Consumer complaint received 2025-02-16 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing a formal complaint against Portfolio Recovery Associates ( XXXX ) for multiple violations of federal law, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and consumer protection laws that govern fair and legal debt collection practices. 

This company has continuously engaged in fraudulent, deceptive, and harassing practices despite my repeated disputes over the past several years. This alleged debt was disputed years ago, and Portfolio Recovery Associates has failed to validate it while continuing to report it to credit bureaus, actively damaging my financial standing and interfering with my ability to secure business opportunities and personal financing. 

Despite my legal rights to dispute the debt, XXXX has : Failed to validate the debt but still reported it to the credit bureaus, violating the FDCPA. 
Refused to remove the debt despite my formal disputes and evidence that I have no involvement with it. 
Harassed me by keeping an unverified, fraudulent debt on my credit report for years, affecting my ability to obtain financing and damaging my livelihood. 
Engaged in deceptive and unethical practices by demanding my Social Security number over the phone before they would even verify their identity or the debt itselfputting me at risk of identity theft and serious financial harm. 
Failed to provide a verifiable business address or documentation of their legal right to collect the alleged debt, raising serious concerns about whether they are lawfully operating. 

Violations Committed by Portfolio Recovery Associates : 1. Failure to Validate the Debt XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is legally required to provide written proof that the debt is valid and that they have the right to collect it. They have not done so despite repeated disputes, meaning they are collecting on a potentially fraudulent and unenforceable account. 
2. Continued Reporting of an Unverified Debt ( Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX has continued to report this false debt to credit bureaus, despite failing to provide proof of its legitimacy. Under the FCRA, any creditor or collection agency reporting inaccurate information must correct or remove the item immediately. 
3. Harassment and Unfair Collection Practices XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX  By continuing to report and collect on an unverified debt, XXXX is engaging in harassment and deception, which are explicitly prohibited under federal law. 
XXXX. Demanding My Social Security Number Without Verifying Their Identity ( Potential Identity Theft & Privacy Violation ) XXXX demanded that I provide my Social Security number over the phone before they would discuss the matter. 
This is a severe privacy violation and a common tactic used in identity theft scams. A legitimate debt collector should be able to verify the debt and their own identity without requesting sensitive personal information from the consumer. 
This reckless practice puts me at risk of identity fraud and financial harm. 
XXXX. Failure to Remove the Debt Despite Prior Disputes ( Multiple Violations of the FCRA & FDCPA ) Portfolio RC has been aware for years that this debt is disputed, yet they have continued to report it without sufficient proof. This is clear evidence of willful noncompliance with consumer protection laws. 

Harm Caused by Portfolio Recovery Associates Violations : Severe damage to my credit score due to XXXX continued false reporting. 
Interference with my ability to secure financing for my business and personal affairs. 
Financial stress and harm caused by PRAs continued reporting of an unverified debt. 
Potential identity theft risk due to their demand for my Social Security number over the phone without verifying their own legitimacy.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation