PRA Group won't accept any offers

Suseka97

Dave888P said:

Suseka97 said:

Firstly, have to checked with any legal beagle as to whether the documents you received from PRA proves their enforceability?  They may well be, but I'd always get that checked with people who know their stuff.  

As for the UE's - stop paying them and focus on those others.  You may find, at some point going forward, that they'll be willing to accept settlement offers over time.  It is a bit of a waiting game.  

Thanks for your reply. How do I check the enforceability of the documents from PRA? 

Head over to the All About Debt website/forum and there's a UE thread and you can ask for advice there.

Suseka97

Zulu_Dawn said:

I have had a debt with them since 2007, which was initially around £10k.  I have been paying £40 per month since then.  I have made numerous requests for a settlement over the years, both in writing and on the phone.  They have always offered me a settlement but no better than 95% of the outstanding amount.  I have rejected them all.  If anyone has done better, perhaps they could share how they did it as I would love to get rid of this and can now afford to do so.

Firstly I guess they are quite happy to keep getting the £40 per month and don't see any benefit to accepting settlement offers.  So, have you sent off CCA requests to check whether the account is unenforceable or not?  If it's not, then you simply stop paying them - if it is, then I'd drop the payment to token amounts and force the issue.

sourcrates

Suseka97 said:

Dave888P said:

Suseka97 said:

Firstly, have to checked with any legal beagle as to whether the documents you received from PRA proves their enforceability?  They may well be, but I'd always get that checked with people who know their stuff.  

As for the UE's - stop paying them and focus on those others.  You may find, at some point going forward, that they'll be willing to accept settlement offers over time.  It is a bit of a waiting game.  

Thanks for your reply. How do I check the enforceability of the documents from PRA? 

Head over to the All About Debt website/forum and there's a UE thread and you can ask for advice there.

Don`t actually think that site exists anymore, keeps saying connection failed for me ??

Then there`s this on Legal Beagles from 2014 -

https://legalbeagles.info/forums/forum/legalbeagles-consumer-forums/the-lamp-post/59441-all-about-debt

They have a twitter page, but the main site won`t connect for some reason.

Suseka97

I saw a notification on a solicitors website that suggested they were still active, but having technical issues - but if they have ceased activity, that's a great shame. I found their UE advice invaluable back in the day.

Taxidriver108

I have been helping my daughter manage her debt for the last 2 years.  She initially had around £18k debt.  Most of the companies holding the debt (Cabot etc) made offers of a reduction up to 75%.  I then lent her the money and she paid me back for each individual amount. The only company that have not made an offer is PRA. They hold 2 debts £1300 & £250, payments of £2.74 & £1.00 per month respectively.  These payments were arranged along side her other debts and payments 2 years ago. The question now is:-
a) Do I loan her and pay these 2 debts off (she will repay me and be debt free in 5 months)
b) Try the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (sections 77-79) letter (Which may prolong the debt)
c) Contact PRA and try for a reduction in balance. (They may find out her other debts are now satisfied)
I have set her a very strict budget, with a little moaning from her, but she has done really well.  I understand some will say she borrowed the money, just let her pay it. But as someone who learnt their lesson 30 years ago I strongly believe that banks and loan companies need to take responsibility for the mess they allow people to get into. What really annoys me is the companies that take on these debts for pennies like PRA and don't play fair. This is the only company I begrudge paying.

Suseka97

The PRA are well known for not being overly flexible when it comes to F&Fs (reductions) - even when accounts are proven to be unenforceable.  You can but try contacting them to see how amenable they might be, but sending off CCA requests first would be my choice.  If they come back UE, then you have some bargaining power and if not, then you can still see if they'd accept an offer.  

Dave888P

@fatbelly
I sent off my letter in the post as you recommended and I have received a reply. It is similar to what I was told over the phone and email but at least they do say that if settlement figures become available on any of your accounts we will be in touch.
Here are the main contents of the letter:

"As per your letter to our office, we appreciate your offer of £xxx to settle your account. At this time, there is no settlement available on your account. 
Please note that there are no settlement figures available on any of your accounts. If settlement figures become available on any of your accounts we will be in touch to let you know. 
We appreciate that this may not be the response that you have hoped for, however, we would be happy to continue with the current payment arrangements we have in place.
Currently, two of your accounts are classified as unenforceable, which means we are not able to take legal action to recover the balances. The debts are still legally owed and we will continue to contact you and report to the CRAs (where appropriate). It is possible for your accounts to become enforceable in the future if we receive the appropriate paperwork from the original creditor. We will make you aware if this becomes the case."

I guess that is a standard response and nothing really changes, although I am still unsure as to whether I should still keep on paying the unenforceable accounts or not! 

[Deleted User]

That's not a standard response.  It's telling you that two of your debts are unenforceable.

Dave888P

Yes, I suppose it isn't a standard response. I received confirmation that two of my accounts are not enforceable back in March 2019.

fatbelly

So don't pay the unenforceable debts. If you need to explain this in writing it is because enforceable debts have a higher priority than unenforceable ones.

As for the enforceable ones, make a small monthly payment and try for settlement again in 6 months.