Consumer complaint received 2025-06-21 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Complaint XXXX  and Portfolio Recovery Associates : Repeated Legal Violations, Fraud, and Harassment EACH VIOLATOR, XXXX  AND PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES WILL HAVE SEPARATE REPORTS AGAINST THEM. 

This is a formal complaint against XXXX  and Portfolio Recovery Associates ( PRA ) for multiple and repeated violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), deceptive practices, and what now constitutes deliberate fraud and obstruction in communication with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ).

Background : Over one year ago, XXXX acknowledged in writing that the debt reported by Portfolio Recovery Associates was not owed by the consumer and stated it would be removed from the consumers credit file. That decision should have ended this issue. InsteadXXXX XXXX  failed to fully remove the entry, leaving a ghost negative mark with no clickable details, continuing to damage the consumers credit.

Since then, XXXX has falsely claimed over six times that the debt has been verified as belonging to the consumer. This is a blatant contradiction of their own written statement, and a direct violation of FCRAs dispute handling rules under 15 U.S. Code 1681i. The debt had already been investigated, determined not to belong to the consumer, and promised to be removed, making any further " verifications '' not only false, but fraudulent. 

Recent Fraudulent Behavior : In a recent communication with the CFPB, XXXX falsely stated that they required additional identification from the consumer in order to process the dispute. This is an outright lie. The consumer provided full identification documentation more than 60 days ago, including a government issued ID and Social Security card. XXXX failed to respond within the 30 day window mandated by law, which means the disputed item must be removed, per the FCRA. 

Instead of complying, XXXX  simply ignored the dispute and then lied to the CFPB, claiming the consumer had not submitted sufficient ID. This is not just incompetence. This is active deception to a federal agency, and it underscores XXXX ongoing pattern of bad faith, unlawful behavior, and regulatory defiance. 

Portfolio Recovery Associates ( PRA ) : The original debt, which belonged to XXXX, was resolved via XXXX XXXX XXXX, and PRA had no further legal grounds to pursue collection. Despite this, PRA resumed illegal collection efforts, including daily harassment, abusive language, and explicit threats, such as : PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, ( PRA ) : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

These tactics are not only unlawful, they are criminal in nature, and consistent with the CFPBs own findings. In XX/XX/year>, PRA was fined {$24.00} XXXX for illegal debt collection tactics, harassment, and collecting on debts they couldnt verify. This exact pattern of abuse has continued in this case.

Enclosed Evidence ( submitted for the 4th time ) : 1. Government-issued Drivers License 2. Social Security card 3. Copy of original XXXX account resolved through XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Attorney letter confirming resolution and obligation to remove the debt 5. Credit report still showing the unresolved, falsely listed PRA account 6. XXXX original letter stating the debt would be removed ________________________________ Summary of Violations : XXXX  : Reinserted a previously removed item in violation of FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) Failed to investigate or respond within 30 days ( FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ) Lied to the CFPB about receiving identification documents Engaged in deceptive practices and obstruction Portfolio Recovery Associates : Attempted to collect on a resolved and invalid debt Engaged in illegal harassment, threats, and verbal abuse Repeatedly violated prior CFPB enforcement actions and consent orders PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, PRA : Despite my numerous requests to verify the debt you would not respond. Despite my numerous requests in writing to cease and desist contact me until you verified the debt you contacted me daily and have threatened to " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 


The following letter has been OVER EIGHT TIMES sent to PRA for almost 3 years with no response from them yet daily harassment : Subject : Request for Debt Validation under FDCPA To Whom It May Concern : I am requesting validation of the alleged debt you claim I owe, as is my right under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 1692g.

Please provide the following in writing : The amount of the alleged debt ; The name of the original creditor ; A copy of the original contract or agreement bearing my signature ( if applicable ) ; A complete payment history ; Verification that you are legally authorized to collect this debt in my state.

Until you provide this information, you must cease all collection activities, including reporting to credit bureaus. If you continue collection without providing validation, you will be in violation of the FDCPA, and I will consider all legal remedies available to me.

Additionally, I am requesting that you cease and desist from contacting me by phone, email, or any other means except to provide the requested documentation or to inform me of any specific legal action you intend to take.

______________________ Action Requested : The consumer demands that : 1. XXXX immediately and permanently remove the Portfolio Recovery Associates account from their credit report.

2. A formal investigation be opened into XXXX  false representations to the CFPB.

3. The CFPB issue fines and enforcement actions against both XXXX  and Portfolio Recovery Associates for clear violations of federal law.

Failure to take appropriate regulatory action sends a message that credit bureaus and third-party collectors can operate above the law, and defraud both consumers and government bodies with impunity.

This matter is beyond correction. CFPB, it requires accountability. XXXX AND PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, your lies to me are bad enough. Your lies to the CFPB are criminal.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief