Peachy goes into administration – what it means for your payday loan and mis-selling claims
PAYDAY lender Peachy has collapsed into administration leaving thousands of customers wondering what happens to their loans.
The firm, which advertised a representative APR of 855 per cent on its website, has appointed administrators from Smith & Williamson to take over the running of the business.
The collapse means Peachy won’t be taking on new loan applications, while existing customers have been warned they still need to keep up repayments.
Customers who fall behind risk damaging their credit score or being hit by additional charges.
On its website, Peachy says loans should be repaid "in accordance with the timetable agreed when your loan was taken out" and confirmed its bank details will remain the same.
Customers can also still contact Peachy via its customer support line on 0800 0124 743 if they're struggling to meet repayments.
Are you due a payday loan refund?
MILLIONS of payday loan customers may be due refunds.
Refund or compensation is often given where the loan was mis-sold or where affordability checks weren't stringent enough. Here's all you need to know:
- Customers who've paid off payday loans debts can still claim. Even if you've paid off your debts you may still be able to get a refund if you struggled to repay the money at the time.
- If you're still paying off payday loan debts you can still complain. You can complain if you've struggled to make repayments. If your complaint is successful it could lower the amount you owe.
- You can still claim is the firm no longer exists. Big firms such as Wonga and QuidQuick no longer operate but that doesn't mean you can't get some money back. Customers can still make complaints about firms which no longer operate, although it is less likely that they will receive a refund as they will have to apply directly to administration firms. Although, if their complaint is successful and they still owe debts this could mean they have to pay back less so it's still worth complaining.
If you believe you were sold an unafforable loan, you can still make a complaint directly to Peachy.
However, it's not clear how the administration process affects your chances of getting money back.
We've contacted Peachy for more information regarding this and we'll update this article when we get a response.
The Financial Ombudsman Service told us it will be contacting customers that have already lodged a complaint against Peachy.
However, they won't be able to look into any new mis-selling claims.
A spokesperson said: "We are aware that Cash On Go Limited, who run the lender Peachy, has entered into administration."
Customers who have yet to file a complaint can still contact Peachy by emailing complaints@peachy.co.uk or by calling its customer support line on 0800 0124 743.
Peachy was owned by Cash On Go, which confirmed its other business Uploan has also collapsed today.
How to claim compensation from payday lenders
IF you think you are owed compensation from a payday lender then here's how to claim according to money blogger DebtCamel:
You'll need to prove that you couldn't afford to take out the loan at the time that you borrowed it. If having the loan meant that you couldn't pay your bills or other debts then you were irresponsibly lent to.
You may also me entitled to compensation if you had any late repayments, or if you took out back to back loans because this shows that you really couldn't afford to take out a new one.
Look back through your emails, bank statements and credit reporter for evidence.
You'll need to write a formal complaint letter to each lender explaining how you were irresponsibly lent to and include the evidence.
You'll need to cite "unaffordable loans" and ask for a refund of the interest and charges you paid, as well as the 8 per cent Ombudsman interest on top.
Make copies of all of the evidence before sending in case anything happens to them.
Also ask for the loan to be removed from your credit record.
You can find a letter template here.
Wait up to eight weeks to hear back from them. If you're not happy with the answer, or they don't get back to you, contact the Financial Ombudsman.
In a statement on its website, Peachy said: "Cash On Go Ltd filed its application for an administration order on 5 March 2020.
"The Company traded as Peachy and as Administrators we will investigate the reasons for the Company’s failure and any creditor is welcome to provide us with information."
The Sun has asked Peachy if it can share more information with us.
Craig Simmons, head of debt policy and strategy at the Money and Pensions Service, told The Sun: "Many Peachy customers will be feeling uncertain about what this means for them.
"While you may be tempted to stop your repayments, it is crucial to keep to your regular schedule because if you have entered into a loan agreement you must fulfil it.
"If you miss any repayments you could be hit by fees and additional charges, and it could also harm your credit rating."
Peachy is the latest in a line of payday lenders to go under, following in the footsteps of Wonga and QuickQuid which collapsed after a spike in customer complaints.
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Lenders 247Moneybox and Piggybank have also gone bust in the last six months.
It comes after stricter affordability checks were introduced to stop companies taking advantage of customers who can't afford repayments.
In 2014, the Financial Conduct Authority also introduced rules which banned payday lenders charging borrowers more in fees and interest than the amount borrowed.