Received a call just from 469.249.8741 just a few minutes ago.  Did not leave a VM.

This call is from Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. They called my cell phone during supper so I did not pick up.I have never heard of them.This is a fairly new number I just got with my new cell,they did not waste time finding me. I recently paid off all my debts last summer and my Credit cards are 100% on time so I am not sure what they are after,my credit reports are clean.There are many complaints about this company. From what I gather they buy old debts that are 7-15+ years old and try to collect on them.Debts that are past the point they can be reported to the credit bureaus. They can also screw up your credit running it many times looking for old debt they can buy and collect on.They are in violation of many state laws and have been banned from practicing in these states but they seem to move to a new state and start operating again.If you settle with them they will not report that he debt is paid, if you even owe the debt that is. Very nasty company from what I have read.

You say they were "banned" from several states?  I would be interested in learning what states have actually "banned" them.  Yes, they are are junk debt buyer and yes they use illegal means to attempt to collect those debts.  However, that is actually money in your pocket, big bucks if you take a couple of hours out of your life to talk to an attorney and to sue them.  Hey you could get lucky and get another 82 million dollar judgement against them like the woman in Kansas did.

You need to send them a certified, return receipt debt validation, cease and desist calling, or "not me" letter (think of it as the best $6.47 you ever invested).  Also send it first class mail in case no one will sign for it.  Make a notation of that fact at the bottom of the letter.  You also need to report them to the proper agencies to which I have provided links to.  Then you need to go out and get a consumer lawyer to sue them on a contingency basis (no money out of your pocket) and let them pay you for the harassment.  If everyone did these three things, these crooks would be bankrupt and we would all be the richer for it.  Use these web sites to find an attorney in your state that will probably take the case on a contingency basis (no money out of your pocket up front):  http://www.consumeradvocates.org/
http://www.consumeradvocates.org/find-an-atto ... tates_value=All

Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) postmarked within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt.  It also must contains “mini-Miranda” telling you that it is an attempt to collect a debt and that all information will be used for those purposes.  The one other important thing that this letter must also have in it is that you have a right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receipt of the letter and if you do so, all collection activity must be stopped until the debt is verified.

Read up on your rights here and also make a complaint at this government site:  http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices:   http://800notes.com/faq/attorney-general

unknown number calls at different time of the day & night but does not leave message on voicemail