Consumer complaint received 2025-03-30 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/year>2025, I received a call from a Midland Credit Management ( MCM ) representative about an alleged XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  account with a balance around {$3400.00}. The representative stated that the account was in pre-legal status and that I would be sued if I didnt pay immediately. When I asked for a settlement offer, she stated that settlement was not possible while the account was in this status. I then offered {$500.00}, to which she countered with approximately $ XXXXproving the prior statement was false and made to pressure me. 

During the call, she also attempted to get me to agree with the phrase : I am not asking you to pay something you do not owe. 
This was a clear attempt to bait me into a verbal admission of liability before the debt was validated, which is deceptive and coercive. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from MCM stating that they were considering forwarding the account to an attorney for possible litigation, escalating the pressure with vague, pre-litigation language designed to intimidate. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I mailed a debt validation letter for the XXXX XXXX  via both certified mail and Ground Advantage, requesting proper documentation. Later that day, I received a second call from MCM regarding a Double Cash account. I requested the account number and ended the call. I then sent a separate validation letter for that account via XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a formal settlement offer to MCM. The package included : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX valued at {$1900.00} each ( totaling {$23000.00} ), A letter explaining that these were sent as a good-faith offer of settlement for the two debts MCM claimed I owed ( roughly {$9000.00} combined ), A printed manufacturer quote, And a second copy of the validation letter for the Double Cash account. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a return shipment from MCM via XXXX. The items were : Stuffed into a copy paper box with no packaging material, causing them to arrive visibly damaged, Clearly rummaged through, as my internal box was opened, Returned with no letter, explanation, or replybut all enclosed documents ( settlement offer, invoice, and validation letters ) were left untouched inside.

Why this matters : MCM made deceptive legal threats on a debt they had not validated.

They attempted to pressure me into an admission of liability using manipulative phrasing.

They mishandled and damaged high-value property during an attempted settlementreturning it in a way that caused financial harm.

The refusal to respond to a clearly documented and legitimate settlement offer, coupled with damage to the property and no acknowledgment of the documents enclosed, represents a failure to negotiate in good faith.

These actions also contradict MCMs publicly advertised Consumer Bill of Rights, in which they claim to act ethically and support consumer financial recovery.

I am requesting : That MCM cease all collection efforts on these accounts immediately.

That they provide insurance and claim information related to the mishandled return shipment.

That this case be investigated for FDCPA violations, deceptive collection practices, and property damage caused by negligence.

That MCM be held accountable for violating their own public commitments to ethical and transparent debt collection practices.

I have photo evidence of the pre-shipment condition of the items, post-return damage, shipping information, letters sent, and the contents of the returned package. I am happy to provide all documentation.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation