Consumer complaint received 2025-05-30 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was already discharged in bankruptcy and is no longer owed
Company: Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Portfolio Recovery Associates ( " Portfolio '' ) has violated my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) concerning an alleged debt reported on my credit file. 
Portfolio has reported an alleged debt to consumer reporting agencies ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) without any prior notice and has attempted to collect on this account without my consent or valid verification. The original creditor, XXXX, has confirmed that no contract exists for these alleged services, rendering Portfolio 's claim and subsequent reporting baseless. Furthermore, while the alleged creditor identified this account as being opened in XXXX, Portfolio has reported it on my credit report as opened in XX/XX/XXXX, and it only first appeared on my credit report in XX/XX/XXXX. This constitutes illegal re-aging of the debt and a misleading representation of its true status. 
Specifically, the following violations have occurred : Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : 15 USC 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( i ) : Reporting information solely as to transactions between the consumer and the reporting entity. Portfolio was not party to the alleged transaction with XXXX and was never authorized to report the alleged debt. 
15 USC 1681c-2 ( c ) ( 1 ) ( c ) : Providing consumers with valid documentation to verify the account. Portfolio has failed to produce any valid documentation proving I obtained any goods, services, or money related to the alleged transaction.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) Responsibilities of Furnishers of Information : Portfolio, as a furnisher of information to consumer reporting agencies, has failed in its duty to ensure the accuracy of the information it reports and to conduct a reasonable investigation upon dispute. By reporting an alleged debt that it can not verify, and for which the original creditor has confirmed no contract exists, and by misrepresenting the account 's age ( opened in XXXX by XXXX, but reported as opened in XX/XX/XXXX and first appeared on my credit report in XX/XX/XXXX ), Portfolio has furnished erroneous information, causing direct harm to my credit reputation and resulting in credit denials. Furthermore, Portfolio has failed to conduct a reasonable investigation into the validity of this debt upon receiving my dispute, as required by law. During a call with your representative on XX/XX/XXXX, at approximately XXXXXXXX XXXX  ( XXXX ), I was informed that the only account information on hand was statements from the seller ( XXXX ), and that any additional information would need to be requested from the seller. This admission further supports that no proper verification was performed on this alleged debt when purchased, and that Portfolio lacks the necessary documentation to substantiate its claims.

15 U.S.C. 1681 ( a ) ( 4 ) Ensuring accuracy and fairness in reporting : The fundamental principle of the FCRA is to ensure accuracy and fairness in credit reporting. Portfolio 's actions in reporting an unsubstantiated and unverified alleged debt, and particularly its re-aging of the account, directly undermine this principle, demonstrating a disregard for the accuracy of consumer credit information.

Violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) : 15 U.S.C. 1692f ( 1 ) Prohibiting unfair collection practices : Portfolio is attempting to collect an amount not expressly authorized by an agreement or permitted by law. Given that the original creditor, XXXX, has confirmed no contract exists for these alleged services, Portfolio 's continued attempts to collect this debt constitute an unfair and unconscionable collection practice. 
15 U.S.C. 1692j ( a ) Furnishing certain deceptive forms : Portfolio 's actions, including reporting an alleged debt they can not substantiate, create a false belief regarding the legitimacy of the debt and their participation in its collection. This misrepresents their actual standing and the origin of the alleged obligation.

15 USC 6802 ( 1 ) : Prohibiting disclosure of nonpublic personal information to nonaffiliated third parties. Portfolio, a third-party debt collector, was not authorized to access or report my personal information without consent.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) Debt collectors must provide verification of the debt upon request : Despite my request, Portfolio has failed to provide sufficient documentation proving their legal right to collect the alleged debt. This is further evidenced by your representative 's statement on XX/XX/XXXX, at approximately XXXXXXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), indicating that only account statements were on hand and additional information would need to be requested from the seller. I demand verifiable proof of the alleged debt, including : The original signed agreement or contract creating the debt. 
The flow agreement supporting the debt transfer from XXXX to Portfolio. 
The assignment bill of sale proving Portfolio 's legal ownership of this specific alleged debt. 
A complete chain of title demonstrating how Portfolio acquired this alleged debt from the original creditor. 
15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 8 ) Prohibiting false or misleading representations : By reporting this alleged debt to consumer reporting agencies without valid verification, by misrepresenting the account 's age, and without acknowledging its disputed status, Portfolio is communicating credit information that is known or should be known to be false. This includes reporting an account opened by the alleged creditor in XXXX as opened in XX/XX/XXXX, and only first appearing on my credit report in XX/XX/XXXX, which constitutes re-aging and misleading representation of the debt 's status.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation