection agency it was a 2 year contract now not 1 year like I was told by XXXX XXXX. This is outrageous and if you look them up on XXXX there are a ton of other victims of this horrible business practice. I am getting hit on my credit report for this injustice. I have warned my fellow agents about this horrible company. This company sent me emails in the spring of last year telling me I had to pay. I told them I could n't afford it anymore and was n't getting any results from their service. They threaten collection so I had to beg for an extension to pay for XX/XX/XXXX for a service I was n't using cause they supposedly did n't get my request. But I should n't have to pay for something I cancelled on my anniversary date on XXXX XXXX. The Collection agency transworld system has been assigned to this. They already hit my credit rating and I have yet to receive this supposed invoice that I owe. I will submit the final letter from Superlative stating that they were sending my supposed debt to Transworld Systems Inc . Prior to that letter they tried to blackmail me for a partial payment on an email for about XXXX dollars. I can FWD that email to the person ( s ) that will be looking into this. I will just need an email address to send this blackmail email. This has been so stressful and very uncalled for..

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CT

Complaint narrative:
American express calls cell and home phones daily and repeatedly. I have told them multiple times about the hardships we have experienced over the last 2 years. We have been behind for about 6 months. I pay something every month and have arranged automatic payments monthly. The representative said I must pay something every time they call or they will not be able to say anything good about me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-10-12 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX XXXX, 2015, I submit a Letter Of Validation to Midland Credit Management. Please provide me with the following : Agreement bearing my signature, or contract, valid copies of the debt agreement. A complete payment history on this account along with an accounting of all additional charges be assessed? Anything stating I have agreed to assume the debt. As of this date, I have only have received a statement alleged, debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-29 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: First Federal Credit Control, Inc.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I have never been to this Dr. And they are trying to collect money and they have reported it to XXXX and XXXX.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation