We’ve answered the most popular questions we get asked

Yes, SADA is registered with the NCR in line with the requirements of the National Credit Act.

No. Only registered Debt Counsellors are legally allowed to operate in South Africa. You can check the status of a Debt Counsellor on the NCR website.

Yes, it is. Most people refer to the process as Debt Review, but occasionally you might hear it referred to as Debt Counselling.

When it comes to money matters, we understand how sensitive your information is. We guarantee you that your personal info remains confidential and will never be passed on to any 3rd party.

Yes, we can assist South Africans all over the country.

Everyone’s situation is different. If you are battling to make ends meet, and you’re drowning in debt, the Debt Review process might be something to consider. The first step is to find out if you qualify. Visit our calculator to find out if you qualify.

Two reasons: It will offer you protection against creditors hounding you for money. And once your debt has been restructured, you will have the same debt but at a reduced monthly payment, enabling you to start getting back on your feet.

We’ve purposefully kept our operation small so we can provide the type of individual attention you deserve, when you enter this legal process.

Entering into the Debt Review process means you are putting up your hand to say, “I need help, I’m battling to make ends meet with all the debt commitments I have.” A Magistrate’s Court will eventually sign-off on your application and you will be legally under Debt Review.

Yes, there are costs associated with entering into the Debt Review process. These fees are paid directly to a registered Debt Counselling business for the work and expertise they provide. The fees are regulated by the NCR so no Debt Counsellor can charge more than the stipulated fees. Click here for more detail.

Debt Review allows over-indebted South Africans the chance to enter a legal process that protects them from credit providers and gives them the chance to restructure their monthly debt repayments. Debt Consolidation is the process of consolidating smaller loans (with higher interest rates) into one loan with a lower interest rate. That way you have one loan repayment at a lower interest rate.

Unsecured debt is any loan you have taken out where you didn’t have to sign surety (for example a personal loan). If you default on the loan, there isn’t an asset (like a car) that can be re-possessed.

No. While you are under the Debt Review process you will not be able to qualify for any additional credit. This is why you need to think carefully about your decision to enter into the process.

No. While you are under the Debt Review process you will not be able to qualify for any additional credit. This is why you need to think carefully about your decision to enter into the process.

Unfortunately you can’t do this yourself. Once you enter the Debt Review process, we have the right to act on your behalf and negotiate better payments terms with your credit providers. We can only do that because we have placed you in Debt Review.

The Debt Review process will end when you have settled all your outstanding debts. It will differ from one person to the next but could take a couple of years.

Your credit providers are legally allowed to enforce their old agreements and take legal action.

We know you are busy, so there is no need to meet face-to-face. Everything can be handled over the phone and via email.

This depends on the jurisdiction of the court. In most cases, you will not have to attend court.

No. Once a new debt restructuring plan has been signed off, you will make one monthly instalment to a payment distribution agency (PDA) who then pays off your credit providers and keeps a track of your outstanding balances.

No. Once you are under Debt Review your credit providers are not allowed to follow through with any legal action.

No.

The information will be updated with the Credit Bureaux and your employer could check. But a Debt Counsellor is not obliged to notify an employer that an employee is under Debt Review.

No. Debt Review protects you from credit partners, provided you commit to paying the renegotiated monthly debt instalment.

Yes. Your application will be separate because you are seen to be two separate legal entities.

Once you have cleared all your debt and obtained a clearance certificate, your Debt Counsellor is obligated to notify the Credit Bureaux who have 3 weeks to clear your name on their records.

Once you have cleared all your debt and obtained a clearance certificate, your Debt Counsellor is obligated to notify the Credit Bureaux who have 3 weeks to clear your name on their records.