Can You Remove Debt Review in South Africa?

Many South Africans who were under debt review in the past but didn’t finish the process are now stuck. Even though they are no longer paying through a Debt Counsellor, their credit reports still show the old debt review flag. This makes it very hard to access new credit.

Why?

Because credit providers are scared. If they give someone credit without checking properly, and that person can’t actually afford the debt repayments, the credit provider can be fined by the National Credit Regulator (NCR) for giving reckless credit. So, instead of taking the risk, credit providers often just say no.

There is some good news.

If you were under debt review in the past and you’ve since managed to pay off your debts (or some debts have prescribed), a registered debt counsellor can help you get a clearance certificate.

This certificate is then sent to all the credit bureaus, who must remove the past debt review listing from your profile. This gives you a clean slate.

Watch Out For Scammers

Many people who are still in debt review get phone calls from strangers promising to "remove" them from debt review for a fee. These scammers say they can get you credit again or stop your monthly payments. But the truth is that even if they did somehow remove your record (and most don’t), credit providers would still likely turn you down, because giving you more credit would still be reckless.

Most scammers just take your money and disappear. Others ask for more and more fees and eventually tell you to go back into debt review anyway.

If you are in debt review and someone calls you with a deal that sounds too good to be true, hang up. Then call your debt counsellor and report the scam. Debt review is there to protect you. Leaving it without settling your debts is not a quick fix—it’s a move that could cost you all the progress you have made so far.