Steve
Bradenton,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, May 02, 2008
You are incorrect on 1 thing. The "burden of proof" is NOT on you to prove that you don't owe this debt! The legal burden of proof is ALWAYS on the debt collector! ALWAYS!!! Stay off the phone! NEVER speak to ANY debt collector on the phone! NEVER!! Always get it in writing! Send them a REQUEST FOR VALIDATION as per your legal right under the FDCPA and various state laws. Send this request by certified mail, return reciept requested, and be sure to put the certified# on the letter itself and keep a copy for your records. This procedure is VERY important! DO NOT ever sign the letter or anything you send to a debt collector, as they sometimes will transfer your signature to a contract, etc. Fraud and forgery is not uncommon among these bottomfeeders. And do not ever give them any personal, financial, or employment information. NOTHING!! And, it makes no difference as to whether or not something is on your credit report. Each state has a STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS which determines how long a debt is collectable. TX is 5 years, and garnishments are illegal in TX. Now, for mr "Debt Collector" and your uneducated drivel of "pay your bills". There is NO BILL! This is some old uncollectable account that some junk debt buyer has purchased from another junk debt buyer, etc. Get a life! And a REAL job! In the mean time, go back to your cubicle now.
Debt Collector
Norfolk,#3UPDATE Employee
Fri, May 02, 2008
I read through so many reports on this website. I am understanding of the complaints people have. I have sympathy for people that have been victims of identity theft, or have had their phone # associated with someone else's debt. In many of the reports, such as this one, the person is citing the fact that the debt is old, and also out of the SOL. When you borrow money from a company, you have not only a legal, but also an ethical obligation to repay that debt. When you have neglected payment on the debt for so many years that it falls out of the SOL. That just means you can't be sued to recover the money. You are still obligated to repay the money you borrowed, until you die. It seems that many of the complaints are from people who feel like they got away with not paying back a debt, and now when contacted about the one they think they got away with, they are angry. Portfolio Recovery Associates understands that its business will often be the victim of fraudulent lawsuits, and strives to follow the law to the letter. All collection centers are monitored by a Quality Assurance team, and meet nearly 99% compliance with the company's policies, which are even stricter than the federal laws they are required to follow.