Challenging Encore Capital Group: How to Fight Back Against Debt Collection Harassment

If Encore Capital Group is constantly calling you, sending letters, or leaving negative marks on your credit report, you need to take action.

As a trusted voice in credit repair, I’ve written extensively about debt collection practices to help people like you fight back. I’ve seen firsthand how debt collectors use intimidation and misinformation to pressure people into paying debts they may not even owe. 

Maybe your phone won’t stop buzzing with calls. Maybe they’ve reached out to your family or friends. Maybe you’re getting letters that feel more like threats.

It’s stressful. It’s annoying. And guess what? It might be illegal.

The good news? You don’t have to take it. You have rights, and if Encore Capital Group is stepping over the line, you could be owed money—serious money. We’re talking up to $1,000 per violation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) or up to $1,500 per call under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

So, let’s break it down. Who is Encore Capital Group, what are your rights, and how can you turn the tables on them?

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Who Is Encore Capital Group?

Encore Capital Group isn’t some small-time operation. It’s a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ. It has headquarters in San Diego, California, and offices in Arizona, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Puerto Rico.

Their major U.S. subsidiaries include:

• Midland Credit Management
• Asset Acceptance
• Ascension Capital Group
• Midland Funding
• Atlantic Credit and Finance

If you’ve been dealing with any of these companies, you’re essentially dealing with Encore Capital Group. And trust us, they’ve got a history. In 2016 alone, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recorded 1,470 closed complaints against them. They were also sued 23 times in federal court.

What does it look like? A pattern.

Recommended Article: Are You Being Harassed by Coast Professional? What You Need to Know

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What Does Encore Capital Group Do?

Encore Capital Group specializes in purchasing and collecting delinquent consumer debt. They acquire past-due accounts from major banks, credit card issuers, telecommunications companies, and other financial institutions at a fraction of their original value. Once they own the debt, their goal is to collect the full amount from consumers, often adding interest and fees in the process.

Core Business Operations

Encore Capital Group operates primarily through its subsidiaries, with a strong focus on:

• Debt Purchasing – Buying charged-off consumer debt portfolios from financial institutions.
• Debt Collection – Attempting to recover payments from consumers, often through persistent phone calls, letters, and legal actions.
• Legal Collection Actions – Filing lawsuits against consumers who do not pay their debts, sometimes leading to wage garnishments or bank account levies.
• Bankruptcy Servicing – Managing debt accounts involved in consumer bankruptcy cases through Ascension Capital Group.
• Credit Reporting – Reporting debt accounts to credit bureaus, which can impact consumers' credit scores and financial opportunities.

Consumer Rights and Contact Information

If you are being contacted by Encore Capital Group or any of its subsidiaries, it’s important to understand your rights. You have the legal ability to dispute the debt, request validation, and demand that they stop contacting you under certain conditions.

For more details about their operations, visit their official website: www.encorecapital.com

If you need to contact Encore Capital Group directly, here is their corporate information:

Encore Capital Group Headquarters:

• Address: 350 Camino De La Reina, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108
• Phone: (877) 445-4581
• Website: www.encorecapital.com
• Email: Not publicly listed; use their website contact form.

If you believe Encore Capital Group is violating your rights, consider seeking legal assistance or filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

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How Encore Capital Group Might Be Breaking the Law

Debt collectors aren’t allowed to just do whatever they want. The FDCPA and the TCPA exist to keep them in check. 

Here are some ways Encore Capital Group might be violating your rights:

1. Harassing You With Calls

Are they calling you non-stop? That’s a big red flag. The FDCPA states that collectors cannot call repeatedly with the intent to annoy or harass. If they are blowing up your phone all day, they could be breaking the law.

Recommended Article: How to Protect Yourself from Harassment by Resurgent Capital Services

2. Robo-Calling Your Cell Phone

Ever answer a call only to hear a recorded message or a robotic voice? That’s a robocall. Under the TCPA, debt collectors cannot use robocalls to contact you without your consent. If they do, you could be entitled to up to $1,500 per call.

3. Talking to Your Friends and Family

Collectors cannot contact your family, friends, or coworkers about your debt (unless it’s just to get your contact information). If they’re spilling your personal financial business to others, that’s illegal.

4. Using Threats or Abusive Language

No, they can’t threaten to have you arrested. No, they can’t swear at you or intimidate you. The FDCPA strictly prohibits any form of abusive, deceptive, or unfair practices.

5. Sending You False or Misleading Letters

If they send you a letter that looks like an official court document (but isn’t), or they lie about the amount you owe, they’re in violation. Debt collectors have to be 100% truthful about what you owe and who you owe it to.

6. Trying to Collect Debt You Don’t Owe

Mistakes happen, but debt collectors aren’t allowed to pursue debts that don’t belong to you. If you tell them you don’t owe the money and they keep coming after you, they could be violating your rights.

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What You Can Do About It

Okay, so let’s say Encore Capital Group is crossing the line. What do you do? Here’s your game plan:

1. Document Everything

Start keeping records of every call, voicemail, text, or letter you receive from them. Save phone logs and take notes about each interaction. If they harass you, you’ll need proof.

2. Send a Written Request to Stop Contact

Under the FDCPA, you can send a written request telling them to stop contacting you. Once they receive it, they legally must stop calling—except to confirm they won’t contact you again or to notify you of legal action.

3. Check if They Violated the Law

Go back to our list above. If they did any of those things, they might owe you money. A single violation could mean up to $1,000 under the FDCPA or up to $1,500 per robocall under the TCPA.

4. Contact a Consumer Protection Attorney

This is where you turn the tables. A consumer protection attorney can help you fight back, hold them accountable, and even make them pay YOU. And here’s the best part: you don’t pay anything unless they win your case.

5. Report Them

Don’t let them get away with it. File a complaint with:

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Your state’s Attorney General’s office

These agencies can investigate and even take legal action against Encore Capital Group.

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Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Debt Collectors (Even If They’re in the Wrong)

Look, we get it. The easiest thing to do might seem like ignoring their calls and letters. But ignoring them won’t make the debt disappear.

Instead, take control. Know your rights, push back, and if they break the law, make them pay. They want to intimidate you into paying? Flip the script and use their own shady tactics against them.

Also, challenge the debt. As credit repair experts, we often see mistakes on credit reports. Even something as small as a wrong payment date can be disputed—and trust us, we’ve mastered this process. Errors happen all the time, and fixing them could mean wiping out a debt entirely. If Encore Capital Group is after you for something that doesn’t look right, fight back and make sure it’s accurate before paying a single cent.

Recommended Read: How to Get a Debt Lawsuit Dismissed: Steps and Advice

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The Best Way to Stop Harassment and Remove Collections from Your Credit Report

If you’re dealing with relentless calls from debt collectors and a negative mark on your credit report, don’t rush to negotiate or settle. It’s to challenge the debt itself. Debt collection agencies often rely on incomplete or inaccurate records, and that’s where you have the upper hand.

Debt collection agencies often rely on incomplete or outdated records. That means they might not have the right paperwork to prove you owe the debt. This is where you have the advantage. By law, they must provide clear and accurate proof before they can collect. If they can’t, they must remove the debt from your credit report.

Rather than accepting the debt and negotiating a settlement, your best move is to put the burden of proof on them. Many consumers are surprised to find that once they demand proper validation, the debt either disappears or is deemed uncollectible. This not only protects your financial standing but also prevents you from paying money you may not even owe.

Don’t let debt collectors intimidate you—find their fault and make it work in your favor. By understanding your rights and challenging the debt, you can stop harassment, protect your credit, and take control of your financial future.

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Final Thoughts: Stand Up for Your Rights

Encore Capital Group and its subsidiaries have a track record of aggressive (and sometimes illegal) debt collection tactics. But you don’t have to take it. If they’re harassing you, violating your rights, or using robocalls to blow up your phone, you might be entitled to financial compensation.

So don’t wait. Fight back. Get the compensation you deserve. Make Encore Capital Group pay.

Let’s work together to remove negative items from your credit report, stop the harassment, and rebuild your financial future.

Want to find out how to dispute a debt? Call us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Let’s work together to remove negative items from your credit report, stop the harassment, and rebuild your financial future. It could be your ticket to a stress free life!