Consumer complaint received 2019-07-08
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: NY
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
To Whom it May Concern : I am filing this complaint with regard to a debt collection agency by the name of PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, LLC. 

Several years ago I had an unsecured credit card issued by XXXX XXXX ending in XXXX for the amount of {$500.00}. Due to a recurring medical situation beyond my control, I was unable to pay it back, and it went into collections. 
When I originally noticed it on my credit report I saw that I was being charged {$650.00} instead of the maximum credit Limit of {$500.00} ... .And There was absolutely no way that I couldve gone over that {$500.00} dollar credit limit because once the card reached the maximum amount of {$500.00} I was not able to use it anymore! 
And ... PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, LLC is CLAIMING that I owe them {$650.00} and states that the OPENING DATE was XX/XX/XXXX when in fact the original account with XXXX XXXX was opened somewhere around XXXX and I first noticed it on my credit report in XXXX of XXXX after it was taken off from another debt collector and I was so confused because I was NEVER sent any letters or documentation of notification that anything was changed until I recently started disputing the charges and then PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES started sending me some letters with the XXXX XXXX logo on it and a wrong address and phone number that all goes back to the PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES offices? The whole letter is definitely doctored up and forged with falsified information as well as the credit card receipts they sent me that I have NEVER received prior to my recent communication! 

I first filed a dispute in XX/XX/XXXX with all 3 credit bureaus for PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, LLC and they continue to deny the charges and keep putting it back on all XXXX of my credit reports! Even after the credit bureaus assured me that the information I gave them was correct and it would be removed from my credit report! 

Then ... I started to do some research and received some additional information from a representative at THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU ( CFPB ) which states : A DEBT COLLECTOR MAY NOT COLLECT ANY INTEREST NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE AGREEMENT OR BY LAW So I filed another dispute by phone with all three credit bureaus and once again received no support and PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES still remains on all three credit reports and I just keep getting the same response over and over again from them! 
This all started in XXXX and I am so frustrated and sick because Im just trying to rebuild my business which was thriving and becoming very successful prior to my accident and brain injury. 

Since they are required by law to send me a letter informing me of any changes and give me 30 days to ask them for proof that it is actually MY ORIGINAL ACCOUNT, instead PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES continues to send me the same doctored letter from XXXX XXXX from XXXX as if the account had just been closed? I NEVER received that letter or anything from XXXX XXXX and the XXXX XXXX logo did not even have the correct information, address or phone number of the original creditor, XXXX XXXX! I did try calling XXXX XXXX and they no longer had the account on file. 
XXXX*PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES continues to send falsified documents and information stating that I owe them {$650.00} when the documents clearly state that the limit on the card was {$500.00}? 

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED : DOCUMENT A XXXX. The XXXX XXXX phone number directs you to the offices of PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES 2. The alleged XXXX XXXX bill they sent along with the dispute response is a fake bill which I never received and does not even have my apartment number on it, which I always include on anything that is addressed to me. 
3. One portion of the fake XXXX XXXX bill says that my PREVIOUS BALANCE was {$650.00} and with FEES AND INTEREST is {$660.00}? If thats the case, then why are they only charging me {$650.00} on my credit reports? 
4. A Balance of {$650.00} with an APR of 19.80 % should be around $ XXXX.not {$13.00}? 
5. THE BILL CLEARLY STATES THAT MY CREDIT LIMIT IS {$500.00} WITH AN AVAILABLE CREDIT OF {$0.00} ... NOT {$650.00}!! 

DOCUMENT B 6. A second confirmation that my original credit limit was {$500.00} and NOT {$650.00} DOCUMENT C 7. THE FAKE LETTER that I have been receiving with ALL of the contacts leading directly back to PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES! 
8. No company would write that : XXXX XXXX is a federally registered service mark after the Copyright sign?! 

In closing, I am not someone who has tried to use the system and I unfortunately had a bad accident which set me back several years. But I truly believe that after diligently trying over and over again to reach some kind of resolution or compromise with no flexibility on the part of PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, that I have been wasting my time when all I want to do is move forward and NOT be charged additional fees or continue to have this mark on all three of my credit reports! Especially when I was NEVER even given the option to appeal, negotiate or confirm that It was my account! At this point the only thing holding me back from obtaining any type of business loans are these few old debts! And these companies DO NOT WANT TO WORK WITH ME OR MAKE A FAIR SETTLEMENT!! And this is why I am seeking help and reaching out to CFPB and would sincerely appreciate some help in trying too move forward once again. 

I have enclosed several documents in support of my complaint Thank You for your time and support!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation