Who is Portfolio Recovery Associates? Is This A Scam?

Portfolio Recovery Associates, also known as PRA Group or PRA LLC, is a collections agency based in Norfolk, Virginia. The debt collection agency was founded in 1996. According to the company website, they are one of the largest debt collectors in the United States and they employ over 5,000 people worldwide. Though based in Virginia, they deal with consumers throughout the United States.

Portfolio Recovery Associates has received many consumer complaints claiming Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) violations. Some consumer reviews have accused PRA of making false statements or representations in pursuit of debt collection. Other examples of alleged violations include attempting to collect a debt not owed, threatening to contact an employer and sharing information improperly, and improper communication tactics.

In 2014, PRA Group was involved in litigation with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB accused PRA of using improper debt collection practices, for example threatening to sue customers over time-barred debts. PRA eventually reached an agreement with the CFPB, whereby the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Portfolio Recovery Associates to pay consumers $19 million in refunds and $8 million in penalties and ordered the company to stop collecting on over $3 million worth of debts.

Nonetheless, Portfolio Recovery Associates is not a scam and they are in fact an authorized debt collection agency. Major banks and businesses from many industries use PRA as a debt collector. PRA purchases packages of debt from these companies, and then tries to collect the debt from customers. If Portfolio Recovery Associates has contacted you, it is important that you learn your rights and how best to protect yourself before offering any response.

What Are Common Complaints Against Portfolio Recovery Associates?

As of July 2018, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received over 8,200 complaints related to the debt collection practices of Portfolio Recovery Associates. Examples of common complaints against PRA include trying to collect a debt not owed and improper communication tactics.

The following two real-world examples of complaints against Portfolio Recovery Associates illustrate these types of alleged violations.

Consumer alleges Portfolio Recovery Associates uses improper communication tactics

“Portfolio Recovery called me 20 times this morning which is clear harassment. I called them and asked them why and they denied it. I have the call logs to prove they called.”

Consumer alleges attempts to collect a debt not owed

“Get multiple daily calls from Portfolio Recovery for debt that I don’t owe. Have asked repeatedly to stop calling.”

What Actions Can Portfolio Recovery Associates Legally Take Against Me? Can They Sue Me Or Garnish My Wages?

As a debt collector, Portfolio Recovery Associates is not legally allowed to threaten to sue you, or threaten to garnish your wages. They are allowed to contact you via phone, text, or mail. However PRA cannot call you at inappropriate times including before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.

Though they are not allowed to threaten lawsuit or wage garnishment, if you do not pay a valid debt owed to them, Portfolio Recovery Associates may legally sue you in a court. If they get a default judgement against you in court, the judgement will state the amount you owe and allow them to garnish your wages for that amount. If you owe a debt to PRA and are concerned with the possibility that they might garnish your wages, it would be wise to speak to an attorney before it gets to this point. Our attorneys have assisted countless consumers in fighting back against debt collector harassment and protecting themselves against wage garnishment. Contact us now to see if we can help you as well!

Please call 952-295-3935 now or fill out our Free Case Evaluation Form and one of our attorneys handling Debt Collector Harassment can evaluate your case. If we agree to handle your case, our attorney fees will be FREE to you and will be paid for by Portfolio Recovery Associates.

What Should I Do If Portfolio Recovery Associates Contacts Me? How Do I Stop Portfolio Recovery Associates From Harassing Me?

The first step is to determine if Portfolio Recovery Associates is in violation of your rights. Please refer to the following list:

Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) is contacting you about about a debt which is not yours, or a debt amount which is more than you owe
PRA is unable to prove that the debt is owed by you
PRA is not authorized by the original creditor to collect the debt
PRA is making automated robocalls to your phone in order to collect
PRA is using inappropriate language, or trying to intimidate you.
PRA is accusing you of criminal behavior, or threatening to arrest you.
PRA is threatening you with negative credit reporting, lawsuit, or violence
PRA is calling you at work, or calling your friends, coworkers, and neighbors
PRA is calling you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
PRA is calling you many times per week

If any of the above applies to your situation, our attorneys can help! Tarshish Cody PLC represents consumers experiencing harassment from debt collectors like Portfolio Recovery Associates, and our attorneys are experienced in protecting your legal rights. If Portfolio Recovery Associates is in violation of the FDCPA, we can not only make the debt collection calls stop, but our attorneys can sue PRA and recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages for your FDCPA claim. Furthermore, Portfolio Recovery Associates would be required to pay your attorney fees and court costs.

Please call 952-295-3935 now or fill out our Free Case Evaluation Form and one of our attorneys handling Debt Collector Harassment can evaluate your case at no charge to you.

Is Your Law Firm Able To Assist Me In Filing A No Fee Lawsuit Against Portfolio Recovery Associates?

If you are being harassed by PRA, we can help! The attorneys at Tarshish Cody PLC have filed many lawsuits against debt collectors like Portfolio Recovery Associates who are in violation of the FDCPA. In total, our clients have been awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars via these lawsuits.

What Do Our Clients Say?

“[Tarshish Cody PLC] helped us win a settlement from an aggressive debt collection company. [The law firm] was very professional and explained the process and the plan of action. We really didn’t have to do anything. Settlement was reached in a short amount of time. We recommend [Tarshish Cody PLC] to anyone seeking settlement from a debt collection company.”

“[Tarshish Cody PLC] won my case for me against the collection agency that was garnishing my wages. I was really stressed out & embarrassed about my situation, but [Tarshish Cody PLC] successfully sued [the collection agency] & they backed down; we settled out of court, they paid me my damage reward & stopped all garnishments. [Tarshish Cody PLC] went above & beyond for me & when I needed a competent professional who could deliver & be trusted, [Tarshish Cody PLC] was the law firm I needed.”

Can You Help Me Remove A Portfolio Recovery Associates Account from My Credit Report?

Yes we are able to assist with this. Contact us now to learn more.

Portfolio Recovery Associates Contact Info

Portfolio Recovery Associates

120 Corporate Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: (800) 772-1413

Portfolio Recovery Associates Telephone Numbers

In trying to reach customers, PRA calls from a multitude of phone numbers. Here is list of phone numbers from which consumers have reported getting calls from Portfolio Recovery Associates, pertaining to debt collection:

8887160100
8888913144
2054534750
2054531648
8776225907
8552636987
8772095454
8774875583
8777772398
7247424342
8778599172
8774979050
8008600644
8882643362
8005421048
8669984558
8778234584
8778475151
8019022414
8019022429
8019022976
4044186787
8882380467
9512466021
8009582928
8049311061
8132737802
8132056560
4048653326
6017181353
2815001940
9138716259
8556642147
8005273369
8003907586
8004930791
8882494134
8665475473
8778038008
8778017940
8778030025
8778030008
8779984494
8884222240
8888011455
8888070511
8662993463
8662996414
8662975022
8662972292
8662981447
8775880798
8164204003
8003871357
8003838013
8007776116
8007721413
5138781463
8664286589
8664231568
8664288102
8663681565
8008030008
4045925171
9546784804
9546783362
9546783370
8004680219
8666334384
8668792116
8669407640
3023573644
8666913568
8007221413
8669257109
9197467137
8668252610
8665000609
8669090529
8008519631
8669367667
8663722508
8005989331
7276378527
2396428598
6027951383
8642683762
7578474539
4168009148
4043476414
2049493108
8884219922
7578212195
7024727109
2152686077

How We Can Help

Stop The Harassment: All debt collection calls stop once you’ve retained Tarshish Cody, PLC.
Get up to $1,000: We can Sue and Recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages for your FDCPA claim
100% Free Legal Assistance: Harassing Debt Collectors must pay our fees in FDCPA claims.

Tarshish Cody PLC represents consumers experiencing harassment from debt collectors like Portfolio Recovery Associates and our attorneys are experienced in protecting your legal rights. Our law firm understands how difficult it is for consumers who fall behind on bills, when pressured by harassment that is illegal and needs to cease. Dealing with harassment is a positive step in the process of managing your late payments or debt. Our attorneys can discuss remedies such as debt consolidation, short sales, bankruptcy, and more, but most importantly, we can get the harassment to stop.

Please call 952-295-3935 now or fill out our Free Case Evaluation Form and one of our attorneys handling Debt Collector Harassment can evaluate your case.

Tagged as: Consumer Protection Law, FDCPA, Portfolio Recovery Associates, PRA