Midland Credit Management is calling you about a debt you may not recognize — because Encore Capital Group, its parent company, purchased that account from your original creditor, likely years ago. According to CFPB enforcement records, Encore has twice settled federal actions for allegedly collecting on debts the Bureau described as potentially inaccurate or unenforceable, paying more than $67 million in penalties and consumer refunds.
If you’re unsure whether you owe what they claim, call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review before you pay anything.
Key Takeaways
- Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ: ECPG) is headquartered at 350 Camino De La Reina, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108. It collects through subsidiaries Midland Credit Management and Midland Funding LLC on credit card, loan, and telecom debt.
- The CFPB brought two separate enforcement actions against Encore — in 2015 and 2020 — resulting in more than $67 million in combined penalties and consumer refunds, according to CFPB records.
- According to BBB complaint data, consumers most commonly allege credit report entries appearing before any written validation notice and collection calls on accounts they dispute.
- If Encore contacts you before sending a written validation notice, that sequence may violate the FDCPA. If they report an inaccurate balance, the FCRA provides a separate basis for a federal claim.
- FDCPA violations can result in up to $1,000 in statutory damages per violation. TCPA violations carry $500 to $1,500 per call.
- The Wood Firm PLLC handles these cases on contingency — no upfront fees. If Encore violated federal law, they pay attorney fees.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Who Is Encore Capital Group?
Encore Capital Group is the largest publicly traded debt buyer in the United States, listed on NASDAQ under the ticker ECPG and included in the S&P SmallCap 600. Unlike traditional collection agencies that collect debts on behalf of creditors for a fee, Encore purchases entire portfolios of charged-off consumer accounts from banks, credit unions, and utility providers — then collects for itself. The company operates across six countries and works through several U.S. subsidiaries that consumers are more likely to recognize.
The most important subsidiaries are Midland Credit Management (MCM), which contacts consumers directly, and Midland Funding LLC, the legal entity that owns the purchased accounts. Encore also operates through Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., acquired in 2013, and Propel Financial Services, which handles property tax debt.
When we open an Encore file, we start by confirming which entity is actually named on the credit report and which entity filed any lawsuit, because collectors in this family often mismatch the two.
Encore collects primarily on credit card debt, secured and unsecured loans, lease-to-own financing, telecom balances, and some medical accounts. Original creditors include Chase, Citibank, Capital One, and Synchrony Bank.
- Also Known As: Midland Credit Management (MCM), Midland Funding LLC, Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., Propel Financial Services
- Address: 350 Camino De La Reina, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108
- MCM Consumer Line: 800-296-2657 | (800) 296-2657 | +1-800-296-2657 | 8002962657
- MCM Alternative Line: 877-653-4161 | (877) 653-4161 | +1-877-653-4161
- Consumer Resolution Center: 877-420-0039 | (877) 420-0039
- General Company Line: 877-445-4581 | (877) 445-4581 | +1-877-445-4581
- Email: info@midlandcredit.com
- Website: midlandcredit.com
- BBB Profile: Midland Credit Management BBB listing
Phone Numbers Encore and Midland Credit Management Use
If an unknown number appeared on your caller ID and the caller claimed to represent Encore, Midland Credit Management, or Midland Funding, check it against this list. These are numbers documented in consumer complaints and reported to the CFPB and BBB.
- 800-296-2657 / (800) 296-2657 / +1-800-296-2657 / 8002962657 — MCM main customer service line
- 877-653-4161 / (877) 653-4161 / +1-877-653-4161 — MCM alternative collections line
- 877-240-2377 / (877) 240-2377 / +1-877-240-2377 / 8772402377 — MCM collections, reported in consumer complaints
- 877-366-1642 / (877) 366-1642 / +1-877-366-1642 — MCM collections
- 800-825-8131 / (800) 825-8131 — Consumer Support Services
- 888-328-8007 / (888) 328-8007 — Consumer Bill of Rights inquiries
- 877-420-0039 / (877) 420-0039 — Consumer Resolution Center
If the number does not appear here and the caller claims to be from Encore or Midland, request a written verification before providing any personal information. Scammers sometimes impersonate large, recognizable debt buyers precisely because consumers expect to owe old accounts to companies like Encore.
Why Is Encore Capital Group Calling You
Encore is calling you because a bank, credit union, or lender charged off your account and sold the balance to Encore or one of its subsidiaries, typically for a fraction of the face value. Encore then owns the debt and has the right to attempt collection — but ownership does not automatically mean the debt is accurate, timely, or legally collectible.
Purchased debt portfolios frequently contain errors. Original creditors sometimes sell accounts with incorrect balances, wrong original creditor names, or missing documentation. The CFPB specifically alleged in its 2015 enforcement action that Encore purchased debts it knew could be inaccurate, then collected on them anyway.
If you do not recognize the debt, the original creditor name sounds unfamiliar, or the balance differs from what you remember, those are not signs to ignore. A written validation request sent within 30 days of first contact requires Encore to pause collection and verify the account before proceeding.
Encore’s Consumer Bill of Rights — and What the CFPB Said About It
In 2011, Encore became the first company in the debt buying industry to publish a formal Consumer Bill of Rights. It commits to treating consumers with dignity, suspending collections during hardship, not collecting from active-duty military, not charging pre-judgment interest, and stopping negative credit reporting after two years rather than the standard seven.
The CFPB told a different story. In September 2015, the Bureau filed its first enforcement action against Encore and its subsidiaries — Case No. 2015-CFPB-0022, S.D. California. The Bureau alleged Encore purchased debts it knew could be inaccurate, filed lawsuits against consumers without intending to prove those debts, and relied on robo-signed affidavits with misleading statements.
The 2015 consent order required Encore to pay up to $42 million in consumer refunds and a $10 million civil penalty, and to halt collection on over $125 million in debts.
Then the CFPB sued again. In September 2020, the Bureau alleged Encore had continued suing consumers without required documentation, collected on time-barred debts without proper disclosures, and failed to provide account documentation that consumers had requested. That case settled in October 2020 with a $15 million civil penalty and additional consumer redress.
Has Encore Capital Group Been Sued?
Yes. Encore and its subsidiaries have faced federal enforcement actions, multi-state attorney general settlements, and consumer class actions across more than a decade of documented litigation.
- CFPB v. Encore Capital Group et al., Case No. 2015-CFPB-0022 (S.D. Cal.) — the Bureau alleged Encore purchased inaccurate debts and filed collection lawsuits backed by robo-signed affidavits; resolved with $52 million in penalties and refunds and a halt on $125 million in collections.
- CFPB v. Encore Capital Group (2020) — the Bureau alleged Encore violated the 2015 consent order by continuing to sue consumers without documentation and collecting on time-barred debts without required disclosures; settled for $15 million.
- 42-State Attorney General Settlement (2018) — a $6 million multi-state action investigated improper affidavit signing and unfair litigation practices that allegedly produced unjust default judgments against consumers.
- Massachusetts AG Settlement (2022) — the state secured $12 million in relief after investigating Encore for allegedly collecting on time-barred debts and making excessive collection calls.
- Schwartz v. Midland Credit Management (2016) — class action alleging MCM’s voicemails failed to meaningfully disclose that the caller was a debt collector, in violation of the FDCPA.
- Geisinsky v. Midland Credit Management (2018) — class action alleging MCM sent settlement letters with artificial deadlines designed to pressure consumers into immediate payment.
When we examine an Encore file, we pull every affidavit signed in connection with the collection account and compare the signing date against the employee’s documented role. That step matters because the robo-signing allegations in the 2015 CFPB action centered on affidavits signed by people who allegedly never reviewed the actual account records.
Can Encore Capital Group Sue You
Yes. Encore, through Midland Funding LLC, files lawsuits on consumer debts — including, according to multiple enforcement actions, on accounts that were time-barred or lacked proper documentation. A lawsuit from Midland Funding is a real legal proceeding that requires a response.
Ignoring a lawsuit results in a default judgment. A default judgment may allow Encore to garnish wages or levy bank accounts in states that permit those remedies. If you receive a summons, do not ignore it — contact an attorney immediately to review whether the debt is within your state’s statute of limitations and whether the documentation supports the amount claimed.
Can Encore Capital Group Garnish Your Wages
Yes, but only after obtaining a court judgment. Encore cannot garnish wages or levy accounts without first suing and winning — either through a contested ruling or a default judgment entered because the consumer did not respond. The Massachusetts AG settlement specifically addressed Encore’s history of obtaining default judgments on alleged time-barred debts.
If Encore has already obtained a judgment against you, an attorney can review whether the underlying debt was time-barred at the time of filing or whether the documentation supporting the judgment was deficient.
Is Encore Capital Group a Scam
Encore Capital Group is not a scam. It is a legitimate publicly traded company on NASDAQ (ticker: ECPG), a component of the S&P SmallCap 600, and one of the largest debt buyers in the world. In our practice, we do see impostor activity targeting consumers who owe Midland Credit Management, because scammers know consumers are conditioned to expect calls from MCM — if a caller claims to be MCM but cannot provide a written account number or mailing address for validation, treat that call with heightened suspicion.
Being real and being compliant are different things. The CFPB has twice found grounds for federal enforcement action against Encore. A licensed, publicly traded company can still violate the FDCPA, the FCRA, and the TCPA — and the documented record here includes allegations of all three.
Is Encore Capital Group Banned by the FTC
No. Encore Capital Group has not been banned by the FTC. The FTC’s list of banned debt collectors does not include Encore, Midland Credit Management, or Midland Funding LLC.
The primary federal enforcement history involves the CFPB, not the FTC. Those two CFPB actions — 2015 and 2020 — produced consent orders that remain publicly available and describe the conduct in detail.
The absence of an FTC ban does not mean Encore’s collection practices are beyond legal challenge. FDCPA claims against Encore proceed in federal court regardless of FTC action, and the documented complaint patterns in CFPB and state AG records give those claims specific factual grounding.
How to Dispute a Debt From Encore Capital Group
Within 30 days of first contact, send a written debt validation request by certified mail with return receipt. Your letter should request proof that the debt belongs to you, the exact balance with a breakdown, the name of the original creditor, and documentation confirming Midland Funding LLC’s chain of title to the account. Encore must pause collection while processing your request.
If Encore or Midland has placed an entry on your credit report, the FCRA gives you the right to dispute inaccurate or unverifiable information with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion directly. If the entry remains after investigation, that unresolved entry may itself support a federal claim under the FCRA’s furnisher accuracy requirements.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Helps Stop Encore Capital Group Debt Harassment
When The Wood Firm PLLC takes on an Encore file, the first step is pulling chain-of-title documentation — the purchase agreement or assignment records showing how Midland Funding acquired the specific account. Encore has faced two federal enforcement actions centered on inadequate documentation; the chain of title is where purchased debt accounts most commonly fail.
We also pull call logs for every number the collector used, compare them against Encore’s documented outbound lines, and check whether any calls were placed to a cell phone without documented consent, which is a separate basis for a TCPA claim. If Encore or MCM placed a credit entry before mailing a validation notice, that sequence may create liability under both the FDCPA and the FCRA simultaneously.
The firm handles these cases on contingency — no upfront fees. If Encore violated federal law, they would pay attorney fees and costs under the FDCPA. After the reader calls, the firm reviews the documented contact history, pulls available court records, and tells the reader within the initial consultation whether the facts support a federal claim.
The Wood Firm PLLC has represented consumers exclusively and has never represented a creditor or debt collector. To start that review, call +1-844-638-1122.
If Midland Credit Management has contacted you about an account you don’t recognize or can’t verify — visit our contact page or call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. The Wood Firm PLLC handles these cases on contingency — if they violated federal law, they pay our fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Encore Capital Group collect for
Encore does not collect for other companies. The company buys charged-off debt portfolios from banks and lenders — including Chase, Citibank, and Capital One — then collects through Midland Credit Management and Midland Funding LLC for its own account.
Is Encore the same as Midland Credit Management
Yes. Midland Credit Management is Encore’s primary collection subsidiary, and Midland Funding LLC is the entity that legally holds the purchased accounts. If either name appears on your credit report or caller ID, you are dealing with an Encore subsidiary.
What was the 2015 CFPB action against Encore about
The CFPB alleged Encore purchased debts it knew could be inaccurate, filed lawsuits using robo-signed affidavits, and collected on unsubstantiated accounts. The settlement required up to $42 million in refunds, a $10 million civil penalty, and a halt on $125 million in collections.
Can Encore sue me for old debt
Yes, and Encore has a documented history of filing lawsuits — including, according to enforcement records, on time-barred accounts. If your debt has passed your state’s statute of limitations, Encore may lack a legal basis to sue, but consult an attorney to confirm.
Can Encore garnish my wages
Only after obtaining a court judgment. Encore cannot garnish wages or levy accounts without winning a lawsuit first. If you receive a summons, respond — ignoring it results in a default judgment that may allow garnishment.
How do I remove Encore or Midland from my credit report
Send a written debt validation request. If they cannot verify the account, dispute the entry with all three credit bureaus under the FCRA. Unverified entries must be corrected or removed.
Does Encore charge interest on purchased debt
According to Encore’s published Consumer Bill of Rights, the company does not charge pre-judgment interest on domestic debts. Always verify the balance breakdown in writing before making any payment.
What should I do if Encore files a lawsuit against me
Do not ignore the lawsuit. A default judgment allows Encore to pursue garnishment or bank levies in many states. Contact an attorney immediately to review whether the debt is time-barred and whether the documentation supporting the claim is complete.
Your Next Step If Encore Capital Group Has Contacted You
Encore’s documented history — two federal enforcement actions, a 42-state settlement, and ongoing consumer litigation — gives any FDCPA or FCRA claim against them specific factual grounding. The Wood Firm PLLC reviews Encore files at no charge and takes qualifying cases on contingency. Call +1-844-638-1122 to start that review today.
Jeff Wood represents consumers exclusively — never creditors or collectors. He holds federal court admissions across 9 districts, including all courts of AR, CO, NM, and TX. He practices from Little Rock, AR.
