Free debt review removal: is it really free?

You cannot withdraw from debt review once you have applied, and no court can rescind a debt review order. That is the position under Van Vuuren v Roets (2019) and the NCR withdrawal guidelines that apply from 7 March 2022. So there is no free button and no paid one.

The lawful exit is a clearance certificate. You pay the debts in your plan, your own counsellor issues the certificate within seven days after you have met your obligations, and the bureaus remove the flag. A home loan can remain if it is up to date and all your short-term debts are paid. There is no removal fee on top of that. See debt review removal for the steps.

Not free:

• Debt counselling itself. The NCR lists an application fee of R50 and an administration fee of R300, both payable upfront and before VAT. A restructuring fee and monthly after-care fee follow. Our debt review cost page has the detail.
• The debts in your plan.

Free:

• Complaints to the National Financial Ombud about a credit provider or a credit bureau listing. NFO services are free.
• Disputing incorrect bureau information. Every consumer has the right to challenge the accuracy of bureau information free of charge.
• One credit report a year from the bureaus.
• Transferring to another counsellor. You do not need to give a reason or get your current counsellor's consent, although you must pay for work already done.

The NCR has warned about these firms more than once. In March 2022 it said consumers were being charged in excess of R8000 for 'debt review removal', which is not supported by law. In NCR Circular 2 of 2025, it said consumers are asked to pay up to R10 000 upfront and in most instances the status is not removed as claimed. Most such companies are not registered with the NCR, so disappointed consumers have no recourse.

The law also protects you. Under section 126A(3), anyone offering a service to improve a credit record or remove bureau information may not receive any payment until the service has been fully performed, and must give you a disclosure statement.

The NCR holds no personal information about consumers and will never contact you about your debt review status. Report any caller claiming to be from the NCR.

• You were signed up without your consent. Complain to the NCR on 0860 627 627 or [email protected]. If the NCR finds the correct process was not followed, it is deemed you did not apply, the review ends and the bureau listing is removed.
• Your counsellor will not issue the certificate. You may apply to the National Consumer Tribunal to review the decision. You can also complain to the NCR.
• A credit provider or bureau lists something wrongly. Complain to the provider or bureau first. The National Financial Ombud (0860 800 900) can help after that. It took over the Credit Ombud on 1 March 2024. Bureaus have 20 working days after you lodge a dispute.

1. Speak to your own counsellor. Only your counsellor can issue your clearance certificate.
2. Pay off the debts in your plan. Collect a paid-up letter for each one, especially those you paid directly.
3. Ask for the certificate and confirm it has been filed with the bureaus.
4. Once your counsellor confirms filing, check your credit report. The bureaus remove the flag within three working days of the Debt Help System update.
5. If something is wrong, follow up with your counsellor, the bureau or the NCR.

Never pay someone who promises to remove debt review before you have paid up.