Can I remove myself from debt review?

How can I remove my name from debt review?

You cannot remove yourself from debt review, but you can get a registered Debt Counsellor to do so. They will do this by issuing you with a debt review clearance certificate. However, you first need to meet one of the following criteria:

• All your debts have been paid up.

OR

• You have paid all your debts and the debts that have not been paid have prescribed. 

*Prescribed debt is old debt that has been written off once the prescription period has ended. A prescription period is usually three years, but this is dependent on the loan-type. If your debt has prescribed, a creditor can no longer request payment from you.

OR

• Your home loan is the only debt that has not been paid in full. 

How much does it cost to remove debt review?

If you meet one of the criteria listed above, Meerkat can help you legally cancel the debt review process. If you have your paid-up letters from your creditors, the debt review removal cost will be R1150 (including VAT). If you do not have these paid-up letters from your creditors, there will be a higher cost depending on the amount of paid-up letters that will need to be retrieved. 

It's important to note that free debt review removal does not exist. There will either be lawyers fees or fees of a Debt Counsellor involved. Do not fall for scams that promise free debt review removal. 

Lawyers that remove debt review

The only way an attorney can remove the debt review flag is by proving that a consumer is able to meet their debt obligations and that the consumer is not over-indebted. This can only happen in the case of drastic changes to your circumstances.

Can I leave the debt review process early?

You cannot leave the debt review process early. The National Credit Regulator (NCR) updated their guidelines for debt review removal. A consumer can no longer voluntarily exit the debt review process, even before being declared over-indebted. What this means is that if you’ve applied to the debt review process, only once you have settled all your debts, can you legally exit the debt review process. 

How long does it take to remove the debt review flag?

The entire process of getting the debt review flag removed from your credit profile can be completed online, saving you time and money.

With Meerkat, if you’ve completed the debt review process and paid all your debts in full, you can get the debt review flag removed from your credit report in just 10 days.

You could have a debt review flag on your credit report without knowing

If you've been applying for loans and your loan application has been declined, it could be because you have a debt review flag on your credit report.

A debt review flag is a warning or notice that is put on your credit report when you are undergoing the debt review (debt counselling) process. This is so that creditors know not to give you any credit (loans) during this time. The reason for this is that debt review is a way of rehabilitating your finances. The last thing you want to do is create more debt while you're trying to pay off your debt.

Read: Why your loan was declined

Termination of debt review by credit provider

• A credit provider cannot terminate the debt review process on your behalf. During the debt review (debt counselling) process, your creditors agree to a legally binding document of your repayment plan. The only person who can help you legally exit the debt review process is a registered Debt Counsellor.
• Meerkat is a registered financial services provider and offers debt counselling and debt review removal by registered debt counsellors. 

Let's Get You Cleared >>

The debt review process

The debt review process is a legally regulated process that was introduced in accordance of the National Credit Act (NCA). It is a way for South Africans who are unable to meet their monthly debt obligations and have been declared over-indebted, rehabilitate their finances and get back on track again.

Read: Debt counselling in South Africa explained