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Portfolio Recovery Associates - Is it good at customer satisfaction?

Submitted by on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 18:07
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Hi everyone,

I was recently contacted by that wonderful company portfolio recovery associates.

They are collecting on a Washington Mutual Account. Their balance is about $1400 more than my last balance. According to my records the last payment I made was in October of 2005.

In response to my inquiry through the credit bureau, they sent me a letter stating that they had purchased the account in June of 2007.
I have not as yet sent them a debt validation request.
Some from PRA is calling me at least once a day.

What should I do next? How to stop portfolio recovery associates calls?
Trevor


Thank you for the responses. My concern is that upon receiving the debt validation letter, portfolio recovery associates inc. will immediately file suit. The SOL is certainly not up and I can't afford to pay them since I am without a job.
Trevor


Submitted by on Sat, 06/14/2008 - 07:16

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That is BS. If portfolio recovery associates inc. get a validation letter and file a lawsuit after that, you can sue them. Once they get that letter, all collection activity must stop until they can validate it.


Submitted by on Sat, 06/14/2008 - 07:56

( Posts: 202330 | Credits: )


I need to sue portfolio recovery collection agency in small claims court...do I need to file suit with a specific individual or just the company name? please help...i'm getting nowhere with these people


Submitted by on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:04

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i have worked for this wonderful company and yes they can attempt to sue you via what they call Thomas West. its how they collect debts on accounts that in their minds are refusal to pay doesnt matter if you cant or wont. it takes a lot longer to do thomas westing so most reps dont waste the time to do it. if you dont have a house or a job or they dont know your job and being that you dont live in a state the doesnt allow wage garnesment then theres nothing you can do the best thing is to try to settle but dont pay!!! if you can help it it will reset your statute of limitations date back another 7 yrs


Submitted by on Sat, 03/21/2009 - 20:12

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This company will ignore cease & desist letter and will not respond to requests that they validate the loan. If you try to talk to them by phone they are rude, insulting and uncooperative. They don't want the truth - they just want money from you even if not your debt. They call your job and home and will deliberately leave messages on the phones of co-workers.
Yes - they will sue you and the judgment will be posted to your credit report. I speak from experience. This is an awful company and I have been tangling with them for almost 6 years. They are liars and only out to get money from whoever they can. You can report them to the Better Business Bureau or your State Attorney General - but it does no good. For some reason this company is allowed to continue their illegal practices and no one at the state or federal level will stop them.


Submitted by on Sat, 04/04/2009 - 10:50

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These people have been harrassing me by phone -- now daily -- for an alleged debt that goes back 20-years with a creditor I don't think even existed then. So far they only have my telephone number and claim to have sent letters -- apparently to an old address. I have asked them not to call my home, advised that they are breaking the law and that I will have counsel take this up for me. Clearly the account is time-barred. It seems that advice is all over the map. Some say just don't talk to them, some say get an attorney, some say just follow the instructions requiring validation -- but it seems that if they decide they want to take you down, they just go for it. Why aren't there class actions against these scumbags?


Submitted by on Sat, 04/11/2009 - 14:38

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From everything I have read and seen, Portfolio is a class-action lawsuit waiting to happen. I am in the process of suing these idiots for multiple FDCPA and FCRA violations.
My advice to you would be to stand up for yourself, document every violation of the FDCPA/FCRA they make, and sue them. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC might end up owing you money by the time you're through with them.


Submitted by FloridaRon on Sat, 04/11/2009 - 15:56

FloridaRon

( Posts: 1190 | Credits: )


Everyone, should file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission, their State Consumer Protection Agency...all complaints against this company can be filed online in your given state...you can also file a complaint with you State Attorneys Office, as another way, get in touch with a agressive news media and have them investigate and bring this company into the news and that can force someone to take action against them...the more voices the louder your heard...with the economy like it is we consumers need to stick together


Submitted by on Tue, 04/14/2009 - 14:11

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I have to validate by 4/27. However, my last payment was 5/27/05 and my SOL is 4 years. Should I demand validation? Does that extend the 4 year SOL? Or, do they still have to file a law suit within the 4 year limit? Thanks.


