vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-05 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:
MIDLAND FUND ACCOUNT NUMBERs : XXXX XXXX/XXXX/XXXX PHONE : XXXX ATTENTION TO DISPUTE DEPARTMENT : Dear XXXX : I am a victim of identity theft. An identity thief used my personal information without my permission to open an account several account in my name this debt is not mine. I have enclosed proof of my identity and a copy of my Identity Theft Report. In accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am asking you to stop collection proceedings against me and stop communicating with me about this debt, except as the Fair Credit Reporting Act allows. I also ask that you MIDLAND FUND or any company associate with this account # XXXX and tell them the debt is the result of identity theft. I have enclosed a copy of the Federal Trade Commission 's police report Notice to Furnishers of Information. It explains your responsibilities under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). The FCRA requires that debt collectors give an identity theft victim documents related to an account if the victim asks. Please send me copies of all records relating to the account, including : date account open all sign original contract including : Account applications made on paper, online, or by telephone Account statements or invoices Records of payment or charge slips Delivery addresses associated with the account Records of phone numbers used to activate or access the account Signatures on applications and accounts Investigators report Please send me a letter explaining what you have done to : MIDLAND FUND or any company associate with this account that the debt is the result of identity theft Stop collection proceedings against me Stop reporting information about the debt to credit reporting companies Provide me with the records I request Thank you for your cooperation. 
Sincerely, XXXX, XXXX XXXX SOC SEC # XXXX DOB XX/XX/XXXX ADDRESS XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-11-20 00:00:00
Product: Prepaid card — General purpose card
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing account — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern : I opened an account with American Express Bluebird. I received sub-par financial service and customer service from them within the first month of having my account. 

I transitioned my direct deposit back to my bank account, and over the course of a month or two drew down reliance on Bluebird for financial services. 

Over a month ago I called Bluebird to request that they close my account. I was harassed to provide a reason, and I repeatedly requested not to. I was then hung up on for cursing at them for not doing as I had politely instructed. Attempts to contact American Express Corporate Customer Service were in vain, their corporate headquarters switchboard repeatedly terminated my calls, and finally redirected me back to customer service. 

Finally, I was told that they would close my account. They requested a call back in 24 hours to confirm. I told them I considered that conversation and confirmation that they would close my account final notice, no additional conversation was required and that I would not call back in 24 hours to confirm closure of my account. 

I did receive a check for the remaining account balance within 7-10 business days as they said. However, I have repeatedly received monthly statements for the past 2 months for an account that was supposed to be closed and that I was harassed during my attempts to close said account. 

American Express has played a dangerous game in choosing to aggressively attempt to retain clients, harass them when they request to discontinue their relationship and then maintain accounts open months after requests for closure have been made. 

Please consider this final written notice of my DEMAND that this account be closed as well as the final explanation of facts in regard to this matter. At this time, I will not communicate in any other form that writing with American Express and do not wish to be contacted by them either directly through telephone calls or indirectly through their regularly scheduled spam and credit card offer mailers. They have clearly shown themselves to be inept at providing financial services as well as attending to the needs and preferences of their clients. 

Any attempts to ignore or neglect this will be treated as an indication of American Express ' lack of respect for my preferences and financial/credit history integrity and appropriate formal complaints will additionally be filed with the XXXX and credit reporting agencies. 

Best wishes, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-18 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
I am being sued by midland funding ( encore ) for XXXX. They are claiming breach of contract. Court date is XXXX XXXX, 2016. The document presented to me as chain of ownership, are generic & can be used on anyone. They just typed a number or used a water mark on all the affidavits & give no specific information. The statement they used, looked like a generic template. Them there was a plain white sheet of paper, with some personal, but easy to get information. When I answered their questionnaire they asked me for my bank & bank account number, it stated that this was not pertinent to the case. I said that I disputed owing Midland funding any money & That I owed XXXX bank zero money. They motioned for a summary judgment, that I did not answer in a reasonable time, stating that I did not answer all the questions & that I did n't dispute that I owed money to XXXX. That their claim is valid & that they should be awarded money. I answer that I did not owe them the money, never received the papers they said they sent ( I did n't ), until I saw the motion for summary judgment & answered them & that I denied owing them any money & that I disputed the validity of their affidavits. Sited lawsuits against them for these very reasons. 
There were given until XXXX XXXX to answer. I received an answer on XXXX XXXX, postmarked XXXX XXXX. Which did n't give me any time to prepare a good answer, as that was a weekend followed by a holiday. They answered back that those lawsuits were inflamitory & should be stricken & that since I never denied owing XXXX XXXX bank the money & stressed this as the most important issue, that their claim was valid & they should get a judgment on that alone. 
I do n't have digital copies of their statement, but can provide copies in the mail.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-03-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/2015 I have been receiving frequent or repeated calls from this unknown company ; the most recent number was area code XXXX. 
The first caller asked for XXXX XXXX and I mentioned to him that you have the wrong number and asked him please do n't call again. The second caller asked for XXXX XXXX and I told the female Representative that you have the wrong number and I was asked, " Do I know the this person? '' I also asked for the company not call again. Minutes later I called the same number back to explained about the first caller and wanted to know who or where I could make a formal complaint. It did not go well. Today I received a call from the number listed above and was asked to speak with XXXX and later asked " Do I know a XXXX XXXX? '' and that the conversation was being recorded. I just placed the phone on the bathroom sink and after a long pause it hung up. 
I felt that whenever I tell a caller that you have the wrong resident and the wrong phone number Why am I 'm being asked if I know this individual? The answer to it all is out right flat NO! 

It became clear to me this company intend to harass me XX/XX/2015 and I will not stand for this treatment. I need help and I am ready to suit. I expressed that I pay all my bills, getting upset will not help my current XXXX XXXX, I not hiding and I refuse to change my phone number that I owned for decade or more and that I was going to document these calls and report it to the State Attorney General, and now I want to add the XXXX. Can I please get some help about the callers asking for the wrong persons?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-23 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
I opened an American Express Business credit card account as a member of an LLC ( XXXX ). I was told they needed my social security number due to the Patriot Act. The XXXX became insolvent, and American Express called me saying it was a debt I personally owed. After no less than 10 conversations asking them for documentation to support this when I told them I did n't sign for that, they continued to say they would " send what they have '' but instead sent me to collections. They continued to mislead me with their intentions until I was contacted by a collection law firm. I had to hire an attorney, pay court costs, even pay to fly to a court hearing since I no longer lived in the state the account was opened in. My credit was damaged, getting me denied for home rental for my family. The judge agreed with me as they had no documentation, and finally about 18 months later my attorney and the law firm representing American Express agreed on a dismissal with no further ability to attempt to collect. I sent all credit bureaus a copy of the order signed by the judge, and XXXX and XXXX removed the account from my personal credit report. XXXX, is still being told that " it 's my debt '' by American Express even though it 's dismissed, I was found not responsible, and I never signed anything saying it was my responsibility. It is still damaging my credit.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-23 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CT

Complaint narrative:
We have been getting robo-call messages on our home phone answering machine asking us to call XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX every few days for months. The message says that it is from American Express and is not a marketing call. I called back and they say we do not owe anything, but they continue to call every few days. Auto-dialer does not allow phone to be picked up while it is leaving message.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Contacted me after I asked not to
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
This company keeps calling me about a debt of someone else 's. I told them I am not that person several times and they keep telling me my number is off the list but I still receive a call almost everyday in which I answer with hello and they say nothing but hang up. The number that they are calling from is XXXX. Any help would be appreciated. 
XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Identity theft / Fraud / Embezzlement — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
My rental car was broken into on XXXX XXXX, 2016 while I was shopping at XXXX on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. My bag was stolen with XXXX of my credit cards, cash and my driver 's license. In less than half an hour, ( I was not able to inform my credit card company of the theft as I was driving home ), XXXX cards were used at XXXX XXXX in which over {$5000.00} total was spent from XXXX cards. I called XXXX credit card company within 45 mins of the theft, XXXX were able to reverse the charges. HOWEVER, I have been " battling '' with AMEX to reverse the charges that were imposed by the thieves. I have attached the letter that came back from AMEX, informing me that the fraud charges can not be removed. I have also attached the XXXX Police Dept Reportee follow up note showing proof that the theft did happen. I CAN NOT understand WHY AMEX is denying the fraud charges when even XXXX 's fraud dept admits " wrong activity '' on my cards. As you can see from the docs, the last letter from AMEX attached a receipt of the purchases. The receipt HAS NO signature!!! I have tried contacting XXXX fraud dept to see if they can help me reverse the charges. Unfortunately, they were of NO help indicating that it was a third party credit card. My understanding with credit cards, especially AMEX is that the consumer is not responsible for fraud charges, as such, I am reaching out to your bureau to help me resolve this " nitemare of a problem ''! Dealing with the car theft and broken window on the rental car is already a stressful situation, I do not believe that AMEX has added " salt to injury '' by making these fraud charges unresolved. Please HELP!

