Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Calling or Harassing You?

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Stop Harassing Collection Calls From Portfolio Recovery

Approved under the consumer protection act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects your rights against unfair, abusive and deceptive collection behavior.

FDCPA violations by Portfolio Recovery Associates may include:

Call more than 5 times in one day

Calling before 8am or after 9pm

Use any abusive or obscene language

Contact any third party stating you owe a debt

Violence threats or any intent to harm you

Ask to pay more than what is owed

Make false or misrepresenting claims

Legal threats that you'll be arrested

We're Ready To Fight For You

Violations made by debt collectors can result in favorable decisions such as:

Cash Compensation

Receive up to $1,000 in compensation.

clean

Trade line deletion

Removal of negative reporting to credit

Debt Waiver

You will be paid in full amount

Cease and Desist

All communication from collector to consumer

Who is Portfolio Recovery Associates?

Portfolio Recovery Associates is a debt collection company that buys debt from bankruptcies, among other sources, including credit card debt. Typically, a company that buys debt gets paid once the debt is settled. As a result, they pursue debt recovery diligently, and at times, are liable to employ aggressive tactics as well.

Portfolio Recovery Associates typically collect debt on behalf of banks, retailers, student loan lenders, etc. and have reportedly contacted consumers through phone calls, leading to charges of trauma and harassment.

Why Is Portfolio Recovery Calling Me?

If Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) is calling you, it’s likely because they believe you owe a debt that they now own. Here’s how the process typically works:

  1. When an original creditor (like a credit card company or bank) is unable to collect on a debt, they often sell it off to a debt buyer for a fraction of the owed amount.

  2. Portfolio Recovery Associates is one such debt buyer. They purchase old debt accounts, then attempt to collect on these debts to make a profit.

  3. If PRA has purchased a debt that they believe you owe, they will likely begin a collection process. This usually starts with phone calls and letters aimed at convincing you to pay the debt.

Remember, just because Portfolio Recovery is calling you doesn’t necessarily mean you legally owe the debt. The debt could be so old that it’s beyond the statute of limitations for legal collection, or it could be a case of mistaken identity. In some cases, the debt could have already been paid or discharged in bankruptcy.

If you’re unsure about why Portfolio Recovery is calling you, or if you believe you don’t owe the debt, it’s a good idea to consult with a legal professional such as Legal Rights Advocates. We can help you understand your rights and navigate the situation. Furthermore, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides consumers with certain protections against harassment or abusive practices by debt collectors, and knowing these rights can be very helpful.

How To Get Portfolio Recovery To Stop Calling?

If you’re receiving frequent calls from Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA), it’s essential to know your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). You might be wondering, “Why doesn’t Portfolio Recovery leave a message?” or feel overwhelmed by their persistent attempts to reach you. Here’s how to get Portfolio Recovery to stop calling:

  1. Written Request: Send a formal letter to PRA requesting them to stop contacting you. After receiving this letter, they are legally obliged to stop communication except to confirm that they’ve received your request or to inform you about a specific action they intend to take.

  2. Dispute the Debt: If you believe the debt is not yours, you can send a dispute letter within 30 days of their first contact. Upon receiving the dispute letter, PRA must cease collection activities until they provide verification of the debt.

  3. Statute of Limitations: If the debt is old, it might be beyond the statute of limitations for collection. If this is the case, inform PRA that the debt is time-barred and they should cease contact.

  4. Hire a Lawyer: If PRA continues to call despite your efforts, consider seeking legal assistance. Legal Rights Advocates can guide you on how to handle this situation, and our intervention may deter further contact from PRA.

  5. Report to Authorities: If Portfolio Recovery calls every day despite your attempts to stop them, report them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your state’s attorney general office. These organizations can take action against PRA if they’re violating the FDCPA.

  6. Block the Calls: As a last resort, you can block portfolio recovery calls on your phone. Most smartphones have a feature that allows you to block specific numbers.

Remember, you have rights when dealing with debt collectors. If you’re feeling harassed or overwhelmed by the situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to a legal professional for guidance. They can help you navigate through your rights and options.

Is Portfolio Recovery a Legitimate Collection Agency?

Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) is a real debt collection agency that buys and collects unpaid debts such as credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans. They are based in Virginia and have been around since 1996. They use various ways to collect the debt, including phone calls, letters and legal actions. 

However, some people have complained about the way they collect debt and they have been sued and faced regulatory actions. It’s important to know your rights and make sure that any debt they say you owe is accurate before paying anything.

Has PRA been involved in any lawsuits or regulatory actions?

PRA has been in the news for cases of harassment in the form of the following actions:

  • Calling consumers at odd times, such as late at night or very early in the morning
  • Not identifying themselves or providing information about themselves
  • Disclosing details of the debt to persons other than the consumers
  • Making threats of taking legal action, when in fact they don’t have the grounds for it

In the year 2014, PRA was one of two debt collection companies that jointly paid $475,000 as penalties on accounts that were worth $16 million. These penalties were paid because of allegations by the State of New York that the collection efforts were not legal and that some of the debts were too old to be collected.

Earlier, in 2013, it was reported that Portfolio Recovery Associates attempted debt collection without verifying existence of the debt with the persons being called or checking up on the amount owed. Prior to this, there were allegations that the company used autodialers to call consumers’ cellphones without their express approval. There are also reports stating PRA was ordered to pay compensation to consumers for telling them wrongly that they would be sued.

Portfolio Recovery Phone Numbers

If these sound familiar, or relatable, you need to report it before it consumes you. A FDCPA lawyer can help you put together your case and help you understand your obligations as well.

Note some of the numbers associated with PRA:

If you get calls from any one of these, contact professionals without delay.

About Us

Legal Rights Advocates, PLLC is a law firm that helps clients who are facing harassment from debt collectors in any form, including telephone calls, texts, etc. Our team of attorneys, over the years, has helped countless clients get protections from debt collection practices that are deemed as unlawful and illegal.

If you are interested in learning more about how to safeguard yourself better from debt harassment, call us at (855) 254-7841 for immediate assistance.

What Our Clients Are Saying

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Levi PainterLevi Painter
04:38 28 Apr 23
Adam did a great job handling my case. Was able to get the loan dropped and now owe nothing. This company was very professional and did exactly what they said they would. Almost to good to be true!! Didn't actually believe it until I saw what they can do with my own 2 eyes. They really harrased me and kept calling over and over again. Stand up for your rights and let Adam handle your case!!!Did show up on my credit report as 4 missed payments which I did not expect because the loan was completely dropped but I am more than happy to take the hit on my credit report.
Marathon Lodge323Marathon Lodge323
15:13 19 Apr 23
The firm has been very supportive throughout the process. Adam Jeffery has communicated with me on a regular basis to keep me updated. It was a long time coming but everything turned out wonderful in the end. Thank you so much to legal rights advocates
Renee PonceRenee Ponce
19:57 23 Mar 23
Mark and Legal Rights Advocates were amazing! To begin with Mark returned my call from the website on a Sunday! In less than 2 weeks they had prepared a letter for the company on my behalf and in less than 6 weeks ALL my issues with the credit card company that was harassing me for the last year were solved! This included getting a financial bonus and making sure the credit bureaus correct my credit score! Mark was completely professional and had exceptional follow-up! VERY impressed! Thanks again!
Kendra LesleyKendra Lesley
22:40 06 Feb 23
I definitely recommend Legal Rights Advocates. I was being harassed by my credit card company they were calling a minimum of 10 times a day on the hour even ever half hour at times. Only after getting advice from Mark G on what to say to my creditors the calls stopped. Mark G is very helpful and friendly. I especially like how he follows up to make sure you aren’t having issues with your creditors.
Nick GalangNick Galang
16:46 09 Dec 22
Thank you Mark Gazda for your advice. You went above and beyond from what I initially expected, took the time to listen to my problem and also how to deal with the problem. He was very professional, communication is amazing, readily available. I'd definitely recommend him to anyone I care about!! He actually cares about his clients and You can tell it's genuine even the sincerity in his voice, he was comforting after being threatened by a collection agent. Thank you again for making my day better.
Charlene RiceCharlene Rice
05:27 16 Sep 22
When I had problems of scammers, Legal Rights Advocates was always there for me.They are always by my side when scammers were phishing for my money. They gave me timely advice on how to deal these scam crooks. I highly recommend them. So if you are having problems being harassed by scammers and robocalls, they will give you great advice. And you will have relief after taking to them. One of the best! Mark really helped me about dealing with threatening scam phone calls. He is truly a professional.He’s always by my side through thick and thin. I highly recommend.
Gift_Gift_
17:20 08 Sep 22
Gathering all information needed and keeping me posted on each step of the way made my experience exemplary.I’m thankful I found my way to Legal Rights Advocates and will refer them to anybody needing their services.
Kimberlee TrainerKimberlee Trainer
22:03 21 Aug 22
Arelys was very kind and willing to work hard for me. I was able to get through to her with questions regarding my case. She later transferred to another department and Adam stepped in. He was very professional and always available anytime I had questions. He did a great job helping to bring my case to a positive closure. I am very thankful for this group of people who helped walk me through a very difficult time in my life. I highly recommend their services and thank you so much Adam.
Marie DavisMarie Davis
22:42 09 Aug 22
I needed assistance with qualifying for my Social Security disability benefits. I reached out to Legal Rights Advocates, and I am so glad I did. They were experts at navigating through the Social Security Disability maze! They provided the representation and guidance I needed. I was approved for my disability benefits! I could not have done it without the help of Legal Rights Advocates. I would highly recommend their services if you need help getting your disability benefits.
Rae JorRae Jor
19:55 05 Aug 22
I was forced to pay something in full, with false threats of me going to court if it’s not paid that same day, being told I was accused of fraud, etc. I kept trying to call the accusing company after seeing a post of people getting scammed with false threats of court. I accidentally called Mark because of what Google showed me as I was searching for that company. He asked me about the company and were specific things happening to me, I said yes confusingly. He told me what the accusing company did was illegal. He took on my case, emailed me documents, and a little over a month he got my fees and everything else waived by winning the case because what happened to me was wrong. It also caused A LOT of hardship having to pay the accusing company $1300+ instantly out of pocket the day I got the threats. Mark has also got me $500 back on top of everything being waived. I’m impressed, I’m thankful, I didn’t have to come out of pocket for ANYTHING and let me add I’m not even in the same state as him. He was also very friendly, knowledgeable and checked in with me to keep me updated. I would recommend him to anyone who was in the same situation as I when it came to a loan company making threats if I didn’t pay in full that day. I do know if it ever happens again, who I can call 😃
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