Submitted by on Wed, 04/22/2009 - 15:42

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I had been getting call after call from these people. NEVER answering the phone. One day in the mail I get the letter stating I owe them money. I immediately send out a debt validation letter, not verification. I never got any validation or verification. What I did get today was this letter from them.
Dear "name"t,
In our previous letter to you, we requested that you send our company additional information pertaingint to the account referneced above so that the disputes department could complete the investigation of the alleged dispute.
To this date, we have not received this information and cannot complete the investigation.
Since we have not received this information, we are terminating the disputes investigation pertaining to this account and our company will no longer treat this account as a disputed account.
The account is being returned to the collection floor and our representivies will be instructed to pursue the outstanding balance due on this account.
If you have questions, please contact the disputes dept at 1800-772-1413 Ext. 10181

What kind of crap is that?? I dont even know what the debt is for or when it is from.. This letter doesnt even say how much I am supposed to owe?? I check my credit report every 4 months and NOTHING is on it negative at all. Just a check from these jokers reqesting info about me.. ANYONE have any ideas as what to do now??? Please advise. I am in Ohio, so it could be as old as 14-15 years and I dont recall the debt.. Who are the Associates anyways??


Submitted by Ohtoothfairy on Sat, 04/25/2009 - 12:19

Ohtoothfairy

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do not call them.re-send the DV letter.send it certified mail return receipt.also file AG complaints.they should be called the humanoids.they are not supposed to continue any collection activity until they validate.


Submitted by paulmergel on Sat, 04/25/2009 - 18:19

paulmergel

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Send them a copy of the original letter you received from them, a copy of your original DV request, their broke-@$$ response (claiming they requested more information), and your new request for DV.

Be sure to send it certified mail/return receipt requested. And hold onto that signature card for dear life, when you get it back.

This sounds like a new scheme Portfolio is working; claiming they have asked the one requesting the DV to provide more information, then closing out the dispute because they claim they never received the requested information. I think I've read a couple of posts from others here in this forum with the same type of story.

Uhm, isn't that the whole point of a DV request? The CA is the one being requested to provide information! It's not your job to provide them information. Your name and contact information should be all the need. They may be angling to get your SSN.

DON"T GIVE IT TO THEM!

My response from Portfolio, when I DV'd them, was one of those broke-@$$ statements they type up saying in essence "yes we claim you owe us money" with nothing from the original creditor submitted as proof. When I DV'd them again, telling them this wasn't good enough, I heard nothing more from them again for about 6 months. They sent me another collection letter in January of 2009 telling me I could conveniently use my tax return to pay a debt to them they never properly validated. Plus they have the item reported on my credit report and it is not reported as disputed.

I'm suing them.


Submitted by FloridaRon on Sun, 04/26/2009 - 05:13

FloridaRon

( Posts: 1190 | Credits: )


Here is a form letter that I sent to Portfolio Recovery Associates after they tried to say I owed a debt that was in my ex-wife???s name because we were married at the time. Our divorce was over 10 years ago. I sent them 40 copies of this letter from three different email accounts every day for two weeks and sent them a certified letter with return receipt. The last time I received any contact from them was three weeks ago. So maybe this will help you. Please feel free to use this letter.

Date
Your Name
Your Street Address
Your City State and Zip

Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
P.O.Box 12914
Norfolk VA 23541

Re: Account Number XXXXXXXXXX

Dear Debt Collector:
I would like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be documented and considered harassment. All future communications with me must be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.
In response to phone calls and letter received from you on 05/15/2009 and on 05/19/2009. pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b), I am requesting that you provide validation of this debt. Note this is not a refusal to pay, but a request that your offices provide me with evidence that I have a legal obligation to pay you.

I am requesting you to stop all collection activities including reporting this information on my credit report. Please dispatch copies of the following with your reply:

What the money you say I owe is for;
Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe;
Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
Identify the original creditor;
Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired
You are hereby notified that if you do not comply with this request, I will immediately file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Arkansas Attorney General???s office. Civil and criminal claims will be pursued.


Sincerely,


Your Name


Submitted by on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:53

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Excellent!

Ohtoothfairy,

They most certainly have to *prove* it's your debt. "I don't know what this is about" is all the proof you need. The accuser must prove the accusation as everyone is considered innocent unless it can be proved that they are guilty....

Don't worry - these people stoop to such low tactics because they have *nothing* to stand on and are hoping to intimidate you into handing them free money.

File a complaint with the FTC, the FCC, and your state Attorney General's office (links below).


Submitted by Chrys Henderson on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 23:23

Chrys Henderson

( Posts: 2538 | Credits: )


Thank you for the reply. I haven't heard from these people, (if they should be called that!) since I got their crappy response to my validation request. I am glad to know that *they* have to prove "I" owe them.. I was thinking that I would be the one to defend myself without them having any actual proof. I am worried if I send or ask for any addition info I would be asking for a lawsuit. I am filing reports. THANK you for the links as to where this should be done!!


Submitted by Ohtoothfairy on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 18:39

Ohtoothfairy

( Posts: 6 | Credits: )


Even *if* they file a lawsuit - which is doubtful because they seem to have trouble following the law to begin with - then it's more power to you (even if highly annoying).

While it is true that you do not want a judgment on your record (and they take full advantage of that fear) if you have all that documented proof that you attempted to uncover the source and meaning of this alleged debt that they summarily ignored, you can request that a judgment not be entered in your name - instead a payment arrangement should be worked out in exchange for them dropping the case (I am of course speaking of a collector who is able to prove the debt via Discovery).

After all, why should you get a judgment against you for an alleged debt of which you have no idea and they refuse to inform you about?


Submitted by Chrys Henderson on Fri, 05/22/2009 - 22:46

Chrys Henderson

( Posts: 2538 | Credits: )


I recently received a call from PRA saying that I owed them over $2000 for an account that was closed in 99. They said last contact and payment was made to the original creditor (Capital One) in 02. The original amount was for under $500 and disputed because I paid off that account along with several others at the same time. My husband and I just applied for a mortgage so I am very worried about my credit right now. Although I know this is past the 7yrs, of course the PRA associate scared me into a payment arrangement. (I will be the first to admit now, I feel duped.) She explained that they would still come after me for the money and it would keep increasing in amount. Ok, now the other stupid part. I have yet to receive anything in writing and ...sigh...I allowed the payments to come out in ACH form. I guess I was trying to do the right thing and pay the debt so it was just gone but, now I am wondering why I haven't received anything from them after 2 weeks. I also don't feel good at all about anything I am reading on the net about them. I know I have now reset the SOL as I have allowed a payment but, should I contact my bank to stop their access? Should I contact PRA and tell them I am retracting my payment arrangements? I am very confused and torn with what I should do now. Any help would be appreciated.


Submitted by on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 08:31

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they made payment arrangements with me and i never got anything and they say i am never getting anything. so, neither are they. I also was trying to do the right thing, but nothing in writing, nothing from me! I am just sorry you gave them bank info. I told them I didn't have a bank, and of course they didn't believe me and the girl stared yelling at me! Hopefully someone will come along here and help you.. I wish you well...


Submitted by on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 10:29

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Guest, you should close that bank account asap, NEVER allow anyone access to your bank account information. File a Complaint with the FTC, and your attorney generals office, and contact the manager of the bank and tell them that the money was taken illegally from your account and you want it replaced. Anytime in the future that you feel the need to pay on a debt, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING on the company letterhead and signed by an officer of the company. If they refuse to provide a written agreement tell them to "FOAD"!!


Submitted by on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 01:27

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A problem is, however, that the SOL has been reset in a deceptive manner, and hence against the FDCPA. The only 2 options you have, as I see it, is to go ahead and pay the rest of it off and have it sit around on your credit report for another 7 years (or negotiate with them for a pay for delete) or sue them for deceptive business practices by tricking you into paying on a debt that they could not legally collect on.


Submitted by Chrys Henderson on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 01:50

Chrys Henderson

( Posts: 2538 | Credits: )


Chrys...nothing can reset the DOFD at this point so any attempt for them to keep this on their CR for longer than the 7.5 year reporting period would be an FCRA violation. They have already violated the FDCPA for mis-representing the legal status of the debt to the poster. Guest, what state do you live in?


Submitted by NASCAR_Devil on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 03:46

NASCAR_Devil

( Posts: 4671 | Credits: )


Well, for practical purposes it might as well be, since a payment was made on it. And one can dispute it until the cows come home but since a payment was made, I can almost guarantee the CRA will not remove the mark nor will the CA.

Which is why I said the poster needs to sue them, it is probably the only way to take care of the problem, get a refund, and get the mark completely removed from their CR.


Submitted by Chrys Henderson on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 03:59

Chrys Henderson

( Posts: 2538 | Credits: )


It depends on the state. If the poster lives in any of the following, a payment alone will not reset SOL. It must be accompanied with a written acknowledgement of the debt and written promise to pay:

Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Texas, Virginia, West Virgina, Wisconsin


Submitted by NASCAR_Devil on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 04:30

NASCAR_Devil

( Posts: 4671 | Credits: )


Portfolio Recovery Associates is suing me. I tried to settle but they pulled the offer off the table when I insisted on something in writing before the money was taken out of my account. I guess I need a lawyer now. Anyone know of one, possibly familiar with these guys, in the Los Angeles area (Torrance courthouse)?


Submitted by pernicious000000 on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 12:51

pernicious000000

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Can anyone help me on this. I'm not sure what I need to do now. I live in Ks. The SOL here is 3yrs. I sent Portfolio Recovery Associates a certified letter requesting Validation of debt. This is what I received:
"Dear ***
Re: Verification Information Concerning PRA acc. 123456789
MBNA America Bank 987654321
The following information is being provided in response to your communication concerning account reference above. Account number 123456789 and its proceeds were sold, assigned and transferred by the Seller to Portfolio Rec. on 11/14/2006. At the time of the sale, the Seller provided an electronic file of its business records concerning this account. According to the Seller???s records, there was due and payable from Jane Doe to the Seller in the sum of $30531.31 with respect to the account as of 11/14/2006, there being no know un=credited payments, counterclaims, or offsets against this account at the date of its sale.

Here is a summary of additional information listed in the electronic file for this account:

Account holder???s name provided by seller: Jane Doe
Account holder???s last 4 digits of SSN: ****
Date Account opened provided by Seller: Jan. 4, 1994
Balance at date PRA purchase: $30531.31
Interest accrued since the date of purchase or last payment to PRA: $7821.03
Cost and other fees: $0
*Total Balance Due as of this Letter $38352.34

Please contact us if you would like to receive a payment history of payments that have posted to this account since our company purchased this account.
Contact information

If you wish to dispute this account, please send written documentation describing the nature of your dispute and any information or materials that may be helpful to our investigation so this dispute may be investigated in a timely manner. Please send all documentation related to disputes to the following address:"


Submitted by on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 08:39

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Actually, the SOL is 5 years, 3 years is for verbal agreements, which a credit card most certainly is not.

Even though they told you when they bought the account, it is not mentioned when it defaulted - which is when the SOL starts. Default is usually 90 days of non-payment to the original creditor. Since it was sold in 2006, I will assume that you stopped paying on it in 2003 or 04. Is this about right?

