Consumer complaint received 2026-03-23 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC.
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
1. I contacted a XXXX and XXXX regarding a Midland Credit debt originally contested in conciliation court on XX/XX/year>. 2. Initially unaware of the debt due to its age, I challenged it but acknowledged responsibility after the collector provided proof. I received an order staying the judgment until XX/XX/year> pending a settlement negotiation and negotiated with XXXX XXXX of XXXX and XXXX on or around XX/XX/XXXX the amount of {$530.00}. Willing to pay that amount in full at that moment, and agreeing that no judgment be entered, as admitted in court, he said " let me call you back. '' He did not. XXXX. I have since attempted multiple times to resolve the matter through calls, emails, payments or arrangements. Key Agreements and Alleged Breaches 4. During the court hearing, the collectors attorney stated that if I made a payment and worked with them before XX/XX/XXXX, no judgment would be entered. 5. I was told this condition remained open via a subsequent email. 6. Despite this, a default judgment was processed prior to XX/XX/XXXX, contrary to the court agreement. This was confirmed through a XX/XX/year> phone call ( transcript attached ) that they had already had this judgment pending and were not, in fact, planning to stop the judgment and had lied to the court. 7. I assert the collector acted in bad faith, misrepresented facts to the court, and violated the terms agreed upon. Financial and Personal Circumstances 8. The original debt balance is {$670.00}, but the attorney at court reduced it to {$530.00} as a lump sum based on my circumstances. 10. She was willing to pay the {$530.00} or set up a payment plan, on or around XX/XX/XXXX, the day she spoke with the attorney originally when he said he would call her back. He didn't and she called and emailed several times and as a last resort, I had to file a complaint previously. This led them to block me from ever talking to anyone. How could I make a payment or get information if no one would take my phone calls? Authorization and Legal Representation 11. On XX/XX/year> I called again and provided verbal authorization for Attorney XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) to participate in the call. 12. XXXX XXXX confirmed he was present at the hearing on XX/XX/year>, and affirmed that the collectors attorney for XXXX and XXXX committed in court to working with XXXX to avoid judgment. 13. He emphasized the collectors actions contradicted court statements and may violate professional ethics. Internal Process and Responses 14. The account is currently under legal review due to a complaint filed by XXXX with the Minnesota State Bar Association. 15. All prior customer service interactions and complaints were documented internally and sent to the legal team, as stated by the phone team ( transcript attached ). 16. The representative confirmed that they can not confirm or alter court-related statements, nor speak directly to attorneys, and that they purposefully did not respond to me because i made a complaint or contacted them but because I had an attorney present they could, miraculously, now accept payment for a different, much higher amount than what XXXX XXXX had initial settled and offered on or around XX/XX/year>. 17. A supervisor was requested to potentially override the settlement amount to what he had stated was agreeable ( {$530.00} ). Proposed Resolutions 18. XXXX had requested one of the following : - Honor the {$530.00} lump sum agreement made in court. - Establish a payment plan as a good faith effort to resolve the debt before the XX/XX/XXXX deadline so it doesn't enter the summary judgment phase as this is why she had been attending court, responding to notices, emailing and staying in contacting as a reasonable person genuinely desirous of meeting her obligations would do. 19. The representative acknowledged the possibility of a supervisor honoring the {$530.00} but could do so without approval. Additional Evidence and Next Steps 20. XXXX has documentation from XXXX XXXX, Minnesota, indicating the judgment was stayed by law to allow time for appeal and resolution. 21. Attorney XXXX XXXX also indicated plans to : - Remove the case to district court. - File complaints with the corporation. - advise cease of use of this collection agency due to bad faith practices. Outcome of Current Call 22. Despite willingness to pay, I was being blocked from resolving the debt. I attempted to make the payment as the deadline was the next day and they had misled me and placed me in a legal bind. I had no other recourse. I paid using my savings account information for ACH. It declined a few days later and I called asking why as the account was funded. I was insulted and laughed at, " Oh - you don't have any money? '' No, it was because I needed to authorize an e-check which you can't do from a savings account and no one communicated that to me. I advised them I would like guarantee from the attorney that the summary judgment wouldn't be entered and I could still pay and fix this error. NO ONE CALLED ME BACK. 23. The representative offered to : - Process payment. - Set up a payment plan. - Escalate to a supervisor ( pending availability ). 24. I expressed frustration over inconsistent treatment compared to others with similar debts who were offered payment plans. Final Notes 25. The collector sent a message offering arbitration and urging cooperation with " XXXX and XXXX '' to reach resolution. 26. I found that contradictory, as I was cooperating but faced non-responsiveness, evasiveness, dereliction of duty, and inexcusable neglect. 27. The representative reiterated that resolution depends on legal team review, which was ongoing. They never contacted me. I included the transcript to the audio recording, which I have and they should also.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief