Scam Collection Calls

ComplaintsUnsolicited Phone CallsPortfolio Recovery Associates

Complaint

0
MCH
Country: United States
I again received a call from this number/company in my cell phone. They call 1-2x every week. so irritating.

I had long straightened out my credit card debts in 2002. Suddenly, since 2008, I started getting calls from this company. I do not know how they got my cell ph number. I read almost all the complaints ahainst this company and now am convinced they they are scammers.

Should we all band together and file a class action suit? Or, report this company to the authorities in ur respective cities/states?

Comments

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  • 0
    Millie
    This company has harassed us periodically for months concerning a bill (General Electric?) that is years old that we don't even recognize as a company that we've ever used.  When I requested that they send us documentation of exactly what the bill is for, they once agreed to do so, but never did.  Today, I received another phone call from them (Melissa Bush 1-866-428-6589).  I told her that I had requested documentation of what this bill is for, and she said that I had to put my request in writing.  I asked her "Why," should I go to that trouble of writing a formal letter since she is requesting payment orally and that I had not received any documentation.  She answered, "Because it is your husband's debt."  When I assured her that we would not pay a bill without proof, she cut me off and hung up.
  • 0
    Astin Chales
    This company has harassed me for over 8 years, Ten years ago I had to file Bankrupsy i had included the Credit card company for this particular bill owing. Two years after fileing i received my first notice the bill was never satisfied from another agency. Since December of 2010 I have received over 65 calls from PRA using different numbers. They use about 10 different numbers, but are smart enough to hang up after the 3rd ring,that way it doesn't show on your cell phone bill, but it does show on yor cell phone. They never leave a message, (Documentation) which is (illegal),they have called on Sundays,(illegal) They have called sometimes twice a day (iLlegal) They had called me on my work cell and and were told not to call me on that number which they ignored (iLlegal) They would call my personal cell and my home phone. My plan is to take this company to court. I have all the documentation on my cell phone that i need (caller ID) and numbers verified.  I'm thinking atleast $300,000 for this eight years of making my life misserable.
  • 0
    Lakeicia Manuel
    Have been getting calls from them on a credit card that was paid off in good standing years ago. She said my last payment on the account was in 2000, I was still married and had EXCELLENT credit, got divorced a year later and had some problems then but did not HAVE this card at all! Paid off while in good standing and shows on my credit report as such. I asked for proof of the debt and she said that I needed to send them proof that I paid it off and that she could dispute it for me, I said how, can you dispute a debt for me, no answer. It is not on my credit report but the paid off in good standing debt is and even that is older than 7 years.  Paid off in full Jan of 2004, so she said well send us proof, I said of you know all of my info and you can see my reports you have all you need, I'll not verify anything and please do not call me anymore she said I had to request that by mail but never gave me the address. I am writing them now. This is just sad how they operate.
  • 0
    Sue
    I am so ready to sue these people.  They call on something I don't have. Won't send proof, tell me not to yell at them and threaten me.  They say this call can be recorded, I say good record away and take it to court.  Now I find this site and that they are scamming people!  Can't wait until they call again!
  • 0
    Ann O
    If anyone is filing a class action suit, I'm in.
  • 0
    Down with PRA
    What about the rest of us who get harassed constantly about a debt that is not ours? These [***] are calling me and sent me letters asking for a woman with my sister's first and last name. The catch? Different middle name and S.S.#. And my sister is 21 with no credit cards or debt. These flamers went as far as finding MY cell phone number, which is in no way associated with my sister, and are calling and harassing me. I was raised with better morals than this and refuse to let these scumbags walk all over my family. They have messed with the wrong person and I will be using the FULL extent of the law to make them stop. The 8 am Saturday call this past weekend was the straw that broke the camel's back. Good luck PRA, you will need it.
  • 0
    CD
    They can try to collect on a debt from 60 years ago if its not paid.
  • 0
    KRR
    I was defrauded by a criminal almost 20 years ago resulting in a $300 debt PRA has been pestering me about for years. They can't do anything legal like report to credit agency (debt too old) or file a lawsuit (SOL has long passed) so the only tool they have is to harass me and my family. Now it's the principal of the matter and I give them an earful everytime but what good does it do to call a scumbag a scumbag?
  • 0
    Fpraa
    Did you ever pay what u knew that you owed or did you just let it go? All you have to do is call the 8664286589 and get the address
  • 0
    I know wut I'm talking about!
    You all should not place all of the blame on a company. If you STOPPED paying a bill for whatever reason, be an adult and pay what you know you owe. Don't be irresponsible and wait until the statue of limitations is up the get upset about the calls. Legally they can call all they want b/c you as the consumer agreed to whatever contract it was that you signed. I agree that calling for a debt from 10 or 20 years is crazy but what good does name calling cursing and hanging up going to do??? Send a stop all communications letter to them and it's JUST that simple. You have to remember they get PAID to talk to you and YOU DO NOT  get paid to talk to them so arguing is actually very STUPID. Suing doesn't do very much b/c they have Lawyers just as some of you do and while you plan to sue, you are paying more for that to attempt to prove your point. Do you think you will be the first,second or even 20th to sue this company?? I KNOW you all are angry and that TOTALLY understandable but what steps have you taken to resolve the issue ( without using money)?  Tip: if they call, simply ask for the address ( po box 12914 Norfolk va 23514 fax # I believe 7572502504) the accnt # they are calling on and mail or fax a stop communications letter. Keep a copy for yourself( if they say the didn't get it) Ask to be placed on a do not call for 14 days until the letter gets there. Make sure you KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that you are in the right FIrst and for most. Lying about not having a job or no income will only make your case weightless b/c that info can easily be proven ESPECIALLY if you are within the statue of limitations....your credit info says more than you know they know more about YOU than you know about yourself TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!!
  • 0
    I know wut I'm talking about!
    If you want info about the debt request that the account go into disputes. That will give you pretty much what you'd be looking for.  You have to send that request in writing. Naturally, you will need to update or verify you address so that the paperwork that you want gets to you. The thing is though,if it proves to actually be your account then calls will continue when the dispute process is over( that's when you do the above) Yes! This is all too time consuming but what isn't nowadays? They can't see things that have been removed from you credit report. Seriously everyone, and this may be hard but being nasty of smart mouthed on the phone makes it more difficult for you especially if you have a nice person on the other end. Some many people blame the collectors but what kind of customer or person or you on the other end?? Now, I KNOW you all can get called by some dirtbags but handle it accordingly. You catch more bees with honey than vinegar. I know you may feel that you don't have to be nice or polite but honestly, what's being nasty going to do except get you hung up on and another call back? If YOU hang up, you will get a call the next day. If you don't answer, they can call all day if
    They don't leave a message on your machine, if you speak with them and mutually end the call then that will be about 5 to 7 days before your next call. Saying that you are broke or your situation hasn't changed DOES NOT mean they are not going to call you again in a few days. Expect a call soon. FDCPA laws vary from state to state but sadly LEGAL loops holes  do exsist and they ARE within those lines( until they do something blatantly illegal) remember this is a Publically traded company and they will watch their backs. You even if the other person on the line is a complete jerk should remain calm and follow my instructions. I wouldn't  lead you wrong. :)
  • 0
    I know wut I'm talking about
    I get that you are upset and I do understand the annoyance. Sadly, the dnc registry does not apply to collectors and agencies. Seriously,cursing and name calling WILL DO NOTHING but get you laughed at on the other end.I'm being honest. 7 or 8 hours of that kind of stuff 5 or 6 days a week rolls off a collectors back like water on a duck and some collectors find it entertaining( and thinks that you are an idiot) that you are wasting your time for free when all you are going to get is another call later. The different number situation is b/c it's a national company that dials out and there is no set # so sometimes it's a local # and other times it may show unknown. I have left some  useful info on how to handle this situation on my posts. I hope it works for you. :)
  • 0
    I know wut I'm talking about!
    That is because when you opened the account that was your last name at the time. They usually only have the account  info that was sent to them by the original creditor until more research is done.
  • 0
    I know what I'm talking about!
    You must take the higher road. The " effective" measures that you have been taking in the past... Uhhh... How's that working out for you? Speaking to a collector does not start the debt over again.   Use my tips to help resolve your matter.
  • 0
    I know what I'm talking about!
    I think that you are thinking waaaay more into the 3 call situation then what it really is. Trust me, there is not enough time to think about all of that. The no message leaving has NOTHING to do with the customer AT ALL and honestly at that time you are not even being considered.  For answers to the rest of your post, see my 2 posts. Hope it helps
  • 0
    I know what Im Talking about!
    This class action suit  will be null and voided shortly...
  • 0
    KarateAero
    Got a letter from PRA saying my husband owes almost $800.  He has no knowledge of this debt, and is trying to contact them.  Gonna ask for documentation too, as we believe this is not correct or a scam.  Been getting calls too, from numbers, and a few I've looked up and they have been debt collectors.  I do not answer numbers I don't know.  Of course, they are not identified on caller ID, just a city and state.  So, cannot say I've been treated poorly, as I won't answer the calls!  I'm sure if I did, I would be.  All these complaints and people saying they have personal information makes me very nervous!

