I stupidly answered a 800 call and it was a debt collector that had an Indian accent. He insisted he could get my debt way down. Then when I said I would get back,to him on it, he became mean and said I had to give him 100.00 for the so called deal! It was a learning experience, and I will not do it again. What is really sad, is how many poor, elderly, lonley, isolated people they do scare into writing post dated checks ECT. Its sick!
Portfolio Recovery - collection agency.. typically collecting on debts that are past the statues of limitations and are illegal for them to act on. They have been involved in countless lawsuits, and have had to pay millions of dollars in fines. I guess there's still enough uneducated suckers out there that fall for their antics. Don't be one of them. The statues of limitation on debt collection various around 5 years, but is different from state to state. The time clock begins from the last time you made a payment.
If you get a subpoena for a lawsuit from a collection agency, you should NEVER ignore it. You can respond to that lawsuit that the statues of limation have expired. If you do not respond, and they get a judgment against you, that judgment stands, and now you do owe that money. If you make a payment to them after being harassed by them, then the statues of limitation are erased and the clock starts again. Never pay a collection agency a single dime if the statutes of limitation are up. Instead, ask them to stop calling you, and get their address and contact info, then send them a certified letter demanding them to stop.