Anyone have advice on dealing with Portfolio Recovery (PRA)?

[midwesties]

Being a newbie, I first want to say how helpful this board has been to me. I've spent the last year repairing my credit, and I thought I knew all I needed to know, until I came to Credit Boards. In the last 2 days I have made progress on issues I've previously tried to resolve but to no avail, so thank you everyone!

 

That being said, I have one pesky collection left on my credit report, and it's Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA). This is from a $250 limit credit card that was closed in 2008. PRA purchased it in 2012. The total amount owed is $863 (where they came up with that number I'll never know, as they will not verify how they got to $863). I have tried several times to have the item removed for failure to verify, but the credit bureaus come back telling me that PRA verified the info, without ever showing them proof or evidence, because that's how the relationships with PRA and the credit bureaus seem to work. My credit reports show that the debts will be removed from my reports in July and September of 2015, but I don't want to wait until then. As recently as last week, PRA called me to collect on the debt, and I again very calmly tried to negotiate with them. I have repeatedly offered to settle the debt if they agree to remove it from my credit report. I've explained that it is in no interest to me to pay any of the debt unless they can agree to do so, as it will benefit me in no way at all otherwise. They refuse to offer any settlement that involves removal of the debt reporting from my credit reports, as it is against their company policy.

 

Being as how I want to buy a house in the spring, I really need to figure out a way to get them removed from my credit report. I've tried to have the debt validated, but that did not work. I also tried to negotiate, including paying the full amount, if they agreed to remove it from my credit report, but that didn't work either. If anyone has ANY advice, please let me know, thanks!!

[Mustard on Fries]

First, welcome!!!

 

Second... STOP talking on the phone with them. This is a slightly older debt. It MAY be past SOL depending on the debt type and your state.

 

I'd suggest the "1-2 punch" method of validation. If no such there, you MIGHT have some luck disputing as obsolete around the first of the year.

[Mustard on Fries]

 

...for example, in Pennsylvania the SOL for credit card debt is 4 years. That means after 4 years, they can try to collect it anymore.

[midwesties]

First, welcome!!!

 

Second... STOP talking on the phone with them. This is a slightly older debt. It MAY be past SOL depending on the debt type and your state.

 

I'd suggest the "1-2 punch" method of validation. If no such there, you MIGHT have some luck disputing as obsolete around the first of the year.

Can I use the "1-2" punch method if I've already disputed it with JDB and the credit bureaus?

[midwesties]

Unfortunately I'm in Ohio, so the SOL does not help me.

[midwesties]

I am trying a new dispute approach. Instead of asking the CRA's to verify, I'm disputing by saying that the debt is not mine. It worked with experian for getting my paid state tax lien removed, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

[kaa05]

I am trying a new dispute approach. Instead of asking the CRA's to verify, I'm disputing by saying that the debt is not mine. It worked with experian for getting my paid state tax lien removed, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Hi there! Any update on how this turned out for you? I've been battling PRA for some time now and don't know what my next step should be..they are AWFUL!

[david_weaver]

I am trying a new dispute approach. Instead of asking the CRA's to verify, I'm disputing by saying that the debt is not mine. It worked with experian for getting my paid state tax lien removed, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

 

You are kidding, right?

[ICANHASMUNY?]

Unfortunately I'm in Ohio, so the SOL does not help me.

SOL in Ohio is 6 years on CC's

[LionelDizzle]

Only way I got them to remove was a settlement. I did ask them for a pay and delete and they agreed and i paid. It was an old cell phone which I knew it was mine so had to pay for it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[EricDET]

He would be out of Sol in Ohio.

 

Op one way of shooting yourself in the foot is disputing things as not mine.

 

Either wait a few months and dispute as obsolete or just wait for it to fall off. Time is always the easiest route.

[goturtlego]

Usually 3 months before due to fall off you can start getting them deleted due to age. You are so close. This is a situation where patience is in your best interest.

[kaa05]

Only way I got them to remove was a settlement. I did ask them for a pay and delete and they agreed and i paid. It was an old cell phone which I knew it was mine so had to pay for it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do you have the # you called where they agreed for a PFD? I can't get them to budge with this type of offer.

[LionelDizzle]

Ill check when I get home and I'll pm you the number i utilized.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Guest]

 

 

I am trying a new dispute approach. Instead of asking the CRA's to verify, I'm disputing by saying that the debt is not mine. It worked with experian for getting my paid state tax lien removed, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

You are kidding, right?

How many posts does "midwesties" have? lol

[JunkBuyersWorstNightmare]

He would be out of Sol in Ohio.

 

Op one way of shooting yourself in the foot is disputing things as not mine.

 

Either wait a few months and dispute as obsolete or just wait for it to fall off. Time is always the easiest route.

 

+100.

[kaa05]

Ill check when I get home and I'll pm you the number i utilized.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! Let me know if you had any luck in finding it. I appreciate it!