    Class Action Lawsuit?  We're in too, let us know, please!  KarateAero@aol.com.  Thanks!
  • 0
    vtech
    This is Portfolio Recovery & Associates. They are a collection agency that acquires old debts... sometimes 20 or more years old after the original debt has been charged off or sold to several other collection agencies who did not recover the money. A lot of the information is so old that PRA does not even know who the original financial institution was or if the debt was actually ever paid off or not. They simply use old outdated information, addresses and phone numbers to harass innocent individuals. I was even told at one point that they run random credit checks on people and simply start calling if they find someone who ever had a charge off or something like that in the far past.  If you have a phone number or address that was ever owned by someone who ever owed money at some point and time or your name is in any way close to someone that they are looking for you can wind up on PRAs list and start getting harassed by them forever.
    I have been getting calls from them almost every day of the week for over 6 months now... sometimes 2-3 times per day anywhere from 7:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night 7 days a week.
    They are looking for someone else that I have never heard of and when I told them that I was not this person and that this person never lived here and that I had this phone number for over 15 years they called me a liar and hung up but continued calling again a couple of weeks later. One time they asked me to verify my name and address. I would not tell them but I asked them what name and address they had on record. They had an entirely different first and last name but the address was the same as mine. I have a P.O. box and when I told them that there were over 400 box holders for my address he said “son of a bitch” and hung up. They recently called again and when I once again told them that I was not who they were looking for and to quit calling they asked me to verify my name again and when I would not they hung up again.  The very next day they called back asking for me by my name. I guess they finally looked up my phone number and saw my name attached to it so they replaced my name for the person that they were originally looking for and added it to their collection database.
    I have tried filing complaints with the do not call registry but with no results. The phone number on my caller ID is always different. I found out that they use a spoofing program to send out fake caller ID numbers so you can not report them to the do not call registry. Each and every time they call the caller ID shows up a different random number but the name is always the same... Portfolio Recovery Associates. The number that I entered on this complaint is their corporate number. They have two other numbers… a Virginia number of 1-757-519-9300 and a toll free number of 1-866-925-7109. Hopefully this will help as we all are wasting our time reporting them using the spoofed numbers that they randomly send out when they call.

    It turns out that they use a spoofing program that sends out a random fake phone number to show up on your caller ID when they dial you so turning them into the do not call registry does not good as you are turning in someone else’s number. Even though the phone numbers are all different and fake… Portfolio Recovery Assoc always shows up on the caller ID.
    I looked them up and got some more information from other sources and since they are using fake phone numbers when they call... the best thing that you can do is every time that they call you... file a complaint with the do not call registry using their corporate phone number 1-888-772-7326. This way you are supplying a real phone number for them when you file your complaint. Hopefully the do not call registry can do something about these people or at least be able to hand out fines to the proper people for harassing folks. The other alternative is to file a complaint with your local phone company and police dept. PRAs other two numbers are… 1-757-519-9300 for their regular office and 1-866-925-7109 for their customer complaints dept.
  • 0
    Fustrated
    Here is my complaint against these people, I personally have not talked to them but my husband has and they hang up on him everytime...They are trying to collect on a debt that was incured before I was even the age of 18 with my first name  being right but my last name being my maiden name I did at one time have an account with the company they are saying it is for but the company has since folded and my debt was paid off through a consolidation loan 20 years ago.. Keep in mind though the debt they say I owe was incurred before I was 18 years old, when they are told this they will not listen.

     Since they will not listen to reason when my husband told them the account was opened when I was about 16 years old so it could not be myh account, he has decided to have some fun with them being that he has worked in the financial industry for many years and did at one time be a debt collector, he just today asked them why they are calling to collect a debt that is 20 years old, not giveing them any more info. than that, they then asked him his name which he refused to give they tried to demand he give it he still told them in not so nice words that info. was none of their business, they got really angry at him then tried to tell him they were going to take further collection action, he then asked how they were going to do that when according to them the debt was charged of by the original company in 1997 and since it has been 20 years since the debt was even incured(he did not say that the original debt was incurred before I was even 18)how they intended to take further action since they can take no legal action against me because the statute of limitations is only 7 years and that is long since passed. They then called him a smart [***] and hung up on him...

     My question is this since they do not know my married name how did they get my number, my ss number is not attached to the phone number we have and they don't even know my husbands name or info. Any people that do know my maiden name would never give out private info like that because the only people that know that are family I am trying to figure out a way to get this to stop but have not come up with any solid ideas... Anyone out there have any advice????It would be very much appreciated....
  • 0
    bob
    they have My SSN and that call once a day or some times up to three
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