Quick Answer: Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC is a debt buyer that purchases charged-off consumer accounts — primarily credit cards and personal loans — and collects on them. Their primary consumer contact number is 866-483-5139. Cavalry Portfolio has 594 complaints in the CFPB database; the top category is attempting to collect debt not owed, representing nearly 1 in 3 complaints. A 7th Circuit federal case (Gomez v. Cavalry Portfolio Services, 2020) found that Cavalry charged interest that had accrued after the original creditor stopped billing.
If Cavalry Portfolio Services is calling you: Debt buyers purchase old charged-off accounts in bulk — and nearly 33% of CFPB complaints against Cavalry allege the debt wasn’t theirs to collect in the first place. Before doing anything, ask them to document what they purchased, from whom, and when. This page gives you what you need to respond from a position of knowledge, not urgency.
| Company Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC |
| Also Known As | Cavalry SPV I, LLC; Cavalry SPV II, LLC |
| Type | Debt buyer |
| Primary Debt Types | Charged-off credit cards, personal loans, consumer debt |
| Primary Phone | 866-483-5139 |
| Secondary Phone | 800-501-0909 |
| CFPB Complaints | 594 filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau |
| Federal Court Cases | 179 cases in CourtListener database |
| Governed By | Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) |
Cavalry Portfolio Services is a debt buyer — if they are calling you, they purchased an account they believe you owe, most likely a charged-off credit card or personal loan.
With 594 CFPB complaints — nearly a third alleging debt not owed — and 179 documented federal cases including a 7th Circuit ruling that Cavalry charged unauthorized post-billing interest, consumers should verify any balance before paying. Cavalry files lawsuits and pursues judgments actively.
You landed here because someone is chasing you for money. That part does end — and what happens next is the part almost nobody writes about.
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Who Is Cavalry Portfolio Services?
Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC is a debt buyer that purchases portfolios of charged-off consumer accounts from banks, credit card issuers, and other lenders. Because they are a debt buyer rather than a third-party collector, they own the accounts they pursue — the original lender is no longer involved. Cavalry contacts consumers to collect on accounts they have purchased, and their email for consumer affairs is cavcares@cavps.com. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found in 2020 that Cavalry charged post-charge-off interest that the original creditor had stopped billing — a practice courts have scrutinized as adding unauthorized amounts to purchased accounts.
Cavalry Portfolio Services Phone Numbers
Cavalry Portfolio Services uses multiple phone numbers when contacting consumers. If you received a call from any of the numbers below, it was Cavalry — 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 866-483-5139 | Customer care / primary line | HIGH — Official Cavalry Portfolio Services website |
| 800-501-0909 | General collections | HIGH — Consumer reports, official contact |
| 800-861-4840 | Collections outbound | HIGH — Multiple consumer reports |
Why Is Cavalry Portfolio Services Calling You?
- They purchased a charged-off credit card or loan account they believe is yours. Cavalry buys portfolios of written-off consumer debt from banks and then attempts collection. The account may be years old by the time they acquire it.
- The debt may not be yours — or the amount may be wrong. Nearly 33% of CFPB complaints allege Cavalry attempted to collect a debt not owed. A federal court also found Cavalry charging post-billing interest that the original creditor had stopped accruing.
- The account may be time-barred. Debt buyers frequently pursue older accounts. Check when the original date of last activity was — if it exceeds your state’s statute of limitations, they cannot win a lawsuit to collect.
- They may intend to sue. With 179 documented federal court cases, Cavalry actively litigates against consumers. If you receive any court paperwork, respond immediately.
A call from Cavalry Portfolio Services is an opening position, not proof of what you owe. Verify everything before taking any action.
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 Cavalry Portfolio Services
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s complaint database contains 594 consumer complaints referencing Cavalry Portfolio Services. The most common categories:
Read Consumer Complaint Narratives (5 published accounts)
“Cavalry Portfolio Services reported a collection account for a credit card I never opened. The original creditor they reference is not one I have ever had an account with. I sent a debt validation letter by certified mail but received no original account documentation — only a letter restating the balance.”
“Cavalry Portfolio Services filed a lawsuit against me in a county I have not lived in for years. The account they claim to own shows a balance higher than what the original creditor ever billed me. They are claiming interest charges that were not part of the original agreement and that the original lender stopped accruing after charge-off.”
“Cavalry Portfolio Services placed a collection on my credit report without ever sending me written notice of the debt or my right to dispute. The first I heard of this was when I saw the negative item on my credit report. They never gave me the 30-day dispute window the law requires.”
“Cavalry Portfolio Services is reporting an account balance that includes unauthorized interest charges added after the charge-off date. The original lender’s records show a much lower balance. Cavalry appears to be collecting on an inflated amount not supported by the original agreement.”
“I received a letter from ‘Cavalry Portfolio Services’ that appeared to be from a law firm. I was not initially aware this was a debt collector claiming to own an account. The letter was designed to look like official legal correspondence to pressure payment. I was not told this was an attempt to collect a debt.”
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Narratives published only when the consumer provides consent. Personal information redacted by the CFPB.
Cavalry Portfolio Services in Federal Court
Cavalry Portfolio Services has been named in 179 federal and appellate cases, including the following significant rulings:
Gomez v. Cavalry Portfolio Services (7th Cir., 2020): The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit addressed whether Cavalry could charge interest that had accrued after Bank of America ceased billing on a charged-off account. The case examined the FDCPA question of what interest a debt buyer can lawfully add to a purchased account when the original creditor had already stopped accruing interest. This case is significant because it highlights a documented pattern: debt buyers adding post-charge-off interest to balances that consumers may not expect.
- Kelly v. Cavalry Portfolio Services (Wash. Ct. App., 2016) — Washington state appellate case examining Cavalry’s collection practices.
- Cavalry Portfolio Services v. Rocha (Ill. App., 2012) — Illinois appellate case involving Cavalry’s pursuit of a collection judgment, establishing consumer defense precedent in Illinois courts.
Court records are sourced from CourtListener, maintained by the Free Law Project.
What this means for you: Verify the balance Cavalry claims you owe against what the original creditor showed as the charge-off balance. Debt buyers have been found adding post-charge-off interest — if the balance seems higher than you expect, demand an itemized breakdown before paying anything.
What To Do If Cavalry Portfolio Services Is Calling You
- Demand an itemized account statement and verify the balance against the original creditor’s charge-off amount. A 7th Circuit case documented Cavalry charging post-billing interest the original creditor had stopped accruing. Before paying, ask for a complete breakdown of how the balance was calculated, including what the original charge-off balance was and what, if any, interest has been added since charge-off.
- Check how old the account is — the statute of limitations may have expired. Cavalry purchases older charged-off accounts. The original date of last activity determines your state’s statute of limitations (typically 3 to 6 years for credit cards). If it has expired, they cannot win a lawsuit against you, though they can still request payment. Do not acknowledge a time-barred debt in writing — it can restart the clock in some states.
- Request a debt validation notice in writing. Cavalry Portfolio Services is legally required to send you a written notice within 5 days of first contact that includes the amount owed, the original creditor’s name, and your right to dispute. Under Regulation F, they must also provide an itemized list of charges and a dispute form. If they haven’t sent this, demand it 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).
- If you receive court paperwork, respond immediately. Cavalry actively files collection lawsuits. Ignoring a court summons results in a default judgment, which can lead to wage garnishment. Even if you dispute the debt, file a written response.
For the complete guide: Your Rights When a Debt Collector Calls.
Your FDCPA rights in brief: Cavalry 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
- Cavalry Portfolio Services is a debt buyer that purchases charged-off credit cards and personal loans
- Their primary phone is 866-483-5139; additional numbers: 800-501-0909, 800-861-4840
- 594 CFPB complaints — nearly 1 in 3 allege the debt was not owed (194 complaints)
- A 7th Circuit case (Gomez, 2020) documented Cavalry charging post-billing interest not authorized by the original agreement
- Verify the balance against the original charge-off amount before paying — interest may have been added without authorization
- Cavalry files lawsuits — respond to any court paperwork immediately or a default judgment will be entered
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 Cavalry Portfolio Services
Who is Cavalry Portfolio Services?
Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC is a debt buyer that purchases portfolios of charged-off consumer accounts — primarily credit cards and personal loans — from banks and lenders, then attempts collection. They own the accounts they pursue, meaning the original lender is no longer involved. The company has 594 consumer complaints on file with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, with nearly a third alleging the debt was not owed.
Is Cavalry Portfolio Services a scam?
Cavalry Portfolio Services is a legitimate debt buyer, not a scam operation. However, 594 CFPB complaints include 194 instances of attempting to collect debts not owed. A federal appellate court (7th Circuit, 2020) examined whether Cavalry improperly charged interest after the original creditor stopped billing. If Cavalry contacts you, verify the balance breakdown before paying anything — post-charge-off interest additions are a documented issue.
Why is Cavalry Portfolio Services calling me if I don’t recognize the debt?
Cavalry purchases charged-off accounts in bulk, often years after the original creditor wrote the account off. These portfolio purchases sometimes include wrong-person accounts, already-paid accounts, or accounts with incorrect balances. Nearly 33% of CFPB complaints against Cavalry allege the debt was not owed. Request written debt validation and dispute within 30 days if you don’t recognize the account.
Why does the balance Cavalry claims seem higher than I expected?
A 7th Circuit case (Gomez v. Cavalry Portfolio Services, 2020) examined whether Cavalry was charging interest that had accrued after Bank of America ceased billing on a charged-off account. Debt buyers sometimes add post-charge-off interest that the original creditor had stopped accruing. Before paying, request an itemized statement that shows the original charge-off balance and any interest or fees added after purchase. You can dispute any amounts not permitted by the original credit agreement or state law.
How do I stop Cavalry Portfolio Services from calling me?
Send Cavalry Portfolio Services a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail with return receipt. Under the FDCPA, once they receive your written request they must stop all collection contact, except to confirm receipt or advise of legal action. Keep copies and the tracking number. If Cavalry continues calling after receiving your cease request, that is an FDCPA violation worth up to $1,000 plus attorney fees per violation.
Can Cavalry Portfolio Services sue me?
Yes — Cavalry has 179 documented federal and appellate cases and actively files collection lawsuits in state courts across the country. If the debt is within your state’s statute of limitations, they can and do sue. If you receive a court summons, respond — ignoring it results in a default judgment that can lead to wage garnishment. Check your statute of limitations, as time-barred debt cannot be enforced in court.
Should I pay Cavalry Portfolio Services or negotiate?
Cavalry purchased your account at a discount — typically significantly less than the face value — so there is often room to negotiate a settlement for less than the full balance. Before engaging, verify the balance is accurate (including whether unauthorized interest has been added), confirm the debt is within the statute of limitations, and that the account is actually yours. Get any settlement agreement in writing before paying, specifying the amount satisfies the account in full.
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.
Dealing With Debt? Before you pay a collector, understand all your debt relief options — including ones the collector won’t tell you about. If the debt feels unmanageable, take the 2-minute bankruptcy quiz to see if the math favors a fresh start. Federal Reserve research shows filers recover faster than those who don’t file.
