Portfolio Recovery Associates

[Feebee_71]

Any information on what this company are like?

 

I received a call from them yesterday

- on a mobile phone not registered in my name

- asking for me by name,

 

I refused to confirm any details for them and told them to put any communication in writing then hung up.

 

A bit of googling shows they are associated with the likes of Muck Hall

who I have had chasing me in the past

(though they and the OC ignored my offer of repayment that was in line with my circumstances at the time

- almost 3 years ago).

 

The call came from a phone number with my local area code but,

when I try and look up an address for them it gives only American information.

 

I'm guessing its one of their tricks so you think it's an innocuous phone call

Googling the number leads to a thread on 'WhoCallsMe' website

and the first post mentions Muck Hall as being the callers.

 

I have never received anything from PRA group in writing

so don't know for sure but am assuming they are the next in a long line of letters that,

in the past, have come from the likes of DERS, UMS and other similar companies.

 

Really I'm just wanting to know how ruthless these people are?

[silverfox1961]

just done a few checks on this company and their correspondence address is the same as MH

 

their UK registered address is:

 

C/O 7SIDE SECRETARIAL LIMITED

14-18 CITY ROAD

CARDIFF

CF24 3DL

 

which is the same address for MH

 

So without any further checks, it appears they are the same company

[Feebee_71]

Thanks Silverfox,

 

So, another one of those smoke and mirrors acts where they think they'll sound more vicious if they pass it round ll their own trading styles.

 

Will await any written correspondence from them.

[Bazooka Boo]

Ah, using 'spoof' numbers in order to trick the recipient into answering.......

 

IMO, that would warrant a complaint from me to the OFT and Ofcom, clearly misleading and purely used to exploit.

[fkofilee]

Blah Blah Blah... Blah Blah...

 

Its the same old story again with PRA and Mackenzie Hall.

PRA snapped Mackenzie hall a few years ago.

 

They are usually tame people to deal with as they very rarely if at all go legal... Problem is they normally deal in unenforceable debts.

 

Wait for them to contact you with more indepth info of what they are chasing etc, Then strike them with a In writing only letter etc.

Id like to see who they are chasing for this time.

[Feebee_71]

Well, if they're chasing something that Muck Hall already have their grubby mitts on its one of two things Quick Quid (the ones who ignored an offer of payment based on being unemployed at the time almost 3 years ago) or Studio24 account which is significantly older (would say is potentially nearing 6 years and SB status!!). If neither of these two then its something recently handed over (and I don't have many other debts!)

[fkofilee]

Normally would be QQ...

 

Also, sorry about my first post, didn't want to sound rude

It wasn't about your story, it's just PRA do this all the time... It's sad really.

[Feebee_71]

No worries, never thought you were being rude!!

[dx100uk]

low life bottom feeders.

 

what te debt all about?

 

anything on your CRA file regarding it?

 

dx

[Feebee_71]

If it's either of the two mentioned above then, yes, they both show on my CRA file.

 

Both show MH as the lender of the debts not the original creditors.

 

One shows a default date that's about right,

the other (older) one lists a default date much more recently than I believe it to be

(by a good couple of years) and shows no history before the date when MH became the lender

despite showing an opening date going back some 8-9 years.

 

Only two other things show

- and I know about them one is my bank account which shows as good.

 

The other thing shows he OC and lists an accurate status so I'm not worried about it.

[fkofilee]

Okay , more info required on this one the MH have recently taken over and it being opened 8 - 9 years ago... When was the original default date on that one ? (Month and year would do)

Have the changed the default date to keep it on your Credit Profile?

[Feebee_71]

Fkofilee,

 

I've done a bit of looking and this is what I can tell you about this account.....

 

According to Noddle credit report

Account opened 18/09/2006

By my reckoning last payment was mid 2008

No written acknowledgement of debt by me despite receiving letters at the time (ostrich syndrome) and definitely no payments made.

On Noddle file default date shows as 30/12/2011

Records show details on Noddle from only 03/2013 only with DF below the March 2013 marker. Other accounts that are defaulted show details before the default date.

Interestingly, looking back through posts on here, I first mention receiving correspondence from MH about this account as far back as Feb 2012 - that being 'this account has been transferred to...' or similar wording. At no time have I entered into any correspondence or discussion wit MH about this account!

[dx100uk]

so whats the debt?

 

dx

[fkofilee]

Done now Is this the Studio 24? or QQ?

 

I would think it would be the Studio 24 from the age of it... Unless you had a really long Loan with QQ Xp

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Portfolio Recovery Associate

56 Portland Road

Kilmarnock

East Ayreshire.

 

 

Mackenzie Halls "parent" now. An offshoot of a US company.

 

 

Well known for "autodial" debt collection tactics in the US.

[Feebee_71]

This one was the Studio 24 catalogue account.

 

But, until I receive something/anything in writing from PRA I've no idea if its either of these accounts.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

DO NOTHING until they contact you in writing, most certainly do not engage with PRA on the phone.

Wait and See!

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

PRA

58 Portland Road

Kilmarnock

East Ayreshire

 

 

 

 

MHs home ground they are MHs American parent company.

[fkofilee]

Freebie, As mentioned above, its normally advisable until you get something in writing from them..

 

. Like weve seen many a time before...

 

Next desk along is a new name.

 

.. I saw a channel 4 documentary where Marlins were exposed as doing exactly that...

. Marlins, suddenly turned into another company,

but you could have ended up speaking to the same person (If you get what i mean)

 

PRA and Muckie Hall are exactly the same...

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

PRA are more aggressive and persistent in there pursuit of debts. US style from experience.

[dx100uk]

does the ref number on the MH letter match the ref number on the PRA letter?

 

dx

[Feebee_71]

There is no PRA letter - it was a phone call on a mobile number registered to my 82 year old father asking for me. At this time I don't know what it refers to it's just an assumption that, as they're part of the same stable as MH, that it involves one of the 2 accounts held/now owned by them.

[fkofilee]

How did they get the mobile for your 82 yo father?

[Feebee_71]

The number is registered to him and bills go to his address but I have use of it. I have had MH call me o. It before so guess they've passed it on as my contact number!!

[dx100uk]

this is the pra thread.

 

hsve split them