PayDay Loan with Wonga/Mackenzie Hall... advice please?

Kolokial

Hi guys,

I'm new to this and currently trying to help my mother with several of her debts, and at the moment we're taking it one step at a time. I'm going to organise a visit to one of the Charitable DMCs in future. But currently she has a DMP dealing with a few already, which I want to tackle later. Right now however, there is a payday loan that was originally taken out with Wonga, which now according to Wonga has been transferred to Mackenzie Hall. Now I've read lots on this forum and others about dealings with DCAs and that it's never a good idea to call them.

At the moment, my mother has the amount to pay off the debt with Wonga completely, but from all the horror stories I've read I don't want Mackenzie Hall or Wonga to contact her again demanding payment.

I've drafted a letter requesting a CCA and to freeze interest, but am unsure if this is necessary? I have an email from Wonga that says the debt is legally with Mackenzie Hall, is this sufficient? And if so, should I ask for a CCA and NOA from Mackenzie Hall, or just call them to pay the debt off?

Thank you in advance to anyone that can help and also I apologise if this in the wrong section of the website.

Dear Mothers Name,

Thanks for contacting us about your account.

Your debt was legally sold to Mackenzie Hall Debt Purchase Limited on 06 July 2012, and we can’t help you any further with this agreement.
To discuss your account, please contact Mackenzie Hall directly:

Telephone: 0844 801 9585
Post: Mackenzie Hall Debt Purchase Limited , Unit 58 Portland Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1JG.

To make any payments towards your outstanding balance, please visit Link to Mackenzie Halls Payment site for Wonga customers and follow the instructions.

Best wishes,

Collections Team

worried48

I'd be very inclined to wait until they make contact - the money required may very well have gone up by now. My experience (though not with these people) is that if you ignore it for long enough, eventually they send a letter offering a settlement for a lot less than the amount originally owed.

Tixy

If she can pay it off in a lump sum, and is not disputing the debt then I don't think a CCA request is necessary. In terms of freezing the interest it is likely not being charged now.

How recently has she had a letter from MH chasing the debt?
How much are they chasing for?

Kolokial

The last letter was sent to us on 13th April 2013. They are chasing her for £179.89.

Does anyone know if the above email received from Wonga is enough to suggest that MH now own the debt?

Tixy

Yes I would say that would be sufficient evidence (assuming MH haven't sold it on again).

Kolokial

Okay, so should we just call them and pay? Or wait for a letter with a lower offer?

Good_Goose

Kolokial wrote: »

Okay, so should we just call them and pay? Or wait for a letter with a lower offer?

Or wait for nightmare with a horrible debt collection agency... The choice is yours!!!

Kolokial

We called them today and paid the full amount. Just glad to get it out of the way!

Thank you Tixy, Worried and Goose!