Portfolio Recovery Associates
Reviews and Complaints

For several long months my phone has been ringing constantly from These hard headed people. I have informed them to cease calling and they are relentless. They call at all times of the day and even at night. Sundays even apply. I have asked them who they are and why they are calling and they refuse to let me have any information. They are extremly rude by refusing to identify their reason for calling and I am not about to reveal any info for any reason by way of phone. For all I know, they are a bunch of con artists and I want this to end immediately.

I have been harrased by this company for several months now. They keep telling me I owe $1900 to US Cellular. I havent had a US Cellular phone in over 15 years. They try and tell me that the account originated in 2006, but yet Ive been with Nextel and Verison sence 99... I wish I knew where they office was so I could DISCUSS this face to face, and see if they listen better when there phone is shoved up there a$%.

I don't have any debt like porfolio recovery debt collector call me many time in a day or night from many other states number to ask me very rude about the debt I never had. I answer them very politely and let them know they had wrong person, but they persist to harrass me. I have a feeling they are from a criminal gang who want to torture me to get money. I don't know how to stop them. They deserve to cope with the justice but no body do it now?

Portfolio started calling and sending letters a few years ago. They claim to be trying to collect a debt they claim I owe to Kay Jewelers that is over 16 years old, statute of limitations ran out long ago. I asked for proof such as a paper with my signature on it or a court judgment against me. They have neither. I told them to take me to court and they admitted that since the debt is so old that they can't do that. All they can do is harass me until I give up and pay them, which they told me they would do. Obviously, they don't realize how stubborn I can be. My phone I.D. box lets me know every time they are calling. I got creative and every time they call, I pick up the receiver and blow a whistle as loud as I can. The police actually said I could do this to harassing calls. I will do this until they stop calling or go deaf.

they call me been calling for a few weeks about a credit card i never had i mean i do know got it a few month ago keep telling them its not me they call me aliar its my bill and pay it or else well if i owed it y would they give me a card now but anyways the limations ran out a month ago and they are still trying to get it out of me even though i never lived where they say the card came from these ppl are rude and most dont speak english very well so that makes it even harder it comes up a 800 number but from the back ground noise sounds like there not from the ststes so becareful

stop calling me stop calling me stop calling me! everytime i see their number my blood boils im going to have a massive stroke and im only 35! they used to call at night now its bright and early right after 8 am... didnt hear from them for four days thought my trials and tribulations were over... wrong! lost my job due to car accident then couldnt get unemployment because car accident was no fault of my employer! these piranhas are the least of my worries! they dont leave messages and call from all sorts of numbers... i have them blocked but doesnt matter... we all get judged in the end...

I had a Mr.Lewis call me yesterday(saturday3, 2010) and tell me that i owe on a capital one credit card.I separated from my now ex wife in 1997 (not a legal separation) this bill happened in 1998, she had opened up an account in my name without my knowledge and created a bill $2000.00.I told them we were separated at the time but they still feel that this bill is my responsibility.It"s been 12 years and i am sure capital one has gotten there money from this, but i dont think i should have to pay for something i didnt create, and its kinda late to be asking for money when its been this long.

Portfolio Recovery has recently started calling us...seven days a week...calls start around 8;00am...I don't understand why...can't think of any reason for their calls...I believe what's not current has been paid off...we have'nt incurred any new debt in a long time...we ignore their calls...don't respond...as we feel this is a mistake on their behalf...harassment...anyone else going thru this?

They are trying to get me to pay a credit card bill on which I was the "secondary cardholder". This means another person is responsible for paying the bill, but my name was on the card. This is not "cosigning". Cosigning is where a person signs that they will pay the bill if the person who holds the card defaults. In this case my Father was "primary cardholder". I don't know exactly how much he owed, but I used the card and charged $2000. This was all unsecured debt meaning he had not put up anything as collateral. He died in 2006. We needed money so, my Sister got my Mom to mortguage the house. As a condition of the loan, we had to pay all debts. The loan company paid off all credit cards and all other debt including the debt that Portfolio Recovery is trying to get us to pay. The loan company has a receipt of their payment on behalf of my Mother. Portfolio Recovery is trying to "double dip" by trying to get me to pay a bill that my Mother paid for my deceased Father in 2007. They think that because my name was on a card that I have to pay. They are just trying to get money. They call constantly. They try to wear me down. We paid this bill in 2007 via the mortguage company. I don't know why Capital One Visa sold them this closed account. I don't know where they got this information. Capital One never called me probably because they knew I was not responsibe for paying. They card wasn't even in my name. They must all think that I'm a [censored] and don't know what a secondary cardholder is. I didn't sign any papers to own any credit card ever. I wouldn't qualify anyway because I never made enough money and never held a job for the 46 years that I have been on this earth as I am mentally disabled. I don't owe this debt and never did. All of my Father's debts have been paid. Good luck to these criminals. I guess they thought "at least we can try".
Even if I owed this debt they don't understand "you can't squeese blood out of a turnup". I can't work, am on welfare, and don't have anything to do except dog cuss them every time they call. I'll be waiting. LET EM CALL!. They're just blowing smoke up a mule's ### and are going to get kicked. My friends have notified the DA's office and my Dad worked for DOD for 30 years, and coached world class amateur sports, so I have some contacts in different spheres of influence. Portfolio has been calling my Mom for a couple of years trying to get her to pay credit cards that no one in this family has ever seen. She's mentally ill too and loves to chat with them about her childhood in Arkansas 60 years ago. My grandfather was a deputy prosecuting attorney for that state. My main mission is to protect my Mother. I watch her 24/7. Then I have someone who watches and protects me. This company will never get any money from me. They sent a letter saying that they were going to automatically deduct $700 from my Mom's credit union account. We had the Vice President of Finance at the credit union put a lock on her account. Portfolio said that my Mom had authorized the deduction. They are liars. My Mom nor anyone else authorized this deduction. She doesen't even know her account number or what a routing number is. The transaction never went thru. They called and said she gave them the wrong account number. I told them that she didn't authorize the transaction. They asked "How then did we get the account number?". I said "You tell me and we'll both know". Truth is they either got a bad number from the company that hired them or sold them the debt to collect, which is illegal, or they were just lying and never had an account number. They tried to get my 70-year old mentally ill mother to give them her account number so they could take money out of her account. If they had succeded we wouldn't be able to pay the mortguage and would have faced possible forclosure and we would both be on the street. My Mom just laughed and babbled some crazy story that happened in Arkansas 60 years ago. They are trying to steal from a little ole mentally ill widow who's husband protected the country from criminals like Portfolio. Even Al Capone wouldn't have done this. They aren't worthy to lik Al's feet. They are just a bunch of degenerate, low-life, wannabees. It's just a matter of time before the Justice Department shuts them down. No telling how much they have extorted. They are ripe for the plucking. A good lawyer or the government should sue them. Anyway don't pay them anything. They just go back and look for old financial records of transactions that have been paid and forgotten about. Since most people don't keep records that long, they try to fool people into thinking that they owe money. Just an old scam. I think O'Bama could step in and tell Portfolio Recovery that "the party's over", then fine them for breaking the laws. They prey on mentally ill people and widows. They think we have no power. Well see what happens to them. Anyone that has ever crossed me has met with ill fate, though not of my doing. It just happens. May Good Always Triumph Over Evil!

I recieved a call from this debt collector back in the fall 2017. To begin with, they ask for a different name than mine. I told them my real name and the male voice said; oh yeah, I need to speak to you. The customer service representative went on to inform me, I was deliquent with an outstanding credit card debt. My response was, what are you talking about? He explained the year this debt was made ( 200o ) and the outlandish amount. I disputed his comment. This young man seemed relentless, so I politely hung up the phone.

Then came the numerous telephone calls until, I finally responded and ask them to send more information pertaining to this account. I specifically asked for the original credit card statement that would show purchases, store (s) names and dates of these purchases. What do they do? They send a notice with the account holders name ( mine ), the amount or balanced owed, the date account was opened. That was it. It took Portfolio three months to send that measly little bit of information? What happened to my REQUEST to review the original credit card statement?

Portfolio Recovery even sent me an Identity Theft Affidavit form to fill out. I refused to fill it out and send it back. It was asking too much personal information on myself. Why would they want MY drivers license number on this form? In this affidavit it wants me to point fingers by asking; person or persons that might had used my personal information to obtain money, credit, loans & etc... I'm not aware of anyone that would do that. It just made me uncomfortable to answer some of the questions.

The latest notice from Portfolio Recovery Associates was to let me know this will be an ongoing dispute. I'm starting to feel harrassed at this point. Maybe, I should contact the Federal Trade Commission about this dilemma. I agree with others, that Goverment should step in and stop these collectors. I've heard many stories from persons, that couldn't deal with this kind of mental and emotional cruelty.

A payment plan and settlement for my husband's account was established between myself and Phillips and Cohen Associates which I have abided by, however they in error closed the account and sent it back to Portfolio Recovery because someone there thought my husband was deceased. I have made the payment every month and never been late but now they are not correcting the problem by recalling the payment arrangements that they initially offered my and I accepted. In addition, Portfolio Recovery released account information to a third party(my in-laws) without consent. They have also made several calls to my personal cell phone after I have asked them to not call it and they often begin the conversation by telling my I have their condolences after I have told them numerous times that my husband is alive and well! I have been told numerous times over the past 2 months that the problem would be corrected by recalling the account and arrangements since by husband isn't deceased and payment arrangements have been kept, however the problem still is not fixed and the calls continue. The representatives from both offices have been very pleasant but I just want the problem corrected as quickly and eaisly as possible to avoid legal action. One particular representative from Phillips and Cohen Associates by the name of John has went out of his way to try to get the problem corrected but it is out of his hands.

Statesboro Ga News

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Hey consumers,

Did You Receive a IRS 1099-C from Junk Debt Collector Portfolio Recovery Associates?
SBM Staff

Originally I had read about Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc. sending out questionable IRS 1099-C Misc Income statements in October 2009. From what I have gathered are: (1) these are time barred debts (past state statute of limitations), (2) that the amounts being reported are the face value of an alleged debt, when Portfolio Recovery Associated may have only paid pennies on the dollars for the debts that they are sending 1099’s for, and (3) consumer has never done business with Portfolio Recovery Associates (no business to consumer transaction), (4) no products or services we provided to the consumer by Portfolio Recovery Associates, (5) that Portfolio Recovery Associates may or may not have proper documentation of the debt.

From a FMD Consumer reader (March 1, 2010)

Portfolio Recovery - "After years of harassing phone calls, I sent them a cease & desist letter. Their response was 8 1099'c in the amount of $80k.

They are trying to write off dollars amounts on debts that are not theirs. They are scamming the people and the IRS. My 85yr. old husband is frantic. Could you possibly help or direct?

They apparently laugh at lawsuits as they are not new to them. But, we are, and it is making us crazy. Are you aware of class action lawsuits in this matter? PLEASE, PLEASE, HELP!" ~ Fran S.

If you have received such IRS 1099-C forms/statements from Portfolio Recovery Associates there are several things you can do.

It is imperative that all consumers that have received such 1099 forms to notify authorities so that enough complaints are lodged with the IRS, FTC and US Postal Service that they take action. By not doing so you are allowing Portfolio Recovery Associates to continue this questionable and possibly illegal activity.

As a reminder I am not an attorney nor may the information contained here be construed as legal advice. The information contained here are merely suggestions on how to deal with this issue.

First of all don’t panic.

Secondly, dispute the debt with Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. If you have already done so in the past do it again and send it certified US Postal mail so that you have proof that you have.

