Getting out of debt review
How to check if you are under debt review
By DebtReviewZA editorial team · 4 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
To check if you are under debt review, request your free credit report from a registered bureau and look for a debt-review status flag or code, and you can also confirm by asking your debt counsellor directly or by querying the National Credit Regulator, because a flag against your accounts means you are under debt review.
People often need to check because a credit application was declined, or because they are unsure whether an old application went through.
This page shows you exactly where to look and what to do with what you find.
Check your credit report
The most reliable way is to pull your credit report. You are entitled to a free report each year from the major South African bureaus. On the report, look for:
- A 'debt review' or 'debt counselling' status flag.
- A debt-review status code against your accounts.
If it is there, you are under debt review. If your accounts show no such flag, you are most likely not.
Ask your debt counsellor
If you applied through a debt counsellor, contact them and ask for your status. They can confirm whether your application went through, whether a court order was granted, and where your case stands. They can also give you a statement of what you have paid and what remains.
Query the NCR or bureaus directly
If you are unsure who your counsellor is or whether an application was lodged, contact the credit bureaus to query your status. The NCR says it holds no personal information about consumers and will never contact you about your debt review status, so treat a caller claiming to be from the NCR as a scam. If you were placed under debt review without your knowledge or consent, lodge a complaint with the NCR at [email protected] or on 0860 627 627.
What to do based on what you find
- Flag present, you are paying: you are in active debt review; keep paying and aim for your clearance certificate.
- Flag present, you are paid up: ask your counsellor to issue your Form 19 clearance certificate so the flag is removed.
- Flag present, you never applied: this is serious - contact the bureau and the NCR immediately, as it may be an error or fraud.
- No flag: you are not under debt review.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if I am under debt review?
Pull your free credit report from a registered bureau and look for a debt-review status flag, or ask your debt counsellor directly. The bureaus can also confirm your status.
How do I check my debt review status?
Request your credit report and look for the debt-review flag, or contact your counsellor for a statement of your status and payments. They can confirm whether a court order was granted.
Can I be under debt review without knowing?
The NCR has warned about counsellors who placed consumers under debt review without their knowledge or consent. If a flag appears that you did not apply for, ask the counsellor for your signed Form 16 and complain to the NCR.
Is there a debt review status code on my credit report?
Yes. Bureaus use status codes to mark accounts under debt review. If you see such a code or a debt-review flag, you are formally under debt review.
How do I find out who my debt counsellor is?
Check your application paperwork or bank debit order for the counsellor or PDA name, or ask the credit bureaus which counsellor lodged your application.
Does checking my debt review status cost anything?
No. You are entitled to a free credit report each year from the bureaus, and asking your counsellor or the NCR for your status is free.
