Sued by Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services in Pennsylvania? Here's What to Do Next
Pennsylvania RESPONSE DEADLINE
20 Days
from the date you were served
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
4 Years
for typical Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services debts in PA
WAGE GARNISHMENT
Not allowed in PA
What Pennsylvania consumers say about Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services
In the last 24 months, 118 Pennsylvania residents filed CFPB complaints naming Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services . 67% of these complaints involve debt collection; 31% involve credit reporting or other personal consumer reports.
Most common complaint categories:
- 27 Attempts to collect debt not owed
- 22 Incorrect information on your report
- 21 False statements or representation
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database , 24-month rolling window through May 2026.
About Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services
Cavalry SPV I LLC and Cavalry Portfolio Services are debt buying entities that purchase and collect on defaulted consumer debts. Cavalry has been involved in numerous consumer complaints and lawsuits alleging violations of the FDCPA. They are known for purchasing large portfolios of credit card debt and aggressively pursuing collection, including filing lawsuits in bulk across multiple states. Cavalry has faced regulatory scrutiny for their documentation practices and collection tactics.
Type: Debt Buyer. Common debt types: credit card, personal loan, retail credit.
CFPB Enforcement History
Cavalry SPV and Cavalry Portfolio Services have not been the subject of a major CFPB enforcement action. Cavalry is a smaller debt buyer than LVNV or Midland and its overall complaint volume is correspondingly lower. The same legal framework — the FDCPA, the FCRA, and state collection laws — still applies, and consumers retain the right to demand proof of ownership, dispute the amount, and raise the statute of limitations as a defense.
Pennsylvania-Specific Defenses Against Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services
Statute of Limitations Defense
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for credit card debt is 4 years. If your last payment was more than 4 years ago, the debt is time-barred. Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services has been the subject of CFPB findings related to suing on time-barred debts — check your dates carefully and raise the SOL defense in your Answer.
Lack of Standing / Chain of Title
As a debt buyer, Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services must prove they actually purchased your specific account. Demand the complete chain of title — the purchase agreement, bill of sale, and assignment documents. In Pennsylvania courts, failing to produce this documentation can result in dismissal.
Challenge the Amount
Demand a complete accounting from the original creditor's last statement through the current claimed balance. Any unauthorized fees, post-charge-off interest, or collection costs not in the original agreement should be disputed line by line.
No Wage Garnishment in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not allow wage garnishment for consumer debts. This significantly limits what Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services can do even with a judgment. While you should still file your Answer, this protection gives you stronger negotiating leverage.
Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act / PA Unfair Trade Practices Act
In addition to the federal FDCPA, Pennsylvania's Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act / PA Unfair Trade Practices Act may provide additional protections and remedies against Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services's collection practices.
Pennsylvania Court System
Magisterial district court up to $12,000. Court of common pleas for larger amounts. Filing fees in Pennsylvania typically range $45-$250.
Common FDCPA Violations by Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services
- Filing lawsuits without proper documentation or chain of title
- Suing on debts past the statute of limitations
- Using robo-signed affidavits from employees without personal knowledge of account details
- Misrepresenting the amount owed by adding unauthorized fees
- Failing to respond to debt validation requests within statutory timeframes
Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania
| Debt Type | SOL (Years) |
|---|---|
| Credit Card | 4 |
| Medical | 4 |
| Auto | 4 |
| Personal Loan | 4 |
| Written Contract | 4 |
| Oral Contract | 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cavalry SPV?
Cavalry SPV I LLC is a debt buying company that purchases defaulted consumer debts. Cavalry Portfolio Services is its affiliated collection entity. They buy debts from banks and credit card issuers and attempt to collect the full balance.
Is Cavalry SPV a legitimate company?
Cavalry SPV is a real company, but being legitimate does not mean they always follow the law. They have faced numerous FDCPA lawsuits and complaints for improper collection practices, including suing without proper documentation.
How do I fight a Cavalry SPV lawsuit?
File your Answer before the deadline, deny allegations you dispute, demand proof they own the debt, and raise any applicable defenses such as statute of limitations. Many Cavalry lawsuits can be defeated by challenging their documentation.
What if Cavalry SPV has the wrong amount?
Cavalry frequently inflates debt amounts with unauthorized fees and interest. In your Answer, dispute the amount owed and demand an accounting showing every charge from the original creditor through the current balance.
How long to respond in Pennsylvania?
20 days from service to file your Answer.
What is the SOL in Pennsylvania?
4 years for all contract types including credit cards.
Can they garnish my wages in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania prohibits wage garnishment for most consumer debts. They can still levy bank accounts and place liens on property after getting a judgment.
What makes PA unique for debt defense?
The combination of a 4-year SOL and no wage garnishment makes Pennsylvania one of the most consumer-friendly states for debt defense.
Where are debt cases filed in PA?
Magisterial district court for smaller cases (up to $12,000). Court of common pleas for larger amounts.
Can a credit card company garnish my wages in Pennsylvania?
Almost never. Pennsylvania is one of the most consumer-protective states in the country on this issue. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8127, wages and salary earned for personal services are generally exempt from execution to satisfy a money judgment from an ordinary creditor like a credit card company or medical provider. The exceptions are narrow and include support orders, certain back rent for a residential lease, taxes, criminal restitution, and federal student loans. A debt buyer or original creditor who wins a Pennsylvania state court judgment on a credit card debt cannot use that judgment to garnish your paycheck. They can still try to levy on bank accounts, place liens on real property, and use the judgment as leverage. If a collector threatens to garnish your wages in Pennsylvania over a credit card or medical debt, that threat itself may violate the federal FDCPA and the FCEUA, since the collector cannot lawfully follow through. Get the threat in writing if possible and save it for a counterclaim or complaint.
What is the Pennsylvania FCEUA and how is it different from the FDCPA?
The Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act at 73 P.S. § 2270.1 et seq. is Pennsylvania's state version of the federal FDCPA, with one major improvement for consumers. The federal FDCPA only applies to third-party debt collectors and debt buyers, not to original creditors collecting their own debts. The FCEUA expressly applies to creditors as well as collectors, which means if your original bank is the one making the abusive calls or false statements, you still have a state law claim even though federal FDCPA may not reach them. The FCEUA also makes any violation of its provisions an unfair or deceptive act under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL). The UTPCPL allows a private right of action for the greater of actual damages or $100, plus attorney fees, and in cases of willful conduct, treble damages. Stacking FCEUA, UTPCPL, and federal FDCPA claims can produce a meaningful counterclaim in a debt buyer suit.
How does a Magisterial District Judge case work in Pennsylvania for a debt collection lawsuit?
Most Pennsylvania consumer debt suits under $12,000 are filed before a Magisterial District Judge, the local-level court formerly called the District Justice. The process is informal, designed for self-represented litigants. You will receive a complaint and a hearing notice giving you a specific date and time. You do not need to file a written answer in advance; you appear, present your side, and the judge rules. Bring all documents you have: the complaint, any letters from the collector, payment records, and any communications. Make the plaintiff prove they own the debt by demanding to see the bill of sale and chain of assignments. If you lose at the MDJ level, you can file an appeal to the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days, which essentially restarts the case in a more formal court with full discovery and motion practice. The appeal is a do-over, not a review of the MDJ decision. Many debt buyers will not follow the case up on appeal, so an appeal can be a powerful tool.
I have an old judgment from a Pennsylvania court. How long does it last?
A Pennsylvania judgment is generally valid for five years from the date of entry and can be revived for additional five-year periods under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5526, potentially extending the judgment for many years. A judgment can be enforced by various means short of wage garnishment, including bank levies, real estate liens, and personal property executions. If your judgment is approaching the five-year mark, the creditor must take affirmative steps to revive it, and they often miss that deadline. If a judgment has not been revived in time, the creditor's ability to execute on it is significantly weakened. If you are dealing with an old judgment, the first step is to pull a current docket from the court website and confirm the entry date and any revivals. Sometimes the creditor or debt buyer is willing to settle a stale judgment for cents on the dollar because they fear losing enforceability. Consult a consumer attorney before paying or signing anything that might be construed as an acknowledgment that restarts the clock.
What is the statute of limitations on credit card debt in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania applies a four-year statute of limitations to actions on credit card and other contract debts under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525. The clock generally starts on the date of the first missed payment that was never cured. Once four years have passed without a payment or written acknowledgment, the debt is generally time-barred. For installment loans, courts sometimes apply the four-year period to each missed installment, although most lenders accelerate the full balance once the loan is in default, which can start the clock running on the entire balance. Making even a small partial payment or signing a new agreement on an old debt can restart the clock under Pennsylvania law, so do not pay anything on an old debt without legal advice. If a debt buyer files suit in Pennsylvania on a credit card debt and the last payment was more than four years ago, raise the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense in your answer. Pennsylvania courts routinely dismiss time-barred debt buyer suits when the defense is properly raised.
Sued by Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services in Another State?
Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services files cases nationwide. Select your state for the response deadline, statute of limitations, and state-specific defenses.
Sued by a Different Collector in Pennsylvania?
The 20-day Pennsylvania response deadline applies no matter who sued you. Pick the creditor on your summons for creditor-specific defenses.
This page summarizes public information from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database, CFPB enforcement records, and Pennsylvania state law. It is not legal advice. Statutes and court rules change — consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania for guidance on your specific case.
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