Consumer complaint received 2026-03-05 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Subject : CFPB Complaint Illegal Debt Collection Attempt / Failure to Provide Competent Debt Validation I am filing a formal complaint against Portfolio Recovery Associates , LLC regarding an alleged debt they claim to have purchased from XXXXXXXX XXXX relating to a XXXX account in the amount of {$3300.00}. On XX/XX/year>, I received a collection letter stating that Portfolio Recovery Associates is now the creditor. However, the notice fails to provide competent evidence that the alleged debt exists, that I am legally obligated to pay it, or that Portfolio Recovery Associates has lawful ownership of the account. I formally dispute this alleged debt in its entirety. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ), once a consumer disputes a debt, a debt collector must cease collection activity until proper validation is provided. Courts have consistently held that a debt collector must possess sufficient documentation to demonstrate the existence of the debt and their legal authority to collect it. In XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, the court affirmed that debt collectors must obtain and maintain documentation verifying the debt before attempting to collect. Similarly, in XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, the court ruled that pursuing collection without adequate documentation constitutes deceptive and unfair debt collection practices. Furthermore, the XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. held that collectors must clearly and accurately disclose the basis of the debt and can not rely on vague or unsupported assertions. At this time, Portfolio Recovery Associates has provided none of the documentation required to validate this alleged obligation, including but not limited to : A copy of the original signed agreement creating the alleged debt Account-level billing statements demonstrating the balance claimed A complete chain of title showing transfer or assignment of the account from XXXX XXXX to Portfolio Recovery Associates Proof that Portfolio Recovery Associates has legal standing to collect as the owner of the alleged debt Debt buyers are required to maintain documentation proving both ownership and the consumers liability before attempting collection activity. Attempting to collect without such documentation may constitute violations of the FDCPA under 15 U.S.C. 1692e and 1692f for using deceptive or unfair collection practices. Because Portfolio Recovery Associates has failed to provide competent evidence of this alleged obligation, I request that the CFPB require the company to do the following : 1. Provide full documentary validation of the alleged debt, including the original signed contract and complete chain of title. 2. Immediately cease all collection activity until such documentation is produced. 3. Permanently close the account and delete any credit reporting associated with this alleged debt if they can not produce competent evidence of the obligation. If Portfolio Recovery Associates can not produce the legally required documentation proving both the existence of the debt and their lawful ownership of the account, they must immediately terminate all collection activity. I request that this matter be investigated and resolved promptly.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief