Consumer complaint received 2023-10-03
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC (IL)

Portfolio Recover Associates is attempting to collect a debt that is not owed. The debt has been discharged and under federal law PRA is no longer allowed to collect said debt from me and reporting this debt is not considered illegal. Failure to remove this debt from my report will immediately result in a lawsuit against you.

A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section : ( 1 ) The false representation or implication that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States or any State, including the use of any badge, uniform, or facsimile thereof.

( 2 ) The false representation of ( A ) the character, amount, or legal status of any debt; or ( B ) any services rendered or compensation which may be lawfully received by any debt collector for the collection of a debt.

( 3 ) The false representation or implication that any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney. 
(

4 ) The representation or implication that nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of any property or wages of any person unless such action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor intends to take such action. ( 5 ) The threat to take any action that can not legally be taken or that is not intended to
be taken.

( 6 ) The false representation or implication that a sale, referral, or other transfer of any interest in a debt shall cause the consumer to ( A ) lose any claim or defense to payment of the debt; or ( B ) become subject to any practice prohibited by this subchapter.

( 7 ) The false representation or implication that the consumer committed any crime or other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer.

( 8 ) Communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed.

( 9 ) The use or distribution of any written communication which simulates or is falsely represented to be a document authorized, issued, or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or any State, or which creates a false impression as to its source, authorization, or approval.

( 10 ) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer.

( 11 ) The failure to disclose in the initial written communication with the consumer and, in addition, if the initial communication with the consumer is oral, in that initial oral communication, that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose, and the failure to disclose in subsequent communications that the communication is from a debt collector, except that this paragraph shall not apply to a formal pleading made in connection with a legal action.

( 12 ) The false representation or implication that accounts have been turned over to innocent purchasers for value.

( 13 ) The false representation or implication that documents are legal process.

( 14 ) The use of any business, company, or organization name other than the true name of the debt collectors business, company, or organization.

( 15 ) The false representation or implication that documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer.

( 16 ) The false representation or implication that a debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency as defined by section 1681a ( f ) of this title.

A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section : ( 1 ) The collection of any amount ( including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation ) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law.

( 2 ) The acceptance by a debt collector from any person of a check or other payment instrument postdated by more than five days unless such person is notified in writing of the debt collectors intent to deposit such check or instrument not more than ten nor less than three business days prior to such deposit.

( 3 ) The solicitation by a debt collector of any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument for the purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecution.

( 4 ) Depositing or threatening to deposit any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument prior to the date on such check or instrument.

( 5 ) Causing charges to be made to any person for communications by concealment of the true purpose of the communication. Such charges include, but are not limited to, collect telephone calls and telegram fees.

( 6 ) Taking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action to effect dispossession or disablement of property if ( A ) there is no present right to possession of the property claimed as collateral through an enforceable security interest ; ( B ) there is no present intention to take possession of the property ; or ( C ) the property is exempt by law from such dispossession or disablement.

( 7 ) Communicating with a consumer regarding a debt by post card.

( 8 ) Using any language or symbol, other than the debt collectors address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram, except that a debt collector may use his business name if such name does not indicate that he is in the debt collection business.