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-18 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — Other mortgage
Issue: Loan modification,collection,foreclosure — 
Company: HSBC NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC.
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
I am currently working with XXXX XXXX Opportunities aHUD approved agent. We have been trying to lower my percentrate to allow me and my family to keep our home. I have hadseveral hardships over the course of our loan that has put meand my family under financial strain. We have been in the processfor a year and half now. Everything we do seems to be wrong. 
They have asked for check stubs, hardship letters, tax information, employer letters, unemployment information, bank statements, and credit reports. We have submitted theses packets at least XXXX over the course of working with HUD. The packet was sent viapriority mail so that they would have a hard copy and and we would have a copyin our records. Everything we send seems to be missing or they can not read it. 
We have submitted paystubs again because they can not read what was sent. 
This time we have faxed again and submitted a hard copy priority mail. 
With a tracking number and signature needed again. Even my Hud agent isbaffled by the way Beneficial has handled our hardship. They have changed our pointof contact several times. When we finally received confirmation thatthey have all documents and they can read them on a XXXX way call. 
They change the point of contact and say they need more and now thethe point of contact can not communicate with my HUD agent. 
Which is really confusing when she has a XXXX party approval. She is myHUD representative. They even had us fill out XXXX party forms XXXX because theyclaimed that the formed expired even though it says it is good fora year. However, it expired after 6 months. Now they say that it is therepolicy they do not talk with XXXX part reps. That she now has to talkdirectly to Loss Mid directly. Why do the rules keep changing. 
Everytime they call or send a letter it states how they want to workwith me and give HUD numbers and then they give us this completerun around. I have come to the conclusion that they think if they keepmaking us jump through hoops and basically giving blood test andnothing is going to work because they think we will just give upour home with out a fight. I love my home and will work hard to keep it. 
My percent rate has been a 10 %. I have already basically paid for myhome once and with percent rates as low as they are you think theycould help us as they state every letter and phone call. All I amasking for is a lower percent rate and obviously a lower payment some and my family and keep our home. We are a working family. 
I work anywhere from XXXX to XXXX hrs a week. I am not on welfare. I paymy taxes and make donations to those in need. What else dothey need. Please help

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-14 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:
I have requested information/ validation on this debt bearing my signature and have not received anything stating that I owe this debt. I have included numerous certified letters of dispute for validation bearing my signature have not received anything included in this complaint .Midland have repeatly responded stating that they have investigated and verified the validity of my debt and do n't even allow me to dispute their claim. I have never done business with Midland Funding, never signed a contract, nor do I owe them any money.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-05-04 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: RS Clark and Associates, Inc.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Apartment complex sent {$730.00} to debt collection against me. XXXX had denied apartment managers claim and I was cleared upon move out almost 2 years ago. XXXX decided to still illegally submit debt and not notify me. I received no notice. I found out about this debt yesterday XXXX XXXX 2015 when applying for a new apartment out of state. So I was never given the option to dispute this which is not legal especially with the way it was reported. I would like to take steps to dispute it but also need to be able to get out of staying in a hotel. I need to know if I pay it to clear my credit if I can still dispute it immediately after

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-29 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
They call my cellphone and workplace frequently. Debts are beyond statute of limitations and have been bought and sold multiple times. I have paid off the accounts and they keep calling and sending letters.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-17 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:
A fraudulent XXXX XXXX credit was opened in my name. I had never known this as I had not checked my credit for a long time. Upon discover, the XXXX XXXX account was sold to Midland Credit Management. I filed an Identity Theft Affidavit with Midland Credit Management and XXXX XXXX. Midland Credit Management does not agree that I had never owned this account and they will not remove their collection from my credit file. I want full disclosure and proof verifying that I opened this account.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-01-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Rewards — 
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
American Express offered me XXXX member rewards points, XXXX points after my first {$5000.00} in spend and another XXXX points after my next {$5000.00}. I met both of the spend requirements and received those points, however now, american express has put my account in a review process and frozen all of my points, which include XXXX points that I had prior to this deal and the XXXX points that I just received. I have called and spoke with them to ask them to unlock my previous points ( XXXX ) and make them available for me to use because I need to use them on a flight coming up in 5 weeks, however all American Express keeps telling me is that my account is frozen until the review is complete which could take 6-8 weeks, which will cause me to miss my trip and other issues.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-10-03 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
I have some medical bills that was sent to collection due to non-payment as my employment ended/changed. I needed time to get back my feet. The last month I had paid what I owed based on what was showing on my credit history. I paid the balance off and last Friday I received another notification about another medical bill. I was trying to obtain some information and the lady that I was speaking with was very rude and unprofessional. She was very combative and would not allow me to speak. I was getting frustrated because of the way I was treated. I ended the call as I was not being treated with respect.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-11 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: CO

Complaint narrative:
I have told Midland Credit that the number they are calling is a cell phone please stop calling me its using my data. They are calling from different numbers i have to continue blocking each number. They also say it in a mubbled voice thay the call may be monitored and i couldnt understand anything else.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-20 00:00:00
Product: Payday loan — 
Issue: Can't contact lender — 
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
It appears that Midland Funding ( original lender ) has either sold the debt I incurred with them or has a collecting agency working for them. The debt is at least XXXX years old. I am currently in Chapter XXXX bankruptcy. XXXX XXXX ( asserting to have a corporate office in XXXX ) calls and their number comes up on my caller ID here at work as a local number ( XXXX ) XXXX yet there return call is ( XXXX ) XXXX, ext. XXXX, XXXX XXXX and the voice mails are they are going to serve me either at work or at home, once I answered the call and they wanted to speak to my supervisor. On another occasion, my attorney and I both called them to inform them of the pending bankruptcy and which they replied that pay day loans are not eligible to be listed in bankruptcies ... I 've faxed them a copy of my bankruptcy petition yet they continue to call and leave threatening voice mails. We 've asked them to provide us a mailing address and they have refused. Please contact them to verify the debt and advise them of the pending bankruptcy and they are violating the automatic stay afforded to me by the United States Bankruptcy Code. You can verify my case on the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX Division, website, Case No. XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation