Who is PRA Group?
PRA Group (also known as PRA Group UK) is one of the largest debt purchasers operating in the UK. Like Cabot and Lowell, PRA Group buys unpaid debts from original creditors at a discount and attempts to collect the full balance. They operate under the FCA's debt collection rules and must treat consumers fairly.
A letter from PRA Group does not mean the debt is automatically valid or enforceable. It means PRA Group believes they own a debt and are attempting to collect it.
Why PRA Group and not the original creditor?
Your original creditor — a bank, credit card company, or retailer — sold the debt to PRA Group rather than continue chasing it. PRA Group paid a fraction of the face value and is now seeking to recover the full amount. All your consumer rights apply to PRA Group in exactly the same way they would have applied to the original creditor.
What to check before responding or paying
How old is the debt? If the last payment or written acknowledgment was more than 6 years ago, the debt may be statute barred — meaning PRA Group cannot enforce it through the courts. Never make a payment on a debt you believe may be statute barred without understanding the implications.
Can PRA Group document the chain of ownership? Request a Notice of Assignment showing the debt was legally transferred from the original creditor to PRA Group. This is your right.
Is there an original credit agreement? For regulated consumer credit debts (credit cards, loans, store cards), you can request a copy of the original signed agreement under the Consumer Credit Act. If PRA Group cannot provide it within 12 working days, the debt is unenforceable while they remain in default.
Is the amount claimed correct? Compare the figure in PRA Group's letter with what you believe was originally owed. Added interest or charges should be justified under the original agreement.
What not to do
Do not pay before checking the limitation period. A payment on a statute barred debt resets the clock and can revive a debt that could no longer have been enforced.
Do not call them without being prepared. Anything you say in a phone call — particularly acknowledging the debt — can be used against you. Written communication is safer.
Do not ignore court papers. PRA Group does issue County Court Claims. If you receive an N1 claim form, respond within 14 days regardless of whether you dispute the debt.
Not sure what your PRA Group letter is actually claiming?
Upload it and get a clear explanation — what they are claiming, whether it looks enforceable, and a ready-to-send response letter.
Upload your letter — it's free →A written-off debt is not the same as a statute barred debt. A creditor writing off a debt is an accounting decision — it does not extinguish the legal obligation. However, if more than 6 years have passed since the last payment or acknowledgment, the debt may be statute barred and unenforceable.
PRA Group is a regulated FCA-authorised firm. Their letters are generally legitimate, but you are entitled to verify the debt before paying. Request full documentation including the Notice of Assignment and original credit agreement.
Only if you have confirmed the debt is valid and enforceable. A settlement offer can be attractive — but if the debt is statute barred or the original agreement is unenforceable, you may have no legal obligation to pay at all. Understand your position before negotiating.