Consumer complaint received 2019-07-19
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
To Whom It May Concern : XX/XX/XXXX Reference Account # - XXXX I have filed disputes with the three credit reporting bureaus ( XXXX, XXXX and XXXX ) on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX and again on XX/XX/XXXX, all sent by certified mail regarding a collection account being reported by Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. The collection account in question is regarding a XXXX XXXX account. I have requested each of the three credit bureaus as well as Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC to validate this debt by providing a contract that bears my signature or any documentation they can provide to prove this was in fact my account. Letters were mailed directly to Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC on XX/XX/XXXX also by certified mail. Unfortunately, the three credit reporting bureaus only respond by stating that the information has been updated, please review your report for the details and verified as accurate ; however, I am not observing any updates. In fact, the information is the same information as noted prior to any disputes being initially made. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC only responds by sending copies of a ( one ) credit card statement, dated back in XXXX. 
In addition, I have reached out to XXXX XXXX directly and I received written correspondence which was dated XX/XX/XXXX ( a copy of their letter dated approximately 3 years ago which is also attached for your review ) which states, This letter is to inform you that the above-referenced account was sold to Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC on XX/XX/XXXX. If you have any questions about this account, please contact : Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, VA XXXX, XXXX. 
I have attached a copy of the two certified letters that were mailed to Portfolio Recovery Associates, the first letter being sent on XX/XX/XXXX and the second letter being sent on XX/XX/XXXX mailed directly to Portfolio Recovery regarding the XXXX XXXX as well as their responses. To say the least, this has been very frustrating as a credit card statement does not prove that I opened this account and it has had a huge adverse effect on my credit score. I have exhausted all efforts in contacting the credit reporting agencies, Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC as well as the original creditor, XXXX XXXX. 
I submitted a previous complaint to CFPB on XX/XX/XXXX, complaint # XXXX. Portfolio Recovery responded that they have no record of a request or dispute being received in relation to its initial notification letters. I have attached the letters along with a certified receipt showing that they have in fact received letters from me regarding this issue. A credit card statement does not constitute validating a debt. I have requested on numerous occasions that a contract that bears my signature be sent to me for my review which still has not been done to date, almost 11 months later which is ridiculous!!! Portfolio Recovery Associates states that XXXX XXXX   has verified this debt, please forward the documentation provided by XXXX XXXX so I can review. 
CFPB, please assist me in resolving this matter by obtaining documents that reflect that I opened this account, not a credit card statement as this only reflects charges and fees, etc. CFPB should be verifying that these collection companies are providing the appropriate documentation and reporting to the three credit bureaus appropriately ; otherwise, what is the purpose of filing a complaint? Consumers file these complaints as a last resort. If Portfolio Recovery and/or XXXX XXXX   can not provide a contract bearing my signature, I will have no other option but to seek the advice of an attorney as I have exhausted all other efforts. 

Thank you, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation