Share

Credit clearance muddle

A Fin24 user writes:

About three years ago, I was under pressure because of my debt problems. I was told that I should go and see a debt councillor.

When speaking to the debt councillor, she advised me that all my debit orders would be reduced by 50% and that the National Payment Distribution Agency (NPDA) would debit my account with an amount they would distribute to my outstanding accounts.

When I asked whether this will influence my credit rating on Transunion, I was assured that all the banks change the amount owed monthly to the new amount agreed upon (less 50%) per month.

After the first two years, I received a call from one of the banks saying that the amounts from the NPDA had just stopped and more money was paid to my other commitments.

According to the NPDA, the amount was paid in full, which I had to settle with the bank by myself.

Then when I settled all my accounts in November 2012, I asked my debt councillor to remove me from debt counselling, which she did. She assured me that she had informed all the credit bureaus that I was now no longer under debt review.

When I tried to apply for finance for a new car a couple of months later, I was declined due to my bad credit record.

I then got a new Transunion report and to my horror, all my accounts that were under debt counselling showed that I was in arrears.

I have now been told that I have to wait two years before my name will be cleared. Surely this is not correct?

Clark Gardner, CEO of 6cents.co.za and Summit Financial Wellbeing, responds:

If all your debts were repaid and your debt counsellor issued your clearance certificate, then your credit records should not contain any adverse information or any reference to your being under debt counselling.

Lodge your complaint with the credit bureau (you mention Transunion) and thereafter with the credit ombud as this would be unacceptable.

The ombud's contact details are as follows:
 
Call centre: 0861 OMBUDS (0861 662837)
Fax: 086 683 4644
Email: ombud@creditombud.org.za

- Fin24

Disclaimer: Fin24 cannot be held liable for any investment decisions made based on the advice given by independent financial service providers.

Under the ECT Act and to the fullest extent possible under the applicable law, Fin24 disclaims all responsibility or liability for any damages whatsoever resulting from the use of this site in any manner.

* Do you have a pressing financial question? Post it on our Money Clinic section and we will get an expert to answer your query.



 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.90
+0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.85
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.1%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent-ruolie
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders