One of the biggest reliefs of entering debt review in South Africa is knowing that creditors can no longer harass you directly. By law, once you’re under debt review, all communication must go through your debt counsellor, not you.
But sometimes, you might still get a phone call, SMS, or email from a creditor or collections agent. Don’t panic, this usually happens by mistake and can be sorted out quickly.
Why Creditors Might Still Contact You
Even though they shouldn’t, there are a few reasons why a creditor may reach out:
- System Delays: Their system might not yet reflect that you’re officially under debt review.
- Human Error: An agent may not have updated your file correctly.
- Debt Not Yet Included: If a new account wasn’t added to your debt review, a creditor may contact you about it.
- Automated Messages: Sometimes automated reminders go out before the system updates.
Whatever the reason, remember: you don’t have to deal with creditor pressure anymore. That’s exactly why you’re under debt review, for protection and peace of mind.
What to Do If a Creditor Contacts You
Here’s how to handle it calmly and effectively:
Step 1: Stay Polite and Calm
No need to argue or panic. Simply let the agent know:
“I’m under debt review. Please contact my debt counsellor directly.”
Step 2: Share Your Debt Counsellor’s Details
Give them the contact information for MyWealth Capital
This ensures they know exactly where to redirect their queries.
Step 3: Ask Them to Update Their Records
Request that they remove your number and email from their direct contact list. This helps prevent further unnecessary calls.
Step 4: Notify Us Immediately
If the contact continues after you’ve informed them, don’t stress. Just let us know. We’ll step in and send a formal “cease contact” notice, reminding them of their legal obligation under the National Credit Act (NCA).