Consumer complaint received 2019-01-08
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Sued you without properly notifying you of lawsuit

Complaint:
In XX/XX/XXXX, I made inquiries with the major credit bureaus ( XXXX, XXXX   and XXXX ) to review my files. I discovered an entry by Portfolio Recovery Associates ( PRA ). I was unfamiliar with this entry and began an investigation into this entry. I was unable to determine the validity of the account. 

On or about XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a certified letter to PRA asking that they validate the account. In that letter, I specifically requested among other things that seven items be addressed. Those seven items were as follows : 1. Agreement with the creditor that authorizes you to collect on this alleged debt 2. The agreement bearing my signature stating that I have agreed to assume the debt 3. Valid copies of the debt agreement stating the amount of the debt and interest charges 4. Proof that the Statute of Limitations has not expired 5. Proof that you are licensed to collect in my state ; and 6. Your license numbers and Registered Agent. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, PRA responded to my request. In that response, they failed to address the seven points outlined in the XX/XX/XXXX letter. They did state that they purchased the supposed debt on XX/XX/XXXX. PRA provided no other information in their response. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, PRA sent a separate letter stating that the account has been validated and the also sent their supporting documentation. The documentation was copies of reprinted bills and nothing else. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, PRA sent an additional letter stating that they are refusing to investigate or validate the account. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, PRA sent a reprint of the letter dated XX/XX/XXXX and only changed the date of the letter. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a letter to all three credit bureaus referenced above. I demanded that they validate the account since I was unable to validate the account with PRA. I also requested that the bureaus turn over all documents in its possession that it used to validate the account prior to reporting the account in my credit report. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, PRA sent me a letter acknowledging my dispute initiated with the credit bureaus. PRA again failed to provide written proof as requested in my letter dated XX/XX/XXXX. Instead, they send bill reprints and nothing else. 

Additionally, on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX  sent me a letter stating that the account is " verified as accurate ''. They never send any of the supporting documentation as demanded on XX/XX/XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I send a 2nd request to all three credit bureaus demanding verification and written proof of ownership. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter that the account is " Verified as accurate ''. No supporting documentation is every provided. 

Additionally, on XX/XX/XXXX, PRA sends me another acknowledgment of dispute and provides yet another round of bill reprints. They continue to fail to provide any proof that the account belongs to me. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I start receiving large amounts of legal solicitations from attornies. The solicitations reveal that there is a pending case filed in the magistrate court and that I should strongly consider retaining an attorney. The solicitations are all for bankruptcy options to use towards the pending case. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I do my own inquiry at the magistrate court and found a 30-page document outlining that I have a debt with PRA. Again, the only supporting documentation found within the 30 pages is billing reprints. Absolutely no other documentation is filed. As of XX/XX/XXXX, I have yet to be formally served with a copy of the case filing nor have I ever received any communication of the intent to file suit. 

I have been using my due diligence in trying to rectify this problem for over one year. It is important to note that I have a similar date timeline with XXXX and XXXX along with similar results from each credit bureau. I have given PRA ample opportunity to do the same to which they have failed to do so. 

PRA is attempting to collect an unsubstantiated debt. They have demonstrated that they will act in a reckless manner. Their actions have tarnished my name in public court and they have tarnished my financial credibility on my credit reports. It is clear and obvious that PRA has no desire to prove the debts as they are legally required to do.

PRA has failed to follow legal requirements to notify me of the impending lawsuit. They also failed to provide me with the original documents relating to the account before they filed the lawsuit.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation