Are You Being Called By Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc.?*

Are you being called by Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc.?* Here’s what you need to know.

Debt collectors have a bad reputation thanks to reports of collectors who contact consumers in a way that causes fear and humiliation. They verbally abuse you, threaten to seize your assets, and discuss your debt with uninvolved parties. If this is happening to you, be aware that these collection methods are illegal and you have recourse to fight back.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, was passed in 1977 after collection agencies were accused of causing a rise in personal bankruptcies. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors may not use bullying or deceptive tactics like the following when collecting or attempting to collect a debt.

• Swearing and using profane language
• Calling you at work after you’ve told them that your boss doesn’t allow such calls
• Demanding amounts that exceed the original debt
• Calling at all hours of the day and night
• Demanding amounts that exceed the original debt
• Talking to uninvolved parties such as your friends, family, and co-workers about the debt

Company Profile: Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc.

If you are being called by Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc., information about the company is below.

Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc. is collection agency located in Corona, California. It was established in 2011, has less than 10 employees, and collects all varieties of consumer debt. Records on file at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirm that people who believed they were being harassed by Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc. filed lawsuits against the company to seek compensation.

Alleged Violations against Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc.

According to PACER, sometime in either June or July 2011, Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc. contacted the sister and mother of a Michigan resident because they were trying to locate his wife. The collector allegedly told both women that they were looking to serve her papers. A similar conversation allegedly took place later in July with her brother-in-law.

On or about September 8, 2011, Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc. spoke with the Michigan resident. The caller allegedly told him that he owed a debt and added that he could be sued for interest and fees. He asked them to send him a validation letter, because he believed this debt to be beyond the statute of limitations.

Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc, sent a letter to his wife, but an attorney who reviewed it concluded that it did not comply with the requirements of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Nor was it sent within five days of the agency’s initial communication with her.

Feeling harassed by Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc., the couple hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Trying to collect a debt that was beyond the statute of limitations
• Discussing the debt with uninvolved third parties

A judge later ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for this collection agency are:

• 1-888-475-0894
• 1-951-547-2043

If either number appears on your caller ID, be aware that you are being called by Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc.. If they approach third parties and harass you over a debt that has passed the statute of limitations, hire a consumer attorney. Bullying consumers is a violation of the FDCPA, and if you file a claim against Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc., you could potentially be awarded $1,000 per violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. When a debt collector goes too far with you, the law helps you to take a stand.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 2:11-cv-14513-DPH-RSW from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Portfolio Investment Financial, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.