Consumer complaint received 2019-07-08
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: CO
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
I purchased a dress from the company, " XXXX XXXX '' in XX/XX/XXXX for {$85.00}. I had a previous balance of {$0.00}. I returned the dress within a week because it made me look XXXX. 

I heard nothing at all from this vendor and didn't expect to as I had a {$0.00} balance after the above mentioned return. I never heard anything from them until I got a threatening letter dated XX/XX/XXXX from Portfolio Recovery Associates informing me that my XXXX XXXX account had been " Closed and charged off '' in XX/XX/XXXX, and they had now that debt and were pursuing it. The debt was {$340.00}! 

I contacted them immediately and highly disputed this totally bogus, unjustified bill. I told them I wanted proof of this fraudulent bill in statements from XXXX XXXX I received a letter and copies of bills from XXXX XXXX, dated XX/XX/XXXX. Portfolio Recovery stated they had conducted an investigation and stated the bill was valid. 
: Here is a list of copies of bills they sent me on this XXXX XXXX account : 1. XXXX XXXX bill dated XX/XX/XXXX stating my previous balance {$0.00} The only purchase shown was a dress I bought for {$85.00}. No credit shown on this bill for my returning the dress within 10 days. 

2. J.Jill bill dated, XX/XX/XXXX stating a previous balance of {$220.00}. It also stated that XXXX totals for the year were : fees charged- {$160.00}, interest charged- {$17.00}. 

3. XXXX XXXX bill dated XX/XX/XXXX stating a previous balance of : {$260.00}, with total fees charged for the year XXXX {$190.00} and interest total charged- {$23.00}. 

4. XXXX XXXX bill dated XX/XX/XXXX stating a previous balance of {$300.00}. Total fees for the 2018 year {$230.00}, total interest charged- {$31.00}. 

That was the total documentation sent to me about this bogus bill. XXXX XXXX charged off the account in XXXX XXXX. 

I never received a bill from XXXX XXXX after purchasing the dress mentioned above and didn't expect to as I had returned the only thing I had purchased from them promptly after buying it. They never contacted me in any way ; bill, phone or email concerning the wrongful debt. 

I contacted Portfolio Recovery by email when I got these few copies of bills from XXXX XXXX that I had requested when I got them on XXXX XXXX. The bills in no way justified the outrageous attempt to defraud me of {$340.00}. The representative tried to say I had opened the account in XXXX, to which I said that had NO bearing on this bogus bill as shown by the XXXX XXXX XXXX of XX/XX/XXXX which stated I had a {$0.00} balance before purchasing that dress I then returned. The representative asked me what I wanted them to do, to which I replied, " Cancel this bogus bill that you are pursuing against me, never contact or harass me about this unjustified bill or I will pursue legal action. I also told her that I was filing a complaint with the FTC about this whole situation. 

I will be happy to get copies to you of all communication I have received by Portfolio Recovery. 

Please send me the proper address to send copies of this to you. 

Thank you for your consideration and help in this matter, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX . XXXX XXXX, CO XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief