Portfolio Recovery Associates admitted to no wrongdoing and agreed to pay $24 million over allegedly illegal practices, the top U.S. agency for consumer financial protection said on Thursday, adding that the company had violated a previous order. "CFPB orders are not suggestions, and companies cannot ignore them simply because they are large or dominant in the market," Chopra added. In 2015 the CFPB ordered Portfolio Recovery Associates to cease collecting on debts without reasonable basis, selling debt, or threatening to sue or suing when it had no intent to prove the claims. The CFPB on Thursday said the company broke a number of provisions related to that order. The $24 million payment agreement includes a fine, as well as repayment to consumers harmed, pending court approval.
In a statement, Portfolio Recovery Associates said it was committed to dealing fairly and respectfully with its clients. "Although we have admitted to no wrongdoing as part of the resolution, and we continue to disagree with the CFPB's characterization of our conduct, we are pleased to have this matter resolved and behind us," Kevin Stevenson, president and chief executive of parent company PRA Group Inc (PRAA.O), said in a statement. To read more click here.