The phone number 866-677-2706 is a known toll-free number primarily associated with Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA), one of the largest debt buyers and collection agencies in the United States. They purchase delinquent debts—such as credit card debt, auto loans, personal loans, and cell phone bills—from original creditors for a fraction of the face value and then attempt to collect the full amount.
Their persistent calls are a direct indicator that they are attempting to collect a debt they believe you owe. This is not just a minor inconvenience; it's a sign of a serious financial issue that is almost certainly negatively impacting your credit score.
How They Are Hurting Your Credit Score:
The presence of a debt collection account on your credit report is one of the most damaging items you can have. Here’s the direct connection:
The Debt is Reported: When PRA acquires your debt, they report the account in collections to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
Major Negative Mark: A collection account is a severe derogatory mark. It signals to future lenders that you have previously failed to repay a debt as agreed.
Lowers Your Score: Depending on the scoring model and the rest of your credit history, a single collection account can cause a drop of 50 to 100 points or more in your credit score.
Long-Term Impact: A collection account can remain on your credit report for up to 7 years and 180 days from the date of the first delinquency (the date you first fell behind with the original creditor). This long-lasting effect can hinder your ability to:
Secure loans (mortgage, auto, personal) or get approved for credit cards.
Obtain favorable interest rates, costing you thousands of dollars.
Rent an apartment (landlords often check credit).
Even get certain jobs, especially in finance or government.
Understanding your rights and how to deal with Portfolio Recovery Associates is crucial to stopping the harassment and mitigating the damage to your financial health.
The number itself is legitimate and is a known contact number for Portfolio Recovery Associates, a publicly-traded company. However, the debt collection industry is also rife with scammers who spoof legitimate numbers.
How to Verify Legitimacy:
Ask for a "Validation Notice": Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to request written validation of the debt. Do not acknowledge the debt or make any payments over the phone. Simply state: "I am requesting written validation of this debt, sent to me via mail, as is my right under the FDCPA." A legitimate agency will comply.
Check Your Credit Report: Go to AnnualCreditReport.com (the official site for free weekly reports) and pull your reports from all three bureaus. See if "Portfolio Recovery Associates" or the original creditor is listed in the collections section.
Verify the Company: If they claim to be PRA, you can contact PRA's main customer service line (found on their official website) and verify that the number and representative are legitimate.
Beware of Red Flags: Scammers will often:
Threaten immediate arrest or jail time. (This is illegal; debt collection is a civil matter, not criminal).
Pressure you for immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Refuse to provide a mailing address or details about the original creditor.
Ask for highly sensitive information (like your full Social Security number or bank account number) before providing any verification.
You have powerful rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Send a Formal "Cease and Desist" Letter: You have the right to demand that they stop all communication with you. Send a letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested. Clearly state that you wish for all communication to cease. Once they receive this, they can only contact you to confirm they will stop or to notify you of a specific action, like a lawsuit.
Document Everything: Keep a log of every call: date, time, name of the representative, and a summary of what was said. If they use abusive or threatening language, note it verbatim.
File a Complaint: If the harassment continues after your cease and desist letter, or if they violate the FDCPA (e.g., calling at odd hours, using profanity), file a formal complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and your state's Attorney General's office.
Do not simply ignore them. Blocking the number may stop the calls, but it does not make the underlying debt or its impact on your credit report disappear. Ignoring it can lead to worse outcomes, including a lawsuit, wage garnishment, or a bank levy if they obtain a judgment against you.
The best course of action is to engage on your terms: demand written validation and communicate primarily in writing to create a paper trail.
Yes, they can. As a legitimate debt collector, PRA has the legal right to file a lawsuit to collect a debt they own. However, they can only do this if the debt is within the statute of limitations for your state, which typically ranges from 3 to 6 years for most debt types.
If you are served with a lawsuit, DO NOT IGNORE IT. You must respond by the deadline stated in the court papers. If you fail to respond, they will likely win a default judgment against you, which gives them much stronger collection powers.
Verify the Debt: Your first step is to request written validation. Once you receive the letter, cross-check the details with your own records and your credit report.
Negotiate a "Pay-for-Delete": This is the gold standard for dealing with collections. You negotiate with PRA to pay all or a portion of the debt in exchange for them completely removing the collection account from all three credit bureaus. Get this agreement in writing before you send any payment.
Dispute Inaccuracies: If any information about the debt is incorrect (wrong amount, wrong date, not your debt), you have the right to dispute it with both the collection agency and the credit bureaus. They are required to investigate. If the information cannot be verified, it must be removed.
Wait for the 7-Year Limit: If the debt is old and set to fall off your report soon, sometimes the best strategy is to wait it out.
1. If I pay Portfolio Recovery Associates, will it help my credit score?
Paying a collection account does not automatically remove it from your credit report. It will typically be updated to a "paid collection" status. While this looks slightly better to some lenders, the negative item itself remains for the full 7-year period and continues to harm your score. This is why a negotiated "pay-for-delete" is so valuable.
2. How long will this collection account stay on my credit report?
The clock starts from the date of the first missed payment that led to the account being charged off (the "date of first delinquency"). The collection account can remain on your report for 7 years from that original date, not from the date PRA bought it or the date you pay it.
3. Is it better to settle the debt or pay it in full?
From a credit score perspective, a "paid in full" and "settled for less than the full amount" are both considered settled debts. The key is the removal, not the amount paid. If you can negotiate a lower settlement amount and still get a "pay-for-delete," that is often the most financially advantageous path.
4. Should I ever give them my personal or banking information over the phone?
No. Until you have received written validation and have a written agreement in place, do not provide sensitive information. If you agree to a settlement, use a secure method like a money order or a payment portal on their verified website. Avoid providing direct bank account access.
5. Should I answer the call if they keep calling?
You can answer once to ascertain who they are and what they want. During that call, clearly state your request for written validation and ask for their mailing address. After that, you are under no obligation to answer again. Direct all further communication in writing.