How to Legally Stop Creditor Harassment in South Africa

Dealing with overwhelming debt is stressful enough without the added pressure of constant calls and demands from creditors. In South Africa, the National Credit Act provides legal protection for consumers who are undergoing debt review. Understanding how to legally stop creditor calls and other forms of creditor harassment is a significant benefit of entering the debt review process. CDS Consulting SA explains your rights and how debt review can provide you with peace of mind.

Once you apply for debt review and your creditors are formally notified by your registered debt counsellor, they are legally obligated to cease direct communication with you. All communication regarding your debt must then go through your debt counsellor. This provides you with immediate relief from persistent phone calls, SMS messages, and threatening letters.

Protection Under the National Credit Act:

The National Credit Act (NCA) aims to protect consumers from unfair and aggressive debt collection practices. Once you are under debt review, creditors are prohibited from:

• Contacting you directly for payment.

• Taking legal action against you (such as a summons or judgments) without the consent of the debt review court.

• Continuing with any existing legal proceedings without informing your debt counsellor.

What to Do If Creditor Harassment Continues:

Despite the legal protections in place, some creditors may still attempt to contact you directly. If this happens, it's crucial to:

1. Politely inform the creditor that you are under debt review and provide them with the contact details of your debt counsellor at CDS Consulting SA.

2. Do not engage in lengthy discussions about your debt with the creditor. Simply reiterate that they need to communicate with your debt counsellor.

3. Keep a record of all communication attempts, including dates, times, names of individuals you spoke with, and the nature of the communication.

4. Immediately inform your debt counsellor at CDS Consulting SA about any instances of continued creditor harassment. We will then take the necessary steps to address the issue with the creditor on your behalf and remind them of their legal obligations.

   
   

The Peace of Mind That Debt Review Offers:

One of the significant advantages of debt review through CDS Consulting SA is the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are protected from creditor harassment. You no longer have to dread answering the phone or opening your mail. Your debt counsellor acts as a buffer between you and your creditors, allowing you to focus on rebuilding your financial stability.

If you are tired of constant creditor calls and are looking for a legal way to protect yourself while you work towards becoming debt-free, contact CDS Consulting SA today for a confidential consultation about the debt review process.