Quick Answer: Encore Capital Group is a for-profit publicly traded debt buyer and collector. If they or their subsidiary Midland Credit Management are contacting you about a debt, check the public complaint record with the CFPB, look into their enforcement history with federal regulators, and know your rights under the FDCPA — here’s how to do each of those.
Before You Read This: I want to be upfront about what this page is and isn’t. I’m not rendering a verdict on Encore Capital Group. This is a research guide — I’m showing you where to look so you can reach your own conclusions based on current information.
If you find something in the public record that concerns you, post it in the comments below. If you’re evaluating any agreement they’ve sent you, use my free Contract Decoder tool.
If you represent Encore Capital Group and something here is inaccurate, contact me and I’ll review it promptly.
If you have inside information you feel you need to share with me privately: don’t. Whatever you want to share should be posted in the comments — by you, with your name attached. I’m not willing to be anyone’s conduit for information they won’t stand behind themselves.
The most valuable thing on this page may not be what I’ve written — it’s the comments section below. People who’ve dealt with Encore Capital Group or Midland Credit Management share their experiences there. I’d encourage you to read them and add your own.
Who Is Encore Capital Group?
An educated consumer is our best customer.— Sy Syms
New here? My Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company walks through how to vet any debt-related company before you respond to them or sign anything.
Encore Capital Group is a for-profit publicly traded debt buyer. Rather than repeat what they say about themselves here, I’d encourage you to read their public company filings with the SEC EDGAR database — that way you’re seeing it directly from primary sources, not filtered through me.
Step 1: Know Your Rights as a Consumer
If Encore Capital Group or their subsidiary Midland Credit Management is contacting you, your first step is knowing your rights. Debt collectors are regulated by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA):
- The FDCPA: Review the CFPB’s debt collection resources — they outline exactly what collectors can and cannot do, including calling hours, harassment prohibitions, and your right to dispute the debt in writing.
- Validate the debt in writing: You have the right to request written verification of any debt within 30 days of first contact. Until verified, collection activity must stop.
- Check the statute of limitations: Each state has a statute of limitations on debt. If the debt is time-barred, collectors can still contact you but cannot legally sue to collect it. Verify your state’s statute of limitations before taking any action.
- BBB Profile: Check their Better Business Bureau profile for Midland Credit Management — the consumer-facing subsidiary you’ll interact with directly.
A Note on BBB Grades: A high BBB grade doesn’t necessarily mean a company treats consumers well — it means they respond to complaints filed through the BBB. Read the actual complaint text and the company’s responses. That’s the useful part.
Free Tool — Statute of Limitations Checker: Dealing with old debt? The free Statute of Limitations Checker tells you if the collection clock has expired in your state — including the zombie debt and clock-restarting traps collectors use. Check My Status →
Step 2: Check Consumer Complaints
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains a public database of complaints filed against financial companies. You can search for both Encore Capital Group and Midland Credit Management directly:
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Search Encore Capital’s complaint history in the CFPB database →
When you’re reading complaints, look for:
- What the complaints are about — disputed debts, collection harassment, inaccurate credit reporting?
- How the company responded — did they resolve issues or just close them?
- Whether the same issue appears repeatedly — a pattern matters more than a single complaint
- Complaints that reference debt amounts consumers say they don’t recognize — this was a documented pattern in their 2015 CFPB enforcement action
Free Tool — Debt Validation Letter Generator: Being contacted by a debt collector? The free Debt Validation Letter Generator creates a personalized FDCPA validation letter in seconds — forcing the collector to prove the debt is real before they can continue. Generate My Letter →
Step 3: Read Consumer Reviews for Midland Credit Management
Encore Capital Group is the parent company — Midland Credit Management is the subsidiary consumers interact with directly. You can find Midland Credit Management’s Trustpilot reviews here. A few things to keep in mind as you read:
How to read Trustpilot like a pro: My complete guide to spotting red flags in Trustpilot reviews breaks down exactly what to look for — including how to identify review solicitation campaigns and reputation management tactics.
- Look for reviews that specifically mention whether debts were verified correctly and whether payment arrangements were honored
- Read the negative reviews carefully — complaints about inaccurate debt amounts or attempts to collect time-barred debts are patterns documented in regulatory actions
- Look at how the company responds to negative reviews — a defensive or dismissive response tells you something
- Compare review dates to the timeline of their CFPB enforcement actions (2015, 2020) to see if consumer experience has changed
Debt Buyer Context: Encore Capital and its subsidiaries purchase portfolios of charged-off debt — often at pennies on the dollar — and then attempt to collect the full face value. This business model creates inherent tension between the collector’s financial incentive to collect maximum amounts and the consumer’s rights around debt accuracy and verification.
Step 4: Check Their Legal and Enforcement History
Encore Capital Group and its subsidiaries have a documented enforcement history with federal regulators. Here’s where to look:
- CFPB Enforcement Actions: The CFPB has published enforcement actions against Encore Capital Group — read the official record directly
- FTC Actions: The FTC publishes all enforcement cases — search for Encore Capital, Midland Funding, and Midland Credit Management
- State Attorney General: Search “Encore Capital attorney general” or “Midland Credit Management settlement” — enforcement actions also happen at the state level
- SEC Filings: As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: ECPG), Encore Capital files detailed reports with the SEC. Their annual reports include litigation disclosures that provide a fuller picture than press releases alone
- Federal Court Records: CourtListener searches 1.3 billion federal court documents for free — no registration required. For the official PACER system with complete case filings, see my guide to using PACER.gov.
Context Matters: Enforcement history — including the nature of violations, the remedies required, and whether the company has complied with consent orders — is public information. Read the primary documents, not just summaries. The CFPB enforcement page and SEC filings are the most authoritative sources.
Step 5: Ask the Right Questions Before You Respond
Before signing anything: Run any agreement through my free Contract Decoder tool. Paste it in and get a plain-English breakdown of what you’re agreeing to.
If Encore Capital Group or Midland Credit Management is contacting you about a debt, get clear answers to these questions before responding or making any payment:
- Can they provide written verification of the debt — including the original creditor, account number, and the amount owed at charge-off?
- Is this debt within the statute of limitations in your state? (Making a payment on time-barred debt can restart the clock)
- Is this debt appearing on your credit report, and if so, is the information accurate?
- What is the exact total they are claiming is owed, including any fees or interest added after charge-off?
- If you’re considering a settlement, get the settlement agreement in writing before sending any payment
Before You Respond or Pay: Understanding your options is important. Run your situation through my Find Your Path tool to see whether negotiating a settlement, disputing the debt, or exploring bankruptcy protection fits your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Encore Capital Group is the parent; Midland Credit Management is the consumer-facing subsidiary
- Know your FDCPA rights before responding to any collector contact
- Read CFPB complaints for patterns — not just raw numbers
- Check the CFPB and FTC enforcement history — it’s public record
- Get debt verification in writing before making any payment
- The comments section below contains real experiences from real consumers — read them
Want the full research playbook? My Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company covers every tool and source in this guide — plus detailed walkthroughs for reading BBB profiles, spotting Trustpilot red flags, and searching federal court records on CourtListener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Encore Capital Group a nonprofit?
No. Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ: ECPG) is a publicly traded for-profit corporation. They earn revenue by purchasing charged-off debt portfolios and collecting on them.
How do I file a complaint against Encore Capital Group or Midland Credit Management?
You can file a complaint directly with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. You can also file with your state attorney general’s office and the BBB. Filing with the CFPB creates a public record and triggers a required company response. If you believe they violated the FDCPA, you may also wish to consult a consumer protection attorney.
Is Encore Capital Group the same as Midland Credit Management?
Midland Credit Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Encore Capital Group. Encore Capital is the parent holding company; Midland Credit Management and Midland Funding are the names consumers typically see on collection notices.
What should I do if Midland Credit Management is suing me?
If you receive a summons, do not ignore it — failing to respond means they win by default. Consult a consumer protection or bankruptcy attorney in your state. Many FDCPA attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win. Run your situation through my Find Your Path tool to understand your options.
Should I settle with Encore Capital Group / Midland Credit Management?
That depends entirely on your situation — the amount owed, whether the debt is time-barred, whether it’s on your credit report, and your overall financial picture. I’d encourage you to run your situation through my Find Your Path tool before deciding.
Share Your Experience with Encore Capital Group
If you’ve dealt with Encore Capital Group or Midland Credit Management — as a consumer, a former employee, or someone with relevant experience — I’d encourage you to share it in the comments. Your perspective helps others navigate a stressful situation.
To share your experience: Scroll to the bottom of this page — the comments box is there.
Before You Sign Anything: Run any debt relief contract through the free Contract Decoder to spot hidden fees and unfair terms. Check the company’s complaint history with the Scam-O-Meter.
Compare Your Real Options: Most debt relief companies won’t tell you about all your options — especially the ones they can’t profit from. Credit counseling has a 21-27% completion rate. Settlement resolves about 1% of enrolled debts fully. Bankruptcy has a 95% discharge rate — and protects your retirement. Take the Find Your Path quiz for a recommendation based on your actual numbers.
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