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Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

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spectremi
Member

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

Well this thread really makes me sad. Smiley Tongue Had $11k in a CC with US Bank, it got charged off and I contacted them (they were the OC) they told me after a while of hunting that it was sold to Portfolio, and gave me their phone number. This debt is years from SOL. Have not been contacted by them yet, was hoping to contact US Bank and talk settlement, but if it's already been sold, sounds like it's a goner? Also, makes me wonder how to handle the Portfolio issue. I really wanted to clear this debt through settlement (ideally PFD) and have no outstanding debts anymore. Sounds like Portfolio typically buys up old debts/scares people, but with mine, they won't be referencing some obscure debt. I should probably not contact them about this, I was thinking of sending a PFD letter with a 10% offer (to get the ball rolling) to US Bank, but the minute they said it was sold, thought I would try the new owner. But that would a) verify the debt is valid and b) have me pop up on their radar - both things I would ideally avoid. However, an $11k debt would be easy to tack on heavy interest and other fees (I see people in here with only a couple hundred dollars originally...) so I would expect they want to figure out a way to get that money out of me. Anyone have any ideas of what I should do? I hate the "hurry up and wait" game if I am trying to clear these debts off... Smiley Tongue anyone think it would be a reasonable idea to send them a PFD now? I doubt it will sit around for over 6 more years (last payment was made a year ago roughly, I think) - our SOL here is 7 years.
Message 41 of 111
spectremi
Member

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

actually I suppose the first step would be a DV? otherwise I would be admitting to the debt/offering to pay immediately, which would change the SOL date, wouldn't it? PFD basically admits the debt is valid.
Message 42 of 111
Downto0
Regular Contributor

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

I expect that PRA will be contacting you.  When they do, send for dv.  Always send for dv.  A dv covers a lot of ground.  It not only forbids a collector from contacting you about the debt but they cannot do any credit reporting or even file a lawsuit until they return dv. 

 

You could try to send for dv before PRA contacts you but there is case law which states that it is the collector who must initiate the intial contact to trigger your dv rights.  If they don't respond to your request for dv then they have not made initial contact.  If they do then you have started the ball rolling and they must then send you your dv rights. 

 

I would keep a close eye on your cr as PRA generally gets a report shortly before they contact debtors.  You can also dispute the debt and PRA won't be able to list their tl without listing it as disputed.  This is helpful because CRAs typically won't consider disputed accounts when assessing credit scores.  Then, if PRA does list the account on you cr, they must list their tl as disputed also.  I would send a dispute to both the OC and PRA to make sure that the tl is listed as disputed.

 

Disputing a debt gives the collector a heads up that you won't be rolling over quickly and subsequently asking for dv is almost like a death blow because I've never known a JDB willing to spend the money to send after dv.  They usually simply go away.  A few will write a last letter (generally allowed) as a last attempt to collect.  Either way, if you first dispute the debt, let them respond, then ask for dv, you've covered all the bases.  You could also send a C&D but the dv pretty much does that and covers more area.

Message 43 of 111
spectremi
Member

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

Thanks for the reply! So you're saying I should send a dispute letter *right now* to US Bank (OC) and PRA before initial contact, disputing the debt (even though it is in fact legitimate? Smiley Tongue) Is there a good example you can help me find of what this letter would look like? I've taken down examples of GW and PFD letters, but not a dispute letter. I'd love to do anything which helps me look like I know what I'm doing and maybe they'll settle it out for less, (and hopefully not taking years to finalize), and I can be done with my debt hell. Smiley Tongue
Message 44 of 111
dam1120
New Member

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

Sorry but all this is confusing me. What is a dv and I started this thread awhile ago and still getting calls, notices, reports on my cr from this company and all my debts are over 7 yr old and I live in Florida yet they are allowed to put on my report even if older then 7 yr I was told. I was told if they are bought from other collectors and even the original lender/card issuer then its OK for them to report it on crs and start the clock over. What can I do to get all older then 7 yr off my reports? Oh what is a GW, PFD and other 2 letters words? Thanks

Message 45 of 111
spectremi
Member

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

For the acronyms: http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/User-Guidelines-General/Common-Abbreviations/td-p/88458 If you read the threads, it sounds like if it's past the SOL (statute of limitations) for your state, you can easily get out of it. Not sure the *right* process, but this company is known for buying old debts they can't legally enforce, and you just need to challenge it quick and it goes away. Smiley Happy
Message 46 of 111
dam1120
New Member

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

Thank you for the link I'm heading there to read. I would love to challenge it but no clue where to start? Any and all advise will be used to the fullest. Thanks

Message 47 of 111
Downto0
Regular Contributor

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

So you're saying I should send a dispute letter *right now* to US Bank (OC) and PRA before initial contact,

 

I would.  With disputes you don't need to wait for initial contact from the JDB.  This is kind of a band-aid because it does nothing to settle the debt but basically sets up some possible violations for the collector.  You probably won't snag the OC although you could. 

 

It does not matter that the debt is legitimate.  Once the debt is sold mistakes happen and a dispute only says that you want proof that the debt which PRA bought is legitimate.  They may be adding unauthorized interest or other add-on charges which the original contract does not provide for.  And, as I said, the tl must be listed as disputed.  This should lift up your fico score because the CRAs usually won't consider a disputed account when assessing the score.  If PRA lists their own account then they must list it as disputed else they have violated the FDCPA.  Most of this does not apply to the OC because they are not liable to the FDCPA.  However, they also may not list their tl as disputed and they have just violated the FCRA. 

 

The dispute letter should be short and to the point.  One or two sentences will do.  To the OC you would say something like, "I dispute the debt #000000 which you have listed on my credit report.  I request all documentation which verifies this debt."  Done.  To PRA you would say almost the same thing except, since PRA has not contacted you as of yet, you would say something like, " The OC has stated that you have bought an alleged debt of mine.  I have disputed this debt with the OC and I am now disputing the same debt with you.  I request all documentation which verifies this debt."  Done. 

 

What can I do to get all older then 7 yr off my reports?

 

Wait 6 months.  All delinquent debts fall off after 7 1/2 years.  The only way a collector can restart the clock is if you made some payments to them.  The 7 1/2 years starts from the last payment you made.  If you get a cr from one of the Big 3 they will generally list when the derogatory account will be removed.  If 8 years passes then you should write the CRAs and dispute that the debt is still being listed.

 

You can send a cease and desist order to the collectors to stop the phone calls and notices.  You can't do anything about the credit reporting except dispute the tl. 

 

Message 48 of 111
dam1120
New Member

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?

Strange thing is I have not paid on these debts yet they are showing as ending in 2013 or 2014 and they were opened like 1996 or earlier. I am so confused as I said when I inquired I was told they were bought and the clock starts over from the time they were bought. I have never paid or agreed to so what do I do send another letter to the credit report companies which I did a few years ago and tell them these are too old to be listed? While doing that send a letter to PRA and tell them to send me the proof of these charges? Thanks

Message 49 of 111
Shogun
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Experience with Portfolio Recovery Associates?


@dam1120 wrote:

Strange thing is I have not paid on these debts yet they are showing as ending in 2013 or 2014 and they were opened like 1996 or earlier. I am so confused as I said when I inquired I was told they were bought and the clock starts over from the time they were bought. I have never paid or agreed to so what do I do send another letter to the credit report companies which I did a few years ago and tell them these are too old to be listed? While doing that send a letter to PRA and tell them to send me the proof of these charges? Thanks


Send them a DV, it doesn't matter whtn they bought it or when they acquired it.  That doesn't set the clock for anything.  The clock for SOL and CRTP is set by the OC only.  And it starts when the account first went into arrears and was not brought current.

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Message 50 of 111
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