Quick Answer: Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) is a debt buyer headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and a publicly traded subsidiary of PRA Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRAA). They purchase charged-off consumer debt — primarily credit card accounts and personal loans — at a discount and attempt to collect the full balance. Their most commonly reported phone number is 800-772-1413. PRA has 6,086 complaints in the CFPB database; the leading category is attempting to collect debts not owed, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all filings.
If PRA is in your call log: A call from Portfolio Recovery Associates means they believe they own a debt tied to your name. That is a business claim — not a legal judgment. Before you pay anything or even acknowledge the debt, this page gives you the information to evaluate whether their claim is valid.
| Company Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC |
| Parent Company | PRA Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRAA) |
| Type | Debt buyer and collector |
| Headquartered | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Primary Debt Types | Charged-off credit cards, personal loans, auto deficiency loans |
| Primary Phone | 800-772-1413 |
| CFPB Complaints | 6,086 filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau |
| Federal Court Cases | 139+ FDCPA lawsuits on record including 3 federal circuit court opinions |
| Governed By | Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) |
Portfolio Recovery Associates is a debt buyer — if they are calling you, they purchased an account tied to your name from a bank or lender, most likely an old credit card or personal loan that was charged off as uncollectible.
PRA is one of the largest debt buyers in the United States. Because they acquire accounts in bulk at a fraction of face value, the records they receive are often incomplete — which helps explain why “attempts to collect debt not owed” is the single largest complaint category in their CFPB file, ahead of even billing disputes.
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Who Is Portfolio Recovery Associates?
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC is a debt buyer based in Norfolk, Virginia, and a wholly owned subsidiary of PRA Group, Inc., a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: PRAA). PRA purchases large portfolios of charged-off consumer accounts — primarily credit cards and personal loans — from major banks and lenders at a steep discount, then attempts to collect the full balance from consumers. Because PRA legally owns the debt (rather than being hired to collect it), they are both the creditor and the collector in any negotiation. If you settle, you settle directly with PRA — not the original bank.
Portfolio Recovery Associates Phone Numbers
Portfolio Recovery Associates uses multiple outbound caller ID numbers when contacting consumers. If you received a call from any of the numbers below, it was PRA — and the same legal rights apply regardless of which number appeared on your caller ID.
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| Phone Number | Reported Use | Consumer Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 800-772-1413 | Primary collections / customer service line | Widely reported — 800notes.com, CFPB, consumer forums |
| 888-772-7026 | Collections outbound | Multiple consumer reports — 800notes.com |
| 844-899-0134 | Collections outbound | Consumer reports — whycall.me, 800notes.com |
| 757-519-9300 | Norfolk, VA headquarters line | Listed contact — verified via corporate filings |
| 866-322-5258 | Collections outbound | HIGH — Listed on PRA’s official phone lookup page |
| 800-654-8818 | Collections outbound | HIGH — Listed on PRA’s official phone lookup page |
| 866-925-7109 | Quality service / dispute line | HIGH — 800notes consumer reports, PRA contact records |
Why Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Calling You?
- They purchased a charged-off credit card or personal loan account tied to your name. PRA is one of the largest buyers of bank credit card debt in the country.
- The debt may be old — possibly years past the statute of limitations. PRA buys accounts in bulk, including time-barred debt they cannot legally enforce in court.
- Their records may have errors. Nearly 30% of CFPB complaints against PRA allege the debt was not owed at all — the #1 complaint category ahead of all others.
- Identity theft or credit file mix-up. Old charged-off accounts are prime targets for fraudulent use; a wrong address or similar name can result in misdirected collection.
A call from a debt buyer is not proof you owe anything. It is a claim. Treat it like one.
Free Tool — Statute of Limitations Checker: Dealing with old debt? The free Statute of Limitations Checker tells you if the collection clock has expired in your state — including the zombie debt and clock-restarting traps collectors use. Check My Status →
What CFPB Complaints Reveal About Portfolio Recovery Associates
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s complaint database contains 6,086 consumer complaints referencing Portfolio Recovery Associates. The most common categories:
Read Consumer Complaint Narratives (6 published accounts)
“Consumer states Portfolio Recovery Associates failed to properly verify the account despite multiple disputes of their right to collect. Company ignored validation attempts and reported delinquent information to credit bureaus. PRA only provided a letter stating the account was sold to them.”
“PRA demanding $610 with threats to damage credit files. Consumer states they received no goods/services from PRA and never authorized them to contact them. PRA previously damaged consumer’s credit but account was successfully removed due to PRA’s failure to verify the alleged debt and prove they’re holders in due course.”
“Consumer mailed check to pay off $880 balance on their account. Check was mistakenly deposited by PRA to a ‘Misc Deposits’ account despite consumer never having an account with PRA. After opening 4 disputes, consumer’s original account balance was still not credited. PRA collected debt without reasonable basis.”
“PRA demanding $4,900. Consumer sent debt validation notices to PRA which were not answered. PRA reported collection to all 3 credit bureaus despite consumer having no knowledge of the alleged debt.”
“Consumer noticed PRA placed $270 collection on credit report without consent/authorization. Consumer never received products/services from PRA and never entered lawful contract with them. Consumer demands proof of legal contract, proof of consent to report to credit agencies, and immediate removal from credit reports.”
“Similar to prior complaint — consumer’s payment check was deposited by PRA to wrong account. After 4 disputes, payment still not applied to original account. Consumer requests PRA issue reimbursement check for $880 plus interests/fees accumulated from the date PRA wrongfully collected the debt.”
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Narratives published only when the consumer provides consent. Personal information redacted by the CFPB.
Portfolio Recovery Associates in Federal Court
Portfolio Recovery Associates has been named in 139+ federal lawsuits alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Three federal circuit court opinions are particularly notable:
Lutz v. Portfolio Recovery Associates (3rd Circuit, 2022): PRA collected interest on a Pennsylvania debt that Pennsylvania law did not permit — a direct violation of the FDCPA’s prohibition on collecting amounts not expressly authorized by the agreement or permitted by law. This case reinforces that even after purchasing a debt, PRA must honor the legal restrictions of the state where it was originated.
Paz v. Portfolio Recovery Associates (7th Circuit, 2019): PRA failed to properly disclose a consumer’s dispute when reporting to credit bureaus — a FDCPA and FCRA violation. The case also addressed PRA’s use of Rule 68 settlement offers in litigation, examining whether PRA’s offer mooted the plaintiff’s claims. Courts continue to scrutinize these tactics.
Sofaly v. Portfolio Recovery Associates (3rd Circuit, 2025): This recent ruling addressed a pattern where plaintiff attorneys sent false dispute letters to manufacture FDCPA violations and inflate attorney’s fees — with PRA as the target. The Third Circuit’s opinion signals increased judicial scrutiny of both debt collector practices and attorney litigation tactics in FDCPA cases.
- 139+ total federal FDCPA cases on record in CourtListener — one of the highest counts among debt buyers
Court records are sourced from CourtListener, maintained by the Free Law Project.
What this means for you: Courts have found PRA collecting interest not authorized by state law and failing to flag disputed debts on credit reports. If PRA added fees or interest to your balance, verify those charges are actually permitted under your original account agreement and your state’s law before paying.
What To Do If Portfolio Recovery Associates Is Calling You
- First, demand written debt validation — do not assume the debt is accurate. Nearly 30% of CFPB complaints against PRA allege the debt was not actually owed. PRA purchases accounts in bulk, and the records they receive can be incomplete or incorrect. Before paying or acknowledging anything, request written validation and confirm the original account and balance are correct.
- Check how old the account is — PRA buys charged-off credit card debt, often years after the original bank wrote it off. If the debt is older than your state’s statute of limitations (typically 3–6 years for credit card debt), PRA cannot win in court even if the debt is real. Time-barred debt is a major feature of PRA’s portfolio — check before assuming they have legal leverage.
- Request a debt validation notice in writing. PRA is legally required to send you a written notice within 5 days of first contact. If they have not, demand one. You then have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing.
- Check your state’s statute of limitations. If the debt is old enough, they can no longer sue you to collect — though they can still ask you to pay. Check your state here.
- Send a cease-and-desist if you want calls to stop. A written request by certified mail legally requires them to stop contacting you (except to confirm receipt or advise of legal action).
- Document everything. Date, time, what they said, which number called. If they violate the FDCPA, each violation can be worth up to $1,000 plus attorney fees in federal court.
For the complete guide: Your Rights When a Debt Collector Calls.
Your FDCPA rights in brief: Portfolio Recovery Associates must stop collection if you send a written cease request by certified mail. You can demand written debt verification within 30 days of first contact. FDCPA violations can be sued in federal court for up to $1,000 plus attorney fees. Full rights breakdown here.
Key Takeaways
- Portfolio Recovery Associates is a debt buyer based in Norfolk, Virginia, and a subsidiary of publicly traded PRA Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRAA)
- Their primary known phone number is 800-772-1413; secondary: 888-772-7026, 844-899-0134
- They collect primarily charged-off credit cards and personal loans purchased from major banks
- 6,086 CFPB complaints — the #1 issue is attempting to collect debt not actually owed (1,827 complaints, ~30%)
- Three federal circuit court opinions document violations including collecting unauthorized interest and failing to flag disputes on credit reports
- Verify the debt in writing and check your statute of limitations before paying anything
Free Tool — Debt Collector Rights Lookup: Being contacted by a debt collector? The free Debt Collector Rights Lookup shows your state-specific protections — statute of limitations, garnishment limits, and what collectors are legally prohibited from doing. Look Up Your Rights →
Frequently Asked Questions About Portfolio Recovery Associates
Who is Portfolio Recovery Associates?
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC is a debt buyer headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and a wholly owned subsidiary of PRA Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRAA), a publicly traded company. PRA purchases charged-off consumer debt — primarily credit cards and personal loans — from major banks at a discount and attempts to collect the full balance. With 6,086 consumer complaints in the CFPB database, PRA is one of the most complained-about debt buyers in the country.
Is Portfolio Recovery Associates a scam?
Portfolio Recovery Associates is a legitimate, publicly traded debt buyer — not a fraud operation. However, legitimacy does not mean every collection attempt is valid. PRA has 6,086 CFPB complaints, with the largest single category being attempts to collect debt not actually owed. Federal courts have found PRA collecting interest not permitted by state law and failing to properly flag consumer disputes on credit reports. If you do not recognize the debt, request written validation before taking any action.
Why is Portfolio Recovery Associates calling me if I don’t recognize the debt?
PRA purchases large portfolios of old charged-off accounts from banks — often years after the original creditor wrote them off. The records PRA receives are frequently incomplete. Their top CFPB complaint category — nearly 30% of all filings — is attempting to collect debts not owed. Possible explanations include an account old enough that you have forgotten it, an account that has been sold multiple times with errors accumulating, identity theft, or a credit file mix-up. Always demand written validation before acknowledging or paying anything.
Can Portfolio Recovery Associates add interest to the amount they say I owe?
Only if the original account agreement permitted it and your state’s law allows it. A 2022 Third Circuit ruling (Lutz v. Portfolio Recovery Associates) found PRA violated the FDCPA by collecting interest on a debt that Pennsylvania law did not authorize. If PRA is claiming a balance significantly higher than what you last owed the original bank, ask them to provide a complete account statement showing how they calculated the current amount. You have the right to dispute any amount that appears inflated or unauthorized.
How do I stop Portfolio Recovery Associates from calling?
Send a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail to Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. Under the FDCPA, once they receive your written request they must stop contacting you, except to confirm receipt or inform you of specific legal action. Keep your certified mail receipt as proof of delivery. This does not eliminate the debt — it stops the calls. Their mailing address is 120 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23502.
Can Portfolio Recovery Associates sue me?
Yes, PRA does file lawsuits — they are one of the more active debt buyer litigants in the country. However, they can only sue within your state’s statute of limitations, typically 3 to 7 years from your last payment on the account. PRA specializes in buying old charged-off debt, and many accounts in their portfolio are at or past this legal deadline. If the debt is time-barred, they cannot win in court even if the debt is real. Check your state’s statute of limitations before assuming they have legal leverage.
Should I pay Portfolio Recovery Associates or try to negotiate?
That depends on whether the debt is yours, whether it is within the statute of limitations, and your financial situation. PRA purchased the debt at a steep discount — typically pennies on the dollar — and often accepts significantly less than the full balance to settle. If the debt is legitimate and within the statute of limitations, negotiating a written settlement is often possible. If it is past the statute of limitations, you have more leverage. If the debt is not yours or you cannot verify it, dispute it in writing and file a CFPB complaint rather than paying.
Know Your Rights: If a debt collector is contacting you, you have legal protections. See the complete list of FDCPA violations collectors commit most often. Use the free Debt Validation Letter Generator to demand proof of the debt, or check this collector’s complaint history with the Scam-O-Meter.
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