I received a call today from this number, and after reading everything on this message board, I am more than a little freaked out. The debt that they were trying to collect was for a type of credit card that I've never had, and is over 10 yrs. old. Furthermore, these so called debt collectors had private personal information. In addition, this debt was not listed on my credit report. They're in violation of the two state's that I've lived in statues of limitations. They're sending me paperwork to discharge the debt which is kind of funny considering the aforementioned, and that I have never seen this debt on a credit report ever! BEWARE!
You're exactly right. They are obnoxious and try to collect on false claims or cleared debts. They will not provide original paperwork supporting their claims! Don't answer calls
PRA has been calling us for more than 5 years attempting to collect a debt from 15 years ago. I use the following method to stop them, although it takes quite a few attempts but eventually they stop. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE THEM IN ANY WAY. ANY CONVERSATION LEADS TO MORE CALLS.
1) Keep a list of the various numbers and states they are calling from.
2) Buy a coaches sports whistle. They cost about $5.00. Keep it handy by the phone.
3) When you recognize the number on caller id, grab your whistle and BLOW LIKE HELL into the mouthpiece. My husband thinks an air horn would be more effective since I have asthma.
This method effectively shocks the caller intro yanking off their head set and running to their supervisor with a blown out ear drum. After they receive enough complaints by their associates, the number is removed from the roster.
The trick is, be consistent and blow every call every time. This method has worked for me, they stopped calling for over a year. The calls just started again after the new year so I've got my whistle handy again.