Blog

Unhappy with your debt counsellor? Feeling trapped in a debt review you never fully understood, paying fees while nothing gets resolved? Many South Africans search for a “debt review ombudsman”…

The question we hear most from clients finishing debt review is simple: how long after debt review can I buy a car or a house? The honest answer: there is…

If a Form 17.2 or Form 17.7 has landed in your inbox, it is not junk mail – it is a formal legal notice about your debt review under the…

Seen a code like D3, D4 or F2 next to “debt review” on your credit report? These are NCR Debt Help System (DHS) status codes, and they determine whether the…

If you have finished paying off your debts and are still seeing a debt review flag on your credit report, you are not alone. Many Cape Town residents reach the…

If you have pulled your credit report and spotted the word “consent” next to an entry, it can be confusing, especially if you weren’t expecting to see it there. Here…

If you’ve paid off your debts and completed the debt review process, the next question is usually the same: how long until my credit is actually clear? It’s one of…

Your credit report shapes every major financial decision – whether you can rent a flat, qualify for a vehicle, or access a personal loan. Yet many South Africans have never…

Struggling with a damaged credit record? Whether you’ve completed debt review, settled outstanding accounts, or had a judgment listed against you, obtaining ITC clearance is an essential step toward financial…

If you are in the process of taking control of your credit report, start by assessing it in detail to determine what is reflected. Judgments have a big impact on…

Being under debt review is a commitment that involves dedication and time. During the process, it is natural to have questions, especially when it comes to your rights and the…

If you are currently under debt review, you may be wondering when and under what circumstances you can bring the process to an end. Debt review removal is governed by…

The celebrations have subsided, and the new year is in full swing, but have you realigned your mindset towards financial success? Make 2026 the year you take control of your…

The year is slowing down as the festive season approaches, but can you say the same for yourself? At Cape Town Legal Consultants, we understand how stressful it can be…

Overcoming your debt through debt review is incredibly rewarding, and afterwards, you should be able to enjoy the financial freedom you have put in the effort to achieve. If the…

Debt review can be seen as a lifeline to consumers overwhelmed by debt. You are protected from creditors and legal action, and pay a manageable monthly repayment towards your debts,…

Have you overcome your debts through debt review, but still see the debt review flag lingering on your credit report? This can be a frustrating issue, but it is easily…

Are you struggling with debt and comparing mediation and debt review? There are several differences between these two processes, although both aim to help South African consumers regain control of…

Debt review is best overseen by a Debt Counsellor with a strong track record, who is registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR). Some consumers do not understand their rights…

Creditworthiness may be just one single word, but it carries significant weight. In your life, your credit score may often precede you, impacting how banks, lenders, landlords, and even employers…

Living with overwhelming debts is like having a black and white filter over your life. Nothing feels as it should, and you cannot escape the pressure. One big cause of…

What do you do when your credit report reflects judgments from more than one credit bureau? This reveals a history of poor financial decisions and shows that you have had…

The process of clearing your debt and credit during and after debt review is a journey of structure and time. Nothing happens overnight, and sometimes, unforeseeable delays can be frustrating….

Have you recently checked your credit profile, only to find an old judgment you did not know about? You’re not alone — and it might be what’s known as a…

We see it all too often — vulnerable consumers with poor credit putting their trust in credit repair agencies, only to have their money taken and receive no real help…

South Africa’s legal landscape can be confusing to navigate, especially when it comes to removing bad credit the proper way. If you are in the unfortunate position where you have…

While judgment removal is key to restoring your financial freedom, being able to avoid judgments altogether is even more powerful. Maintaining a clear credit record gives you more control over…

While there’s no overnight fix for restoring your credit, there are legal steps you can take to remove judgments from your name, as you start rebuilding your finances. Dealing with…

When it comes to your credit record, maintaining a clean slate can open the door to better credit opportunities. The reality is that many consumers struggle with their debt and…

Choosing debt review means you are on the path to improving your finances. Although this process is helping you to overcome your debt, you are still the driving force making…

When your debts are too high and your budget is too tight, there is always a way forward. As legal professionals, we often hear our clients talk about the struggle…

As a credit-active consumer in South Africa, you are obligated to maintain the repayment terms of your various credit agreements. Every action has a reaction, and when it comes to…

Live a stress-free life where the burden of debt or a poor credit score doesn’t hinder your choices. Our team of legal and financial experts can help you enjoy the…

Being under debt review can have a shocking effect on your credit record and financial health. The flag indicates that you are financially irresponsible and incapable of handling credit facilities…

Is it possible to get out of debt review after a National Court Tribunal (NCT) order? The answer is no. According to case law and section 138 of the NCA,…

Judgments can dramatically change your life’s trajectory. It’s a mark on your name that’s truly tricky to get rid of. They can stay on your credit record for five years…

Removing debt review from your credit record is imperative to regaining financial agency and control over your financial future. With the debt review flag on your credit profile, you’ll be…

What happens when debt review is terminated depends on the circumstances under which it’s terminated. Debt review can be terminated when you’ve paid all your debts, defaulted on a payment,…

Are you under debt review with no way to get out? Maybe you feel trapped in a process you don’t need to be in because you’ve paid your debts or…

Quick answer: There are three free ways to check if you are under debt review: (1) pull your free annual credit report with your ID number from a credit bureau,…

If you still have debt and are under debt review, you may have wondered whether you can cancel debt review. You can only “cancel” debt review under specific circumstances: before…

Debt review can be a challenging situation. If you are no longer over-indebted and wish to exit debt review, our legal professionals can assist you. You can exit or remove…

Default and voluntary judgments can be cause for your financial demise – judgments can impair your access to credit, and the rental opportunities you can access, heighten insurance premiums, and…

Debt review can be the difference between having free and fair access to credit or being financially restricted. Without the right to credit – which is restricted during debt review…

Cape Town Legal Consultants wish you a wonderful festive season. We hope you enjoy all that December has to offer, from sunny beach days and hangouts with friends to Christmas…

Credit bureau clearance can seem a complex and arduous process, but once you know your way around it, it’s easy to take the action needed to progress to financial freedom….

If you’re thinking about debt review removal, you may have wondered how much it costs to remove debt review. Truthfully, it depends on whether you’re married in community of property…

Have you ever checked your credit report and found that your score was in the 500s.., or even below 500? You might have felt shocked or angry that your score…

If you’ve recently undergone debt review or started the debt review process, you may wonder whether it could affect your employment prospects. Truthfully, the answer is that it depends (sorry)….

Do you want to buy a car, but your credit score is so low you’re sure you’ve been blacklisted. What now? Cape Town Legal Consultants suggests you follow a process…

What documents do you need to apply to remove bad credit report marks? Usually, it depends on what you would like to dispute. For example, disputing a name change would…

Congratulations! You’ve paid off the cause of the negative items on your credit report and can finally file for dispute at the bureaus. You’ve probably read about the ITC clearance…

Debt review flags and your credit report can hinder your credit-building process tenfold. It’s one of the most detrimental derogatory marks you can have–it shows creditors, employers, insurers, and even…

After you’ve completed debt review, it’s time to remove that pesky flag. But how does one remove debt review from a credit report? Two words: credit clearance. Credit clearance is…

Have you ever applied for a loan or credit card and been rejected, even with a great credit history and score? There are numerous reasons that this could have happened,…

You may have gotten your credit report with a free online credit checker before and seen a three-digit number called your credit score. It begs the question, “What is a…

How often does your credit score refresh? This is a question many people often wonder, especially when they’re actively trying to boost their credit score. The answer is that it…

If you’re stuck in a pinch and need credit fast, you’ll probably want to take out a loan. Being low on financial means to finance that car breakdown or fix…

You might have heard of credit bureaus, and how their three-digit numbers can dictate your financial agency, but do you know how many we have in South Africa? Our nation…

Have you been notified of a judgment against you? Getting a kiss with a fist from a judge can leave your credit reeling. Receiving these usually happens when you’ve ignored…

Have you ever wondered what drives creditors to make the decisions they do? Mostly, they think about not losing money, which makes sense. If you were lending someone money, you…

Have you ever wondered what happens to your credit report and/or score after you have finished and left debt review? People ask us this a lot. Simply, the answer is…

Why use a legal professional for credit clearance when you could do it yourself? Fair question. The truth is, yes, you could initiate a dispute with the bureaus on your…

So, you’ve successfully escaped debt review and would like to take out more credit. If you are no longer over-indebted and feel that taking out more credit is worthwhile, you…

Do you have to appear in court for debt review removal? For a lot of us, the thought of appearing in court can seem daunting. It can be scary standing…

Have you ever wondered how you can boost your credit score in a month? All of us have had a low credit score at one point or another, and so…

Debt Review can be a hassle and a half. You can’t access new credit when you need it, it wrecks your credit, and debt counselling fees can be astronomical. It…

Sometimes it’s easier to negotiate with a creditor yourself than to commission a legal consultant. But how would one go about this, and what are the strategies to be employed?…

Sometimes we just don’t get along with people, especially in business circumstances. If this is the case with your debt counsellor, this is the blog post for you! We’ll go…

Debt Review removal can certainly impact your finances, though not directly. It can definitely open doors to positive changes, like a better credit score and debt management flexibility. Read on…

Since 2015, numerous amendments have been made to the National Credit Act to better accommodate creditors and consumers. The NCA came into effect in 2005 and has since caused heated…

Develop a healthy relationship with money! Finances can cause a lot of stress, right? Especially if like me, you love spending money. My therapist says a healthy relationship with money is…

Today, we’re diving into the murky waters of judgments and credit reports. A judgment is a public record of when a creditor or collector took legal action against you so…

Ever wondered what credit sale is? You hear it all the time, especially when conversing with creditors, debt counsellors, and even collectors. Simply, it’s not quite cash, not quite layby….

Have you been thinking about Debt Review? Chances are, if you can’t afford living expenses or to make the minimum debt repayments, Debt Review is for you. This is consolidating…

No one wants a Debt Review lingering on their credit report, especially after you’ve worked so hard to get your finances in order. Imagine: Your debt counsellor has submitted proof you’ve…

Everyone dreams of being financially free: not worrying about money, being debt-free, or not having to work anymore. The problem is that the economy is in one of the worst…

It’s a horrible feeling like you’re trapped in debt review. Not being able to escape the process might have you yearning for lost financial freedom. Yes, it’s supposed to be…

Declined. That cathartic word some of us see when applying for a loan, mortgage, or other line of credit. Imagine: You’re at the bank about to apply for a loan…

Have you ever wondered how credit bureaus like Transunion and Experion calculate your credit score? At the heart of every credit score is a mathematical model, usually an algorithm, that…

Getting clearance from ITC (now Transunion) is a big deal. You’ll get to enjoy enhanced access to credit, better employment prospects, and of course, peace of mind. That’s because your…

Getting ITC clearance is a huge step once you have cleared your credit report or have entered debt review. This article encompasses everything you need to know about clearing your…

So, you’d like to cancel debt review. Unfortunately, cancelling debt review isn’t as easy as it may sound. In fact, the phrase ‘cancel debt review’ does not exist within the…

Debt review may or not affect your spouse’s credit record depending on what they have agreed to guarantee your debt. Debt review is a wonderful to manage insurmountable financial challenges…

As of 2021, more than 10 million South Africans have impaired credit records, says BusinessLIVE. Having a negative credit record can impair your ability to take out loans, find rental…

Is all your debt paid off? Congratulations! Now, how do you go about clearing your name and credit record? What are the legalities involved? How does this impact your credit…

People in debt change to different debt counsellors for several reasons. How does one go about changing to another debt counsellor?  Do you need professional help with that? Find all…

Are you ready to turn over a new financial leaf? Getting a debt clearance certificate is the first line of action for obtaining a clean credit record and the ability…

What exactly is prescribed debt, and how does it work in South Africa in 2024? How do you know if your debt has been prescribed, and how long does it…

When it comes to the reasons you can’t get a debt clearance certificate, you’ve come to the right place. It can be debilitating living through debt review and harassment from…

We regularly hear from clients who are struggling to clear their names after Debt Review has been completed. Recovering your financial freedom depends on clearing your credit report and moving...

Think of your credit profile as the introduction that creditors receive of you, before agreeing to lend money or grant credit. Maintaining your credit score by dealing with any financial...

Getting out of a situation where you’ve been accidentally placed under Debt Review is not a straightforward process. If you find yourself placed under Debt Review without consent, it is...

You can apply for credit once you get your clearance certificate, though your credit score will take time to improve. Debt Review helps over-indebted consumers find balance in their finances...