The phone number 844-766-8319 is a known toll-free number used by debt collection agencies. Based on extensive user reports and complaints, this number is frequently associated with Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA), one of the largest debt buyers in the United States. Debt buyers purchase old debts from original creditors (like credit card companies, telecom providers, or banks) for a fraction of the value and then attempt to collect the full amount.
How Are They Hurting My Credit Score?
It's crucial to understand that the calls themselves do not hurt your credit score. The negative impact on your credit comes from the debt collection account itself, which may be reported to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).
Here’s the process:
Original Debt: You fall behind on payments to an original creditor.
Charge-Off: After ~180 days of non-payment, the creditor "charges off" the debt, marking it as a loss on their books. This severely hurts your credit.
Sale of Debt: The original creditor sells this charged-off debt to a debt buyer like Portfolio Recovery Associates for pennies on the dollar.
Collection Account: The debt buyer reports the collection account to the credit bureaus. A collection account, regardless of the amount, is a significant negative mark that can drastically lower your credit score.
The Calls Begin: The debt collector then uses numbers like 844-766-8319 to contact you to collect payment.
Even if the debt is legitimate, errors are common. They might be trying to collect a debt that is too old (time-barred), one you've already paid, or one that isn't yours due to mistaken identity. An inaccurate collection account is equally damaging, which is why you must verify everything.
While the number is used by legitimate debt collectors, their tactics can sometimes feel scam-like. It is likely a legitimate number for a debt collector, but you must still be vigilant.
How to Determine Legitimacy:
Request Debt Validation: You have a legal right to request written validation of the debt. A legitimate collector must provide you with the name of the original creditor, the amount owed, and proof that they have the right to collect it. Do this in writing via certified mail.
Check Their Licensing: Ask for the company's name, address, and license number. You can verify their license to collect debt in your state through your state's Attorney General's office or financial regulatory body.
Identify Scam Red Flags:
Threats of Immediate Arrest: Debt collectors cannot have you arrested for unpaid debt.
Demands for Unusual Payment Methods: Legit companies will not demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers (like Western Union), or cryptocurrency.
Refusal to Provide Mailing Address: A legitimate business will have a physical address.
Vague Details: They refuse to give specific information about the debt.
You are protected by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices.
Steps to Stop the Harassment:
Send a Formal "Cease" Letter: You have the right to demand that they stop contacting you. Send a letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested. Once they receive it, they can only contact you to confirm they will stop or to notify you of a specific action, like a lawsuit. Keep a copy for your records.
Verbally Request Them to Stop: You can also tell them over the phone to stop calling. However, this is harder to prove, so a written letter is always best.
Document Everything: Keep a log of every call: date, time, name of the representative, and a summary of the conversation. If they use abusive language or make threats, note it.
Report Violations:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): File a complaint online at www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report unfair practices at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Your State Attorney General's Office: They enforce state debt collection laws.
Blocking the number is a short-term solution to stop the ringing, but it does not address the underlying debt. If the debt is valid and they are legitimate, they may escalate their efforts by:
Contacting you from a different number.
Sending letters via mail.
Filing a lawsuit against you to obtain a judgment (which could lead to wage garnishment or bank levies).
It is often better to answer once to ascertain who they are and what debt they are calling about, then proceed with your chosen course of action (validation, cease, etc.).
Yes. A debt collector can sue you to collect a debt. However, they are more likely to sue for larger debts. If you are served with a lawsuit, DO NOT IGNORE IT. If you ignore it, the court will likely issue a default judgment against you, granting the collector powerful tools to collect, such as garnishing your wages or placing a lien on your property.
Your defenses may include:
The debt is not yours.
The debt is outside the statute of limitations (the time period during which they are legally allowed to sue you for it). This varies by state and debt type (typically 3-6 years).
They lack proper documentation to prove you owe the debt.
If you are sued, consult with a consumer rights attorney immediately.
Check Your Credit Reports: Get your free annual reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for any accounts listed under "Collections" from Portfolio Recovery Associates or other agencies.
Request Debt Validation: As mentioned, this is your most powerful tool. Send a letter within 30 days of their initial contact demanding proof of the debt.
Dispute Inaccuracies: If the information on your credit report is incorrect, dispute it directly with the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and with the collection agency in writing.
If the collection account is reported, you have options:
If the Debt is Invalid, dispute it with the credit bureaus and the collector. If they cannot verify the debt, they must remove it.
If the Debt is Valid:
Pay for Delete: Negotiate with the collector. Offer to pay the debt (or a settled amount) in exchange for them deleting the collection account entirely from your credit report. Get this agreement in writing before you pay a single cent.
Pay in Full: Simply paying the debt will update the status to "Paid," which looks better than unpaid, but the negative mark will remain on your report for ~7 years from the original delinquency date.
Wait It Out: Negative information must be removed after 7 years. You can wait for it to fall off naturally.
1. Is 844-766-8319 definitely Portfolio Recovery Associates?
While not 100% guaranteed, a vast majority of user reports and caller ID apps link this number to Portfolio Recovery Associates. Debt collectors often use multiple numbers, so the company behind the call is more important than the specific number.
2. What should I say when I answer their call?
Stay calm and collected. Do not admit the debt is yours or promise any payment. Simply gather information:
3. Can they call my family or employer?
The FDCPA restricts third-party contact. They can generally only call others to get your contact information (phone number, address). They are not allowed to discuss the details of your debt with anyone else.
4. What if the debt is old and past the statute of limitations?
If the debt is time-barred, they cannot successfully sue you to collect it. However, they can still attempt to collect it. Be very careful; in some states, making a partial payment or even acknowledging the debt can restart the statute of limitations.
5. Will paying off the collection account immediately fix my credit score?
No. Paying a collection account does not erase it. The account will remain on your report for up to 7 years, but will be marked as