8669090529

They may be a collection agency - but they are FAR FROM LEGITIMATE.
the debts they are trying to COLLECT are NOT LEGITIMATE AT ALL!  

They buy old worthless legally uncollectable debt for pennies and then break every state and fed FDCPA law to collect hundreds from people WHO DO NOT OWE THEM MONEY.  (includes fabricating court documents and bogus 1099C income forms)  

They are being SUED IN MINNESOTA NOW by their Attorney General and will be sued in other states as well.

Missouri AG Takes on Portfolio
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.

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates in Financial Trouble?We've been flooded with consumer complaints from all across America stating that they have received IRS Form 1099-C from Portfolio Recovery Associates... Read More >>


Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC

Revenue Discovery Systems
Aka/ Anchor Receivables Management



PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES

AS A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION?


Corporate Headquarters
120 Corporate Blvd., Norfolk VA 23502,
Mailing address: PO Box 12914 Norfolk VA 23541
Phone: (800) 772-1413      800-654-8818 or 757-519-9300
Fax: (757) 321 2504 or 866-296-0635


Offices:
4829 Hwy 45 North
Jackson, TN 38305


New Market Mall
5200 West Mercury Blvd
Hampton, VA 23666


500 West 1st Avenue
Hutchinson, KS 67501



Head Debt Collectors:
Steve Fredrickson, CEO
Email: sfredrickson@portfoliorecovery.com
Andrew Holmes, President
Email:  aholmes@portfoliorecovery.com
Craig Grube, Sr., VP
Email: cgrube@portfoliorecover.com
Donald A. Williams, Associate General Counsel
Email:  dwilliams@portfoliorecovery.com
www.portfoliorecovery.com

Delvanie Rush is a liar and employee of Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC.  Read her phony document.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bud Says                         Consumer Comments Below

Portfolio Recovery Associates, (PRA) bottom feeders with deep pockets, have apparently figured out how to get blood from a turnip. They collect on accounts dating back to the 90’s -- accounts so out of statute that most consumers can’t even remember if they even existed.

These vultures live off the grief and (in some cases) the time barred debts of unsophisticated consumers. Like most of the bottom feeders out there, PRA and Anchor are fighting the density of junk debt buyers who have flooded the market. To say the price for accounts has gone up is an under-statement. PRA is paying more just like everyone else to stay on top of the market.

One of PRA's favorite tricks is to use the IRS to collect for them. They issue the debtor a 1099C for the amount of the debt, then charge the full amount off as a loss. We've heard cases of other agencies collecting later on the same debt. Could PRA be charging off the full amount, then selling the account to another junk debt buyer? The poor consumer gets screwed in more ways than one. First, he's paid a questionable debt via a settlement to PRA - perhaps 60% on a debt they most likely couldn't have proven in court. Secondly, his taxes are hit when the IRS waves this 1099C in his face. They are effectively collecting for PRA at this point, since PRA took the loss (100%) of something they paid only pennies on the dollar for. Third, the consumer has to face the debt again when the junk debt buyer comes after him anew. Hopefully, the IRS will catch onto this scam. PRA is a publicly traded company, so one would think they wouldn't be able to get away with this type of financial accounting for very long without some preying eyes.


CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email  the details w/your location.  Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.  


File complaints with

Federal Trade Commission  https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Your State Attorney General
State Attorney General is every state they have offices

Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link  www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices.  HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!

Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html  If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list.   You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0

Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    
The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

Dealing with Debt Collectors
http://www.budhibbs.com/start.html


Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm


Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm


From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you’re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor’s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.
Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.

How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don’t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people – but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don’t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
    use threats of violence or harm;
    publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
    use obscene or profane language; or
    repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
    falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
    falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
    misrepresent the amount you owe;
    indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or
    indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
    you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt;
    they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
    legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:
    give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
    send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or
    use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
    deposit a post-dated check early;
    take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
    contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don’t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don’t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.
Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don’t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:
    Social Security Benefits
    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
    Veterans’ Benefits
    Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Service Members’ Pay
    Military Annuities and Survivors’ Benefits
    Student Assistance
    Railroad Retirement Benefits
    Merchant Seamen Wages
    Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Death and Disability Benefits
    Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
    Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can’t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General’s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General’s office can help you determine your rights under your state’s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad
February 2009

Portfolio WILL NOT STOP calling the wrong numbers - even when told to repeatedly.  

That is why they are being SUED IN MISSOURI RIGHT NOW!  

Missouri AG Takes on Portfolio
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.

If the debt is collectible through legal channels by 'sending it to legal' why doesn't the company simply handle everything legitimately through legal channels?  Why the harrassment, then?

This agency is SCUM...they call and harass your relatives...but they aren't allowed to do that by law, and I'm going to sue them. They are attempted to collect a debt that they know is SOL, and they break every law they can, they just started to ATTEMPT to harass me this week for a debt that is over 10 years old, yeah, like anyone could be that stupid. IF they are calling you, REPORT them, let's get this scum out of business. They were already sent a STOP the phone calls letter, but they

Portfolio Recovery Associates contacted me in 2007 to collect a debt for a utility bill I don't owe (from apparent ID theft). The bill is from 2006 at an address I moved from back in 2004. In other words, I was not there to run up the utilities. I have been at my current residence since 2004.

I cooperated initially, thinking this would be easily cleared up--the landlord confirms we left in 2004, the deed for our house closed in 2004 and is available at the courthouse. We provided copies, and all documentation they asked for. In retrospect, my faith that a collection agency would be willing to clear up a mistake was pretty naive, but I'd never had any dealings with collection agencies before.

As it turns out, they have screamed at me, called me names, called me a deadbeat--all this is against state law: West Virginia Fair Debt Collection Practices Act § 46A-2-125, Oppression and abuse.They even told me to pay the money even though it is not my debt because it will be the only way they will leave me alone. I don't know if this is strictly against the law or not, but it probably made me madder than anything else they have done. Pay money I don't owe?!! I am far more likely to sprout wings and poo on their heads.

They have threatened to garnish my wages (I don't get wages, so this would indeed be a trick.) Also, that threat is against state law, as well: West Virginia Fair Debt Collection Practices Act § 46A-2-124.

In addition, they frequently refuse to identify themselves when they call--this is also against state law: West Virginia Fair Debt Collection Practices Act § 46A-2-127, Fraudulent, deceptive or misleading representations. They call, but won't state where they're calling from--they only give a name and number, but not a business. They insist, "It's personal!" The number, naturally, Googles as Portfolio Recovery Associates.

They have also threatened to come to my house and take things. They have threatened to sue me. And so on. Keep in mind, that all this would be very, very illegal even if I actually owed the money, which I DO NOT.

I had an attorney write a cease communication letter to them in January 2008, and they STILL continue to contact me, against state law. After that, they did stop calling until October 2009--I thought it was over-- but for some unknown reason have begun again. I have not spoken with them for this go around: they have instructions to contact my attorney, and they can do that. I don't need to be abused again.

Currently I have complaints pending at the VA BBB and with the WV state Attorney General. (I am in WV, and they are in VA.) Our attorney General in WV doesn't seem to have patience for this sort of thing, so I have hopes that this will finally be resolved for me. If this is happening to you, please contact your state Attorney General's office. It was hard to get anyone else to listen.

Ironically, their motto is "Giving debt collection a good name."

Portfolio Recovery Associates operates illegally, and they can't be forced to stop if your attorney general doesn't get reports from abused people like you. Even if you do actually owe the money they are trying to collect, there are laws they have to follow, and this outfit does NOT follow them.

Find your state's Fair Collection Statutes here:

http://www.attorneysforconsumers.com/state-debt-collection-laws.html

Call your state AG!!!

Question they call me, and identify me, hoowever they ask me about a chase credit card-which i have never even had, so are they just scammers?

Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc.

Riverside Commerce Center

120 Corporate Boulevard

Norfolk, VA 23502

Phone: 757-519-9300

Fax: 757-518-0901

Other phone numbers: 866-909-0529 or 800-772-1413

Hello all. I can see that quite a discussion has been progressing about this number, so I'll contribute a little bit as well.

Two years ago, I was in a rather-violent ATV accident while visiting my father in California. I was recovered, placed on an ambulance (and then a helicopter), and evacuated to Community Medical Center in Fresno, California. For a busted wrist (which I still have limited mobility with), a nearly-torn-off ear, and a large contusion on my liver, I retired there for eight days.

The hospital bill was in excess of $8,000. Under the circumstances that my father was my legal guardian at the time, and was utterly-responsible for the accident, I had assumed that he would receive the bill. Oh, he did... and then referred these debt collectors to my mother. I haven't seen a single CENT of child support from him in over ten years. He owes my sister and I more than $26,400. So if there is anyone else who wants to preach morality, and ignore f*cked-up things that happen every day in America, be my guest. Portfolio Recover Associates (I believe that is who is calling) has hounded my house phone for years now. I have tried to have our number removed from their listing, but they use different ones, such as 1-(866)-691-3568, or 1-(800)-383-8013.

These people keep calling.  I have asked them to send me a bill showing EXACTLY what I am paying for.  But they can't seem to do it.  I did not create this bill and I believe it was my ex-wife using my name.  But I will never know, since they won't work with me and only demand money on a bill that is now almost 10yrs old.  They have also left messages to call them back as 866-909-0529.

They are a collection agency.  They left a message that it is a personal call for Paul.  No Paul here nor has there ever been.  Obviously they have bad data.  They did not state the name of the their business.  Most legitimate business leave a proper message, not "This is a personal call for Paul again please have Paul call me back in his earliest convenience. My name is Britney. I can be reached at 18669090529 extension 57039. Thank you."  Not a rude message, granted.

I called them back to let them know that they have the wrong number.  Britney not available.  They wanted all of my information.  I would not give them anything.  I told the person that answered that I was returning a personal call from Britney so I would not give them any information...no reason to if it was a personal call!

In response to MISSY in a previous post.  I pay all of my bills.  You people need to do better research and call the correct phone numbers.  Don't blame us for getting annoyed at getting collections calls for other people.

My mother just called me and said that a woman had called her last evening asking for me.  I don't live with my mother, or even in the same state.  The woman said that the phone number she had for me has been disconnected (probably true, since I moved to another state two years ago) and asked my mother if she had my number.  My mother wouldn't give her that information but asked the woman what her name was.  The woman wouldn't say, wouldn't give a company name, nothing.  She finally asked, "Are you his mother?"  My mother said yes, and the woman asked if she'd have me call this number.  So my mother then called me the next day (today, which happens to be Thanksgiving).  I immediately looked up the number on Google and found this site.  Glad I did!  I won't bother with these people.  If it's a legitimate call, they can darn well find me the way I found them.  I don't have debt and this sounds like a debt collection agency.  I don't care to deal with that.

Have you know I'm an 80 year old retiree and I pay my bills. The only bills
I've had the past 20 years is property tax and utility. Other than that I pay cash for everything. I got a call from this number also. You are wrong little lady.

I have openly refused to pay the debt this company is trying to collect on. It is an 11 year old  capital one account. It is no longer even listed on my credit report, statute of limitations has long expired to even try to take this to court. Once a debt reaches this age it is pretty much an uncollectable debt. I love to play games with these people on the phone. They have been calling for several years, and for all I care let them continue to call for years to come. Sooner or later they will realize they wasted their money purchasing this paticular account and have also wasted tons of money on long distance phone calls as well.

we didn't ask for a lecture or sermon just who was calling

They started calling my home number, which is not a number I give out, about a week ago.  They stated that I over $2,000 on a 14 years old debt and that they have been trying to find me for years.  Really.  I've only had 2 jobs and moved once in the last 14 years.  I'm not a flight risk.  There is nothing on my credit report and I didn't even have a credit card 14 years ago.  What's scary is they had my DOB and the last 4 of my social correct.  Because of this I have registered on Lifelock to monitor my credit and all of my accounts.  

So I agree with many of you....they can continue to call, but they will not get a penny out of me.

Please stop these phone calls....They are ruining my job!!! Rude and don't have their facts straight

Keep calling me and I know nothing about their business.

Usually you're collecting on an old out dated debt..something that has been written off or has been already paid years ago!! I don't buy your bull..so stop trying to sell yourself as such! You're only in it for the money! Your friend said it herself!! Get a real life! A real job like everyone else-bottom feeder!!

All - you have many rights. You have the right to have any3rd party collection agency send you a validation of the debt. This is proof that they can even collect it. they cannot charge you to gather this information, theymust send you proof positive - not just a computer print off. Learn your rights and use them. http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/validation.html

Kind of hard to pick up the call when they are leaving messages on a virtual mailbox