INDEBTED consumers under debt review have queried the
fairness of the process, after finding they sometimes have to pay more than the
initial amount agreed with credit providers.
A Gauteng government official wrote to Fin24 last week,
complaining she had been under debt review since October 2010 but since last
year her monthly payments have surged by 21%.
"My total debts amounted to R150 000 (when she
initially entered the debt review process) and I had to pay the debt counsellor
R1 980 per month to distribute among my creditors," she said.
"But now, as I check my monthly statements from my
creditors, it shows that all my debts have increased drastically and this is
frustrating me as I was told that being under review would decrease my debts.
"What must I do, because I just want to make one
payment that decreases all my debts... It is absurd that my debts are now close
to R200 000," the reader said, adding that since last September she has
been forced to pay R2 400 per month.
Another reader complains that going under debt review was
the "worst mistake ever".
"We went under debt review in November 2010... I would
just like to find out, since the NPDA distributes the monies, where do they get
the information as to which accounts the monies should be distributed (to)?
"I am asking this because they take legal fees whenever
they want, meaning that the creditors aren't paid in accordance with the court
order," the reader said, implying this made consumer payments rise
dramatically.
The debt review process has been punted as a good idea
because consumers do not have to pay the full instalment due to their creditors,
making it more affordable to pay debt.
Higher fees
Paul Slot, the spokesperson for the Debt Counselling
Association of South Africa, admitted the increase in monthly payments could be
related to legal fees and interest rates.
"But the credit industry has agreed that legal fees and
interest rates should be reduced. I would urge consumers to use concessions
that credit providers have entered into with industry bodies," Slot said.
He declined to comment on specific cases, preferring to
address the matter in general terms.
The National Credit Act, which came into effect on July 1
2007, makes provision for debt counselling where overindebted clients are
assisted to restructure their debts according to the rules as set out in the
act.
Through the code of conduct administered by the National
Debt Mediation Association (NDMA), the credit industry has agreed to make
concessions that go beyond the law to assist overindebted consumers.
These concessions include interest rate and fee reductions
as well as term extensions.
"But the courts will not allow more than 60 months'
term extensions," Slot said.
The NDMA is a non-profit organisation, which was established
by the credit industry to provide debt mediation services in terms of the
Credit Industry Code of Conduct to combat overindebtedness. It has been
approved by the National Credit Regulator.
NDMA CEO Magauta Mphahlele said consumers should inform
their credit providers as soon as they experience or anticipate they will
experience payment difficulties.
If consumers find this process intimidating or are not sure
who to approach, Mphahlele urges them to contact the NDMA which will provide
them with free advice and the relevant channels to follow within credit
provider institutions.
"If they are under debt counselling, they should
consult their debt counsellor. If after approaching the credit provider a
consumer is unhappy with their response, I urge them to contact the NDMA for
assistance," Mphahlele said.
What is debt review exactly and how does it work?
Indebted consumers will apply for debt review with the help
of a registered debt counsellor or consultant. Consultants will need to look at
all their financial information, including income, expenses, assets and
liabilities. They will then check to see whether they are overindebted.
The debt review process can take up to 60 working days. Once
all the information is consolidated, the debt counsellor can determine if
consumers are overindebted.
Where and how do you start?
If you are overindebted, you can make some painful lifestyle changes,
such as starting to work through a comprehensive budget to cut back on
expenses. It could mean finding another home for expensive pets, getting rid
of DStv or no more extravagant nights out.
You might even need to sell your dream house, second car
or the motorbike you can really do without. It all depends on your
circumstances, but with perseverance you can pay off what you owe and become
debt-free again. The choice is yours.
What does the debt counsellor do?
For those who qualify for debt counselling, the debt
counsellor will prepare a debt restructuring proposal to credit providers.
- Fin24