South Africa’s debt counselling magazine
December 2015 www.debtfreedigi.co.za
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CONTENTS 2015 REVIEW
REDUCE THE COST OF CREDIT
NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
SERVICE DIRECTORY
EDITOR’S NOTE 2015 was a hectic year for consumers and the economy alike. With the NCR issuing non binding opinions on various topics, the CIF making a big splash and various workshops and conferences held across the country all about debt review the industry was abuzz with all the activity. Big court cases about debt review provided further clarity on how the process needs to be handled. Throughout the year thousands of people signed up for debt review each month (over 12 000 many months) making 2015 one of the busiest years in debt review. The NCR saw highs and lows in the press, as they continue to fight for prominence and position as the pending Twin Peaks regulatory process nears. They issued lots of guidelines, based on CIF recommendations. The NCR also made several news splashes with raids and investigations against credit providers throughout the year. All that investigating and all those CIF meetings were expensive and the NCR say they ran out of funds during the year and could not conduct a promised review of the debt review fee structure as a result. That said, the NCR still played a big role in the industry this year. Be sure to check out our year review articles to find out who got on their bad side and found themselves in trouble at the NCT. The big winner this year was the National Credit Act itself, which was finally amended (after a long wait since the 2014 announcements of what the changes would be). Sure the DTI
minister had to delay some aspects but the amendments make debt review a lot easier for consumers, debt counsellors and credit providers. What is clear is that one of the largest impacts was the sudden reduction in unnecessary “terminations� - where credit providers try to start a second legal collections process instead of cooperating with the debt review process. This meant more consumers were helped and less work and expenses for all parties. The biggest loser this year was probably the economy, with so many things placing further stress on an already embattled system. Ratings fell, rates went up, the Rand got destroyed against the Dollar, China cut their orders and more. Fortunately for many consumers the debt review process was in place to help them deal with the fall out all that created. If you were one of the over 100 000 consumers who entered the process this year then we commend you for being proactive and making a realistic plan to sort out your situation. If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of consumers already under debt review then we urge you to not skip any payments this month or in Jan. Keep up the good work and keep progressing toward being debt free.
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7 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Festive Season Credit Consumers tend to take more credit in December to help them pay for gifts, food and other end-of-year expenses. Here are 7 small, easy steps to take to reduce the cost of festive season credit. 1. Choose a short repayment period A longer repayment period allows for a lower monthly instalments but, because of the interest charged, you’ll end up paying more overall. Choose the shortest term that you can afford to repay. 2. Look at how much interest you will pay A low interest rate doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best deal. Consider all the factors; look at the interest charged over the credit term. Paying a lower interest rate over a longer term doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting the best deal. Weigh the interest charged over a shorter term with that of a lower interest rate charged over a longer term. 3. Pay more than the minimum amount due Try to pay a little extra onto your monthly instalment. You don’t have to pay a large amount; even a small amount extra makes a difference. Credit is expensive; the interest charged on credit contributes to the overall cost. By paying more than the instalment amount, you pay the interest off quicker and bring down the capital balance (the original amount borrowed before interest is applied).
4. Don’t skip a payment Contact your credit provider and make a payment arrangement if you are unable to meet the agreed monthly repayment. If you skip a payment, it’s recorded at the credit bureaus. This could give you a bad payment profile; affecting your future credit applications. It could also mean that you’ll be charged higher interest rates on future credit applications from all credit providers. 5. Pay on time Always pay your credit instalment on or before the due date to avoid additional charges. In addition to negatively affecting your credit rating, interest or penalty fees may be charged on overdue accounts; increasing the cost of your credit. Choose to repay your credit with a monthly debit or stop order. You don’t need to remember to pay your instalments, and will avoid paying late payment fees. 6. Reduce unnecessary credit limits If you have a high credit limit, it’s likely you’ll end up spending it. Relook at all your credit limits, including your retail account cards. If you don’t need a high credit limit, reduce it. 7. Budget Your budget is your money plan. Use it to work out what you’ll be spending and where you’ll be spending it. Along with gift and food costs, include traveling, entertainment and other related expenses too. Sticking to your budget means you might not need to take credit at all, saving you from paying debt you may not be able to afford.
2015
A year can fly by. At first, it seems to creep and grind slowly and then you blink and before you know it, it is December. Where ever did the time go? This year has been no different. Throughout the year the Rand came under increasing pressure from the US Dollar and lost over 30% of its comparative value. Repo rates went up as government investment spending slowed down and China reduced it’s demand for our mined minerals. Strikes, xenophobic attacks, global politics and the international financial crisis all had big impacts on the SA economy. All this meant that consumers have come under increasing pressure this year to earn a decent wage and to repay their existing debt. Many have failed to do so. Fortunately, a massive number of consumers entered the debt review process to make a plan to deal with their debt in a responsible way. This meant that debt review has continued to be extremely relevant and looks set to continue as such in years to come. 2015 was also a busy year for the debt review industry role players. The long awaited amendments to the National Credit Act (NCA) finally came into effect in March and the effects were immediately felt. This meant all parties had to make sure they were now acting according to the new requirements. The NCR were very active as they took many credit providers (and their insurance companies) to task. The industry held a number of key events including the annual Debt Review Awards [which the Debtfree team assisted in]. New people took key positions at various credit providers and several credit providers hit the road to meet with Debt Counsellors. The courts too played a big part in figuring out new aspects of the process with one or two cases in particular bringing increased clarity. We take a few pages to look at all the highlights (and low lights) of the year month by month and how these effect you, the economy and the debt review industry.
JANUARY
Traditionally a slow month for the debt review industry as consumers try to delude themselves that they can handle things January showed a comparatively high number of consumers applying for debt review this year. The NCR announce they are taking UBank to the NCT over Reckless Credit Granting and other breaches of the NCA Mr Nicky lala Mohan announced as new Credit Ombud in 2015 (from Feb) Scary & confusing SMS (via Groenewald Attorneys) weresent to Nedbank clients under debt review, vaguely threatening legal and sheriff visits. Repo Rate 5.75%
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS Announced SA 2014 Matric Pass Rate at 75.8% Xenophobic Attacks across SA.
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS: Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria +2000 killed
FEBRUARY
Big changes at the FNB Debt Review Centre this month as leadership changed. The NCR also issued a guideline on the debt review process which met with mixed response from the industry. Long time Debt Review Centre Head, Lynne Loizakos leaves FNB. New FNB DRC Head: Athaly Khan announced. The NCR announce intention to apply to NCT to deregister Capfin The NCR publish a non binding opinion they label a “guideline” on debt review process based on CIF recommendation (based on 20109 NCR Task Team Report)
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS State of the Nation Address sees EFF MPs removed from Parliament and DA members arrested.
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS: Egypt begins to bomb ISIS in Lybia Leonard Nimoy (famous As Spoke from Star Trek) dies. Highly illogical.
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MARCH
Finally the amendments to the National Credit Act kicked in during March. Time would show that some credit providers had not been paying attention and got their businesses ready to comply with the amendments and the DTI would later have to make a special concession on their behalf. The long anticipated National Credit Amendment Act (published back in 2014) finally comes into effect. Credit providers now are required to perform stricter affordability assessments and not to terminate their participation in debt review. National Credit Amendment Act conference held in Gauteng. Micro Finance South Africa (MFSA) launch yet another court application against the NCR for not reviewing fees. This was because the NCR had not conformed to a previous court order telling them to do so as required by the National Credit Act.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS R699 Car scheme collapses. Cape Fires rage. Cecil John Rhoades statue removed after protests at UCT. Xenophobic attacks after King Goodwill Zwelithini speech.
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS: ISIS and Boko Haram Merge Writer Terry Pratchett Dies
APRIL
Normally April 1st is the date of the release of another piece of legislation which creates a number of snickers across the industry. This year passed without any such release directly effecting the industry. April showed high numbers of applications for debt review. Court Orders NCR to review credit provider fees at MFSA’s insistence. Quarterly report from NCR Showed another 200 000+ consumers fell several months behind on payments over the previous quarter.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS Terminally ill Robin Stransham-Ford- gets court permission for first SA assisted suicide.
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS: Earth Quake in Nepal 9000 die.
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MAY
May was a big month as the long awaited Van Der Hoven Declaratory Order regarding debt review, set important precedents in regard to multiple issues around debt review incl. Do the DC and consumer have to be in court? Does the Form 16 have to be included in the court documents. How must service of court papers be done? Does proof of annual NCR renewal need to be incl in court docs? How do DCs inform credit bureaus of consumer debt review status? Van Der Hoven Declaratory Order FNB charged with fraud in Samsodien Securitisation case. Moneyline & Net1 trounce NCR at the NCT over compliance notices. New African Bank CEO announced : Mr Brian Riley Public Voting begins for SA consumer’s favourite industry service providers in the public voting section of the Debt Review Awards The Debt Review Awards industry Panel nominees announced.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS:
Stellenbosch Axe murders Durban Taxi Strike Hundreds of Illegal Immigrants arrested
BB King (Musician) Dies. Star Wars Day: May the Forth be with you. Growing excitement for new release in Dec.
JUNE
The Annual Debt Review Awards rolled around in June and was a massive success. Credit Providers, Debt Counsellors, Dignitaries and attorneys from across the country attended the award ceremony in Gauteng. The NCR also issued another CIF based guideline in June. Lewis Stores also dominated the news throughout the month. NCR issue Guideline on Insurance National Treasury takes shots at NCR and FSB for not being strict enough. Annual Debt Review Awards in Gauteng. Consumer Friend, FNB, Debt Rescue and Consumer Debt Help. All three of the Payment Distribution Agencies went home with awards for various aspects of the PDA process. Nedbank Workshop with DCs in KZN
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS Marikana Commission report released. Mystery Shopper Reports on Lewis shows firm & staff practices in bad light. Lewis shares plummet despite damage control.
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS: Sepp Blatter resigns from FIFA amide FBI investigation. Christopher Lee (actor) dies. FIFA scandal implicates SA in $10 Million bribe to get to host 2010 World Cup.
JULY
July saw the Repo Rate begin it’s inevitable climb. The first of several expected several base point increase begins. EOAs get a lot of media attention. Greece and their financial crisis and the threat to the EU economy dominated international news cycles. Flemix (Formally Coombe & Associates and tied to Bridge Loans) lose massive court case regarding EAOs in the western Cape. This stirs up hornets nest regarding “garnishee orders” and normal practice constitutionality. 150 000 other pending EAO applications called into question. Nedbank DRC head Anton Thomas announces he is leaving for another post within Nedbank. Repo Rate climbs to 6% Nedbank Workshop in CT NCR ask NCT to fine Lewis soon after mystery shopper incident. DTI publish plans for new interest rates and fees in the government gazette and call for comment. Akani launch new credit report app for smart phones.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS:
Clive Rice (Cricketer) dies PRASA ordered trains may be wrong height for local lines.
Greek Government Debt Crisis. Become first country to ever miss payment to IMF. Turkey begins to bomb ISIS Omar Shrif (actor) dies.
AUGUST
The NCR begin to role investigations from one credit provider to the next in regard to insurance issues. It seems that this may be an industry wide blight. The DTI also take steps to help those credit providers caught with their pants down by the NCA amendments. Reserve Bank gives African Bank’s Good Bank the go ahead for 2016. DTI announce they have postponed the effect of the previously published affordability assessment requirements for 6 months (since publishing date in the Gov Gazette). DCASA Annual Conference - record attendance NCT announce roving motion courts across the country to try catch up backlog of debt review related cases. Lewis begin to pay back R69 million NCR refer JD Group to the NCT over insurance fees to pensioners and disabled. Bridge Loans (and other entities) being investigated by the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission and the Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors. Bridge Loans file for Liquidation (JHB)
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS:
8 Cops convicted of murdering Mozambican immigrant taxi driver. Nkandla Report Adopted by Parliament
Wreckage of missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 found off Reunion island.
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SEPTEMBER
Finally a matter gets heard in the NCR’s favour at the NCT despite the incredible backlogs. The NCT begin their promised efforts to bring the backlog in debt review cases (S.86(7)(b)) under control. DCs are overjoyed. The Rugby World Cup captures our attention. JDG Group announce that Consumer Friend will now handle their debt review matters. Nedbank DRC gets new department head : Denise Hartley Credit Provider Mayibuye Cash Loans gets deregistered by the NCT. NCT Motion Courts (and new forms to use) begin to operate across the country. NCR announce they can’t afford the announced DC fee review. Postponed. 21 Credit Providers raided in the Western Cape. 5 people arrested. Many ID books and 71 pensioner cards returned. DTI adjusted “new” effective date for the regulation on affordability assessments. Regulation now in effect (for real this time).
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS Japan give the Boks a hiding at Rugby World Cup. Springboks finish 3rd overall.
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS: Russia begins to bomb ISIS Jackie Collins (writer) dies
The Debt Counselling industry demands hard work and constant innovation from all those involved. Only those who are truly dedicated to a sustainable solution prosper in the long term. If you have built up valuable experience in the industry and are wondering about the next step in your career, we would like to hear from you. We offer many opportunities from Earn While You Learn programmes to mentorship with the view of owning and managing your own business. We are also constantly on the lookout for those industry professionals who have built up numerous contacts in the industry with the various Credit Providers. Be part of tomorrow’s debt counselling and email us: careers@payplansolutions.co.za
Pay Plan Solutions is registered with the National Credit Regulator under The National Credit Act No.34 of 2005 and is a member of the Debt Counsellors Association of South Africa registration number DCASA0386. For more information and registration details visit www.payplansolutions.co.za and www.ncr.org.za or www.dcasa.co.za
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OCTOBER
Politics is in full effect this month as political manoeuvring begins to take some big casualties. EAOs (Garnishing Orders) are all over the press. Also in the news is the early release of Oscar Pistorius. People were at first upset he was released one day early after less than a year in Jail. Public outrage grows. ABSA begin to repay millions in incorrectly charged fees to consumers. The DTI issue new max interest rates for 2016. NCR take Shoprite to task over reckless lending and insurance. To be referred to the NCT.
WC High Court ruling: W Cape Employers don’t have to accept EAOs from outside the province. NCR Circular complains about DCs avoiding NCR Monitors Bridge sequestration put on hold as they borrow funds to stay afloat. Promise to turn things around. Nedbank and MFC combine all vehicle matters
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS:
National Police Commissioner suspended. Student protests about fee increases. #FeesMustFall. President Zuma announces no fee increase in 2016.
Hurricane Patricia - most intense Hurricane ever recorded in Western Hemisphere. “Back to the Future” Day- From now on everything that happened in the future in the movie is officially in the past.
NOVEMBER
The NCR send mixed and contradictory messages after monitoring visits in the W Cape involve warrants and policemen. Though the NCR later call these “raids� in a very short press release the reasons given are vague and contradictory. The NCR lose a lot of good will from several role players at CIF. The worlds eye turns to the horror in Paris. Weird NCR visits to some DCs in Western Cape. The NCR call these raids as warrants and cops are involved. No arrests made, no accusations made. DCASA AGM held. New NEC elected. FNB host Debt Counsellors workshops to discuss challenges and possible solutions.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS Drought across 5 provinces caused by El Nino. Water restrictions begin in some areas. Repo Rate increases to 6.25% Students destroy campus facilities and exams are cancelled. Students sent home.
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS: SIS Attacks in Paris. Bombings and shootings across the city. Jonah Lomu (Rugby Player) dies
DECEMBER
Everyone seemed to breath a deep sigh of relief at having reached the year end. Everyone except the SA Finance Minister (no not him, the other one. No, not him the other one). Even Miss Universe is confused. The Rand is not and takes a nosedive vs the Dollar. Foschini debt review clients receive incorrect sms’. Consumer Friend apologise for the mix up and tell consumers to ignore the messages.. The industry enters it’s quiet period as consumers focus on spending rather than dealing with debt. NCR, DCs & PDAs urge consumers to not miss payments on their debts in December and Jan. Many companies hold year end functions and announce their end of year shut down holidays. Most close between Dec 24th and Jan 4th. Standard Bank launch Debt Counsellor Survey. NCR send out circular with new contact details for credit provider FinChoice.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS Oscar Pistorius found guilty of murder after Supreme Court of Appeal overturns former culpable homicide conviction. Finance Minister Nene Removed. Rand takes a dive David Van Rooyen appointed new Finance Minister
Rand takes a Dive David Van Rooyen replaced as Finance Minister with Minister Pravin Gordhan (sorry guy). Rand recovers slightly ending the year 30% lower vs the US Dollar.
WORLD NEWS & EVENTS: 2 Miss Universes announced in 2 minutes as host makes a mistake. Oops! Sorry Miss Columbia it was actually Miss Philippines. What has been called the most anticipated movie in history the new Star Wars movie (The Force Awakens) releases. It is a hit with fans. Breaks all box office records.
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IN A NUTSHELL
MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS STICK The start of a new year is when people choose to make positive lifestyle changes. You may decide to quit smoking, start exercising, eat healthier or pay off your debt. December is a good time to start thinking about the changes you would like to make in the New Year. Between 81 to 92 percent of New Year resolutions fail, according to James Clear, a specialist and writer in behavior and habit formation. So given that 8 out of 10 people fail, how can you succeed?
RE-WIRE YOUR BRAIN
To succeed in any behavioural change, you need to replace the bad habits that you’ve reinforced over a lifetime with new habits. To make New Year resolutions stick you literally have to change the way you think or ‘re-wire’ your brain. Brain scientists like Antonio Damasio have proven that your thinking patterns coupled with repeated behaviour create neural pathways and memories in your brain. These pathways, are created to make life simple. For example if you are in the habit of brushing your teeth after you have breakfast, you don’t question why you do this every time. You just do it. This is a default behaviour. However, if you don’t change your default thinking, you cannot change your default behaviour. Our thoughts and beliefs about money and the emotional connections that we learn over time influence how we spend money by default. To change a spending habit, you have to change your thoughts first. Here are some examples of thoughts about money that may result in people overspending: • I want the best for my children; the best is the most expensive. • I splurge on gifts; that’s my way of showing love. • I want a fancy car, so I can show others my success. • Live for today, don’t worry about tomorrow. To start curbing your spending, you need to ‘think’ about the thoughts that are driving your behaviour and replace these with new ones.
DON’T TRY TO DO TOO MUCH
Another trap that people fall into is trying to do too much. Many people use this time of year to change everything in an attempt to make an extreme makeover. A lot of people quit because the goal is too big requiring too much effort at once. Behaviour experts, like B.J. Fogg at Stanford University, believe that the maximum number of habits that you can change at the same time is three. And these are really tiny habits. He suggests one tiny change. So if you are looking to save money, then forego buying the coffee on the way to work for example. It’s easier to get started when the new habit is really small.
MAKE THE GOAL, SMALL, TANGIBLE, AND ACHIEVABLE
A resolution to lose some weight is too broad, so results tend to be vague. It’s much easier to say I’m going to cut ice-cream and sweets out of my diet. Creating trigger points and visibility of your goal can also be helpful. For example, ‘placing the money that you save from the coffee you didn’t buy into a glass jar’, will certainly make it tangible and make you feel good. It also acts as a trigger for the next day.
REPLACE OLD HABITS WITH NEW ONES
If you are planning to forgo buying coffee on the way to work, you will need to create a new routine for your morning coffee. You will need to plan on making your own coffee, drinking it at home, or taking an on-the-go cup. The same is required with your spending habits. Instead of pulling out your credit card for everyday purchases, rather use cash. Determine upfront a weekly budget and pay for all your everyday essentials in cash. This allows you to monitor how much you are spending and enables you to stick to the budget. Whipping out your credit card is so automatic that you fail to process how much you are actually spending. Reserve the credit card for bigger, planned expenses.
FOCUS ON THE RITUAL NOT THE OUTCOME
Successful behaviour change happens when people change their lifestyle. Focusing only on the outcome can be self-defeating versus focusing on the tiny habits that lead to longer term behaviour change. It’s about creating a new ritual, a collection of habits over time, that together add up to a more fundamental change. People too often focus on specific outcomes: losing 10kg, running a marathon, saving R500 per month. Although outcomes tie in with goals, it can be demotivating when the goal starts slipping. Instead, focus on creating new rituals, new routines that encourage you to work towards your goal.
CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Your environment plays an important role in helping you change your habits. It is hard to remain healthy when your pantry is filled with sweets and soft drinks. It is difficult to avoid spending if you are in the shops every day. It is virtually impossible to stop drinking, if you have alcohol stored at home. Our behaviours are often a simple response to the environment that we’re in.
BEWARE OF ‘BAD HABIT’ CREEP
Too often people become over-indebted because their lifestyle creeps up proportionate to their income. With every promotion, people upgrade to bigger and better things, rather than saving the increased income. You upgrade to a bigger TV or stay at better hotels or buy designer clothes. Your normal lifestyle will creep up slowly and goods that were once seen as a luxury will gradually become a necessity. What was once out of reach will become your ‘new normal’. To change, you will need to re-define what is normal.
PLAN FOR SUCCESS
Making resolutions without considering how you are going to succeed will lead to failure. Often New Year resolutions are a spur of the moment thing. People fail to plan. Here is a reminder of the key things that you need to bear in mind: 1. Re-wire your thinking to support the new habit you want to create. 2. Keep the habits really small. 3. Keep building on these small habits until you’ve formed a ritual. 4. Focus on the ritual not the outcome 5. Ensure that your environment and friends support the habit
If you’re a debt counsellor, consider sharing this article with your clients.
IN A NUTSHELL is brought you by The Business Partnership Programme™, designed to support debt counsellors and consumers during the debt review process, in collaboration with the National Payment Distribution Agency (NPDA). For help, contact the NPDA on 0861 628 628. If you have suggestions for topics that you would like covered in future, please email info@dcmgroup.co.za The NPDA was recognised as the industry winner for PAYMENT DISTRIBUTION and Care Premier as the industry winner for DEBT COUNSELLING SOFTWARE at the Debt Review Awards 2015.
DEBT COUNSELLORS ASSOCIATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT BOARD
CLOSED BETWEEN 24 DECEMBER 2015 - 4 JANUARY 2016
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We wish everyone a happy holiday break. See you in 2016.
To our Members: Thanks for all the hard work and we wish all our members a great holiday and look forward to an exciting 2016.
For more info on becoming a member email: info@bdcf.co.za
To our Clients: We hope you enjoy the break (responsibly). To the Credit Providers: Thanks for a great year or working together to improve lives.
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DECEMBER
NEWSLETTER 2016
Next year promises to be an important one for our industry. We foresee many new and exciting developments. There will, no doubt, be challenges too but together we can face them and make things better for consumers and credit providers alike. Early in 2016 we will hold our AGM and we call on members to get involved and support their colleagues by volunteering to assist in the various posts and committees. We will be looking for expanded regional structures as well. While that may sound like more work, it is true that many hands make light work. We will be contacting all members in Jan to discuss arrangements.
BECOME A MEMBER OF AN DC ASSOCIATION. GET REPRESENTATION!
be frustrating. Your complaints to the NCR or credit providers can get lost in the crowd. This is why we suggest that you become an active member of the Alliance of Professional Debt Counsellors. By doing so you will add your voice to that of other Debt Counsellors who want to offer a professional service to consumers according to the requirements of the National Credit Act. Another benefit is by gaining access to our members Facebook group and the expertise and assistance of many like minded professionals. Feel free to contact us to discuss membership at: secretary@allprodc.org
ENJOY THE BREAK
We want to wish all our members a happy and relaxing holiday and look forward to an exciting 2016.
If you are a registered Debt Counsellor (whether new or with a few miles on the clock) and have been trying to deal with some of the challenges that come our way working in an ever changing industry you will know it can
CONTACT DETAILS FORUM: www.debtconcern.webs.com / WEBSITE: www.allprodc.org / FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/AllProDC / TWITTER: www.twitter.com/AllProDC
DCCS are helping vulnerable debt review families have a little fun this holiday season. With the help of our sponsors we are giving deserving debt review families a small boost with Family Vacation Gift Bags. With the help of our sponsors we were able to distribute several Family Vacation Gift Bags to deserving debt review consumers across South Africa. The gift bag is valued at R1500 and contains not only food and clothing vouchers but also toys for the kids. We were also able to help one consumer get his vehicle back from the people who were essentially holding it hostage at a tow storage facility. They were charging Mr Mvubu a ridiculous amount of money every day just to keep his car away from him. DCCS was alerted to the situation by All DEBT Solutions and we were overjoyed that sponsors from the debt counselling community such as DC Partner (one of the PDAs) Steyn Coetzee Attorneys and Debt Counselling Firms: One Debt and The Debt Experts were able to help. Not only that but with the help of all involved we were able to get a huge reduction in the charges which meant we helped save the consumer a lot of money. The consumer now has his car back and can look forward to starting 2016 on a much better footing. He and his 6year old son want to thank everyone who helped. We hope everyone enjoys the holidays and look forward to working with you in 2016.
DEBT COUNSELLING COMMUNITY SUPPORT
If you are a Debt Counsellor and know of a client who has hit a speed bump and might need a little help this month to not miss their payment chat to us about our 17.3 Project. Perhaps we can assist keep your vulnerable client in the process. admin@dccsupport.co.za
DEBT REVIEW AWARDS 2014
WINNER
DEBT REVIEW AWARDS 2015
WINNER WINNING 3 OUT OF 5 AWARDS
• CLIENT & CUSTOMER SERVICES • SYSTEM & SOFTWARE INTEGRATION FOR • INDUSTRY SUPPORT ENGAGEMENT 1. NPDA - Payment & Distribution 2. Care Premier - Debt Counselling Thank you for your support. Software RDS WIN
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GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
INCREASE IN PAYING CUSTOMERS
DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS WITH THE
DCM PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME™ Adding value through innovation and partnership.
Better Payment Behaviour
To increase your revenue, contact us on 0861 628 628 or businesspartner@dcmgroup.co.za WWW.DCMGROUP.CO.ZA
Immediate Improvement in Collections
Consumer Protection Provided (DCM Protector Card™)
Consumer Support Provided
(24hr Stress Helpline; Bank Account Facilitation; Creditor Support)
Consumers Educated & Nudged
Leaders in creating sustainable financial wellbeing
SERVICE D
CLICK THE C
DEBT COUNSELLORS
SUPPORT SERVICES
TRAINING
FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL PLANNING
DIRECTORY
CATEGORY
DO YOU WANT TO LIST YOUR COMPANY? directory@debtfreedigi.co.za
CREDIT BUREAUS
LEGAL
PAYMENT DISTRIBUTION AGENCIES
CREDIT PROVIDER CONTACT DETAILS & ESCALATION PROCESS
DEBT COUNSELLORS
GAUTENG
KWAZULUNATAL
FREE STATE
LIMPOPO
MPUMALANGA
NORTH WEST
EASTERN CAPE
NORTHERN CAPE WESTERN CAPE
National Debt Advisors Fighting For Consumer Justice Tel: 021 007 1688 www.nationaldebtadvisors.co.za
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
GAUTENG
Armani Debt Counselling Take the First Step to Financial Freedom Tania Dekker Tel: 011 849 3654 / 7659 www.armanigroup.co.za
Dynamix Debt Counselling TLC Alida Christie NCRDC2324 Office 1, 34 Beefwoodstreet, Vanderbijlpark, 1911 Tel: 079 520 4369 Tel: 016 100 8020 tlcdebt@mweb.co.za
Specialist Debt Management Centre Beverley Ludick, NCRDC948 Pretoria Tel: 012 377-3557 Email: obligco@gmail.com Email: dc@obligco.co.za www.obligco.co.za
NCRDC197 Tel: 011 660 9970 Fax: 086 540 5017 KRUGERSDORP e-mail: nicky@nvdmdc.co.za www.nvdmdc.co.za
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
All Debt Solutions Fast tracking your financial freedom Tel: 0861 255 3328 / 021-557 9981 Email: info@allds.co.za www.alldebtsolutions.co.za https://www.facebook.com/ alldebtsolutions
