Portfolio Recovery Associates , LLC or PRA Group is a debt purchaser and third-party debt collection agency based in Virginia. PRA has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), such as using false or misleading information in an effort to collect a debt and failing to provide written verification of debts. If PRA Group has contacted you about delinquent collection items, make sure you understand your rights before you respond.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC was founded in March 1996 and incorporated in April 1996. The BBB established a profile page for PRA in December 1996, and PRA has been a BBB-accredited business since then. The BBB lists Portfolio Recovery Associates as a collection agency that uses the alternate business names, PRA III, LLC and Anchor Receivables Management. Buzzfile estimates PRA’s annual revenue at $56.1 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 320 employees, with an estimated 520 total employees across all locations.
According to its website, PRA “is one of the nation’s largest debt collectors, … employing more than 5,000 people across the Americas and Europe. Since its inception, PRA… has …offered… customers solutions for resolving their debt with a focus on treating customers fairly and with respect.” PRA states that it does not “charge junk fees” or “sell…customer accounts to anyone else.” PRA is “committed to helping …customers resolve …outstanding debt and to designing…payment plans that fit their budgets.”
Portfolio Recovery Associates collects delinquent debts for financial services companies such as banks and credit unions, as well as many retail businesses that offer credit. Unlike many third-party collection agencies that collect debts for creditors that still own and control the consumers’ accounts, PRA is a debt purchaser. When PRA contacts consumers regarding a delinquent debt, it “means the bank or creditor has made a business decision to sell the debt. The right to collect the account has been transferred to PRA, the company to which the consumer now owes the debt.”
The PRA website does not provide a lot of detailed information about their business practices. Instead, most of this information is presented in question-and-answer form on the Frequently Asked Questions page, which provides information about how to make payments to PRA and PRA’s policy for reporting delinquent items to the credit reporting agencies.
PRA states that it “strives to provide professional and courteous service to all… customers.” PRA cites membership in the Receivables Management Association (RMA), and their home page provides contact information for their Compliance Officer. However, there are no links or references to consumer protection resources, laws, or enforcement agencies.
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of collection harassment and abuse. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. We’ve helped more than 15,000 consumers stop harassment and recover money from debt collectors. Harassed? Abused? Misled by a collector? Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
As of December 2019, the BBB has closed a staggering 1,342 complaints against Portfolio Recovery Associates in the preceding 3 years, with 351 complaints closed in the previous 12 months. Most of those complaints cited problems with billing and collections, although many complaints also cited problems with customer service and sales.As of February 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 11,691 complaints involving PRA. Justia lists at least 20 cases of civil litigation involving PRA.
Portfolio Recovery Associates
120 Corporate Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone Number: 800-772-1413
Website: http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely PRA would sue you for a debt you may not owe or they cannot validate. However, debt collection agencies are known to have summoned debtors to court and garnish wages after a default judgement. Contacting an attorney BEFORE this could possibly happen would be a smart move. We’ve helped thousands of consumers fight back against unscrupulous debt collection harassers. Find out if we can help you too today!
Get Free BBB A+ Attorney. Call 475-277-1600 NOW
Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Absolutely. You can sue a debt collector.
In 2018, Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC was on the receiving end of a proposed class action lawsuit that claims it violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) by implying in a collection letter that consumer debt disputes must be submitted in writing. The letter allegedly contained a “DISPUTES CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS,” which provided a physical address to which the plaintiff could mail disputes. The suit argues that the address would mislead the unsophisticated consumer into thinking he or she may only submit disputes in writing rather than over the phone as provided by the FDCPA.
Here are some Press Releases of Lawsuits Brought On By Lemberg Law against PRA
February 4, 2017. On behalf of our client, Lemberg Law filed a complaint in U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. The case, against Portfolio Recovery Associates , charges the debt collection agency with violating federal law and asks for $1,000 in statutory damages, plus other relief.
Owing a debt is tough. Owing a debt that you can’t pay is worse. Our client says that Portfolio Recovery Associates called him, and that he told the debt collector that he couldn’t pay the debt because his only source of income was Social Security. Portfolio Recovery Associates called him a “deadbeat.” Fast forward five months, and our client says he again spoke to PRA and told the debt collector he wasn’t able to pay the debt. That time, he says that the debt collector said they would continue to call anyway. When our client told Portfolio Recovery Associates that he had hired Lemberg Law, he says that Portfolio Recovery Associates told him he should still pay the debt.
The lawsuit charges that Portfolio Recovery Associates violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) by engaging in harassing behavior; by using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt; and by using abusive language.
February 2, 2017. Owing a debt is bad enough without broadcasting the information to your friends and loved ones. Our client tells us that Portfolio Recovery Associates contacted her fiance in an attempt to collect the debt from her. Portfolio Recovery Associates disclosed that the call was an attempt to collect a debt, and demanded that her fiance make a payment. Needless to say, our client was embarrassed and stressed.
The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, charges that Portfolio Recovery Associates violated the FDCPA by engaging in harassing behavior; by communicating with a third party about the debt, and by using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt. The suit asks for $1,000 in statutory damages, plus other relief.
January 30, 2017. On behalf of our client, Lemberg Law filed a complaint in U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina. The case, against Portfolio Recovery Associates, charges the debt collection agency with violating federal law and asks for $1,000 in statutory damages, plus other relief.
Imagine trying to explain to a debt collector that you can’t afford to pay the bill. Then imagine them calling your parents’ house and telling them about your debt! That’s what our client says happened when Portfolio Recovery Associates called her and she told them that she was having financial problems and couldn’t repay the debt. She says that PRA kept calling her, and then called her folks and left a voicemail saying that the debt collection agency was trying to reach her in order to collect a debt.
The lawsuit charges that Portfolio Recovery Associates violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) by engaging in harassing behavior; by using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt; and by telling third parties about the debt.
Federal laws protect you. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the behavior of collection agencies by prohibiting actions such as the use of abusive or threatening language; harassment; or the use of false or misleading information to collect a debt. The FCRA regulates how collection agencies and creditors report delinquent debts to credit reporting agencies. Additional consumer protection laws include the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).
Consumers have reported this agency harassing them from the following numbers:
Yes. If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. Federal laws provide individuals like you with a means to seek monetary damages in court. For example, the FDCPA allows consumers who have been violated to recover damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs.
You may have a case, if…
“We were so impressed with how the attorney listened to us and understood the position we were in. Thank you for stopping the calls. The check was a nice bonus, but mostly we’re glad we’re not being hounded anymore.”
“Lemberg Law contacted me within a couple of hours of me submitting my info on their site. That same day Daniel emailed me instructions on what to do the next time the collection agency called. Within a week, the calls had stopped. Today marks week 2 and we’ve not had a call in three days. I can’t say thank you enough.”
“I can’t praise your service enough. I was lost and just really wanted my credit report cleaned up. You have gone beyond my expectations. Thanks again!”
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Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
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Can you help me with PORTFOLIO RECOVERY? They put a judgment on me on a debt that I never got the paperwork till after the court date.
PRA bought “paper” from Synchrony Bank formerly GE Capital, they are trying to collect on a debt that was part of a Major Lawsuit brought by DOJ and CFPB, which additionally required Synchrony Bank to Provide Consumers Relief, and delete history from consumers file. I haven’t been able to secure credit for 6 years, and PRA is still trying tp collect that they have yet to prove the original debt of GE Capital. SYNCHRONY Bank never extended credit, only forced by the courts to administer GE Capital debt.
Portfolio Recovery Associates actually moved an agent into the house next door. The things they’ve done to me wouldn’t be allowed at a dog pound.
Respectfully,
Michael G*
I’m receiving at least one call from PRA every day from a different number. I created a contact for them and then blocked them….that was about 25-30 phone numbers ago, they continue to call…The INSANE part is they’re calling for the person who had this phone number before me! I’ve told them my name is not (Gloria) and I don’t know anyone named Gloria….my name is not Gloria and it’s never been Gloria, because I’m a male, and Gloria is 99.9% of the time a females name…plus I’ve never had a Victora’s Secret store card & most likely never will. Apparently that wasn’t enough to prove that my name is not Gloria and I don’t shop at Victoria’s Secrect…. I Just received another call 4/22/2022 @ 3:36pm CST on a Saturday…
Can portfolio recovery leave voice-mails on your cell phone identifying themselves as a debt collecto?r my voice mail doesn’t even say my name its a standard please leave your message after the tone. I just got a voice from them. My debt is around $600 I fell on hard times and trying to recover from it since I’m finally back at work
They think they are sneaky. They think they are getting away with certain things. I have a way to get them shut down. Possibly for good. I may even use Lemberg Law when I have everything I need. They think they are untouchable, but they aren’t. They bullied the wrong person.
Yup,
I don’t know these people. Saying I owe over 1,000 yet they just popped up on my report and i haven’t had any cards for years. So this should be interestin. Sent them a 609 letter through transition I believe and they removed them selves then just came back with a ding re stating what the dept amount was and that I owe “$0”
I have asked Portfolio Recovery twice in writing to provide debt validation information. Each time they state that they bought the debt and the original creditor transfered them the electronic file. In the most recent letter they sent me they enclosed a letter on Capital One letterhead stating that they sold the account to PRA. PRA STILL has not provided any of the validation information I requested. Am I within my rights to ask a third time for validation information and telling PRA if they fail to provide it I will assume they do not have the ability to validate the debt under the legal requirements of the FDCPA, and are hereby waiving claim to the debt?
Received legal paperwork from PRA for post judgement discovery information. Judgement was issued 01/2019 and I just received this paperwork 03/01/2021! I don’t know what to do… I’m in my early 40’s and had to move back in with my mother several years ago. I’m unemployed. Help!
September 17, 2020 balance was updated January 21, 2021 for $506 by Portfolio Recovery Associates. No account information provided on credit report from this company. I would like this removed from my credit report because I have no record of this company and they have not reached out to me in regards to this information they provided to the credit bureaus. I was locked up so that’s the reason for my dispute.
September 17, 2020 balance was updated January 21, 2021 for $506 by Portfolio Recovery Associates. No account information provided on credit report from this company. I would like this removed from my credit report because I have no record of this company and they have not reached out to me in regards to this information they provided to the credit bureaus. I was locked up so that’s the reason for my dispute.
Portfolio Recovery Associates keeps calling me even after I told to stop contacting me. I get calls everyday from different numbers. I just hang up on them now. They are annoying and harass you in every way possible. They don’t listen even after you tell them to stop calling you. I am not sure how the law works. I know I blocked about 20 numbers from them and it s new one almost every day. I get sometimes 2-3 calls a day from these people, if not every other day. I thought once you tell them to stop calling you they are not allowed to do so anymore. I don’t know the laws.
Been calling for 4 years now on a debt that was part of our bankruptcy in 2012. We relinquish our car back to Santander and the Chapter 11 was paid in full by 2013.
By mistake I answered a call, gave them the docket number and the calls stopped for 4 months.
Guess what again they began calling . So now I just block it, report the number on average 3 times a week.
Trying to fool a retired Firefighter Paramedic on a fixed income. Sad but not 1 dime will.every be sent to this fraud.
I just had 25.00 processed out of my checking account by this company, but I have not talked with them or set up any sort of payments.
I have started receiving call from this company. If I had a legitimate debt – why haven’t I received anything in the mail? I filed bankruptcy 1/2017 and I find that most of the calls were added to that bankruptcy.
I like how everyone is saying they are have been dealing with this company portfolio recovery services for only 2 or 3 years but for me I have been dealing with these guys for about 8 years. They did report on my credit and ruin my credit for a while until I found credit karma and had credit karma take it off my credit. They sold my account to different people in their system and this account took place in 2011 it has been now 9 years. they started calling me after this coronavirus pandemic started as well okay I’m laid off work and no I cannot pay a debt that I do not owe any more. I know these companies write it off on every tax year and they get credit for it. my problem is they only call me about once a month now and I only get a letter at the very end of the year.
The court ruled in my favor and the company keeps calling. I explained that the matter was taken to court , to stop calling, and confirm my information via mail . I ended up unplugging my phone. I have at least two recordings and the ruling from the court.
I just recently started getting calls from this company. They call from numbers that look like local phone numbers to persuade you to answer the phone, and every time they call it is a different number. That in itself does not seem legal. They have none of my current information. When they called they gave me an address I lived at over 15 years ago. When I advised the representative I have not lived at that address in over 15 years and if you have any information for me that is legit it needs to be mailed to me. She then provided me with my DOB. I told her that “a DOB is very easy to find on the internet and that does not impress me. Please have all further correspondences to me via mail.” I suppose I will see if they call back.
I am also receiving calls, E-correspondence and Postal-communications about my (admitted) pre-existing debt – that has been referred to PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES.
Should I begin paying (I hope to save enough money over-time) this ^ debt through Payments, or considering this company’s “shaky-reputation” should I accept the citation that is posted at my county courthouse – to cover this debt?
Continued harassment from this portfolio recovery associates ,just went before a motion for default judgement and the judge reversed his decision for me on the response that they never responded to my 14 day civil summons that was issued in may 2019: this is for 1 account with them and have another that I need to get fixed also Thanks
PRA has been harassing mCell Phone, and my FAMILY landline # for 2 YEARS, daily, for 57.00 I owed JC Penny on a 237.00 Purchase, which I paid down to 57.00 on schedule…. (which I am willing to PAY) I never defaulted on this debt…….JC Penny had (for NO REASON) dropped my CREDIT Limit, and began adding unjust INTERSEST to the 57.00……JC Penny went OOB and sold a FAKE 329.00 Debt to the EVIL PRA, who has relentlessly HARASSED our Family for 2 YEARS!!!!!!! I offered to pay my ORIGINAL debt of 57.00……They use PHONY phone #’s/Call DAILY muliple TIMES and at ALL Times! I have sent CEASE and DESIST e-mails to PRA…they INCREASE the calling! I am NOW Filing a Small Claim in my County and Reporting them to the BBB……..I will NOT deal with DEVIL any longer!!! PRA is going to PAY ME now! Until this ROBO Call Debt BUYER is OOB , I will HAUNT them now!
I dont think I have a case because I refuse to answer these calls. What amazes me, though, is how many numbers they call from. I have blocked at least 10-15 numbers by now and they just come up with a new one every damn day. Even on weekends. Arent they supposed to be based in one place? How are they calling from so many numbers? I am so tired of having to have my ringer off because these clowns are constantly calling, every day at random times. I am sick on ssi right now, so whatever they are calling about, if it’s for me, I would not be able to pay right now anyway. I have been threatened by this sort of people before and fear if I answer the calls will just get worse.
I got a call from PRA about my girlfriend’s debt on Friday, July 12. As we are not married, I feel pretty safe in assuming there is no reason why I should be getting contacted about her finances or that they should even be looking for my information in the first place.
My son owes money to J C penny’s he gave them my phone number and address now I am being harassed
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2470502253002388&id=100001279138818&sfnsn=mo
They called me on an out-of-stat debt and tried to play me. They didn’t get very far. I made the above video public oh, so you should be able to watch it without a problem.
This collection agency deleted my number on 5-1-2018! How many times do they have to be told this!
Since 8:19am this morning Phone calls from
951-234-8196 -8:19am
” ” 9:35am
” ” 3:52pm
213-281-9711 5:00pm
213-281-9711 5:03pm
This is just a few calls for today normally I get called almost 10 times a day.
I called and asked to be removed from the call list but first they wanted an address and I kindly said no… This is for a debt that happened to be 8 years old. They have not listed this on my credit report.
I was contacted by email because of legislation in NY against robotics calls. I’ve blocked all numbers from Portfolio Recovery Associates that I could as well as Diversified Consultants and Midland Credit Management. I’ve changed my number at least 4 times due to an IDIRECT threat to sue me for a debt I don’t owe that I dispute actively. I’m called by spoofing while at work. I was once called by an agency using my local hospitals maternity ward number. I can’t afford any debts due to cost of living and the Obama Care Penalties to the IRS , as well as student loans. If I pay 1 I can’t buy food. If I’m sued, I can’t buy food. I can’t afford healthcare and these damb collection agencies wont leave me alone.
They sent me a note that changed the date of the debt to October 2014 when the actual date was 2012 and they put it recently on my credit report I was suspious because I spent most of 2014 either in the hospital or rehab center and now have SS disability! I called Woman Within and found it was originally charged 2012 can they still change date and put it on my record?
I have been dealing with portfolio recovery for about two or three years now, now they have been calling me every single day for the past 2 months from various numbers. sometimes when I pickup they just hang up without even saying a word (which is rude) . I end up calling the number back to see who it is. I explained to them numerous times that I cannot afford the debt. Is there anything that I can do to get them to stop calling me? and they call really early in the morning and I currently work 2nd or 3rd shifts so this is also very bothersome. please let me know if I can do anything regarding this matter. thank you
over charging for an illegal debt
Received a phone call from Portfolio Recovery last night at 9:40 pm . Per the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, they are not allowed to call before 8 am or after 9 pm.
PRA states that they bought my account from Synchrony Bank who bought it from Amazon. Synchrony as well as Amazon are bought reporting this to the credit bureau. PRA has changed/updating the last contact date several times reporting falsely as a new account.
I received a summons 11/16/18 from portfolio recovery. My husband wanted me to reach out for advise
I believe I may have debt that PRA now owns, but they contact me between 3-5 times most days calling from many different numbers. Their new trick is spoofing their number to numbers so that the numbers appear local to me. I have blocked their numbers (at least 15 of them), but they continue to call with new spoofed numbers. The number they call is also my cellphone number that clearly states my employers name on the voicemail and is my primary work phone, but this does not slow down their calls.
I live in NJ. Can you help me?
I live n NJ. Are you able to help me?
Portfolio recovery is calling me at least twice a week, I’ve been to court several years ago and was adjudicated that I do not have the ability to pay. My only income is Social Security Disability. Some one please tell me what I can do to stop them
While I readily admit that the outstanding debt was my fault and occurred while unemployed, I have to say I have never dealt with a more unprofessional or frustrating company! The epitomize the expression, “the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.”! They don’t record information exchanged during phone calls and repeatedly pass an account to someone different each time a call is made. A LOT of time is wasted having to go over the same information time and again. This company needs to revamp its procedures, train its employees better, and assign ONE person to an account! Stop making it rocket science when it doesn’t need to be! Your company is absolutely awful!
portfolio recovery calling me 2 times a day I block the numbers How can get them to stop calling and harassing me, I am in Tennessee, on on very low disability ssi, no money to live on hardly, I don’t answer the calls so I do not know what dept they are calling about
RE Portfolio Recovery Associates
This creditor is continually harassing me by telephone, over a debt they say I owe, in which I do not .
They have harassed me for over eight (8) years, I was denied credit for eight years because of them. They have finally removed themselves off my credit report.
I changed my phone number and two (2) weeks later again they’re calling and calling.
I threatened to start a lawsuit about this harassment, yet they still continue.
I did have a debt once and paid several years ago, that I paid in full that they had carried, and was mine.
My credit is excellent like 795. I can now buy a home or furniture.
The problem is they still call my phone number 2-3 times per day between 8 am and 8:30 pm
I child sit and they continually wake the baby almost every time they call.
This should be done to no child, they are pschycotic I had to remember to take the phone out of the wall so she could nap. They call from about 10 different long distance numbers on a daily basis.
303-731-2610
951-824-7073
760-849-4216
859-635-4142
770-462-2198
954-624-8593
407-374-2319
404-220-9772
770-752-4103
add me to your lawsuit I have a very similar case.
I have Lemberg Law A attorney looking into my case. Portfolio Recovery was calling me every other day like twice a day even on weekends, and now they are calling me every week. I can’t afford to pay the debt I owe and I am struggling just to get by on things i need and have to help take care of my elderly mother. I’m making the sacrifice and so emotionally mentally stress out and I have mental/physical health condition. I have Multiple Sclerosis and any bit of stress like they debt collectors do is aggravating my condition.