Debt review companies
Credit Matters debt review review
By Lerato Molefe · 5 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
- Type
- NCR-registered debt counsellor
- Service
- Full debt review under the National Credit Act
- Free assessment
- Yes
- Online portal
- Varies
- How they are paid
- Regulated NCR fees added to your monthly payment
- Contact
- Via their official website and NCR-registered details
Credit Matters is an NCR-registered debt counsellor in South Africa offering free debt assessments, a single reduced monthly payment and negotiation with your creditors, but, as with all debt review, the debt review flag sits on your credit profile while active, you cannot take new credit and regulated fees are added to your repayment.
This review explains what Credit Matters does, how the process works and the trade-offs, so you can compare it with other counsellors. We are independent and earn nothing from Credit Matters.
The legal process is identical at every registered firm because it follows the National Credit Act. What differs is service and fee transparency.
What Credit Matters does
Credit Matters is a debt counsellor. It assesses whether you are over-indebted, restructures your debt into one affordable monthly payment and has it distributed to your creditors by a registered agency. It negotiates reduced instalments and interest and provides the legal protection of debt review.
It is not a lender, so it does not give loans. The focus is making your existing debt affordable.
How the process works
Credit Matters follows the standard legal steps: a free affordability assessment, an application notifying creditors and bureaus, a restructured plan confirmed by court where required, then one monthly payment until your debts are cleared and a clearance certificate is issued.
Most of the process can be handled remotely.
Credit Matters vs the category norm
| Feature | Credit Matters | Typical NCR debt counsellor |
|---|---|---|
| NCR-registered | Yes | Yes |
| Free assessment | Yes | Usually yes |
| Online portal | Varies | Varies |
| Court-confirmed plan | Yes | Yes |
| Single monthly payment | Yes | Yes |
| Clearance certificate | Yes | Yes |
Credit Matters offers the standard counsellor structure. Compare on service and a clear fee breakdown.
Fees and downsides
Credit Matters charges the regulated fees from the NCR guidelines: an application or restructuring fee, a legal fee, a monthly aftercare fee and the distribution agency fee, added to your monthly payment. Fees scale with your debt, so we give ranges.
The downsides apply to every provider: the debt review flag while active, no new credit, fees off your monthly payment and a process that can take years. The benefit is one affordable payment and protection from legal action.
Frequently asked questions
Is Credit Matters legit?
Credit Matters operates as a registered debt counsellor with the National Credit Regulator. Verify the registration on the NCR website before committing.
How does Credit Matters debt review work?
It assesses your affordability, files a debt review application, negotiates reduced instalments and collects one monthly payment distributed to your creditors until your debts are cleared.
Does Credit Matters give loans?
No. Credit Matters is a debt counsellor, not a lender. It restructures existing debt rather than giving new credit.
How much does Credit Matters charge?
Fees follow NCR guidelines and scale with your debt: an application fee, a legal fee, a monthly aftercare fee and a distribution fee, all added to your monthly payment.
How do I contact Credit Matters?
Use the contact details on the official Credit Matters website or their verified NCR listing. We do not publish phone numbers because they change.
How long does Credit Matters debt review take?
Unsecured debt usually clears in three to five years, while a bond can extend it. A clearance certificate follows once everything except a running home loan is settled.
Can I cancel Credit Matters debt review?
After a court grants the order you cannot just stop. You complete the plan or apply formally for removal, usually by proving you are no longer over-indebted.
