Harrassing phone calls

ComplaintsCollection AgenciesPortfolio Recovery Associates

Complaint

0
John Pansini
Country: United States
These people have been calling me for months, but never asking for me by name. Their message always begins: "Portfolio Recovery Associates... Please return this call at 1-800-860-0644..." They go on to say, "This communication will be with a debt collector and is an attempt to collect a debt." Then they give their corporate address -- nothing else.

I searched them online and found that there are many complaints against this company. They buy old debts for next to nothing, and then try to intimidate people into paying. They must be stopped.

I would like to join a class action against them. Please advise.

Thank you,
John Pansini

Comments

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  • 0
    mifflin jennings
    Ask them for proof they own the debt.  The paperwork -- buy-sell contract.  bet they don't have it or won't produce it.
  • 0
    VME
    I just started receiving calls from this collector. Is it a scam? I don't have any debt i'm aware of.
  • 0
    John Pansini
    Scam might be the wrong term. Bullying might be better. You might want to do what I'm doing: ignore them, and write your congressman. These people are awful and must be stopped, especially now when so many of us are going through hard times.

    Good luck.
  • 0
    tj
    Florida Attorney General Economic Crimes Division investigation into Portfolio Recovery Associates.

    Nature of complaints indicates basic issues of compliance with federal and state debt collection and reporting laws.

    http://www.myfloridalegal.com/lit_ec.nsf/inve ... 525766C00592CEB

    "The case file cited below relates to a civil -- not a criminal -- investigation. The existence of an investigation does not constitute proof of any violation of law.

    Case Number: L09-3-1203

    Subject of investigation:
    Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc

    Subject's address:
    120 Corporate Blvd, Ste 1, Norfolk, VA 23502

    Subject's business:
    Out-of-state debt collection/debt buyer

    Allegation or issue being investigated:
    1) violation of Fair Credit Reporting Act for re-aging debts for purposes of credit reporting by falsely reporting to the CRAs that the alleged debts are new, when some are so old they can no longer lawfully be reported, and 2) violation of FCCPA (s. 559.72(9), Fla. Stat.) and FDUPTA for actively collecting debts discharged in bankruptcy. Complaints have raised several other issues.

    AG unit handling case:
    Economic Crimes Division in Tampa, Florida
    "
  • 0
    tj
    If you don't owe some alleged debt, but a debt collector employs either threats, harassment, abuse, or deception to extract payment, rather than producing proof you owe it, it is fair to call it a scam.
  • 0
    Arvida
    | 2 replies
    I am being harassed by Portfolio Debt Collectors, how can I get them off my back??
    • 0
      jen replies to Arvida
      they have been harassing me too constantly, at least a couple of times a week. i just ignore the calls. my caller id used to show up as portfolio recovery associates, now it is just a 1-800 number. i owe a ton of student loan debt and if i had the money i would just pay that off. not giving a dime to these guys. it's not federal debt and my credit is already shot because of student loan debt so they can can all they want, it is just 800 bucks and they piss me off too.
    • 0
      jen replies to Arvida
      they have been harassing me too constantly, at least a few times a week. i just ignore the calls. my caller id used to show up as portfolio recovery associates, now it is just a 1-800 number. i owe a ton of student loan debt and if i had the money i would just pay that off. not giving a dime to these guys. it's not federal debt and my credit is already shot because of student loan debt so they can can all they want, it is just 800 bucks and they piss me off too. this is a very aggressive, awful collection agency. have even thought about changing my number again but i'm sure they would get the new one too. the money i have goes to help my family. not bothering to talk to these jerks again. it is a waste of time trying to reason with them if you can't pay
  • 0
    Jessica T
    Has anything come of a class action suit against this company?  If so please provide information, I am sooo sick of them!!!  Thank you!
  • 0
    tj
    If you are dealing with a debt collector engaged in deceptive, abusive or harassing tactics which violate federal and state laws such as FDCPA, you may be able to find an attorney willing to take your case on contingency, since FDCPA allows the court to award actual and statutory damages plus attorney fees should you win.

    Try finding an attorney licensed to practice in your state through www.naca net
  • 0
    thor
    I have a  buddy that sued PRA and got a $3500.00 settlement. Guess what, he did owe money on the debt they were collecting. He worked with a consumer affairs attorney. The attorney got $2500.00 of the settlement. However, PRA stopped calling him.

    So call a consumer affairs attorney and ask how you can set these bottom feeders up for a lawsuit. It's evidently pretty easy to prove that they have broken state collection laws.

    I get calls from them on a debt my ex walked away from. So far I just ignore the calls. However, I am going to find out who the attorney was that my buddy used.
  • 0
    thor
    I have a  buddy that sued PRA and got a $3500.00 settlement. Guess what, he did owe money on the debt they were collecting. He worked with a consumer affairs attorney. The attorney got $2500.00 of the settlement. However, PRA stopped calling him.

    So call a consumer affairs attorney and ask how you can set these bottom feeders up for a lawsuit. It's evidently pretty easy to prove that they have broken state collection laws.

    I get calls from them on a debt my ex walked away from. So far I just ignore the calls. However, I am going to find out who the attorney was that my buddy used.
  • 0
    medic12
    From what I have read on online the address they have listed for their corporate headquarters in Virginia 120 Corporate Blvd Ste 1. Norfolk, VA 23502 is a fake address. This is why they want all business done over the phone.
    Check out this website for more info:
    http://www.caught.net/caught/laing.htm
  • 0
    ljd
    this comnpany will not give a address or a phone number all they do is threaten
  • 0
    Don't worry bout it
    | 1 reply
    Y'all r all pathetic! Pra is a great company!
    • 0
      Vangard replies to Don't worry bout it
      How long have you worked for them?  I used to and they are a bunch of very demeaning and crooked people.  The debts they buy are often older than methusala or invalid, and the tactics they had us use were absolutely revolting.  Worked for them 3 weeks and had to leave, but sign a waiver I would not talk about them. I FEAR I CAN ONLY SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THEM ANONYMOUSLY OR THEY WILL START HARASSING ME. Damn mafia type tactics!
  • 0
    Eat S@#T  - Don't worry bout it
    | 1 reply
    PRA and any one who works for them are BOTTOM-FEEDERS!!!!!
    • 0
      You are right.  I would never have worked for them except for needing money and being too honest to do anything crooked.  That is why I left after three weeks.  I could not take it.  The ones who stayed were mostly sick people who loved to harass others
  • 0
    tj
    They were required to send you a letter within 5 days of their first contact notifying you of your right to dispute the alleged debt.  

    Failure to send that letter is a violation of FDCPA.

    Continuing to call while refusing to provide their address or phone number interferes with your ability to exercise your FDCPA dispute rights, and is harassing and abusive collection.

    Refusing to provide their address indicates they are attempting to evade validation, which is an indicator of an attempt to deceive by witholding from you access to information actually proving (or disproving) you owe it.  

    Maybe the "debt" is bogus, or really owed by someone else, and they know it's suspect.  Using deception to collect debts is a violation of FDCPA, and obtaining money through deception is fraud.
  • 0
    pjohn11
    PRA recently started calling me on an alleged 17 year old debt.  I have not received anything in the mail from them even though they continue to say that they have been mailing me thing and "attempting" to contact me since 2007.  I've had the same phone # and address this whole time.

    My credit is great even though they tell me this is against me - they lie.

    I'm in Minnesota - any suggestions of my next steps?
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