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Business Profile

Collection Attorneys

Portnoff Law Associates, LTD

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Collection Attorneys.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 9 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 4 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:05/11/2025

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I got behind on my real estate taxes, due to being hospitalized for months from three strokes in 2022. I set up and continue to pay, on time, a tax payment plan with my local tax bureau. I was not informed until I received correspondence from Portnoff law associates, that my trash, sewer and township taxes were not included. I am currently disabled and on social security disability, but I initially I made payments totalling $600, only to see that my balance went up, and that exhortbatan fees were being added. Because I now have liens, I am being threatened with the sake of my home, if a defense is not made within 15 days. Any monies I pay to satisfy a lien, will go first to Portnoff's outrageous fees, making it impossible to clear this debt, further ensuring the loss of my home. The payments I make to the tax claim bureau include fees, and penalties but it is still possible to clear the balance owed each year that I stay on their payment plan. Portnoff makes it impossible for those experiencing financial hardship to pay their debt, and has fees that are not or should not be legal to charge.

    Business Response

    Date: 05/15/2025

    We are in receipt of the online complaint filed by Ms. ************ Please be advised that Ms. ***** is not a customer or client of ********************** Law ************************* Rather, she is in an adversarial position to a municipal client of our firm.  As such we will not discuss the specifics of her matters with a third party such as the Better Business Bureau without Ms. ****** written consent.

     

    Please confirm that you have received this email and will accept it as our response to the complaint.

     

    Thank you.

     

    ******* C. ********, Esq.

    General Counsel

    Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/12/2025

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Portnoff Law claims that I owe money on ************************* and a property in Highspire. Highspire property Portnoff claimed money was owed although the property was a judicial sale free and clear. They took my payment for ************* steelton and applied to that balance that was not owed at all and now continually send notices for taxes that were paid on 306 walnut including a lien on the property. They will not help. They send false information. They steal payments from one property to pay for a non existent bill on another.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/26/2025

    Please be advised that ***** ******** is not a client or customer of ***************************** On the contrary, she is adversarial to a client of our law firm.  As such, we will not disclose details of any accounts or files that may involve Ms. ******** to a third party such as the Better Business Bureau without written authorization from Ms. *************** I will note, however, that we intend to send a letter to Ms. ******** privately in the near future in an attempt to respond to her concerns.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/14/2024

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    The business sent 2 separate letters addressed to myself and my girlfriend saying that we each owed $355 for trash fees from the city of ******** for 2023. We bought the house in April of 2024. No bill for 2023 would have our names on it as we did not own the property.

    Business Response

    Date: 08/16/2024

    Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd.(hereinafter PLA), is a law firm that contracts with school districts and other municipalities for the in rem collection of delinquent real estate taxes and other municipal claims pursuant to the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. 7101, et.seq. (the *******  ******************** is not a customer or client of PLA.  PLA represents a municipality whose interests are adversarial to those of ********************. Absent written permission from ********************, *** will not discuss or disclose the particular details of ************************ account with a third party such as the Better Business Bureau.  

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/04/2024

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Having no communication and being harassed by Portnoff Law for a levee fee.

    Business Response

    Date: 08/13/2024

    We are in receipt of your letter dated August 5, 2024 with respect to the above-referenced complaint filed by *********************************.  Kindly accept this email in response to that complaint. 

     

    Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. (hereinafter PLA), is a law firm that contracts with school districts and other municipalities for the in rem collection of delinquent real estate taxes and municipal claims pursuant to the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. 7101, et.seq. (the MCTLA).  ************************ is not a customer or client of PLA.  PLA represents a municipality whose interests are adversarial to those of ************************.  Absent written permission from ************************, PLA will not discuss or disclose the particular details of Mr. *********** account with a third party such as the Better Business Bureau.

     

    Thank you for your courtesy in this matter. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:04/11/2024

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    This *********** Portnoff Law Associates, LTD sent me a bill for delinquent taxes when I in fact paid my bill. They are hassling me for taxes that have already been paid. I sent them proof and they still have not settled this inaccurate bill!

    Business Response

    Date: 05/08/2024

    Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. (hereinafter PLA), is a law firm that contracts with school districts and municipalities for the in rem collection of delinquent real estate taxes and municipal claims pursuant to the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. 7101, et.seq. (the MCTLA).  **************** is not a customer or client of PLA.  PLA represents a school district whose interests are adversarial to those of ****************.  Absent written permission from ****************, *** will not discuss or disclose the particular details of Ms. ******* account(s) with a third party such as the Better Business Bureau.

     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:11/03/2022

    Type:Billing Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.

    Complaint: ********

    I am rejecting this response because:

    Please see signed authorization form attached. 

    Regards,

    *************************

    Business Response

    Date: 11/09/2022

    We are in receipt of your letter dated November 4, 2022 with respect to the complaint filed by **************************  Kindly accept this email in response to that complaint. 

    Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. (hereinafter PLA), is a law firm that contracts with school districts and municipalities for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes and municipal claims pursuant to the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. §7101, et.seq. (the MCTLA).  **************** is not a customer or client of PLA.  PLA represents a school district whose interests are adversarial to those of *****************  Absent written permission from ****************, PLA will not discuss or disclose the particular details of **. ******* accounts with a third party such as the Better Business Bureau.

    Business Response

    Date: 11/22/2022

    I am in receipt of your letter dated November 17, 2022 with respect to the reply of ************************* to my response to his complaint. In that reply, **************** includes an authorization to discuss his account with the Better Business Bureau.   Kindly accept this email as a more detailed response to **. *******’s original complaint. 

    Portnoff Law Associates (PLA) is a law firm that collects, among other things, delinquent school real estate taxes on behalf of school districts throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pursuant to the in rem collection provisions of the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. 7101, et seq. (“MCTLA”).  The MCTLA provides that, following notice to the property owner, attorney fees may be added to a delinquent account pursuant to a fee schedule adopted by resolution by the school district.  The statute also permits adding other charges, expenses, and fees incurred in collection to the delinquent balance. 

    In the instant matter, PLA represents the ********* School District for the in rem collection of delinquent 2020 and 2021 school real estate taxes against the property owned by *****************  **************** was sent the statutorily required notices for each of these delinquencies, the first on 10-15-21.  These notices informed **************** that the failure to pay in full or to enter into and comply with a payment plan would result in PLA proceeding with legal action and additional costs and fees being added to the delinquent accounts.  **************** entered into at least 2 payment plans over the next year, but only made sporadic and inconsistent payments, resulting in the automatic default of those plans and PLA being compelled to proceed with legal action and add costs and fees to the file.  Specifically, our records indicate that **************** made only 4 payments over that time, on January 5, May 30, June 6, and August 22, 2022 respectively.  The total of those 4 payments does not even equal the original amounts of the taxes, let alone the additional costs and fees added to the files for sending two legal demand letters, filing a lien (a/k/a tax claim) with the Prothonotary of Beaver County, and filing a Writ of Scire Facias with the same prothonotary.

    As stated in my initial response, **************** is not a client or customer of PLA.  PLA represents the ********* School District in a legal matter wherein **************** is the adversary.  Nevertheless, PLA made every effort to assist **************** to pay over time in amounts acceptable to him and to avoid the addition of attorney fees and costs and continued legal action.  Unfortunately, **************** has failed to comply with the terms of the payment plans.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:10/31/2022

    Type:Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I bought my home end of 2020. I thought the mortage company took care of the trash bill. I never received a bill, so I assumed it was all taken care of. Today 10/31/22 I received a letter from a law office/collection agency threatening to put a lean on my home if the bill was not paid. Only issue is they have added on $500 worth of fees! I have no issue paying my garbage bill but $500 worth of fees on top of the bill is unreal! I need help! and this shouldn't even be legal.

    Business Response

    Date: 11/22/2022

    Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. (hereinafter PLA), is a law firm that contracts with school districts and municipalities for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes and municipal claims pursuant to the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. §7101, et.seq. (the “MCTLA”).  *** ******* is not a customer or client of PLA.  PLA represents a township whose interests are adversarial to those of *** *******.  Absent written permission from *** *******, PLA will not discuss or disclose the particular details of *** *******’s account with a third party such as the Better Business Bureau.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:10/03/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    On 09/16/2021, I received communication in the mail from Portnoff Law Associates regarding deliquent trash fees. This had a huge chunk out of it and was placed into a plastic bag by the post office with an apology. I called during my lunch hour to make payment arrangements and was on hold my entire break. I then sent an email, to which I had NO response. On September 30, I received another communication from them again stating the delinquent amount PLUS $35 for the letter they sent me. I again have emailed them twice since this time and get no response. It is at best, unethical, and should be criminal to ignore communication directed to them in an effort to settle the issue they were hired to do. It seems their intent is to tack on as many additional fees as they can. I am still waiting on a payment plan and I will not pay the $35 they are trying to steal from me, as it was their own incompetence for not responding as soon as I tried to rectify this.As I've gleaned from their multiple prior complaints and their form letter they respond to each with, I do give my permission for Portnoff Law Associates to discuss the matter with the Better Business Bureau.File Number ********** ***********************

    Business Response

    Date: 10/11/2022

    Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. (PLA) represents the City of Washington for the in rem collection of delinquent trash fees against a property owned by ************************  As such, ************** is not a customer or client of PLA, but is an adversary of our client in a collection matter.  Ordinarily, our practice would be not to disclose any information by making a substantive response to a Better Business Bureau Complaint filed by an adversary of our client.  Our reluctance to do so is predicated on the concern that we not violate the rights granted to a debtor by certain state and/or federal consumer protection laws that prohibit disclosure to third parties.  In this matter, however, ************** spoke with our office and gave us explicit permission to discuss the matter with the Better Business Bureau.

     

    As it appears that our office sent a second collection notice, which carried a collection fee and postage charges, despite Ms. ****** attempt to contact us after the initial notice in order to set up a payment plan, we have agreed to waive the collection fee and costs and set up a mutually agreeable payment plan limited to the original amount of the unpaid trash fees.  Assuming ************** makes all payments in a timely manner, no additional costs or fees will be added to her file.  We trust this should be a satisfactory resolution of this matter, and we apologize for the difficulty ************** had in contacting our office following the original notice.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/25/2022

    Type:Billing Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Law office that even after making a payment plan continue to add excessive fees. My bill went from 244.67 to 988.65. After being on hold multiple times and getting no where they add more fees.

    Business Response

    Date: 09/06/2022

    Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. (hereinafter PLA), is a law firm that contracts with school districts and municipalities for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes and municipal claims pursuant to the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. ****, et.seq. (the MCTLA).  ******************** is not a customer or client of PLA.  PLA represents a school district whose interests are adversarial to **. **************** Absent written permission from ********************, PLA will not discuss or disclose the particular details of **. ********* account with a third party such as the Better Business Bureau.

Portnoff Law Associates, LTD is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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