Consumer complaint received 2025-01-02 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Complaint Against XXXX  for Failure to Process Complaint # XXXX and Violation of Consumer Rights To Whom It May Concern, I am filing this formal complaint against the XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX  ) for their unlawful refusal to process my complaint, Complaint ID # XXXX, based on an unsupported requirement for a signed authorization form. This action directly violates my rights as a consumer under federal law, and I am requesting the CFPB 's immediate intervention to resolve this matter. 

Summary of the Issue : The XXXX  's Refusal to Process My Complaint : On XX/XX/2024, I filed a complaint with the XXXX  regarding an alleged debt. In accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), I requested that the debt collector provide verification of the debt. The XXXX, however, informed me that my complaint would be closed unless I signed and submitted an authorization form, which has no legal basis under the FDCPA or any other federal law. I explicitly disputed the debt and refused to sign any document that could be construed as an acknowledgment of the debt. 

XXXX  's Failure to Uphold Consumer Protections : The XXXX  's refusal to act on my complaint and its insistence on requiring a signed authorization form constitutes a violation of my consumer rights, as it disregards federal law governing debt disputes and credit reporting. 

Legal Violations : The XXXX 's actions directly violate the following federal laws : Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) provides that once a consumer disputes a debt, the debt collector must cease collection efforts until they provide verification of the debt. The law does not require the consumer to sign any additional forms to initiate this process. The XXXX  's demand for a signed authorization form is a barrier that is not supported by law.

The failure of the XXXX  to allow me to proceed with my dispute, based solely on the absence of a signed form, is a direct violation of my right to dispute a debt without unnecessary conditions.

Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) states that when a consumer disputes information on their credit report, the furnisher ( in this case, the debt collector ) must investigate and verify the accuracy of the information. If they fail to do so, the disputed debt can not remain on the consumer 's credit report.

The debt collector has not provided any verification of the alleged debt, and I have disputed it both with the XXXX  and the credit reporting agencies. The XXXX  actions prevent me from exercising my rights under the FCRA.

Consumer Right to Dispute Debt Without Acknowledgment : Under 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ), I am not required to sign any document that acknowledges the debt to initiate a dispute. My refusal to sign the authorization form should not prevent the XXXX  from processing my complaint. The XXXX  has no legal authority to impose this requirement, which goes against my rights to dispute a debt.

Requested Resolution : Hold XXXX  Accountable : I request that the CFPB hold the XXXX XXXX XXXX  ( XXXX  ) accountable for its failure to process my complaint in accordance with federal consumer protection laws, specifically the FDCPA and FCRA. I further request that appropriate action be taken against the XXXX  agent, XXXX XXXX, who mishandled my case by imposing an illegal requirement for a signed authorization form. 

Debt Removal from Credit Report Within 30 Days of Initial Contact : I request that the alleged debt be removed from my credit report within 30 days of my initial contact on XX/XX/2024. The debt has not been properly verified by the debt collector, and as such, it should not remain on my credit report. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the disputed debt can not remain on my credit report unless it is verified, and it should be removed within the required timeframe.

Maintain My Right to Dispute the Debt Without Acknowledgment : I request that the resolution respects my legal right to dispute the debt without requiring me to sign any acknowledgment of the debts validity. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ), I am not required to provide a signed authorization form to initiate a dispute, and I should not be forced to sign anything that could be construed as an acknowledgment of the debt. 

Conclusion : The XXXX  's refusal to process my complaint based on the unauthorized requirement for a signed form is a clear violation of my rights as a consumer under both the FDCPA and FCRA. I ask the CFPB to take immediate action to : Investigate the XXXX failure to uphold the law, Remove the disputed debt from my credit report within 30 days of my initial contact on XX/XX/2024, Ensure that I am not unfairly required to acknowledge a debt I dispute. 
If these issues are not resolved promptly, I will be forced to escalate this matter to other regulatory bodies, including the FTC, Attorney General 's Office, and the DOJ for potential FDCPA violations. 

Thank you for your time and attention to this serious matter. I trust the CFPB will act swiftly to enforce my rights under the law. 

Best regards, XXXX XXXX Phone : XXXX Email : XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation