Debt Help & Financial Education
Debt Guidance provides practical information about debt review, credit, debt collection, repayments and financial recovery for South African consumers — written and reviewed by registered debt counsellor Carolina Guevara Harris.
Credit & Credit Scores
Understand credit reports, credit scores, debt-review listings and rebuilding credit after debt review.
Personal Loans & Credit Cards
Learn how unsecured debt works and what may happen when repayments become unaffordable.
Debt Collection & Legal Questions
Understand common debt-collection processes, legal notices and consumer rights.
Budgeting & Financial Recovery
Practical guidance for budgeting, reducing debt and rebuilding finances.
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How Debt Review Affects Your Credit Score in South Africa
Entering debt review places a visible 'under debt review' flag on your credit profile at the credit bureaux. The flag itself is not a judgment or blacklist; it signals to credit providers that you may not take on new credit while restructuring existing debt. Once you complete the process and receive a Form 19 clearance certificate, the bureaux must remove the flag.
8 min readCredit & Credit ScoresCan You Get Credit While Under Debt Review?
Consumers who are formally under debt review generally cannot take out additional credit while the debt-review process remains active. This restriction is intended to prevent additional borrowing while existing debt is being restructured and repaid. It is a protective feature of the process, not a punishment.
5 min readCredit & Credit ScoresHow Long After Debt Review Can You Get Credit?
Once your debt counsellor issues your Form 19 clearance certificate and the credit bureaux remove the debt-review flag, you may apply for credit again. In practice, you can begin applying as soon as your profile reflects the removal, though responsible lenders will still assess affordability. Rebuilding gradually gives the best long-term results.
6 min readCredit & Credit ScoresWhat Happens to Your Credit Record After Debt Review?
After debt review, your Form 19 clearance certificate instructs the credit bureaux to remove the debt-review flag and related adverse debt-review records from your profile. Your payment history on remaining accounts (such as an ongoing home loan) is retained. The result is a cleaner profile that you can rebuild responsibly.
6 min readCredit & Credit ScoresHow to Rebuild Your Credit Score After Debt Review
To rebuild your credit score after debt review, confirm the debt-review flag has been removed, then start with one small, manageable credit account and pay it in full and on time every month. Keep balances low, avoid multiple applications, and maintain stable income and budgeting habits. Consistent, responsible conduct rebuilds your profile over time.
7 min readCredit & Credit ScoresWhat Is a Credit Score and How Is It Calculated in South Africa?
A credit score is a number that summarises how reliably a consumer has managed credit, based on information held by credit bureaux. In South Africa it is calculated from factors including payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit and credit mix. Higher scores indicate lower risk to lenders.
7 min readCredit & Credit ScoresWhat Is a Credit Bureau and What Information Does It Hold?
A credit bureau is a registered company that collects and stores information about how consumers manage credit, and supplies that information to credit providers to help them assess risk. In South Africa, bureaux hold account information, payment history, enquiries, judgments and debt-review indicators, and consumers have rights to access and dispute their records.
6 min readCredit & Credit ScoresHow to Check Your Credit Report in South Africa
In South Africa, you can check your credit report through registered credit bureaux, many of which provide a free report at least once a year. Review your report regularly to confirm accounts are accurate, spot unfamiliar enquiries, and ensure debt-review or judgment information is correct. Checking your own report does not affect your score.
5 min readCredit & Credit ScoresHow to Dispute Incorrect Information on Your Credit Report
If your credit report contains incorrect information, you have the right to dispute it with the credit bureau. Lodge a dispute in writing, provide supporting documents, and the bureau must investigate and correct or remove information that is inaccurate or outdated. If the dispute is not resolved, you can escalate the matter to the relevant regulator.
6 min readEvery article in the Knowledge Centre is reviewed by Carolina Guevara Harris, NCRDC3152. Content is general consumer information, not legal advice.