Consumer complaint received 2015-10-14
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: KS
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action
Sub-issue: Threatened to sue on too old debt

Complaint:
I am writing you regarding the ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING File No. XXXXConsent order as I am a Restitution Eligible Consumer. I am asking for a full refund of {$2700.00} and that all references to this account be deleted from all of my credit reports. I would be very grateful if this could be resolved. Please see that Portfolio Recovery Services is in compliance with the order. 

I made payments directly to Portfolio Recovery Associates on a time-barred debt collection account that was too old for litigation. I received several letters that contained time-limited settlement offers that failed to disclose that the debt Portfolio was collecting was too old for litigation. The letters contained statements creating a sense urgency. Some of the statements were " These savings wo n't last long '' and " CALL NOW to take advantage of these limited time offers, '' and " Your first payment must be received NO LATER than the date in the attached letter '' and " Your account will be considered 'Settled in Full ' after your final payment is posted. " From XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX, I received letters implicating the alleged debt was selected for future legal action based on reviews by attorneys. I was bullied into to making payments after receiving calls from PRA 's Litigation Department and made several payments. The Debt had not yet been placed with an attorney ; and I was not informed during the call that the Debt had not been reviewed by an attorney. I was told that if I did n't make payments Portfolio Recovery would move forward with the litigation process unless and that the only way to stop the lawsuit would be to pay right away. 

From XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX, I repeatedly disputed the validity of the account that Portfolio was trying to collect on. I sent validation and verification dispute letters to Portfolio and I also disputed information on my credit reports, including XXXX, XXXX and XXXX and in each response Portfolio replied that information that was accurate, complete and reliable. From XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX, I repeatedly advised Portfolio Recovery Associates that significant inaccuracies existed on my credit reports and the collection documents Portfolio sent me and the phone calls I received. In each instance, Portfolio responded to Credit reporting agencies that information reported was " verified ''. 

From XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX, Portfolio Recovery Associates repeatedly called my cell phone. When I answered the calls and tried to communicate and resolve and dispute the alleged debt, Portfolio Recovery Associates told me that calls placed to my cell phone could only be prevented before XXXX and that I should authorize Portfolio to call in the future. 

Since XX/XX/XXXX I have filed several complaints with the FTC, I have not received any responses. I am so happy that your agency stepped in and took action. 

Finally, and most importantly I am asking that full refund of {$2700.00} be issued and that Portfolio follow the terms of the order.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation