Portfolio Recovery tries to collect on old debts that have already been PAID off. REPORT THEM to your state attorney general. All 50 states are investigating these SCAMMERS.
Each state has a limitation on the length of time that you can be sued in court for past debt. For instance, in my state it is 6 years. After six years, they can still keep selling the debt to other collection agencies (these are called junk debts, and these agencies buy them for pennies on the dollar and then try to collect the entire amount). Most of the time, by the time this particular agency buys it, it has been passed (sold) many times. They are always unable to prove the original debt, which they MUST do if you request it. They cannot sue you for it without proving the original debt, anyway. However, if you speak to them at all, the 6 year cycle starts again, as it does if you make even a one dollar payment. Do not speak to them at all.