Consumer complaint received 2019-04-06
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Communication tactics — You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC (FL)

According to the fair debt collection practices act it is a violation for a debt collector to use deceptive tactics when attempting to collect on a debt. 

On XX/XX/XXXX at approximately XXXX XXXX. I received a phone call from XXXX XXXX Portfolio Recovery Associates , Inc., the representative stated they needed to discuss a personal matter with me and I said what is this personal matter concerning and they told me they could not tell me what the personal matter is concerning unless I provided information to them. I immediately told them not to call my phone anymore and any communication further can be sent through the mail. 

On Saturday XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX I call them back to find out in detail what this matter was concerning and provided whatever information they needed in order to find out what this matter was concerning and spoke with operator XXXX XXXX, during the midpoint of the conversation, I asked her how old is this account and she said the account was open XX/XX/XXXX and the last payment/pay day was XX/XX/XXXX. I responded saying I was not familiar with that, meaning the dates. 

I asked her if she could send me some information in the mail and then she quickly said, so this is not an account that you are familiar with correct and I said yes!!!! However after listening to the recorded conversation what I meant was, I was not familiar with the dates that she was referring to and not to the account. 

Then she initiated a dispute on my behalf which something I did not ask for. After listening to this recorded conversation, I realized the deception that she tried to use in order to update this information in order to put it on my credit report. 

She also said that it will be marked to your credit bureau as being reported, however, on XX/XX/XXXX I called and spoke with a supervisor informing them that I am recording the conversation and that this is an attempt to correct their records and any information provided shall be used for that purpose. When the supervisor pulled up the account she stated that she sees that this account is being actively disputed. I stated that this is the reason why I am calling to correct your records because it should not be actively disputed. Then she said so you would like for me to have that status updated to remove that the dispute. Then I brought to her attention, if she was aware that it is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to use deceptive tactics when attempting to collect on an alleged debt. Then she asked me what deceptive active have we used and because of the fact that she did not answer the question I asked was she aware of that YES or NO??? she stated that she personally does not use deceptive tactics but she is aware of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and then I asked is your company aware of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and she said yes we do train on it. 
I explained to the supervisor that the representative attempted to twist my words to mean something different from what I meant and I explained to her exactly what I meant. I explained to the supervisor that I had asked the representative how old was the debt and when she gave me the dates my response was that I was not familiar with that then she quickly said so you're not familiar with this account and because she was speaking so fast and I said yes again I later listen to the recorded conversation and explain that that's not what I meant, I meant that I was saying yes to being unfamiliar with the dates and not the account. I also explained to the supervisor that I am not disputing anything and if they wanted a reason for that question as it relates to a dispute I said my responses I have no comment!!! 

I also explain to the supervisor that if anything shows up on my credit report I'm going to file a lawsuit for violation of using deceptive tactics when attempting to collect on an alleged debt. I further stated for them to never call me again and also informing them that they are to cease and desist any further communication. 

Recordings of these can be provided upon request!!!!