Consumer complaint received 2022-08-15
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: MD
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I returned a phone call from Portfolio Recovery XXXX who called multiple times within the last few weeks but never left a voicemail. I returned the call and realized it was Portfolio Recovery. The first representative I spoke to told me that my debt amount was {$3200.00}. I told the guy, if I am able to make a one time payment of {$1800.00} right now will you be able to delete the debt. He made me aware that because my account is in a judgement status, I normally can not make a settlement but that he will contact his Assistant Vice President which he did. He asked what I do for a living and I replied that I am a case management specialist ; he also asked why did i stop making payments on the debt in XXXX ; I replied becuase I was without a job and that I have sickle cell that has me in and out of jobs. He clicked over spoke to the other party and clicked back over and said that he was able to get the payment down to {$2400.00}. I replied no, I can do {$1800.00}. He responded ; Can you do {$1800.00} and make the remaining payments. I said no and that I will just send a dispute letter and start from there. He told me to hold on ; he came back to the phone and said that they will settle for {$1800.00} close out the account. I had the guy repeat what he said and I asked if this was being recoreded and which he replied yes. He proceeded to ask for my debit card number which i provided. In the mist of reading the disclaimer to me, he had me wait for approximately 25 minutes. After the money was removed from my bank account, the representative got on the phone and said they declined the {$1800.00} after taking the money out of my account. I needed reassurance so I asked " you all accepted the offer took the money out of my account then declined the offer and said that I can make payments which I did not agree to. '' The representative responded that they will refund me which will take a week. At this point I was provided false information and {$1800.00} was taken out of my account. The conversation ended. I called back and got a different representative and I asked, " if this call was being recorded '' and the response was yes. I asked to speak with a manager and they were able to get me to someone. I explained my situation and the response was if the debt is in judgment, there is typically no settlement for less. But they also said that I have a balance of {$2800.00}. At this point I was confused because I was given three different balances and was told that the settlement was for {$1800.00} after they took the money from my account and reneged on an agreement. I was then told that a complaint would be put in on my behalf because I couldn't put the complaint in myself. I was told that there was no time frame in getting a response. After being misguided, after be presented fraud information to obtain money from me, after the company reneging on its own wording, I would like to settle this for {$1800.00} that was taken out of my account as an end to debt ratio as I was told in the beginning. This has all been recorded.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation