Portfolio Recovery Associates is one of the largest debt buyers in the United States and one of the most frequently sued. The company has been sanctioned by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has faced class actions in California over robo-signed collection lawsuits, and generates a consistent stream of FDCPA and Rosenthal Act claims from California consumers. If your client is countersuing Portfolio Recovery — or if you need to serve them in connection with a collection case they filed — here is how to do it correctly.
The Correct Legal Entity
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC is the correct entity. It is a limited liability company, not a corporation. This distinction matters when you are drafting a complaint: your caption should identify the defendant as Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, not “Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.” or “Portfolio Recovery Associates Corporation.”
Portfolio Recovery Associates is a subsidiary of Encore Capital Group — the same parent company that owns Midland Credit Management and Midland Funding. However, Portfolio Recovery Associates operates as a separate entity with its own legal name, registered agent, and litigation history. Do not confuse it with the Midland entities or attempt to serve one at the address of the other.
Search bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov to confirm the current registered agent and entity status before you serve.
Where to Serve
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC’s registered agent for service of process in California is:
CT Corporation System
330 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 700
Glendale, CA 91203
CT Corporation’s Glendale office is one of the most active registered agent service locations in Southern California. For more on serving documents at this location, see our CT Corporation Sacramento guide or our general registered agents in Sacramento overview.
Context: Why Portfolio Recovery Is Being Sued
Portfolio Recovery Associates has faced significant regulatory and civil enforcement for its collection practices:
• CFPB enforcement action — the CFPB has sanctioned Portfolio Recovery Associates for filing collection lawsuits using robo-signed affidavits — mass-produced declarations in which employees signed off on debt amounts and account histories without actually reviewing the underlying records. This practice was used to file thousands of collection lawsuits across the country, including in California courts
• California class actions — California consumers have filed class actions alleging that Portfolio Recovery filed time-barred debts, failed to verify debts upon request, and used deceptive collection communications
• Credit reporting disputes — inaccurate reporting of disputed or resolved debts to the credit bureaus is a frequent source of litigation
Because Portfolio Recovery frequently files collection lawsuits against California consumers, those consumers often counter-sue. When a consumer is sued by Portfolio Recovery and wants to raise FDCPA or Rosenthal Act counterclaims, proper service on Portfolio Recovery LLC (not just filing a counterclaim in the existing case) may be required depending on the procedural posture.
What Documents Are Commonly Served
• Counterclaims and cross-complaints in cases where Portfolio Recovery is the plaintiff
• Summons and complaints in independent FDCPA and Rosenthal Act actions
• Class action complaints in mass litigation arising from robo-signing and improper collection practices
• Subpoenas duces tecum seeking account purchase records, affiant employment records, and collection documentation
• CCPA complaints related to consumer data practices
How We Handle It
We coordinate service at CT Corporation’s Glendale office through our network of Southern California process servers. We provide court-ready proof of service with the date, time, and accepting party — suitable for filing in any California superior court.
Service Level | Timeframe | Price
Standard | 10 business days | \$99
Expedited | 3 business days | \$150
Rush | 24 hours | \$175
Court Filing Add-on | — | +\$30
