205-423-4020

Debt collector:  Anchor Receivables Management  (Aka)Portfolio Recovery Associates. Continually call for a person not associated with our phone Number or Address and will not cease even when told so.  My solution is an AirHorn and they are going to get it over and over.

better way is to get a phone capable of call block and just block the number as I too get numerous calls from these people I each time they call I block the number

I've hooked my computer up to my phone line and will have its fax software try to handshake with whoever is calling, so they get all those nice sounds in their ear.

iget these too , i look at the caller id , if i don't know the #  i don't answer it . Then i google it and find out it is Just Who I thought it was . :)  thank you google ...thank you people for posting about this # ... Liz Claborn is another name they use as well .  Tricky lil buggers .

I get numerous calls from Portfolio for a person that no longer lives with me. Portfolio does follow the law so if you don't want them to call you -1.get the name of the person calling/ask for a supervisor and tell them you no longer want ANY calls because by law they have to stop if you request it 2. if you do request them to stop calling bear in mind that may quicken legal proceedings against the actual debtor (if someone you care about you may not want to do it) 3. play games with them - this is the most fun of all since this company does follow the law.  They do not call before 8 AM or after 9 PM. They do not call you names - but you can call them names!  If they do anything that is against the law - record the conversation because they will get into BIG trouble with the government - there is an active case against another agency whose name I have forgotten but it was because they did not follow the law. My favorite thing right now is to say, "just a minute" or "hold on" and never come back and eventually hang up. Otherwise I toy with them about what they want since by law they cannot tell you what they specifically want unless you are the debtor or the spouse.  So even if you are the debtor don't identify yourself as the one they want.  HAVE FUN!

portfolio again, eh? they have a lot of numbers.  this is the second area code they've used when harassing my business line.  only once have they left a message -- for someone i don't know, along with the jackpot violation of explaining the debt.   i've only answered once, with my business name, and the call was immediately hung up by portfolio.

i'm sick of them, but there's not much i can do except report them.

I have a great cell phone.  I make up names in my contact list and store all of the unknown calls in them.  I put the made up names under ringer type (silent).  I don't know if they called until I open my phone.

They buy very old debt and lie their collective butts off.  The SOL has exprired, the debt in question is under $600, the debt was my brothers who I consigned a loan, BIG MISTAKE!  It is a phone bill that was written off in 1994.  I explain this and they say, Just pay it and we will stop  calling.  Just answer the call and don't say a word.  Second, just add it to your call screening service, when they change the number, cancell the old number and add that number.  Several states are investigating.  I have asked them several times to stop and send a validation letter.  They don't do either, which is a violation of most state laws. It is a matter of time before they get fined by the FTC, FCC, and many state AG's.  Problem with Portfolio is that they don't do any investigation of the debt, they just buy it like junk bonds in the 80's and hope to collect a certain percentage.  What a scam this country is allowing.  In time it will stop, once our elected legislators get thier act together.  Plus, it is illegal not to leave a message once you get an answer machine or to hide your identity on caller ID.

"Just pay it and we will stop calling".

Hmmph. Typical bullying antics of this bottom feeder, threatening to keep calling if you don't pay an UNVALIDATED and OUT-OF-STATUTE debt.

Here's what you do:

First of all, STAY OFF THE PHONE! They are after only ONE thing: To get you to admit that you own the debt and extort a token payment so it can be reaged.

Second, send them this cease communication VIA certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of everything you send:

Today's Date

Your Name
Your Address

Portfolio Recovery Associates
PO Box 12914
Norfolk VA. 23541

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL

RE: [insert account number or name of account or name of debt]:

Dear [insert collector's name or company name],

This letter is in response to your [letter dated xx-xx-2005] (copy enclosed) or [phone call on xx-xx-2005], concerning the collection of the above referenced [account or date].

I do not believe I owe what you say I owe therefore I dispute this debt. I am well aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and my state laws so I hope to save both of us a great deal of time by letting you know that not only do I dispute the validity of this debt, I have also checked with my State Attorney General and verified that the Statute of Limitations for enforcing this type of debt through the courts in (insert your state or the state in which the contract was signed) has expired. Therefore, should you decide to pursue this matter in court I intend to inform the court of my dispute of this debt and that the "statute of limitations" has expired.

This letter is your formal notification that I consider this matter closed and demand that you, or anyone affiliated with your company, stop contacting me regarding this or any other matter except to advise me that your debt collection efforts are being terminated or that you or the creditor are taking specific actions allowed by the FDCPA or my state laws.

Be advised that I consider any contact not in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act a serious violation of the law and will immediately report any violations to my State Attorney General, to the Federal Trade Commission and, if necessary, take whatever legal action is necessary to protect myself. Be advised that I tape record all phone calls and violations of the FDCPA can result in you or your company being personally fined up to $1,000 per incident.

(Sign above name)
Printed Name

http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/Disputing ... ute-letter.html

If they send you a 1099-C at tax time, report it to the IRS IMMEDIATELY!

PRA is being sued right and left:

Lawsuit Filed Against Portfolio Recovery Regarding Unfair Arbitrations

Lawsuit claims that Portfolio improperly filed claims against consumers
with an arbitration service it knew to be biased in its favor.

Atlanta, Ga. (PRWEB) December 17, 2009 -- Atlanta-based law firm Webb, Klase & Lemond, LLC has filed a class action lawsuit against debt collection firm Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC alleging that Portfolio improperly subjected consumers to arbitration with National Arbitration Forum, Inc. ("NAF"), an arbitration service it knew to be biased in favor of creditors. All persons who have been victimized by a Portfolio arbitration through NAF may eventually be included in the class of persons covered by this lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, the Plaintiff fell behind on his account with MBNA, a national credit card company. Portfolio then purchased this debt and filed an arbitration claim with NAF. The NAF arbitrator awarded Portfolio an amount that was much greater than the Plaintiff's true debt.

The complaint alleges that Portfolio misrepresents to consumers that NAF is an unbiased, neutral entity that will give them a fair hearing. However, according to the suit, Portfolio is aware that NAF is beholden to creditors and renders decisions against consumers nearly 100 percent of the time. Despite its knowledge of these facts, Portfolio accepted NAF judgments and moved to enforce them in various courts. The Minnesota Attorney General has recently sued NAF based on its improper practices and NAF has agreed never to arbitrate consumer matters again. NAF's settlement with the Attorney General, however, does not void any arbitrations that have already occurred.

The Plaintiff has brought claims for unconscionability, breach of contract, violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, negligent misrepresentation, and contravention of public policy. The case was brought in the Superior Court of Muscogee County in Columbus, Georgia but was removed to federal court. The case, styled Barkwell v. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia and has been assigned Case Number 4:09-CV-113-CDL. The case is likely to be remanded to the Superior Court but will still, with court permission, pursue claims on behalf of all persons in the United States who were victimized by Portfolio.

If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this press release, please contact E. Adam Webb, Esq. by e-mail or by calling (770) 444-9325. Webb, Klase & Lemond, LLC is a law firm that practices complex litigation with a focus on litigation arising from wrongful deprivations by corporate and government entities. You may visit our website at www.WebbLLC.com.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/12/prweb3356464.htm

Washer & Refrigeration Supply Co. Files Suit Against Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc

11/13/2009
Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc. has been sued in Montgomery County Circuit Court, in a suit that seeks class-action status and alleges widespread improprieties. Portfolio Recovery Associates has violated the Alabama Taxpayer Bill of Rights, denied people the right to appeal their tax bills and received incentive payments from governments in return for assessing additional taxes. The company's main Alabama subsidiary, Revenue Discovery Systems, collects business, motel, tobacco and other taxes for 250 Alabama counties and municipalities. Attempts to reach Portfolio Recovery Associates were unsuccessful. The suit was filed by Washer & Refrigeration Supply Co., which says Revenue Discovery levied illegal taxes and didn't inform the company of its right to appeal.

http://investing.businessweek.com/research/st ... ?symbol=PRAA:US

August 18, 2009

Attorney General Koster takes action against fraudulent debt collectors--Koster says businesses tried to collect debts people didn’t owe--

St. Louis, Mo. - Attorney General Chris Koster today filed suit against two debt collection companies that are operating scams to collect debts from citizens who do not owe the money.

Koster filed law suits in St. Louis against Portfolio Recovery Associates, a public company based in Virginia, and Professional Debt Management located in Kansas City.

Koster said Portfolio buys old and bankruptcy-discharged debt, often from another bad debt buyer, and then tries to collect, sometimes through court action. He said the company often is attempting to collect on accounts that are already paid or have been discharged in bankruptcy; sometimes they try to collect from the wrong consumer or for the wrong amounts. He said the company has threatened to garnish consumers’ social security checks, which they have no authority to do, and has refused to provide consumers with proof that the debt is valid.

Koster said Professional Debt Management uses scare tactics, leaving messages on consumers’ phones that there is an emergency. He said that like Portfolio, they attempt to collect on accounts already paid or from the wrong party.

“The Attorney General’s office intends to take aggressive action to protect Missouri consumers,” Koster said. “I am asking the court to issue a permanent injunction prohibiting these companies from violating consumer protection laws and to order that they provide full restitution to the people they have harmed.”

Koster also is asking that the court impose monetary penalties and require the companies to pay all court costs.

http://creditsuit.org/credit.php/blog/C185/

Bless you ALFALFA!

I got a call from these people on my cell. Never left a message and since I have all unwanted calls on a silent ringer, I never knew they called until I picked u my phone.

I usually like to answer and have my parrot sit there and say -- Hello, Hello - over and over again. they hang up or I finally do.

I love the ones that leave messages on the voice mail and act like you are there answering the call. They will say my name like they are friends with me, and I wonder how stupid they are cause they are talking to a voice mail.

This company uses many different phone #:
(205)423-4020
(620)662-8870
(800)772-1413
(561)000-7836
(877)803-0008
(972)503-3100

I never answer and they never leave messages.

They were calling my house for TWO, count it TWO years for someone I don't know. The last time they called, I let them ask for the person and said "The b**ch owes me money too, so when you find her have her call me so I can kick her @$$ and collect my money"! Haven't heard from them in the last four months. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I wouldn't. Consider this:

Did you know that you can sue the $#@! out of them, for harassing a non-debtor?:

Under the TCPA, a consumer has a right to file a lawsuit and recover $500 for each call that violates the TCPA. The TCPA can also be used in conjunction with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in some situations.  

Generally, the TCPA does not apply to debt collectors making collection calls to debtors. However, if you are subjected to calls from a debt collector and you are not the debtor, you may file a lawsuit against the debt collector under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the TCPA.

This right was recently recognized by Judge Legrome D. Davis in a case called Watson v. NCO Group, Inc.  NCO Group is a debt collector that uses automated prerecorded collection calls.  In this case, Mr. Watson alleged he was getting hundreds of calls from NCO Group after he got a new phone number. Mr. Watson claimed he owed no debt to NCO Group, Inc.  Mr. Watson filed suit under both the FDCPA and TCPA.

David Israel, defense lawyer for NCO, argued that the TCPA should not apply to debt collectors.  Judge Davis rejected the argument made by David Israel. The judge ruled that Mr. Watson had a right to sue NCO Group Inc under the TCPA for $500 for each call.  Judge Davis wrote;

[The] Court is convinced that a non-debtor's rights are in fact violated when he is subjected to repeated annoying and abusive debt collection calls that he remains powerless to stop.

Judge Davis' ruling was based upon his interpretation that collection calls to non-debtors violate the privacy rights provided by the TCPA.  

So what can you do if you receive "wrong number" calls from debt collectors?

1. Sign up for the Do-Not-Call registry.
2. Save the calls captured by your voice mail or answering machine.
3. Contact a consumer lawyer.

http://consumerlawyer.typepad.com/blog/2008/02/the-do-not-call.html

wrong number

wrong number just message  leaveing know name who the call is for

I just tell them "for purposes of quality control, this conversation may be recorded".

Immediate hang-up.

seems to be a dept collector who hasn't got a clue. dead air when answered and unable to call back.

Portfolio Recovery Associates.

call left no message, i have about 10 numbers from portfolio
how many number can one company have, must be nation wide (so many state). unbeliving.

i sure the company has wrote this $500.00 debt off, $500.00 has become $3,000.00