Consumer complaint received 2020-11-27
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: NY
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
This is my third complaint with the CFPB against Portfolio Recovery. I obtained a copy of my credit report on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. A collection account was listed by Portfolio RC stating I owe {$10000.00} for an account. Immediately, I sent debt verification letters certified mail on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. Both letters were delivered and signed for. Never was documentation sent to me or letters from Portfolio RC acknowledging my disputes. On XX/XX/XXXX, I obtained another copy of my credit report and found that Portfolio RC reported that a dispute was resolved ; customer disagrees. The dispute was not acknowledged by Portfolio RC, documentation verifying the debt belongs to me was never sent to me and dispute being closed was never sent to me. 1st CFPB complaint response by Portfolio RC stated that they had documentation verifying debt belonging to me. However, documents provided to CFPB were only 2 statements and nothing containing my signature, which is required by the FCRA ( attached ). I am requesting that Portfolio RC provide SIGNED documents ( CONTRACT ) from XXXX. Finally, please provide license for the State of W. Virginia that shows you are licensed to collect from me in this state. If none are available, then account is to be closed and removed from XXXX XXXX Credit Report. Attached is the " proof '' Portfolio RC provided to the CFPB. Also, below is Portfolio Recovery 's response to my second complaint in which they state they have all this proof and licenses, but will not provide it. Only will provide copies of statements. 

2nd response from PRA on XXXX : Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC ( PRA ) investigated your complaint, reviewed our records, verified the PRA account ending in XXXX, and confirmed that we provided you with validation which resolved your dispute. PRA is a " Debt Buyer '' ; PRA purchases delinquent consumer debt from creditors to whom such debt is owed and seeks to collect such debt from consumers who owe such debt. Business records provided to us by XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX reflect that on or about XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX  opened a XXXX credit card account ending in XXXX for XXXX XXXX whose social security number ends in XXXX. Those records further reflect that a contract to pay for the use of the account was formed when XXXX offered the credit card and the credit card account was used. A balance of {$10000.00} was due on the account when we purchased that account and its contract from XXXX on or about XX/XX/XXXX, together with the right to receive payment of the balance due. PRA sent its initial notification letter regarding this account to you on or about XX/XX/XXXX. We take compliance with all applicable state and federal laws very seriously. PRA holds all required licenses and certificates of authority. Because we purchased the account and contract XXXX XXXX had with XXXX to pay the balance due, no signature or other contract between XXXX XXXX and PRA is required to validate the account. We have no record of a request or a dispute being received in relation to our initial notification letter. We subsequently received and investigated a dispute regarding the account. We ceased collection communications, informed consumer reporting agencies that the account had been disputed, and in response to the dispute attempted to send a letter with validating documents from the original account. Unfortunately, the XXXX, NY address you provided to us, and to which we attempted to send our letter, was invalid. The documentation we attempted to provide was attached to our response to your previous complaint. We believe that the validation provided resolved the dispute and no further steps in response to your complaint or follow-up actions are required at this time. 

Portfolio Recovery are not licensed NYS and W. Virginia ( State and Local Disclosures from PRA attached ).

PRA is writing responses to the CFPB, BUT NOT providing the evidence I am specifically requesting 3 times with the CFPB and 1 time via certified mail directly with PRA in XXXX, XXXX. Letter was signed for by PRA representative. This is because they do not have this information from when they " bought '' the debt and do not have the required licenses in New York State or W. Virginia. 

Supporting documents attached.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation