George Simons | February 24, 2023
Summary: If you've been sued for a debt by Portfolio Recovery Associates, use SoloSuit to respond in just 15 minutes and win your lawsuit.
It's a terrible feeling to be served with a lawsuit from a debt collector. Yet, the worst thing you could do is ignore the lawsuit in the vain hope that it will all somehow go away. What you need to do if you receive a lawsuit from Portfolio Recovery Associates, or some other debt collector, is make them prove their case.
Why do that? Because, most times, debt collection companies like Portfolio Recovery Associates won't be able to prove their case at all.
It's true! You may assume that just because Portfolio Recovery Associates went through the trouble of filing a lawsuit they have the necessary paperwork to back up the suit -- think again.
More often than not, collectors like Portfolio Recovery Associates use a lawsuit as an intimidation tactic, but they lack the documentation to actually follow through with their case when someone calls them on it. Thus, even if you believe that you owe something, make sure that you respond to the lawsuit and demand proof of the amount they claim you owe.
In this article, we will talk a little about Portfolio Recovery Associates' track record. But, more importantly, we will tell you how you can easily respond to their lawsuit and demand proof for their claims. Fight back, and you will be able to beat Portfolio Recovery Associates at their own game. With the help of SoloSuit, you will have the information you need to demand that Portfolio Recovery Associates proves their case in court.
Portfolio Recovery Associates is a debt collection company based in Virginia with about 320 employees, and an annual revenue at about $56 million. It uses several business names in addition to Portfolio Recovery Associates, including PRA III, and Anchor Receivables Management.
If you are trying to reach Portfolio Recovery Associates, you can use the contact information below:
Address:
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
120 Corporate Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone number:
1-800-772-1413
Website:
https://www.portfoliorecovery.com/prapay/help/contact-us
Portfolio Recovery Associates seems to fit the stereotype of a classic debt collection company. They are a legitimate business, yet they have thousands of complaints made against them related to aggressive, unscrupulous, and, in some cases, illegal tactics used to get debtors to pay. In fact, over the last three years alone, Portfolio Recovery has received nearly 1,500 consumer complaints on their profile with Better Business Bureau.
Further, Portfolio Recovery Associates does not originate loans or credit cards. Rather, they buy defaulted accounts from other banks and credit card companies. Thus, Portfolio Recovery Associates only buys a limited amount of information about your debt when they buy the defaulted account. The information they buy usually does not include the documentation needed to support a lawsuit against you in court.
Finally, Portfolio Recovery Associates has a reputation for filing lawsuits against debtors even when the debt is legally no longer recoverable, such as when the statute of limitations has already run on a particular debt.
If your debt is so old that you've forgotten about it, there is a very good chance that it is past the statute of limitations on debt. The statute of limitations is the time frame that a collector, like Portfolio Recovery Associates, has to file a lawsuit to recover a debt. Let's explain.
A debt is past the statute of limitations if there has been no "activity" on the account for a certain amount of years. "Activity" can mean anything from making a payment to signing an payment agreement. Be careful: if you become active on an old account, you will restart the clock on the statute of limitations. Portfolio Recovery Associates knows this, and they will try to trick you into reactivating your old account by pressuring you to pay. For this reason, you should always check the last activity before paying anything.
The statute of limitations on debt is different in each state. This article lists the statute of limitations in each state.
Example: Joe lives in Texas and is being sued for an old credit card debt with Citibank. Portfolio Recovery Associates purchased the debt, and now they're coming after Joe to collect it. However, Joe hasn't purchased anything with his Citibank account or paid anything on it for more than 7 years. Since the statute of limitations on debt is 4 years in Texas, Portfolio Recovery Associates cannot take the case to court. In this example, Joe is basically off the hook. Joe can list this as an affirmative defense in his Answer to the lawsuit which will help him win the case.
Like we said, paying off an old debt can restart the clock on the statute of limitations. Additionally, the debt could be fradulent, or Portfolio Recovery might be claiming an incorrect amount. For these reasons, you should always investigate the debt before agreeing to make any payments.
A great way to investigate the debt is by sending a Debt Validation Letter to Portfolio Recovery Associates. Upon receiving this letter, Portfolio Recovery must provide you with debt an official debt verification statement that contains the following information:
When Portfolio Recovery Associates cannot validate a debt, it is illegal for them to continue collection efforts. Since Portfolio Recovery Associates is usually not the original owner of a debt, they probably don't have the necessary documentation to prove the debt is valid. This is why the Debt Validation Letter is such a powerful tool. In fact, many debt collection agencies give up after receiving such a letter. You can draft your own Debt Validation Letter with SoloSuit. To learn more about making a Debt Validation Letter, watch this video:
Example: Portfolio Recovery Associates keeps calling and emailing Maria about a credit card debt she owed with US Bank. They claim that Maria owes more than $15,000 on her account, but Maria doesn't remember using the card enough to owe that much. After some digging, Maria finds her old credit card statements and realizes that the correct amount was only around $1,500. Portfolio Recovery Associates mistakenly (or maybe intentionally) added a 0 to the debt amount. Maria can send a Debt Validation Letter to Portfolio Recovery Associates to get them to verify the exact amount with documentation as proof. It turns out that Portfolio Recovery doesn't have the contracts and other documnets needed to prove the debt is valid, so they stop collection efforts.
You may not have had time to request a debt validation before Portfolio Recovery Associates filed a lawsuit against you. If this is the case, we've still got you covered. As noted, the key to beating Portfolio Recovery Associates is to respond to the lawsuit. And the way you respond is by filing a document called an “Answer.” We'll discuss this later, but first, here are a few common mistakes you should avoid:
If Portfolio Recovery has already filed a lawsuit against you, you should have received a court Summons and Complaint notifying you of the suit and listing all the specific claims against you. The first step to responding to a Portfolio Recovery Services lawsuit is to file a written Answer with the court.
You might think you have to hire an attorney to help you draft and file your Answer, but that's simply not true. Represent yourself with SoloSuit's help and make a free Answer in less than 15 minutes! Here are some tips for drafting a strong Answer (to learn more about these tips, check out the video below):
After you've drafted your Answer and filed it with the court, make sure to print a copy and send it to Portfolio Recovery's attorney. Failing to do so can cost you big time (it might even result in a default judgment against you).
Example: Jimmy is sued by Portfolio Recovery Associates for debt in the California Superior Court. Even though Jimmy receives the court documents, he quickly realizes that he's being sued in a different county than the one in which he resides. Jimmy has 30 days to respond, otherwise Portfolio Recovery Associates can request that a defautl judgment be entered against him. Jimmy uses SoloSuit to prepare his Answer. He responds to the 18 allegations listed in the Complaint, making sure to deny each one. Jimmy also includes some powerful affirmative defenses (improper venue: he's being sued in the wrong county), and signs the document. SoloSuit files the Answer for him and sends a copy to Portfolio Recovery's attorneys with a certificate of service. Two months later, Jimmy finds out that Portfolio Recovery Associates is dismissing the case.
You can learn more about the Debt Validation Letter by watching this video:
SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.
How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.
"First time getting sued by a debt collector and I was searching all over YouTube and ran across SoloSuit, so I decided to buy their services with their attorney reviewed documentation which cost extra but it was well worth it! SoloSuit sent the documentation to the parties and to the court which saved me time from having to go to court and in a few weeks the case got dismissed!" – James
You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now or are just looking for support, we're here for you.
>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance
You can reach out to Portfolio Recovery Associates to discuss settling at any time: before, during, even after the lawsuit. That being said, if you've already been sued, you should file your Answer before negotiating a settlement. Here's why.
It's pretty common for consumers to reach out to debt collection agencies like Portfolio Recovery Associates to try and reach a settlement after they've been sued. Collectors might negotiate and agree on a settlement, and you might think you're in the clear. This isn't always true. Some collectors are sneaky and agree to settlement, then file a default judgment against you when you don't respond in court. Because of this, you should always file your Answer in court before reaching a settlement.
That being said, reaching a settlement for a percentage of the original amount is very likely. Since Portfolio Recovery likely purchased your debt for less than 8% of its original values, they would still profit if you settled to a pay a percentage of the cost. Most debt collection agencies are will settle for 1%–60% of the original debt amount.
You can start the settlement negotiation process with Portfolio Recovery Associates by sending them a Debt Lawsuit Settlement Letter. To learn more about negotiating a settlement, SoloSuit's founder explains the process in this video:
Example: Jenny owed $3,000 on her Citibank credit card from 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic affected Jenny and her family hugely, and she fell behind on her payments. Almost three years later, Portfolio Recovery Associates has purchased the debt from Citibank for just $300 or 10% of the original amount. When Portfolio Recovery Associates comes after Jenny for the $3,000 debt, she isn't in a position to pay it back in full. They take her to court, and Jenny reaches out to negotiate a settlement offer. She offers to pay half the original amount at $1,500. Portfolio Recovery Associates accepts and makes a $1,200 profit off the debt. Jenny pays what she can afford, and Portfolio Recovery Associates still makes their money. It's a somewhat decent compromise.
You can reach Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC via email at pracustomercare@portfoliorecovery.com or by calling their toll-free number, 1-800-772-1413.
If you decide to send a Debt Validation Letter to Portfolio Recovery Associates, here's their address:
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLCPortfolio Recovery Associates frequently files debt lawsuits throughout the state of Texas (and all other states in the US). If you're being sued by Portfolio Recovery in Texas, beat them by filing a response in court and sending a Debt Lawsuit Settlement Letter
This calculator is for educational purposes only.
SoloSuit can help you file an Answer in all 50 states.
Here's a list of guides for other states.
Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.
Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.
Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips
How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts
How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide
Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.
Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?
How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?
What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?
Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?
If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?
Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?
Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?
Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?
What is a default judgment?— What do I do?
Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?
What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?
What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency
What is a Stipulated Judgment?
What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?
Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?
Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?
Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?
Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?
Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?
Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide
Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?
Should I Marry Someone With Debt?
Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?
How Does Debt Assignment Work?
What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?
How Does Debt Assignment Work?
Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?
How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?
Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?
What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?
Does Student Debt Die With You?
Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?
How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?
How Long Does a Judgment Last?
Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?
Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?
Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?
Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?
What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?
Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?
Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.
How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide
How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know
How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector
Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency
Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.
Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit
New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt
Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors
The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah
West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt
What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained
Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector
Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt
Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim
Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector
How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment
How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont
North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt
ClearPoint Debt Management Review
Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt
Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say
CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review
How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter
How to Appear in Court by Phone
How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands
Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon
Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next
How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement
Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do
How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection
Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt
Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa
How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court
Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review
Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?
Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?
How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?
How Long Does a Judgement Last?
How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?
How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court