Fresh Start Debt Support
If you’ve had a letter, email, text or call from PRA Group, it can feel unsettling—especially if you’re juggling other bills. This page explains who PRA Group are, why they’re contacting you, what they can and can’t do, and the exact steps to take to protect essentials and move to one fair, affordable plan.
At Fresh Start Debt Support we keep things simple and human. We’ll help you prioritise housing, energy and council tax, reduce contact pressure, and—where suitable—use Breathing Space while we organise a route such as a Debt Management Plan, IVA or DRO. You’ll get a reference number to share with creditors so you’re not fielding everything alone.
Start My Free PRA Group Debt CheckWant the background first? Read What is debt collection? and our practical guide Stop Debt Collectors. To compare solutions side-by-side, see Compare Solutions.
PRA Group is a large debt purchaser and collector. That means they often buy overdue consumer accounts—such as credit cards, loans or store cards—from original lenders, then contact you to arrange repayment. Sometimes they may act on behalf of another company, but commonly they’ve purchased the balance and are now the creditor.
Typically, an account defaulted with the original lender and has been sold or placed with PRA Group. They’ll write to introduce themselves, confirm the balance and ask you to pay in full or set a payment arrangement. If you’re unsure the debt is yours or the balance looks wrong, you can request information in writing.
Don’t panic and overpromise. Your next step should protect essentials first, then offer a single affordable payment that works across all non-priority debts. This is more likely to be accepted and to stick.
Check If I Can Put This Into One Affordable PlanIf calls feel overwhelming, set boundaries and ask to communicate in writing. Our guide Stop Debt Collectors shows how to reduce contact pressure without ignoring the issue.
Most accounts go through a default with the original lender before sale. On your credit file, the default date is key: the record usually drops off six years after that date, regardless of who now owns the debt. A sale to PRA Group doesn’t typically reset that clock.
If no arrangement is agreed, PRA Group (or their solicitors) may send a Letter of Claim under the Pre-Action Protocol. You’ll have time—often 30 days—to reply and include an income/expenditure. Use this window wisely: consider Breathing Space if you need a pause to prepare safely.
If a claim is issued, respond by the deadline. Courts commonly set affordable monthly payments based on your budget. A County Court Judgment (CCJ) may appear on your file, but it doesn’t mean bailiffs tomorrow. Enforcement is a separate stage with its own rules and options.
Missing a deadline can narrow your options. If something’s urgent, reach out—our team can triage fast and help you respond calmly and correctly.
I’ve Had a PRA Group Letter — Help Me RespondBefore you make any offer to PRA Group or other non-priority creditors, stabilise the household:
Only then should you divide what’s left fairly across cards, catalogues, overdrafts, loans and any accounts now owned by PRA Group.
Protect My Essentials FirstStart with a clear income and spending picture. Use our Debt Calculator to test scenarios and identify a monthly figure with breathing room.
When you have multiple creditors, offering consistent pro-rata payments (each gets a fair slice) improves acceptance. It’s transparent, defensible and—crucially—sustainable.
If family can help with a lump sum, a negotiated settlement may be possible. Always get terms in writing, confirm reporting, and avoid favouring one creditor unfairly if others could resume pressure. We can help you plan and document this properly.
Keep copies of every letter and screenshot agreements. Clarity now prevents confusion later.
Ask About PRA Group Settlements or Payment PlansWhere appropriate, we’ll help you use Breathing Space—a legal pause on most enforcement—so you can gather documents, finish budgeting and choose a route without constant contact.
We’ll provide a reference number you can share with PRA Group and others, directing contact through us while your plan is being set up.
Protected essentials, fewer letters and calls, and a single affordable plan you can actually keep.
Start My Free PRA Group Debt CheckInformal & flexible. Many creditors freeze or reduce interest/charges (not guaranteed). Good if your income is stable and you prefer to avoid formal insolvency.
Formal & binding. One affordable monthly payment for a fixed term. On successful completion, remaining eligible unsecured debt may be written off. Usually strong protection from most creditor action.
For low income/low assets. Debts are generally frozen for 12 months and then written off if your situation hasn’t improved. Strict eligibility, but powerful where it fits.
Not sure? See Compare Solutions then ask us for a tailored recommendation based on your numbers, priorities and future plans.
Get My Personalised RecommendationMost people who contact us have more than one balance. We commonly link them into a single plan to reduce stress and keep everything consistent:
Fewer moving parts, fewer surprises—and a clearer route to debt freedom.
Roll My Debts into One PaymentEvery lender and collector behaves a little differently. To understand typical approaches from other firms, browse our quick-reference pages: Lowell, Cabot, Moorcroft, Advantis, Link Financial, Capquest, Wescot, Resolvecall, Hoist, Robinson Way, Fredrickson, Moriarty Law and Drydensfairfax.
Knowing who you’re dealing with helps you respond calmly and consistently—and stops panic promises that break a week later.
Get Help Dealing with My CollectorsOur affordability work is rooted in real-world spending, not wishful thinking. We start with core living costs, then set a sensible contribution to debts. Try the Debt Calculator to explore what’s realistic before you speak to us.
We prioritise housing, energy and council tax to reduce risk. This prevents emergency costs later and stops you from being forced to juggle food vs. bills.
Cards, catalogues, overdrafts, loans, and balances owned by PRA Group are then rolled into a fair, sustainable offer via a DMP or into a formal arrangement such as an IVA or DRO when appropriate.
Read our straightforward guide to Breathing Space. The aim is a safe pause while we prepare your long-term route without constant calls and letters.
Build My Budget with a SpecialistYes. PRA Group is a well-known UK debt purchaser/collector. A letter from them doesn’t remove your rights or mean immediate court—there are stages and options.
Because your account may have been sold to PRA Group. In that case, they become the creditor and will collect the balance. You can ask for written confirmation and a statement of account.
They may issue a claim where appropriate if no arrangement is reached. Even if a CCJ is granted, courts often allow affordable monthly payments based on your budget—so get your figures clear and reply on time.
Bailiffs (enforcement agents) are not automatic. Enforcement is a later stage and there are rules and rights. Stabilising early with a realistic plan helps you avoid escalation.
This depends on the original agreement and the stage of the account. Many plans agree to freeze or reduce interest/charges—but it’s not guaranteed. We’ll help you make fair, well-documented offers.
Defaults typically remain for six years from the default date set by the original lender, regardless of who later owns the debt.
Don’t rush. Protect priority bills first, then agree an affordable figure that works across all non-priority debts. A rushed promise can unravel in days. Use our Debt Calculator or speak to us for a quick budget triage.
We regularly help people on variable income, including the self-employed. See Business Debt. Flexible options exist, and formal routes can still be possible with the right evidence.
Potentially, especially if you can access a lump sum. But if you have multiple debts, we’ll plan the whole picture first so you don’t end up reigniting pressure elsewhere.
Ask us directly—no judgement, just practical help tailored to your numbers and timeline.
Ask a Debt SpecialistOur aim: protected essentials, calmer contact, and one plan you can sleep on—even with PRA Group in the mix.
Start My Free PRA Group Debt CheckWhen you’re ready, we’re ready—on your terms and timeline.
Speak to a Specialist