Consumer complaint received 2016-05-17
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: MN
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt
Sub-issue: Not given enough info to verify debt

Complaint:
Portfolio Recovery Associates , LLC ( PRA ) is a junk debt buyer claiming I owe them {$840.00} for a charged off XXXX credit card. On their collection letters PRA claims to be the creditor for this account, as evidenced in the upper left side of their correspondence to me, dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX. PRA has never extended credit to me. 

On XXXX XXXX, XXXX I requested proof of validity of the original debt, itemization of the account establishing an accurate accounting and proof they had a legal right to collect the debt. I received a letter from PRA, dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX, again stating they purchased the account, the balance was {$840.00} and that the seller, XXXX XXXX, provided them an electronic file of their business records concerning this account. PRA neglected to provide me with any copies of said file or proof of any of the items I asked for. I also disputed this account with the credit reporting agencies, PRA updated the account as accurate. 

On XXXX XXXX, XXXX I sent PRA a Notice Of Arbitration Election via XXXX as described in the XXXX XXXX Cardholder Agreement, a legally binding contract, that was in force at the time this account was opened. The Agreement states this is my right, that XXXX XXXX or anyone they transfer or sell the account to is REQUIRED to participate. I felt at this point it was the only way to settle our differences. They refused to respond. 

After reading The Consent Order between you, CFPB, and PRA I realized there was a discrepancy between XXXX charge off amount and the amount PRA claims I owe them. The charge off amount that XXXX XXXX reported on my personal credit reports is {$770.00}, {$66.00} less then PRA is trying to collect. I followed up with a letter to PRA, dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX, informing them of the discrepancy including copies of the original account from my credit reports. They responded with a letter and XXXX random XXXX XXXX credit card statements. The most recent of the XXXX had a balance of {$660.00}. Their letter simply states they had reviewed the attached documents related to this account, which establish its validity. What? They completely ignored the balance discrepancy. XXXX XXXX has stated they do not provide any warranty as to the validity or accuracy to the accounts contained in electronic files that they sell. 

Portfolio Recovery Associates , LLC is violating the terms of the Consent Order, the FDCPA and Minnesota law. They have complete and total disregard for the law and the consumer. 

PRA can no longer collect this debt in court, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Of Limitation. However PRA 's entry on my credit reports is n't scheduled to be removed until next year, unnecessarily causing me financial harm. I do not believe they have a legal right to collect this debt. 

There are XXXX other accounts PRA is trying to collect from me with the same circumstances. I will file separate complaints for them.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief