Guardian Litigation Group is not affiliated with Portfolio Recovery. We provide legal representation against aggressive debt collectors and debt lawsuits.
Why is Portfolio Recovery calling me? It’s a question many people ask once the calls or letters start arriving. Portfolio Recovery Associates is one of the largest debt buyers in the country, purchasing old accounts from banks, lenders, and retailers, then seeking to collect the balance in full. Their size and reach mean that if they’ve contacted you, it’s rarely by mistake.
At Guardian Litigation Group, we see these cases every day. And because we’re a law firm—not a debt settlement company—we know the difference between claims that hold up and those that don’t. Before deciding how to respond, there are critical steps to take that can shape what happens next.
Who Is Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA Group)?
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC is one of the largest debt buyers in the United States. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates under PRA Group, a publicly traded corporation with a national presence. Their business is built on purchasing portfolios of delinquent consumer accounts from banks, retailers, and service providers. Once acquired, they pursue the accounts directly or through affiliated law firms.
What Kind of Debt Do They Buy?
PRA acquires accounts that original creditors no longer wish to manage. These debts are often sold in large bundles at a steep discount. Common sources include:
- Credit card companies such as Capital One, Citibank, and Synchrony
- Retail lenders offering store credit cards or installment plans
- Telecom providers and utility companies
Because these accounts may be several years old, the records are not always complete. Yet PRA still seeks to recover the full balance listed in the portfolio they purchased.
How They Collect
After buying debt, Portfolio Recovery Associates attempts to collect by reaching out through calls, letters, and sometimes text messages. In certain cases, especially with higher balances, they may work with affiliated law firms to file lawsuits.
What Portfolio Recovery Can (and Can’t) Do Under the Law
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that sets the ground rules for collection agencies like Portfolio Recovery Associates. It doesn’t erase debts, but it does create boundaries on how collectors can operate. Understanding these rules is important, because it helps you separate what PRA is legally allowed to do from behavior that crosses the line.
What They Can Do
PRA’s business model gives them certain rights once they acquire an account. Under the law, they can:
- Contact you by phone or mail — Calls, letters, and even texts are common ways they reach out.
- Report the debt to credit bureaus — Unpaid accounts may appear on your credit report, affecting your score.
- File a lawsuit — If the debt is within the statute of limitations in your state, they may take the case to court.
What They Cannot Do
The FDCPA also places clear restrictions on how collectors behave. PRA cannot:
- Threaten arrest or legal action they don’t intend to take — Empty threats are unlawful.
- Call repeatedly to harass you — Excessive or aggressive calls cross the line.
- Continue collection without validating the debt if requested — If you ask for proof, they must provide it before pursuing further.
- Misrepresent the amount owed or the creditor — They are required to be accurate and truthful in all communications.
Knowing the rules makes it easier to recognize when something doesn’t line up. If Portfolio Recovery follows the law, you still have rights to request validation and decide how to respond. If they cross boundaries, you may have legal grounds to push back.
Think Your Rights Were Violated? Contact Our Debt Defense Team
What to Do If You’re Contacted by Portfolio Recovery
When Portfolio Recovery Associates first reaches out, the initial reaction is often fear, confusion, or the temptation to ignore it altogether. That’s understandable. They’re a massive debt buyer with deep resources, and their letters and calls often feel intimidating. But the better approach is deliberate action. Responding carefully can keep you from making mistakes that damage your position later.
The most important rule is this: don’t panic, and don’t ignore them. Debt buyers like PRA pursue accounts because they believe there’s money to recover. Ignoring them can lead to lawsuits and judgments that follow you for years. Instead, take these steps to protect yourself and create room to decide how to move forward.
- Request debt validation in writing — You have the legal right to see proof that the account belongs to you, that PRA owns it, and that the balance is accurate. This step ensures they can back up their claim before you make any decisions.
- Save all voicemails, texts, and letters — Every piece of communication matters. Keeping a complete record gives you a clear picture of the collector’s claims and timeline. These documents can be useful later if you pursue debt resolution, negotiate a settlement, or need to confirm what was promised.
- Review your credit report for duplicate or inaccurate entries — Accounts sold multiple times often create errors on credit reports. Spotting them early helps you challenge inaccuracies before they cause long-term damage.
- Avoid making payments before confirming the debt is yours — Partial payments can restart statutes of limitations in some states and may harm your position. Always confirm the validity of the debt first.
Each of these steps is more effective when guided by legal support. An attorney can send validation requests in precise language, identify errors in the paperwork, and step in if PRA doesn’t comply with their obligations. Having a lawyer on your side means every action you take is strategic, not reactive.
Facing Legal Action From PRA? Let Us Help
Guardian Litigation Group: Our Legal Approach to Portfolio Recovery Cases
When Portfolio Recovery contacts you, it’s rarely a small matter. They’re one of the largest debt buyers in the country, with the resources to pursue cases aggressively in and out of court. If you’ve been contacted or even sued by them, the stakes are high—and how you respond matters. We know this because we handle hundreds and more of these cases each year—clients who come to us with calls, letters, and lawsuits that demand a real legal response.
At Guardian Litigation Group, we’re a law firm, not a debt settlement company. This means that we bring the weight of legal representation to every case, whether that means negotiating settlements with enforceable terms, challenging PRA in court, or managing the entire process from start to finish.
Here’s How We Help With Portfolio Recovery Cases
- Debt Resolution — We negotiate documented settlements with terms that hold up. This keeps collectors from circling back on the same debt later.
- Collection Defense — If you’ve been sued, our attorneys handle every stage: court filings, appearances, and defense strategy that puts pressure back on PRA to prove its case.
- Creditor Harassment Protection — When Portfolio Recovery crosses legal boundaries under the FDCPA, we pursue claims on your behalf and hold them accountable.
- Full Legal Oversight — From verifying the debt to drafting responses, negotiating settlements, or fighting in court, we manage the process end to end so nothing slips through the cracks.
Our role is to balance the equation. PRA comes with lawyers, data, and persistence. We counter with legal oversight, strategy, and the ability to press for outcomes that stand up. Whether that’s securing a settlement, building a defense in court, or challenging errors in their paperwork, we make sure you have a structured legal path forward.
The Right Time to Respond Is Now
Why is Portfolio Recovery calling me? The most likely answer is that a charged-off account of yours has been purchased and is now in their system. They may pursue the full balance directly or through a lawsuit, but before responding, it’s critical to understand your rights and confirm the debt is valid.
At Guardian Litigation Group, we focus on putting strategy and law behind your response. Whether through debt resolution, court defense, or full oversight of the process, we make sure the outcome reflects fairness and enforceable terms. If Portfolio Recovery has reached out to you, contact us today—we’re ready to help.
FAQs
Why is Portfolio Recovery calling me?
They likely bought an old account from a bank, lender, or retailer and are trying to collect the full balance. Always request written validation before agreeing to pay.
Can Portfolio Recovery take me to court?
Yes. PRA often files lawsuits. If you’re served, respond quickly—ignoring it can lead to a default judgment with serious financial consequences.
Should I pay Portfolio Recovery if I don’t recognize the debt?
Don’t pay until you’ve confirmed it’s valid. Ask for a validation letter and compare it to your records to ensure it belongs to you.
Can you negotiate a settlement with Portfolio Recovery for me?
Yes. We negotiate directly with PRA to secure fair, written terms that prevent future disputes over the same debt. Contact us today to discuss your case and explore the settlement options available to you.
What should I do before paying Portfolio Recovery?
Ask for debt validation, review your credit report, and confirm the balance. Don’t make payments until you know the debt is accurate and legally enforceable.
The information provided in this blog article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship.