Compare & choose
How to choose a debt counsellor
By Lerato Molefe · 7 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
To choose a debt counsellor in South Africa, confirm the firm is registered with the National Credit Regulator, get every fee in writing, check how aftercare and communication work, and make sure they are honest about the downsides. Because the debt review process is the same at every registered counsellor under the National Credit Act, your decision should come down to transparency, service and trust.
This guide walks through exactly what to check, the questions to ask and the warning signs to avoid. We are independent and do not sell debt review.
Choosing well matters because you will work with this counsellor for years, so a clear, responsive firm makes the whole process far easier.
Step 1: Verify NCR registration
Only an NCR-registered debt counsellor can legally place you under debt review. Before anything else, check the firm and the individual counsellor on the National Credit Regulator website or ask for their registration number and verify it.
If a company cannot or will not give you a registration number, do not proceed. Unregistered operators cannot give you the legal protection of debt review and may not handle your money properly.
Step 2: Get every fee in writing
Debt review fees follow NCR guidelines, but you still need them spelled out. Ask for a written breakdown of the application or restructuring fee, the legal fee, the monthly aftercare fee and the payment distribution agency fee.
These fees are added to your monthly payment rather than paid as a large lump sum upfront. If a counsellor demands big upfront cash outside this structure, treat it as a red flag.
Step 3: Compare service and aftercare
You will be with this counsellor for years, so aftercare matters. Ask how you contact them, how quickly they respond, whether there is an online portal and who handles disputes with creditors.
A good firm answers when you call months later. A poor one goes quiet once the application is filed. Read independent reviews, but weigh them against the firm's transparency rather than a single complaint.
Step 4: Watch for red flags
Avoid any counsellor that:
- Guarantees a fixed timeline or instant removal of the debt review flag.
- Says you can keep taking new credit while under review (you cannot).
- Will not verify NCR registration or put fees in writing.
- Pressures you to sign on the spot.
- Promises to clear your name through a debt review removal service for a fee before you have even started.
These are signs to walk away and find a firm that earns your trust.
Step 5: Confirm the exit
Before you sign, ask what happens at the end. A proper counsellor issues your clearance certificate once your debts (except a still-running home loan) are settled, and notifies the credit bureaus so the debt review flag is removed.
If you ever want to leave early, ask how that works. Once a court grants the order, you generally must show you are no longer over-indebted to be removed before completing the plan.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a good debt counsellor?
Verify NCR registration, get every fee in writing, check aftercare and responsiveness, and avoid firms that guarantee timelines or say you can keep taking credit. The process is the same everywhere, so service and trust decide it.
How do I check if a debt counsellor is registered?
Use the National Credit Regulator website or ask for the firm's and individual counsellor's registration number and verify it. Do not proceed with an unregistered operator.
What questions should I ask a debt counsellor?
Ask for their NCR number, a written fee breakdown, a realistic timeline, how aftercare works, how disputes are handled and what happens to your clearance certificate at the end.
Are cheaper debt counsellors worse?
Fees follow NCR guidelines, so they are broadly similar. A counsellor that is transparent and responsive is more important than one that claims to be the cheapest.
Can I switch debt counsellors?
Yes. If you are unhappy, you can apply to transfer your debt review to another NCR-registered counsellor. Your protection under the process continues.
Does my debt counsellor need to be local?
No. Debt review is a national process handled mostly remotely, so a good counsellor anywhere in South Africa can manage your file.
Where do I report a bad debt counsellor?
Complaints about a debt counsellor go to the National Credit Regulator. Complaints about a credit agreement go to the National Financial Ombud, which absorbed the Credit Ombud in 2024.
