818-200-0161

What Company Is Calling Me From 818-200-0161? Are They A Scam And Why Are They Calling Me?

Portfolio Recovery Associates is the company calling from 818-200-0161, a debt collection agency. Users report unwanted calls, even when on the do not call list. Reasons for the calls are unclear, but may be related to a debt. If you are not expecting a call from a debt collector, consider blocking the number or using a robocall blocking service. Some users have reported this number as a scam, but there is no definitive evidence. If unsure, do not provide personal information and contact the company directly to verify the call.

How Can I Block Or Stop Calls From 818-200-0161?

First, let the unknown calls go to voicemail and don’t answer directly to identify if it’s a debt collector. If it is, contact your phone carrier to block the number permanently. Alternatively, use call blocking apps or set contacts not in your address book to go straight to voicemail or be blocked on your smartphone.

Send a cease and desist letter via certified mail, demanding no further calls. Seek help from a non-profit credit counselor to negotiate debt resolution or consult a consumer protection attorney regarding your rights and potential lawsuits. Blocking calls won’t eliminate debts, but it can stop harassment while addressing any outstanding debts.

Is 818-200-0161 Violating Fair Debt Collection Practices Act? What Are My Rights As A Consumer?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects consumers from unfair and abusive debt collection practices. If you’re receiving calls from 818-200-0161, document the details of each call, including date, time, frequency, and phone number. Ensure the calls are not made outside the allowed hours of 8 am to 9 pm in your time zone. Keep track of any abusive language used during the calls.

To protect your rights, revoke any prior consent given to call outside normal hours, request them to cease contact at your workplace if prohibited, and send a cease and desist letter via certified mail. Verbally request they stop calling during any conversation.

If you believe the calls are in violation of the FDCPA, report the violations to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to open an investigation. Consult a consumer protection attorney regarding your specific rights and options, including suing for damages. Contact your state Attorney General’s office for guidance on potential FDCPA violations. Reach out to an experienced credit counselor to address the debt without incurring further collection calls.

Adhering to the FDCPA is crucial to prevent further harassment from debt collectors. Keep detailed records and assert your rights to protect yourself from unwanted and abusive calls.

If 818-200-0161 Is A Debt Collector, How Do I Validate This Debt And What Are My Options?

If 818-200-0161 is a debt collector, your first step is to confirm the legitimacy of the debt and understand your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). To validate the debt, send a debt validation letter by mail to the collector, who is legally required to provide this information.

Once you have validated the debt, consider the following options:

1. Negotiate a reasonable lump-sum settlement or payment installment plan in writing before sending any payment.
2. Offer partial payment of 30-50% of the balance if affordable, and request deletion from your credit report.
3. Assert your rights under the FDCPA if the collector violates regulations.
4. Consult a non-profit credit counseling agency for guidance on debt resolution.
5. Contact an attorney to understand if bankruptcy or legal action against the collector are viable options.
6. Keep detailed records of all correspondence and calls for potential complaints.
7. Revoke any prior verbal or written permission given to contact you outside FDCPA guidelines.

Remember, never ignore a potential debt collector. Confirm the debt’s validity, exercise your consumer rights under federal and state law, and seek professional help to ensure a fair outcome.

Can 818-200-0161 Sue Me Or Garnish My Wages If They'Re A Debt Collector? Should I Just Settle?

If you receive a call from 818-200-0161, it is likely from a debt collection agency like Portfolio Recovery Associates. If the debt is legitimate, they could potentially sue you to recover the amount owed. If they obtain a court judgment, your wages or bank accounts could be garnished.

To avoid legal action, you can:

1. Negotiate affordable lump-sum or installment payments in writing to show good faith effort to pay.
2. Assert inability to pay and request they cease contact. This may prevent suit, but they could still proceed.
3. Seek guidance from a non-profit credit counselor to work with the collector on your behalf.
4. Hire a consumer law attorney to understand your protections under the FDCPA and state law against unreasonable lawsuits.
5. Consider bankruptcy as an option if debts are truly overwhelming. Meet with an attorney to discuss if it’s appropriate.
6. Thoroughly document calls, letters, and your efforts to address the debt so there is a clear record.

Before agreeing to settle, carefully consider:

1. Make sure the proposed payment plan is realistically affordable based on your budget.
2. Get any settlement terms or agreements in writing before making payments.
3. Be aware a collector can still sue if you default on a settlement.
4. Settling for a lump sum that you can’t afford may do more long-term financial harm.

Settling often makes sense to avoid legal action but don’t agree to payments you realistically can’t maintain. Seek assistance to understand your options and rights first.

If 818-200-0161 Is A Collection Company, How Can I Remove It From My Credit Report?

If 818-200-0161 is a collection company, the first step is to validate if the debt is legitimate by requesting written confirmation. Review the validation carefully to ensure your personal details and the debt information is accurate. If any information is incorrect, send a written dispute to the collection agency stating the debt is inaccurate per the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Demand they remove the collection tradeline from your credit file.

If the collector verifies the debt is valid, consider these active steps to potentially remove it: negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement in writing to settle the debt in exchange for removal, offer a good faith partial settlement payment and request deletion as a gesture of goodwill, hire a credit repair service to formally dispute the debt on your behalf, wait out the 7-year credit reporting time limit for the collection to automatically fall off your report, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if the collector violates laws and refuses to remove inaccurate information, consult a consumer law attorney to review if the collector broke laws enabling you to sue for removal and damages, and keep detailed written records showing your efforts to resolve the disputed collection account.

Proactively validating debts, negotiating with collectors, and asserting your rights can ultimately help remove collections from your credit report through persistence and proper documentation. But focus first on determining if the debt is legitimate before taking action.

What Feedback And Comments Do People Leave About 818-200-0161?

Many people have left feedback and comments about the phone number 818-200-0161, which is associated with Portfolio Recovery Associates, a debt collection company. Users report receiving unwanted calls and debt collection attempts, even when on the Do Not Call List. The caller ID usually displays “PORTFOLIORECOV.” Most feedback is negative, with people expressing dissatisfaction with the company’s practices.

To address these calls, consider blocking the number or using a robocall blocking service. It is crucial to be cautious and not engage directly with unknown callers, as some users report the number as a scam. To identify if it is a debt collector, let the call go to voicemail and analyze the message. If it is a debt collector, block the number using call blocking features from phone carriers, call blocking apps, or smartphone settings.

If you believe the calls are unwarranted, send a cease and desist letter via certified mail, invoking state and federal laws, and keep detailed records of the calls. Consult a non-profit credit counselor or consumer protection attorney to address the underlying debt and potential legal actions. Additionally, request written validation of the debt through a debt validation letter to ensure the debt is legitimate.