NCR-registered debt counsellors: how to verify yours

A debt counsellor must register with the National Credit Regulator to operate. Registration means they have met the NCR's requirements, are bound by its rules and fee ceilings, and can be held accountable through the NCR's complaints process.

Only a registered counsellor can lawfully:

• Lodge your debt-review application (Form 16).
• Negotiate with your creditors and the court.
• Issue your Form 19 clearance certificate.

An unregistered 'debt help' operator cannot do any of this validly.

1. Ask for the counsellor's NCR registration number (usually in the form 'NCRDC' followed by digits).
2. Go to ncr.org.za and check the number against the public register of registered debt counsellors.
3. Confirm the name matches the firm or person you are dealing with.
4. If anything does not match, or they cannot give you a number, do not sign.

This takes a few minutes and protects you from fraud and invalid 'debt review'.

Large firms such as DebtBusters, Meerkat, Debt Rescue and National Debt Advisors are registered debt counsellors, and so are many smaller independent counsellors across the country. Size is not the test - registration is.

A smaller registered counsellor can serve you just as validly as a large brand. What matters is that you can verify the NCR registration and that they explain your fees clearly upfront.

Be cautious if a 'debt counsellor':

• Cannot give you an NCR registration number to verify.
• Promises to 'remove' debt review instantly for a large fee.
• Is vague about the regulated fees.
• Pressures you to sign immediately.
• Asks for large upfront payments beyond the R50 application fee.

Any of these means stop and verify on ncr.org.za before parting with money or signing anything.