At any rate, I would respond with something to this effect:
Dear PRA,
Thank you for your verification letter dated 00/00/00. Without confirming nor denying this alleged debt, you specified that this debt which you claim belongs to me was purchased by you in 2006. But you neglected to provide a very pertinent piece of information, the date of Default. Please inform me as to the Date of Default of this alleged debt.
Thank you.

Whatever you say, please be very careful *not* to admit the debt, even if it is yours, until you can safely verify the SOL. Even *if* it is yours, and you know when it defaulted, make *them* provide you that date.


Submitted by Chrys Henderson on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 23:09

Chrys Henderson

( Posts: 2538 | Credits: )


I have been rtrying for years to straighten my credit file. It seems ebry time I try mudelinquent accounts get a new dat eof last activity ,, keeping them on my file longer them they should be .. what can I do ??


Submitted by on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:36

( Posts: 202330 | Credits: )


If any one out in web land sees this yes you can sue the hell out of portfolio recovery associates. I had an account with Sears Bank that went into collection & they kept calling me back in September & October 2008 & they would not stop calling me sometimes 3 times a day. what I did was contact a consumer lawyer in my area & there said to write a do not call letter to stop calling which helped for a while but I did sue the hell out of them because the went against the The Federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act ("FDCPA") which they were harassing me like every day. If you feel that they are harassing please feel to sue their ass off. please read this consumerjusticecenter.com/fairdebtcollection.htm

I finally won my case from these jerks.

Shawn Whalen
[email]shawnpwhalen@hotmail.com[/email]


Submitted by on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 12:00

( Posts: 202330 | Credits: )


Hi Everybody
Portfolio Recovery Associates
sued me over a passed statue limitions account done with a stolen ID I have proof since someone stole my SSI check besides my ID. So that is two things I am looking to get a class acction lawsuite against them.
I am looking for as many victims of Portfolio Recovery Associates
as possible esp Past Statue Of Limitations and Any Harrasment
cases anything they did illegal and getting a tax write off is allso illegal since the credit card company is the only one who can get that.
I am looking for all victims of Portfolio Recovery Associates and esp wheelchair bound or blind or deaf or terminal are most wanted besides normal people. I am setting up to get a class action law suite againt P.R.A.
Who buy the old debt for pennies on the dollar
and go to the news to call for a investigation and I.R.S. , they steped on the wrong toes ME. I want to sue them and looking for as many victims and if any of you have a video camera for MY SPACE,
YOU TUBE, FACE BOOK looking for victims that would be a big help you can use my address to look for victims for class action law suite and to call the news media to investigate all our situations with Portfolio Recovery Associates :shock: :oops: :x :x
Once I Have 100 or more letter saying they want to sue in a class action law suite then I will look for a lawyer
Ms Margaret Cabral
14 Elmcrest Terrace Apt 8
Norwalk, CT 06850


Submitted by on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 17:56

( Posts: 202330 | Credits: )


Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous
How will the SOL help me. The debt these people claim I owe on is over 16.5 years. what do I need to do to stop them from harrassing me?


That should be out of statute pretty much everywhere. Just to be safe, let's check it before you tell them to get bent. What kind of debt is it, and what state do you live in? It's actually been 16+ years since you last made a payment or a charge on the account?


Submitted by unclewulf on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:21

unclewulf

( Posts: 3172 | Credits: )


I recently was contacted by the company and they completely caught me off guard. I answered my boyfriends phone and they asked for me. The young lady was VERY nice so I put my guard down, accepted an agreement, gave account information. Today, 2 days later I found out that this debt was last paid on 2001, 9 almost 10 years ago, I contacted them and asked them to cancel my arrangement and requested validation. I just sent a certified letter for validation. The time for them to sue is past due (SOL 4 years). My question is, by speaking with them and making the arrangement (even though I cancelled it), have re aged the debt? No payments have been made.


Submitted by on Wed, 11/25/2009 - 14:04

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best advice to take out of any of these stories is stop listening to other peoples empty advice...alot of these comments i am reading are partially true and dont have full explanation on how each resolution might and might not apply to an individual situation...be informed about the federal and your own state laws...the information provided by other guests may be good at heart, but could also leave you high and dry listening to them....research is the key


Submitted by on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 17:06

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guest2009, that is so TRUE. People then use the SOL as a way out. Knowing they open up some accounts and chose to stop paying them. Portfolio Recovery is a good company to work verses NCO Financial. If PRA give you a settlement, I will advise you to take it. They will give you a deadline because there is still interest accuring on the account. When PRA purchase the debt, they also purchased the same contract from the orginial company.

The companies are not making money off of you, that is something you signed for. Consumers do not read the fine print. Consumers get credit cards and then live on them and stop making payments. Then they expect for them to go away. It doesn't work like that, so now you are getting sued by PRA.

Some consumers doesn't have morals and that is what it boils down too. Half or majority of the comments up here they know about the credit they had 20 years ago. You can't tell me you don't know what you purchased 20 years ago. Had you paid it 20years ago, no company should be coming after you. Consumers use credit before using cash. They get all the credit in the world and then file bankruptcy or they run from the debt until the SOL. That's why the bankruptcy laws were changed, for consumers that intentionally go out there and get credit they can't afford.

Be responsible and STOP trying to look for a way out.


Submitted by on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 05:30

( Posts: 202330 | Credits: )


Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous
guest2009, that is so TRUE. People then use the SOL as a way out. Knowing they open up some accounts and chose to stop paying them. Portfolio Recovery is a good company to work verses NCO Financial. If PRA give you a settlement, I will advise you to take it. They will give you a deadline because there is still interest accuring on the account. When PRA purchase the debt, they also purchased the same contract from the orginial company.

The companies are not making money off of you, that is something you signed for. Consumers do not read the fine print. Consumers get credit cards and then live on them and stop making payments. Then they expect for them to go away. It doesn't work like that, so now you are getting sued by PRA.

Some consumers doesn't have morals and that is what it boils down too. Half or majority of the comments up here they know about the credit they had 20 years ago. You can't tell me you don't know what you purchased 20 years ago. Had you paid it 20years ago, no company should be coming after you. Consumers use credit before using cash. They get all the credit in the world and then file bankruptcy or they run from the debt until the SOL. That's why the bankruptcy laws were changed, for consumers that intentionally go out there and get credit they can't afford.

Be responsible and STOP trying to look for a way out.



what it boils down to is your a humanoid,and should go back to the phones at good old PRA,and let the grown ups talk.


Submitted by paulmergel on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 05:53

paulmergel

( Posts: 15514 | Credits: )


I used to work for this company and I know how they think. The amount they say you may owe is probably correct. Interest remains on the account and fees from being charged off are included as well. You need to look up the "STATE OF LIMITATIONS" for your state. If it is clearly out of Statue then send them in a letter clearly stating that you want all communication ceased. This may only last 45 days according to them. If you would like to pay this you should call them the very last day of a month and offer them half to settle the account. I promise you they won't refuse.


Submitted by on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 17:12

( Posts: 202330 | Credits: )


Unfortunately, with the exception of leaving messages stating the company name at POE, PRA rarely breaks the FDCPA Laws. When an account has hit them it is in the last stage of collections which means the creditor has already tried to receive payment as well as an in house collection agency. I know it isn't the best thing to say and I know that they can be rude but honestly, that is how they are trained to be. As a prior employee, I used to get in trouble for being too nice! I tried to take into consideration what was the situation of the customer. However, that just got me written up. The laws most of the time are being followed. They can call you several times a day but may only leave one message per phone per day and after a message is left they may not call back. When speaking with them they are trained to know how to push your buttons without them losing control. Be careful. If you tell them you are recording the call then they will terminate the call immediately.


Submitted by on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 17:23

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