Secondly you should contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by sending them an “Affidavit of Fact” regarding the 1099-C form you received (attach a copy to the affidavit). An affidavit can be a simple written or typed statement containing one or more of the following:

1) I have never had an account with Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.

2) Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. and I have never entered into any type of written agreement.

3) Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. has never presented me with any goods or services.

4) The account referenced by Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. is long past my State statutes. (If this applies).

5) I have never done business with Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.

Be sure to sign and date the affidavit and have the affidavit notarized, send it to the IRS via certified mail so that you have a record of delivery. Attach a copy of the 1099 form to the affidavit.

Now it’s time to bring Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc’s activities to the attention to the authorities, namely the Internal Revenue Service, Federal Trade Commission and the US Postal Service (mail fraud complaint).

Since you have never done any business (consumer to business transaction), and following the assumption that Portfolio Recovery Associated didn’t pay the full face value of the alleged debt the first order of business is to file a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service.

Report Suspected Tax Fraud Activity
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0, , id=106778, 00.html

Next is has been suggested to file a “mail fraud complaint” with the U.S. Postal Service.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (collection agency)
120 Corporate Blvd., #100
Norfolk, VA 23502
www.portfoliorecovery.com
IRS No.:[protected] (DE Corp)
NASDAQ: PRAA

Third, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

Lastly, it might be prudent to retain an attorney that is familiar with fraudulent business activities and find out if you have an actionable case against Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc. I do believe that if such cases were filed that the consumer would wind up winning. If it ever happens to me you can bet I’ll be litigating and publicizing it.

Remember there are more consumers than debt collectors, consumer need to band together to fight and publicize questionable and illegal debt collection practices. The Federal Trade Commission so too slow to take remedies against bad debt collection tactics, so we must step forward and begin the “fight” ourselves.

If we sit back and do nothing, then nothing will happen. On the other hand, if we all band together then we can b eat these turkeys at there own game.

I went to withdraw from my savings account today and was told that Portfolio Recovery had withdrawn from my account leaving it in a deficit balance. I don't know why they took the amount and last I knew if the amount couldn't be collected in full, there wouldn't be an attempt to take any part of it. I want to receive the amount back in my account, but don't know how to do this .

i have asked them to stop calling me at work and i still get calls on a daily basis . and then they blow up my cell phone with calling. they have even called my son;s phone
he told them more than once its not my phone but they harrass him daily too

I have been getting phones calls from an unknown number for three months and they would leave a message on the answering machine that it is Portfolio Recovery and they are attempting to collect a debt. My husband decided to answer the phone last night for the woman to ask for me by my maiden name. When he explained that I no longer go by that name she stated that she is collecting a debt on behalf of Bayfront Medical Center.

When I picked up the phone they gave me the statement that they are attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained would be for that sole purpose. Then she just started rambling about the bill and how much it was and that I must not have had insurance and that I need to pay my bills. This debt dates back to 1999...my shock when I asked why have I not been contacted in over 10 years. That is when she started yelling at me saying that a letter was sent to my mom's house in Florida last month, April 2010. I again asked why it has taken so long for them to contact me about the debt, at that time the immature and rude young lady told me to SHUT UP that SHE was talking (the caps are her screaming at me over the phone). Then she told me that I knew about the debt because I called them in 2007 to which I stated if I had known about this debt do you think I would have picked up the phone when I saw your number? She then starting screaming at me again about how I did call them and that is why they sent the letter to my mother's house. I explained if I called in 2007 why did you just now send a letter to my mom's house in 2010. At that point she was still yelling at me so I hung up the phone.

Bottom line, if it is a debt that owe then I need to pay it. But what I don't appreciate is the fact that they have employees screaming at me over the phone when I am just trying to understand why it has taken them so long to find me to mail me a letter. Why if you are collecting a debt you are not the least little bit friendly over the phone? Mom always said you catch more bees with honey then with ###.

I received a bill from this collection agency (?) for a debt I do not owe with Sears. In addition, I filed a Bankruptcy in 1994, and in 2003 which discharged all personal debts.

I did not return a telephone call. I emailed them via their email address: [protected]@portfoliorecovery.com with complaint,
requesting a cease and desist.

This is not a professional company, I think.

Account: $2, 198.89 for a Sears Bill?
I haven't received a Sears Bill since 1994.
Nell Williams

It is time for action against companies ripping off (actually it is “stealing” from) the public with the courts, politicians & attorneys all working/conspiring (The BBB of Florida says this is an A+ Company) together to perpetuate this crime. We would like to know why politicians support and encourage the predatory business practices of "sacred cow" business entities and allow them to skirt/twist the law, or use the law to steal from the public? This is no big secret, this is common knowledge, it is completely inexcusable and borders on complicity.

Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC is in operation, and is by their own admission, operating in all 50 states. This interstate (criminal) activity should be looked at under RICO, and the perpetrators be prosecuted to the fullest extent. But realistically this "sacred cow" will continue to steal and defraud, with the help of the courts, politicians, & attorneys. The courts, attorneys & politicians have one set of laws for the general public, and another for “sacred cow” businesses.

The following is a good start on where Attorney General’s of the states & Federal Prosecutors need to start with this company. If this is not done, this company and others will continue to break the law with impunity and immunity.

"We take action in those cases that appear to pose the greatest amount of harm to the consumers of the state of Washington." Ferazza, Michelle (ATG)

The typical political response from the Washington State Attorney General office. The business is doing wrong, we will ask the company if they are doing wrong, and when they respond, we will take it as coming from the bible. Does the Attorney General do this with all the criminals? How stupid do you thinkthe public is?

Its nice to know a double standard exists here. Ya’ll know this company is breaking the law, yet you don't care, refuse to do your job, and even assist this company.

By your actions, we know who butters your bread.

You don't like this email tough! Do something about these criminals. Is the AG afraid of criminals with millions, and their morally inept attorneys. Click the link, google this company and see what they are really up to. But your afraid to act against these criminals.

“Must apologize, lost it writing to these political people, “If Mr. has a more specific complaint -- i.e., ” Christopher D. Welch Senior Investigator Consumer Protection Division Office of the Attorney General. Seems they all hold the same opinion, “this is not our problem”. We are wondering what is “more specific”?

Tom Normandin asks “What’s RICO?”

How About John Fuller and Portfolio Recovery Associates in the Same Room?

John Fuller was named to Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (PRA) Board of Directors on March 1, 2010. Fuller brings to the table over $100 million in questionable judgments obtained in Marion Superior Court, Indiana along with some baggage he obtained from failed CARBIZ INC.

John Fuller is also Chairman of Dealer Services Corporation (DSC), a used car flooring lender headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. Both Fuller and David Michael Hockett claim to have founded DSC in 2005. Previously they both worked together at CITA, AFC and Auction Broadcasting Company.

DSC used their hometown Marion Superior Court Indiana to obtain judgments on nearly a thousand small used car dealers, ringing up over $100 million in default rulings. DSC complaints claimed criminal fraud against mostly unrepresented out-of- state used car dealers who were unable pay the 250% interest charged by DSC. With no attorneys to defend themselves in Indiana’s kangaroo court, the Marion Superior Court awarded DSC treble damages, with scant evidence of any criminality.

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (PRA) is a colossal debt collection company. They operate by purchasing old debts which are expired and legally outside the statue of limitations. The consumer may know this and not pay, but PRA threatens to send the consumer a 1099C and contact the IRS. PRA also receives a tax deduction.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koste sued PRA for scamming people who don’t owe money.

Other state agencies have turned a blind eye. In California, the Department of Corporations (DOC) was warned in early March 2008 by Michael Grissom, a victim of DSC, of their unlicensed lending. DSC immediately filed for a lending license with the DOC on April 1, 2008.

However, DOC attorneys aided DSC in obtaining lenders licenses, failing to report felony loan-sharking activity and violations of usury laws. The DOC collected $60, 000 from Dealer Services Corporation and signed an agreement not to assist victims caught up in DSC’s illegal lending activities. Records subpoenaed in Riverside were opposed as “not relevant” by DOC attorney John Drews. A subpoena served in separate conversion case against DSC in Orange County Superior Court was quashed by DOC’s senior counsel Doug Gooding, who personally appeared at Superior Court in Orange County to argue the motion.

The Securities and Exchange Commission watched as John Fuller, President of Dealer Services Corporation (DSC), and CARBIZ INC did some fuzzy math before CARBIZ ceased operations and turned over their assets February 12, 2010.

CARBIZ cited an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement with DSC as the triggering event. On January 18, 2010, SEC Form 8-K states that DSC declared CARBIZ in default of their indebtedness of $16, 426, 810. The triggering arrangement was DSC’s monthly deferral fee of $350, 000, which amounted to 40% interest, paid to DSC for three months beginning August 2009.

SEC accounting Branch Chief Andrew Mew had earlier expressed concern when he wrote CARBIZ, requesting them to explain how they calculated 16.24% as the average effective interest rate in their debt to DSC.

CARBIZ responded to the SEC on November 12, 2009, claiming their debt to DSC was at a “global rate” of 12% interest: "Our effective interest rate may be more properly described as a global rate... the DSC debt has significant additional fees that are considered borrowing expenses... The SWC debt (now retired) and the DSC debt both have stated interest rates of 12%.”

CARBIZ also stated on Form 10-K/A filed December 1, 2009 that “We are not a party to any off balance sheet arrangements”. /s/Stanton Heintz

Madness! John Fuller Joins Portfolio Recovery Associates
John Fuller, the man behind 100, 000 usury loans in California, is going to be on the Board of Directors of Public Recovery Associates, Inc (PRA) - NASDAQ:PRAA
Here is the mentality of PRA: The debt is expired and legally outside the statue of limitations. The consumer knows this and will not pay PRA. However, what if you have to pay the IRS when PRA sends the consumer a 1099C? Madness! Then Portfolio Recovery Associates receives a tax deduction too. Madness!
John Fuller is also Chairman of Dealer Services Corporation (DSC), a used car flooring lender that he and Mike Hockett have both claimed to have founded in 2005. DSC, using their hometown court in Marion County, Indiana, has sued over a thousand small car dealers across America, ringing up over $100 million in judgments.
The Marion County Court allows DSC to claim they have been criminally defrauded by mostly out of state used car dealers. Unable to afford to defend themselves in Indiana’s kangaroo courts, DSC is awarded TREBLE damages, with scant evidence of actual damages.
DSC corporate counsel John Wick was in Riverside, California Superior Court today in another attempt to beat down a used car dealer who dared to challenge DSC’s unlawful lending in California. Plaintiff Michael Grissom sued DSC in 2007 after DSC agents misrepresented to him that they were licensed to do business in California as a lender.
However, when Grissom reported DSC’s unlicensed lending to the Departments of Corporations (DOC) in March 2008, DSC immediately filed for a lending license with the DOC on April 1, 2008. With the assistance of DOC counsel John Drews and Doug Gooding, DSC avoided felony loan-sharking charges and violations of the California Constitution’s laws prohibiting usury. DSC paid $60, 000 to the DOC who agreed not to report the felony loan-sharking activities of DSC.
The California Department of Justice has also delayed turning over public records and documents confirming the DOC cover-up; even when the DOC is facing a Mandamus hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court in April 2010 for violations of the Public Records Act.
DOC attorney Doug Gooding, in a ten month search for additional records, was able to find ten pages, which consisted of eight pages that had been provided to the DOC by the requestor. Part of his duties over the last ten months included personally appearing in a limited civil case in Orange County to prohibit access to DSC records.
Is Justice Coming?