National Debt Advisors Fighting For Consumer Justice Tel: 021 007 1688 www.nationaldebtadvisors.co.za
KWAZULUNATAL
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
National Debt Advisors Fighting For Consumer Justice Tel: 021 007 1688 www.nationaldebtadvisors.co.za
FREE STATE
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
National Debt Advisors Fighting For Consumer Justice Tel: 021 007 1688 www.nationaldebtadvisors.co.za
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
LIMPOPO
SMS Salary Management Services Annerien de Jager Registered Debt Counsellor NCRDC0075 015 307 2772 info@smslimpopo.co.za
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
National Debt Advisors Fighting For Consumer Justice Tel: 021 007 1688 www.nationaldebtadvisors.co.za
MPUMALANGA
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
National Debt Advisors Fighting For Consumer Justice Tel: 021 007 1688 www.nationaldebtadvisors.co.za
NORTH WEST
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
National Debt Advisors Fighting For Consumer Justice Tel: 021 007 1688 www.nationaldebtadvisors.co.za
NORTHERN CAPE
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
National Debt Advisors Fighting For Consumer Justice Tel: 021 007 1688 www.nationaldebtadvisors.co.za
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
EASTERN CAPE
Debt Counselling Group SA Affordable Assistance with offices across the EASTERN CAPE. Casper Francois le Grange NCRDC 1560 / CALL: 086 100 1047 Offices: East London: Shop 7, New Colonnade Building, Devereux Av, Vincent Port Elizabeth: Room 302, Pier 14, 444 Goven Mbeki Av, North End Queenstown: Office 107, Nedbank Building, 89 Cathcart Road King Williams Town: Office 4, 49 Eales Street E-mail: help@dcgsa.co.za www.dcgsa.co.za www.facebook.com/dcg.southafrica
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
DON’T WORK WITH AN OUT DATED VERSION OF THE ACT
UPDATED 2015
We are happy to announce that the Amended National Credit Act booklet is now available via our shop. Shoppers who pre ordered so very long ago will have already begun to receive their copies. Why work with an old and out dated version of the Act? Get the latest version for only R250.00
ORDER NOW http://debtfreedigi.co.za/product/pocket-sized-national-credit-act-booklet/
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YOUR CALLS? SCARED OF ANSWERING YOUR CALLS?
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WESTERN CAPE
CONSOLIDEBT Heidie Knorr NCRDC209 Paarl, Worcester, Wellington, Ceres, Piketberg, Clanwilliam, Vredendal Tel: 021 863 2754 / 082 380 4401 consolidebt@vodamail.co.za
Encouraging Freedom, Creating Wealth Etienne Pieterse (NCRDC 2210) Tel. (021) 826-2699 etienne@financialfreedomsolutions.co.za www.financialfreedomsolutions.co.za
ISISEKO DEBT HELP Get Your Life back on track TEL: 087 230 0223 FAX: 086 551 1649 EMAIL: makanti@isiseko.co.za WEB: www.isiseko.co.za
Tel: 0861 123 644 Email: info@debtrescue.co.za
BELLVILLE DEBT COUNSELLING CENTRE Annienne Nel NCRDC2452 23 Salisbury Street • Boston • Bellville Tel: 021 9489781 0219495007 0826412328 Fax: 086 563 3264 e-mail: info@debtcentre.co.za www.debtcentre.co.za
All Debt Solutions Fast tracking your financial freedom Tel: 0861 255 3328 / 021-557 9981 Email: info@allds.co.za www.alldebtsolutions.co.za https://www.facebook.com/ alldebtsolutions
NCRDC1142 No 2 Golden Isle Building 281 Durban Road, Oakdale, Bellville, 7535 Tel: 086 111 3749 Email: help@zerodebt.co.za www.zerodebt.co.za
Debt Budget One Monthly Payment For All Your Debt Bruce Leslie Borez NCRDC1643 52 Church Street, “NBS Building”,Wynberg Tel: 021 824 8885 www.debtbudget.co.za
Credit Matters South Africa’s Leading Debt Counsellors 14th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 086 111 6197 Fax: 021 425 6292 info@creditmatters.co.za
WESTERN CAPE
don’t be a twit
http://twitter.com/Debtfree_DIGI
SUPPORT SERVICES
lana Van Herwaarde, DC Operation Centre (PTY) Tel: 0867227405 Email: info@dcoperations.co.za www.dcoperations.co.za
DEBT COUNSELLING COMMUNITY SUPPORT Help Keep Consumers In Debt Review Tel: 021 872 1968 admin@dccsupport.co.za www.facebook.com/dccsupport www.dccsupport.co.za
DEBT COUNSELLING COMMUNITY SUPPORT
DEBT 086 126 6562 debt@one.za.com www.one.za.com
COMING SOON
TRAINING
COMING SOON
FINANCIAL PLANNING
LEGAL
Liddles & Associates “It always seems impossible until it is done” N. Mandela Tel: 021 913 2514 Fax: 0866070940 Email: info@liddles.co.za PO Box 3407, tygervalley, 7536 7 Chenin Blanc Street, Oude Westhof
Steyn Coetzee Attorneys / Prokureurs Adri de Bruyn 11 Market Street / Markstraat 11, Paarl, 7646 Tel: 021 872 1968 Fax: 021 872 2678 adri@steyncoetzee.co.za
RM Brown and Associates 16th Floor, The Pinnacle Cnr Strand & Burg St Cape Town Tel: 021 202 1111, f: 021 425 0875 Email: roger@rmbrown.co.za
Kim Armfield Attorney & Family Law Mediator Address: Unit 1B, FinansHuis, 7 Voortrekker Road, Bellville Tel: 021 949 1758 / 021 945 2526 Office cell: 084 8588 284 kim@legalwc.co.za
COMING SOON
CREDIT BUREAUS
PAYMENT DISTRIBUTION AGENCIES
DC Partner 044 873 4530
Hyphen PDA 011 303 0060
NPDA 0861 628 628
Telephone: 031 251 4150 Fax: 031 251 4252
GENERAL CONTACT DETAILS (FIRST POINT OF CALL)* 17.1‘s, 17 .2’s, 17.3’s, Rejections and 17 .W’s, Change or Transfer of Debt Counsellor
nca@consumerfriend.co.za
Proposals / Revised Proposals / Consents / Related Queries
proposal@consumerfriend.co.za
Notice of Service / Court Applications
court@consumerfriend.co.za
Updated Balances / Settlements / General Queries
queries@consumerfriend.co.za
Section 86(10) Letters and All Related Queries
terminations@consumerfriend.co.za
ESCELATION CONTACT DETAILS* Complaints / Service Delivery / Management
ryan@consumerfriend.co.za justin@consumerfriend.co.za
17.1‘s, 17 .2’s, 17.3’s, Rejections and 17 .W’s, Change or Transfer of Debt Counsellor
zinhle@consumerfriend.co.za (COB’s)
Proposals / Revised Proposals / Consents / Related Queries
tracey@consumerfriend.co.za
Notice of Service / Court Applications
roderick@consumerfriend.co.za
Updated Balances / Settlements / General Queries
diane@consumerfriend.co.za
*Please do not CC multiple email addresses.
CAPITEC CONTACT DETAILS
Form 17’s Proposals Court documents General Queries Refund Requests / Cancellation of Debit Orders Complaints Insurance Certificates Sharecall Contact Number
ccsforms17@capitecbank.co.za ccsproposals@capitecbank.co.za ccsdebtrevieworders@capitecbank.co.za ccsdebtreviewqueries@capitecbank.co.za ccsrefundrequests@capitecbank.co.za ComplaintManagement@capitecbank.co.za coming soon 086 066 7783 - Select Option 2
ESCALATION PROCESS COMING SOON
STANDARD BANK CONTACT DETAILS 0861 111402 Debt Review specific queries Debt Review specific complaints and escalations Debit order cancellations Debt Review application notification (Form 17.1 by Debt Counsellors): Debt Counsellors to submit Form 17.2 and Debt Review proposals Debt Review court applications Debt Review payment related matters Reckless Lending
DebtReviewServices@standardbank.co.za debtreviewcomplaints@standardbank.co.za coming soon coming soon coming soon coming soon coming soon coming soon
ESCALATION PROCESS COMING SOON
ABSA CONTACT DETAILS 0861 22 22 72 ESCALATION PROCESS
COMING SOON
FNB Debt Review Centre Escalation Process FIRST POINT OF CONTACT VIA THE FOLLOWING MEANS: Call Centre: 087 730 1166 Email: FRBDebtReviewCentre@firstrand.co.za Fax: 086 011 7532
FIRST ESCALATION – AFTER 48 HOURS: Onboarding - New applications and Certificates of Balance: Kagiso Tlhoaele – KTlhoaele@fnb.co.za Document Management – Sorting & Uploading, Indexing, campaigns Zanobia Phillips – Zanobia.Phillips@fnb.co.za Queries: Charlene Antoni – CAntoni@fnb.co.za Call Centre: Charlene Antoni – CAntoni@fnb.co.za Terminations, Re-instatements and Missing Payments: Zanele Masilela –MasilelaZ@fnb.co.za Pro-Rata Proposals: Pamella Sithole – Pamella.Sithole@fnb.co.za DCRS and Final Proposals: Sabelo Mkabela – SMkabela@fnb.co.za Notices of Set Down/Instructions: Abraham Booysen - BooysenA@fnb.co.za Court Orders/Reviews: Joyce Machethe - JMachethe@fnb.co.za
SECOND ESCALATION – AFTER 72 HOURS: New applications, Certificate of Balance, Queries and Call Centre: Karen van Musschenbroek – KVanMusschenbroek@fnb.co.za Withdrawals, Terminations,Re-instatements and Missing Payments: Faadiel Toffie – FToffie@fnb.co.za Proposals, Notices and Court Orders: Karen van Musschenbroek – KVanMusschenbroek@fnb.co.za
THIRD ESCALATION: Athaly Khan – AKhan5@fnb.co.za
NEDBANK CONTACT DETAILS & ESCALATION PROCESS
COMING SOON
AFRICAN BANK CONTACT DETAILS 011 256 9323 DebtCounselling@africanbank.co.za ESCALATION PROCESS
COMING SOON