Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC Paul Copansky the Diamond Center 20 years ago I got a wedding ring for my soon to be wife, the account was paid off a few years after we married. Now 16 years later I get a collection bill for $4403.71 Norfork, Virginia
I purchased a wedding ring for my soon to be wife in 1992 from Paul Copanskys Diamond Center in northern Califorina. the was upgraded just before our wedding day in 1993 and once more in 1994, by 1997 the ring and all other items on the account had been paid in full and the account was closed. Sents that time no letters or phone calls have been sent to my residents I have moved 4 times in the last 20 years and have always changed my address with the US Post office.
on 4/11/12 I recived a letter of collections from Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC in Norfork VA representing Diamond Center, stating I have an outstanding Balance of $4403. 71.
In the letter they give me 3 options to pay, the first I can make a one time payment of $1325.00 by 5/4/12 the second option is pay 6 consecutive payments of $260.00 starting 5/4/12. or 12 consecutive payments of $150.00 starting on the same date.
Now if I'd owed these people where have they been for the last 15 years? Diamond Center never had a problem calling anytime a payment was late or the day it was due. one reason I made sure to pay them off because I got sick and tired of being harased the day a payment was due, at times they would start calling a week before a payment was due to see if we were going to come in on time and make the payment. So why would Diamond Center and Paul Copansky wait 15 years to come looking for $4403.71. I don't owe these people a penny and haven't for years.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Russell Dee
Healdsburg,California,
United States of America
Statute of Limitations
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, April 19, 2012
I am intimately familiar with The Diamond Center (particularly their credit and collections operations) have known Paul for 20 years (although we no longer speak), and will share the following PERSONAL OPINIONS (NOT LEGAL ADVICE) with you:
1) Paul sold the company over a decade ago. It was sold again after that, and (mercifully) shut down over 5 years ago.
2) Although legal debts can still be collected after a business closes if the accounts are sold/transferred to another individual/entity, they have no authority to do so after the statute of limitations has expired. In the case of consumer credit accounts like these that period of time is seven (7) years from the date of last transaction (such as a purchase or payment, and assuming there is no judgment against you from a court).
3) My advise: Send a letter, both certified/return receipt requested and also by first class mail, to the collection agency. Express to them very clearly that you DEMAND that they cease communications with you immediately (Be specific: "No calls, no letters, no emails, no personal visits). Tell them that you intend to seek legal counsel with the intention of filing a suit (perhaps "class action") if they ignore your demand.
4) They will either leave you alone or, more likely, just pass the alleged debt on to another agency (In which case you'll have to do this again).
Good luck.