Get Help with Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC Phone Number and Debt Collection

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If you're being pursued by Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC (PRA), you're likely feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to handle the situation. PRA is a debt collection agency that buys and sells debt from original creditors.

To get in touch with PRA, you can call their customer service number at 1-877-712-8805. This number is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST.

It's essential to understand that PRA is a legitimate debt collector, and they have the right to contact you about outstanding debts. However, they must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which protects consumers from abusive and unfair debt collection practices.

What Is Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC?

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC is a legit debt collection company based in Virginia. They have hundreds of employees and an annual revenue of about $786.3 million in 2023.

Their main address is 120 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23502. This is where you can send mail or visit in person.

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You can reach them by phone at 1-800-772-1413, a helpline for customer service inquiries. This number is also used for general information about the company and its services.

Portfolio Recovery Associates uses several business names in addition to their main name, including PRA III and Anchor Receivables Management. They also have a website at https://www.portfoliorecovery.com/prapay/help/contact-us, where you can find more information and contact them online.

Customer Service Overview

You can contact Portfolio Recovery Associates through various channels, including phone and email. The most commonly used method is phone, accounting for 75% of all contacts, while email makes up 25%.

The best phone number to call Portfolio Recovery Associates is 800-772-1413, which 58% of consumers used to address their issues and concerns.

People call Portfolio Recovery Associates mainly because of account, employment, payments, and charges. The longest wait times are on Monday, while the shortest are on Sunday and Saturday.

If you prefer to contact Portfolio Recovery Associates via email, the best email to use is [email protected].

Debt Collection and Communication

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Ignoring communications from Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC is not a good idea. You have up to 30 days to request a validation of the debt, which can confirm that the company has full ownership of your obligation.

You can request a formal debt validation by sending a Debt Validation Letter, which should include a request to notify the credit bureaus that you dispute the debt, proof you owe the debt, approximate age of the debt, debt collector's license number, and determination of whether the statute of limitations expired.

PRA can call you normally, but there are restrictions, such as if you've sent a cease and desist letter or if they're auto-dialing your cell phone without permission.

Understanding

Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) is a debt collection agency that buys and collects unpaid debts from various sources. PRA is a subsidiary of PRA Group, a publicly traded company founded in 1996 and based in Norfolk, Virginia.

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PRA's primary goal is to recover debts on behalf of its clients, but this can sometimes lead to aggressive and harassing tactics that violate fair debt collection practices. This business model can lead to persistent and sometimes aggressive collection efforts.

PRA can call you, but there are important restrictions. If you've sent a cease and desist letter that PRA received, then no one from PRA can call you.

PRA can't auto-dial your cell phone if you've told PRA not to or if you never gave the original creditor permission to call your cell phone. This is the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) law.

PRA is known for buying debts at a fraction of their original value and then attempting to collect the full amount from consumers. This can lead to persistent and sometimes aggressive collection efforts.

If you're being contacted by PRA, it's essential to understand your rights. Here are some key facts to keep in mind:

  • If PRA calls you, they must verify that they have the right person (date of birth, last 4 of social).
  • PRA can't call you if you've sent a cease and desist letter that they received.
  • PRA can't auto-dial your cell phone if you've told them not to or if you never gave permission.
  • PRA may be using questionable debt collection tactics, such as making baseless threats or calling you at your workplace.

Don't Ignore Communication

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Don't ignore communication from debt collectors, especially Portfolio Recovery. You have up to 30 days to request a validation of the debt, which confirms the company has full ownership of your obligation.

Ignoring communication can lead to further complications and potential harm to your credit score. It's essential to address the issue promptly.

To request debt validation, you can send a Debt Validation Letter, which should include the following:

  • A request to notify the credit bureaus that you dispute the debt
  • Proof you owe the debt, such as copies of contracts or account statements
  • Approximate age of the debt and the last action you took on the account
  • Debt collector's license number
  • Determination of whether the statute of limitations expired

Threatening legal action against Portfolio Recovery can be effective if they don't comply with collection rules, so don't hesitate to assert your rights.

Owing a Debt

If you owe a debt to Portfolio Recovery, it's likely pretty old, with the original creditor holding the account for six months or longer before charging it off.

You can set up a payment arrangement, offer to settle the debt, or ignore the communication. Ignoring them can buy you some time, but be aware of the statute of limitations, which varies by state.

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You have the right to request that Portfolio Recovery stop communication with you by sending a written request to the agency.

Here are some options to consider:

  • Payment arrangement: Agree to make regular payments to Portfolio Recovery until you pay off the obligation.
  • Settlement: Offer a certain percentage of the total value of the debt, typically less than half of your obligation.
  • Ignoring: May buy you some time, but be aware of the statute of limitations.

Portfolio Is Legit—Proof of Address

Portfolio is legit—proof of address. Portfolio Recovery Associates, a debt collection company, is based in Virginia with hundreds of employees.

You can verify their legitimacy by checking their physical address, which is 120 Corporate Boulevard in Norfolk, VA 23502. This is a real address that can be verified.

Portfolio Recovery Associates also has a phone number that you can call to reach them: 1-800-772-1413. This number is publicly available on their website.

Their website is https://www.portfoliorecovery.com/prapay/help/contact-us, where you can find more contact information and details about their services.

Owing a Debt: Pay or Not?

If you owe a debt to Portfolio Recovery, the debt is likely old, having been held by the original creditor for at least six months before being charged off.

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You have several options if Portfolio Recovery validates your debt: set up a payment arrangement, offer to settle the debt, or ignore the communication.

Ignoring Portfolio Recovery can buy you some time, but be aware of the statute of limitations on your debt.

A payment arrangement with Portfolio Recovery allows you to make regular payments until you pay off the obligation, which may take a few months to a few years, depending on the amount you owe.

Settling the debt for a one-time payment can be an option, where you pay a certain percentage of the total value of the debt, typically less than half, and Portfolio Recovery will stop further collections activity.

Ignoring the communication may lead to legal action if the statute of limitations hasn't expired.

Debt Collection Laws and Practices

Debt collectors, including Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC, are allowed to contact you to recover debts. They must provide their name, the amount you owe, and the name of the collection agency in charge.

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If you suspect a scam, ask the collector for these details. This can help you determine if they are legitimate or not. You have the right to request that they stop communication with you in writing.

Here are some actions debt collectors can take:

  1. Contact you and report you to the credit bureau for excessive delay in payment and delinquency, which can affect your credit score.
  2. Sell your debt to another collector if they haven’t been able to collect it.
  3. Negotiate your debt with you.
  4. Sue you over your unpaid debt.

Lawsuit Response

If you're facing a lawsuit from a debt collector, you should know that you have the right to defend yourself in court.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requires debt collectors to provide you with a written notice of the lawsuit, including the amount of the debt and the name of the creditor.

You have 30 days to respond to the lawsuit, which can be done by filing an answer with the court.

In your answer, you can dispute the debt, claim that the debt is not yours, or assert that the debt collector has engaged in unfair or deceptive practices.

If you fail to respond to the lawsuit, the court may enter a default judgment against you, which can lead to wage garnishment or bank account levies.

You can also request a court hearing to contest the debt, where you can present evidence and testimony to dispute the debt collector's claims.

Remember, you don't have to face a lawsuit alone – you can hire an attorney to represent you in court.

Fair Debt Collection Practices

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Fair Debt Collection Practices are in place to protect you from harassment and unfair treatment. PRA, or Portfolio Recovery Associates, is allowed to contact you, but they must provide the name of the creditor, the amount you owe, and the name of the collection agency in charge of recovering that debt.

It's essential to ask for these details to verify the legitimacy of the call. This can help you determine if it's a scammer or the actual collector. You have the right to formally request that PRA stop communication with you by sending a written request to the agency.

Debt collectors can report you to the credit bureau for excessive delay in payment and delinquency, which can affect your credit score. They can also sell your debt to another collector if they haven't been able to collect it or sell the remainder if a part of the payment has been made.

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Here are the specific actions a collector can take:

  • Contact you and provide required details
  • Report you to the credit bureau
  • Sell your debt to another collector
  • Negotiate your debt
  • Sue you in court
  • Request to stop communication

If a collector threatens to sue you, it's crucial to seek legal advice from an attorney who specializes in consumer law. You have the right to defend yourself in court, and not showing up can result in a default judgment against you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Portfolio Recovery collect for?

Portfolio Recovery collects unpaid accounts from original creditors such as banks, credit card issuers, and utility providers. These creditors often sell their delinquent accounts to Portfolio Recovery at a discounted price due to the difficulty in collecting the debt.

Minnie Dietrich

Senior Assigning Editor

Minnie Dietrich is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in journalism, she has honed her skills in curating engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences. Throughout her career, Minnie has demonstrated expertise in assigning and editing articles across a range of categories, including technology, finance, and lifestyle.

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