PRA UK, need advice on how to handle these...

[RBM10]

Ok here goes...

 

In 2011 i was using wonga pretty frequently, and paying back on time, i fell out of work at the end of the year and defaulted on a loan of £600. Eventually the debt was passed to mackenzie hall, and from august 2013 i started to recieve automated calls from PRA UK. Now im currently in work and want to start getting my credit rating sorted, whats the best way to deal with these lot? Note that they have my old address so i havent recieved any mail only automated calls and automated voicemails. Any help would be greatly appreciated its time i sort my financial issues out.

 

On a side note is it worth me doing a credit check just yet? I dont want to give up my new address until i arrange a payment plan or just settle the debt.

[renegadeimp]

You need to get all the info you can first. So a credit check would be a good idea. This will give you an idea if the DCA's or wonga have added any charges on that you can challenge and possibly reclaim. You also need to ensure you only pay via standing order. Not debit card or direct debit.

[silverfox1961]

PRA UK! Pah! Just another name for Muck Hall. Same address and on the FCA search it shows the contact details of:

 

christine murray

cmurray@mackenziehall.co.uk

[RBM10]

I was going to use equifax for a statutory credit check at a cost of £2 is that safe to pay by debit card? And then if i arrange something with prauk i would pay them by standing order only? Thanks for the responses.

[silverfox1961]

Yes to your first point and absolutely to your second. Never set up a DD or a CPA (direct debit -continuous payment authority)

[oleg]

Be aware that settling the debt will not remove the default from your credit file; that stays in place for six years.

[RBM10]

Thanks for all the great advice, just lastly to clarify can prauk obtain my current address from equifax if i request the credit report?

[silverfox1961]

If they really tried to get your current address, the CRAs are usually the last place they look. There are many other ways of obtaining your address. A tracing agent is one for starters.

[RBM10]

Ok ill go ahead with the credit report, thanks for the advice i'm clueless on matters like this so its much appreciated.

[renegadeimp]

Be aware that settling the debt will not remove the default from your credit file; that stays in place for six years.

 

You could negotiate it's removal with a F&F settlement. MH paid a few pence in the pound for the debt, so its likely they would be receptive to a decent F&F.