Consumer complaint received 2023-01-18
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC (NJ)

I sent the letter below requesting the information and verification. If this information could not be obtained, they should remove this from my credit report within 30 days. They have not provided any of the information requested letter below. This has been a source of hardship for my family. I have worked very hard to rebuild my credit and life and this is the only thing holding my family back. letter below : Date XX/XX/2022 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX, NJ XXXX Portfolio Recovery Associates , LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CA XXXX Re : Acct # XXXX To Whom It May Concern : I am sending this letter to you in response to a notice I received from you. Be advised, this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 ( b ) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested. 

This is NOT a request for verification or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your office provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you. 

Please provide me with the following : What the money you say I owe is for ; Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe ; Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe ; Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable ; Identify the original creditor ; with my signature Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account ; Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state ; and Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent. 

If your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the three major Credit Bureaus XXXX XXXX, XXXX or XXXX ), said action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for the following : Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Defamation of Character If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist. 

Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel. This includes any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is. 

If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately. 

I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls or correspondence sent to any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter. 

This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose. 

Best Regards, XXXX XXXX XXXX