11-17-09 female caller saying, Farmers Ins, call me at 467-7870 there was a child crying and some yelling in background. caller did not giver her name or who she was calling for. I *69 for # 334-271-5523 on 11-19-09 female caller again, this time she gave a name, saying this is Lynn-spelling? at Farmers Ins. this call is for R____C____ if you will Please give me a call back at 467-7870  I *69 for # 334-271-5523 call came from the same number. do not have this Ins. Scam?

11-10-09 hang up. *69 for # 757-961-3546 online search: Norfolk,VA.  county: Virginia Beach

757-961-3546 three times today. when answered always dead air.

RECEIVED THIS CALL AT 12:02 PM ON 4-10-09.  UNKNOWN NAME SO I DID NOT ANSWER

Working as Credit Card Debt recovery.

received several calls.  didn't answer since the caller id was "unknown".  never had a credit card (too cheap to pay the interest rates) so this must be a scam.

It shows Virginia call, 757-961-3546, called several times.

this supposed to be a cc recovery service out of Virginia but the claims go back like 15-20 years. very rude

some guy with a southern accent left me a message.  Trying to collect a debt. Must be a scam!  I don't owe any debt.  I BK'd 4 years ago.  My credite reports are free and clean.

Got this call, to collect a debt. They had the wrong number

We get calls from Portfolio Recovery endlessly, day in and day out, probably 30-40 different #s trying to trick us. Got message one time that left personal information to bait us. Male voice sounding threatening. We declared bankruptcy 16 years ago and these fools are still trying to harass us. It's been about 14 years since we got any type of call regarding debt and it was after the debt was discharged. They (earlier call) wanted proof of the bankruptcy and I told them not my problem that their data is out of date, they were a business and had access to public records, and they could talk to my attorney if they didn't stop. Never heard from them again. This time I'm just getting a new number unlisted and terminating this other number. We're on email and cell phones all the time now anyway. These sleezeballs are just working the numbers - a certain % of us will fall for their harassment. Don't let them win if you have legally discharged debt. I'm send all the call #s, with printout of these pages, to my representatives and will let them know how Portoflio Recovery is illegally harassing people.

if this is a collection agency, I have no clue why they're calling me. i've got about 25 different numbers on my CELLPHONE. i'm only 23. i have no credit cards & no debts. they leave no messages & call all times of the day. I put them on my cell's reject list. sadly it doesn't stop them from calling...

These Portfolio people are just another in a series of bogus "collection" calls made to unsuspecting people. I used to get calls like this from an group called "NCO", but after I threatened them with legal action, they stopped. These callers figure that of the thousands of calls they make, that there will a small percentage of people who will be stupid enough to respond, and there will be some people even stupider who will give them some money.
These outfits somehow get your name and number from corporate records for debts owed at some time, and then try to convince you that you are in default, even though the debts has been paid or closed due to BK's.

This number continues to harress me.They have been calling for about a year.They are calling about a debt that has been dismissed years ago and they do not have any rights.I need them to stop calling my house.

They have been calling me for a while,but today they finally spoke, They ask me do Mr. Hope live here, I told him no and stop calling me.

Got a phone call from this number. No idea who it was.

Do something about it! If you can post a detailed message here try submitting a complaint to the Do Not Call registry found here:

https://www.donotcall.gov/

In your report include any information you can get on THEM: where they want you to send money (usually PO boxes), what websites you are directed to etc.

Detailed information can assist law enforcement.
There's a special place in hell for these types of people and you can do something about it.

ive had 75 calls up to yesterday, for 4 weeks, from,   240- 374 -4511      757 961 3544,  757-961-3545,    757-961-,  757-961-3548. 877-803-0008, 760-804-2371,  i hav them all logged, day/date/an time, from virgina,  pennsylvania,  maryland, ohio,california,plus unknown,.they never leave a message, just using my min's, can they not be sued for wasteing my much needed min's, ooops another gob--shite coming in now,

I have been logging these calls since 8/09, though they started coming prior to that date. At one point, I actually spoke to someone & was on the verge of making payment arrangements when the collector became rude & argumentive; then hung up on me.  Since then, I don't answer the phone.  They usually call once in the morning; then once in the evening, never leaving a message.  As others have stated, the calls come from various numbers, mostly toll free. I consider these harrassing calls & hope some positive action can be taken to make these people discontinue these practices.

Thank you for all the great notes about these guys.  I noticed a few calls from them but, I have never picked up.  I will start a log and start to file complaints too.  Do they really feel we are that stupid?

Zombie debt is a lucrative and illegal part of the debt-collection world that Clark Howard wants to warn you about. Scavenger collectors buy up expired debts that can be up to 30 years old for as little as 1 penny on the dollar. Then they unleash vicious collectors to try to collect, and frequently violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in the process. They may be going after debts set aside in bankruptcy; stemming from ID theft; or that have passed the statute of limitations, which is typically 4 years on credit card debt. There is no legal way they can collect these debts, but that doesn't stop the scavengers from trying to intimidate you.

THIS IS NOT A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD PAY YOUR BILLS. THIS IS ABOUT WHAT YOUR RIGHTS ARE ON OLD DEBTS.

The scavengers are so good that they typically collect about 13 cents on every dollar. Many of them also engage in illegal activities by wrongfully putting old debts back on your credit report; harassing you over the phone; or secretly taking money out of your account. If you're being harassed by a zombie debt collector, send them a certified letter stating the debt is invalid and instructing them to stop contacting you. But beware that scavengers don't care if the debt is valid. They've declared war on your wallet and will use any tactics. Be tough and know your rights.

http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/2008/02/15/13229/

BTW, PRA's collector also violated FDCPA laws by not identifying her employer and that "this call is from a debt collector and any information obtained will be used for that purpose" (Mini-Miranda).

Add these to your list, when you file complaints with the FTC and respective AG's.

"YOU have to prove that this is not your debt"?

"She is going to have their 'law team' come after you"?

Rubbish.

She is DEAD wrong on both counts, and has violated multiple statutes of the FDCPA by making threats she knows are illegal and cannot follow through on as well as lying about YOUR right to dispute this alledged debt. The burden of proof as to whether or not you legitimately owe it lies with them and NOT you, and PRA CANNOT take legal action against you without first validating it!

Here's what you do:

First of all, STAY OFF THE PHONE! They have NO interest in "helping" you, and are trying to coerce you into paying a debt that you (more than likely) DO NOT OWE.

Second, file complaints with the FTC, the attorney general of Virginia as well as your state for the above violations.

Third, send them this letter VIA certified mail with return receipt requested DEMANDING validation of the alledged debt. Keep copies of everything you send. Per the FDCPA PRA has five days to respond. If they fail to respond to your request and continue calling or try to get a judgment against you after you have proof they received your letter, you can sue them for statuatory damages.

Today's Date

Your Name
Your Address

Portfolio Recovery Associates
PO Box 12914
Norfolk, VA 23541

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL

Dear {insert name of collector or company},

I am writing in response to your (letter or phone call) dated {insert date}, (copy enclosed) because I do not believe I owe what you say I owe.

This is the first I've heard from you, or any other company on this matter therefore, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Section 809(b): Validating Debts:

(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.

I respectfully request that you provide me with the following information:

(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment (if applicable);
(4) Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in (insert name of your state).

Be advised that I am fully aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For instance, I know that:

Because I have disputed this debt in writing within 30 days of receipt of your dunning notice, you must obtain verification of the debt or a copy of the judgment against me and mail these items to me at your expense;
you cannot add interest or fees except those allowed by the original contract or state law.

You do not have to respond to this dispute but if you do, any attempt to collect this debt without validating it, violates the FDCPA.

Also be advised that I am keeping very accurate records of all correspondence from you and your company including recording all phone calls and I will not hesitate to report violations of the law to my State Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.

I have disputed this debt; therefore, until validated you know your information concerning this debt is inaccurate. Thus, if you have already reported this debt to any credit-reporting agency (CRA) or Credit Bureau (CB) then, you must immediately inform them of my dispute with this debt. Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act § 1681s-2. Should you pursue a judgment without validating this debt, I will inform the judge and request the case be dismissed based on your failure to comply with the FDCPA.

Finally, if you do not own this debt, I demand that you immediately send a copy of this dispute letter to the original creditor so they are also aware of my dispute with this debt.

Signature here
Your Printed Name

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

PS--If they do NOT validate this debt, charge it off instead and send you a 1099-C at tax time, dispute it with the IRS immediately!

Alfalfa - Very useful and valid information.  Same problem here happening with relentless calls for a debt over 10 years old (not mine by the way).  I'm a bankruptcy paralegal and know my rights and you give good information on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  We ignored the calls for about a year, but they became more and more frequent and generally right at the start of the call times and also at the end, esp. on weekends.  I finally answered and said the alleged debtor moved out months ago and to quit calling.  Finally... peace and quiet!

These people keep calling me trying to collect a debt that has been paid off for over six years.  Harassment suits or class action suits may be the thins that stop them.  But who knows.  Idiots are idiots and are too stupid to be intimidated by legalities.

Called on 1-2 10  at 8:30 a..  No message left.  Believe it is Portfolio Recovery

called about 8:30 a.m.  Left no message.

I was just laid off 12=17=09 from my employer after over 5 years of employment due to budget constaints.  Now, for over 5 years,  I have paid to each credit card I have a service fee for each month that protect me if I become unemployed. Well within the past two days this number has been received over 15 times on my caller ID.  I am not deliquent in any of my bills, and am not in any jeopardy in becoming deliquent, but what concerns me is that I am now exerciseing my right to use my credit protection service that I have paid faithfully for over 5 years and when I exercise my right the credit cards are coming after me.  BU__SH_T

Crystal,
If you see this, here in TN, when a vehicle is repossessed and even though they sell it at auction (as they did mine), if it wasn't enough to pay off the loan, then they can still have up to 6 years to collect.  
But, now, I am on disability and they cannot garnish my disability check or my VA check (Veterans Administration).  This is my sole income.  The only way these 2 checks can be garnished is for a student loan, or IRS, or back child support.  Well, since I am a female, I don't have any child support.  I do have an old student loan and that is being taken care of.  So, see what your state says, there was a list somewhere under the fair credit act showing what states allow collections for how ever many years.
Sheba

Yes, this is Portfolio Recovery from Norfolk, Va, they have about 30 or 40 different 800 numbers they use.  I never answer my phone for any 800 number any more because it always seems to be a collection agency.  I am not that deep in debt.  But, I had a vehicle repossessed in 2006, and Portfolio is trying to get some money from me for this debt because it was not paid off.  And, since I live by myself, I just do not answer the phone. From other posts I've seen, they are really nasty and mean.  They even tried to call a neighbor of mine across the street.  And, I found out that agencies cannot call your neighbors, it is against the law.  So, if you can keep from answering the phone, there's nothing they can do.  They can't call past 9 pm and they can't call til 8 a.m. in whatever time zone you are in.  They just called me a minute ago, and I just don't answer the phone.  And, don't you answer either.  Just keep your cool, and this will make them madder.  Tell people in your household not to answer any 800 number or 888 number or 866 number or whatever.  Take care, Sheba