Fresh Start Debt Support
If you’ve received a letter, email, text or phone call from a company called PRA Group, you’re not alone. Thousands of people across the UK ask the same question every day — “What is the PRA Group, and why are they contacting me?”
The PRA Group is a legitimate debt collection agency that buys and collects unpaid debts. They’re one of the biggest companies of their kind, and if they’ve contacted you, it’s likely because they’ve purchased a debt from a bank, credit card provider, or other lender you previously borrowed from.
This doesn’t mean you're powerless. In fact, knowing who the PRA Group is and understanding your rights can help you take back control quickly and legally.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
If you’re ready to stop the stress and deal with PRA Group once and for all, we’re here to help you every step of the way — completely confidentially and without judgment.
Get Help With PRA Group NowPRA Group UK is a debt collection company that operates across the UK. They are part of PRA Group Inc., a large US-based corporation that specialises in buying unpaid consumer debts. In the UK, they are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Here’s what they typically do:
If PRA Group has your debt, it likely means your original lender has sold the account on. That lender is no longer involved — PRA Group now owns the debt and is responsible for collecting it.
Important: Just because they contact you doesn’t mean they have the legal right to enforce the debt. You can ask for proof and explore options to pause collections while you assess your situation.
Check If the Debt Is EnforceableIf you're wondering how PRA Group knows your name, address, or phone number — the answer is simple. When your original lender gave up chasing the debt, they likely sold it to PRA Group.
This means PRA Group now owns your debt, and along with it, they receive basic contact details and information about the balance owed. This is entirely legal under UK law, and it happens when an account becomes “charged off” by the original creditor.
You may never have agreed to deal with PRA Group directly, but once the account is purchased, they are the legal owner of the debt — and that’s why they’re contacting you instead of your bank or credit card provider.
Examples of where PRA Group might get your debt from:
If you’re unsure who the original creditor was, we can help identify the source of the debt by checking your credit file or requesting a copy of your agreement from PRA Group.
Find Out Who Sold My DebtPRA Group mainly specialises in consumer unsecured debt. This includes loans and credit products that aren’t tied to your property or car. In most cases, these are old accounts that fell behind on payments and were sold off by the original lender.
Common PRA Group debts include:
Sometimes, PRA Group may purchase a large portfolio of debts — meaning they could contact you even for very old accounts you may have forgotten about. If that’s the case, don’t panic. We can help you understand what’s still legally enforceable and what might be written off.
Check If My PRA Group Debt Is Still ValidIf you're struggling financially and PRA Group are demanding payment, you’re not alone — and you have options.
Under UK debt law, you do not have to agree to any payment plan you cannot afford. PRA Group cannot force you into a financial arrangement that puts you at risk or takes away from essentials like rent, food, or energy bills.
We can help you:
The earlier you get advice, the more control you have. If PRA Group is chasing you and you can't afford to pay, reach out to us now — we’ll guide you through all your options.
See What Debt Help I Qualify ForWhen PRA Group takes on a debt, they often begin contacting you through multiple channels. This can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to know that you are protected by UK debt collection laws.
PRA Group may:
But here’s the truth — PRA Group must follow strict rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You have the right to:
You are never required to speak to PRA Group on the phone. It is your right to request written correspondence only. If you're unsure how to do this, we can help you send the correct template.
Stop PRA Group From Calling MeIf you’ve received a letter from PRA Group, you’ll notice it includes a reference number. This number is unique to your case and helps them identify your account in their system.
You can use this number when:
If you contact us for help, we may ask you to share this reference number so we can deal with PRA Group on your behalf. It speeds up the process and allows us to identify exactly what you’re being pursued for.
Don’t worry — sharing your reference number doesn’t mean you’ve accepted liability for the debt. It’s simply a way to begin reviewing the situation.
Use My Reference Number to Get HelpYes — and you absolutely should. If you’re not sure the debt is yours, or you want to see how much they’re claiming and why, you can send PRA Group a request under section 77/78 of the Consumer Credit Act.
This request should ask for:
If they can’t provide this within 12 working days, they cannot legally enforce the debt until they do. This means no court action and no pressure for payment while the account is in dispute.
We can help you draft this request and send it with a £1 postal order (the legal fee). It’s a crucial step in protecting yourself and challenging incorrect debt claims.
Request Proof of Debt from PRA GroupIn the UK, most consumer debts are subject to a 6-year statute of limitations. This means that if the debt hasn’t been acknowledged or paid in six years — and no CCJ was issued — it becomes what’s called a statute-barred debt.
This doesn’t mean the debt no longer exists, but it does mean PRA Group can’t legally enforce it in court.
Signs your debt may be statute-barred:
In these cases, you may not have to pay anything — and PRA Group must stop chasing you. But don’t guess — get professional support before responding.
Check If My PRA Group Debt Is Statute-BarredIf PRA Group is chasing you and you need time to get help, you may qualify for a government scheme called Breathing Space. This gives you a 60-day legal pause from all debt collection — including PRA Group.
During Breathing Space:
This is your legal right. You don’t need to face daily calls, letters, or threats. We can refer you for Breathing Space the same day you contact us.
It’s the ideal way to buy time while we help build a longer-term debt solution like an IVA or DMP.
Apply for Breathing Space NowYes — PRA Group can be included in a legally binding Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or an informal Debt Management Plan (DMP).
IVA with PRA Group:
DMP with PRA Group:
We’ve helped thousands of clients across the UK include PRA Group in formal and informal debt solutions. You don’t need to struggle alone or accept their first demand. Let us create a plan that works for your situation.
See If I Can Include PRA Group in an IVAYes — if no payment is made or agreement reached, PRA Group can apply for a County Court Judgment (CCJ). This gives them legal powers to enforce the debt through:
But court is a last resort — and in most cases, it can be avoided with the right action taken early.
If you’ve received a Letter Before Claim or County Court claim form from PRA Group, don’t ignore it. We can help you respond, challenge the claim, or resolve it before it reaches court.
Remember: even if you already have a CCJ, you may still qualify for a solution that stops further action — like a DRO or IVA.
Stop Court Action from PRA GroupNo. PRA Group is a legitimate debt collection agency authorised and regulated in the UK. However, their contact can feel aggressive — and you still have rights.
If they’ve bought your debt, they now legally own it. However, you still have the right to request proof before paying anything.
If you ignore them long enough, they may apply for a CCJ or escalate the debt. It's better to seek support early to avoid court proceedings.
You can request all contact in writing and get Breathing Space to legally stop contact for 60 days. We can help set that up.
Yes. Contact us now and you’ll get fast, friendly support from a real person — not a call centre. We’ll help you stop the pressure and take control of your debt.
Get Help With PRA Group DebtIf you’ve been wondering “what is the PRA Group?” — now you know. But understanding the company is just the start. The real question is: what are you going to do about it?
Whether you want to check if the debt is valid, pause it legally, or write it off — we’re here to support you.
Thousands of people across the UK have already stopped PRA Group contact with our help. It’s your turn now.
Stop PRA Group Now