Being in debt is tough. It’s not a situation that is easy to combat or move forward from, especially if you try and do it alone. Anything in life is better (and easier) when done with others, and getting free from debt is no different. This is where debt counsellors come in, specifically NCR debt counsellors.
Debt counsellors play a huge role in helping you get out of debt, but you need to trust the counsellors you work with. That’s why it’s so vital to ensure that you do your due diligence before committing to work with a specific company.
Before, we look at the different factors you should consider when looking for debt counsellors, let’s remind ourselves what debt counselling is.
What is Debt Counselling?
The National Credit Act has introduced debt counselling in the hopes of tackling the problem of debt in South Africa, and hopefully relieving some of the pressure that it puts on everyday citizens.
The debt counselling process is intended to help over-indebted people who are struggling with debt by providing budgeting advice, negotiating with credit providers on your behalf for reduced monthly payments, as well as restructuring your debts.
What to Look for in a Debt Counsellor
Now that we’ve covered what debt counselling is, it’s time to go over some of the key things you need to look into when you’re seeking help from NCR debt counsellors.
Check for Registration with the National Credit Regulator
In South Africa, debt counsellors need to be registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR) to legally practice. This is the first and most important factor that you need to check, double-check, and triple-check when you’re looking to work with debt counsellors.
By working with registered NCR debt counsellors, you can be certain that they’ve met the required standards of education, training, and experience. You can find the list of all registered debt counsellors here.
Look into the Reputation and Experience of the Debt Counsellor
Once you’ve ensured that a debt counsellor is registered with the NCR, your next step is to investigate the feedback they’ve received from clients and their overall reputation in the industry.
Most trustworthy debt counsellors should have a website that you can peruse and learn more about them. Look for details like their time in the industry, their success rate, and their awards or certificates.
You can also ask your friends or family members for advice on any debt counsellors they’ve previously worked with.
Fortunately, we at National Debt Counsellors proudly tick the boxes mentioned above.
The Advantages of Debt Counselling with National Debt Counsellors
The debt counselling process has a lot of benefits, the most significant is that you’re able to repay your debt in a structured and sustainable way. We will assess your budget, consider essential expenditures such as groceries, housing, education, and transport, and then work out how much you can afford to pay going forward.
Here are some of the other main reasons you should consider working with us to help clear your debt:
No More High Amounts
Your monthly repayments are reduced to an amount you can afford, which helps you step out of debt and into financial freedom.
We Cover You (and your goods)
We provide immediate protection to you and your assets, including your house and car.
We’re the Ultimate Middleman
We negotiate with your credit providers directly, so you don’t receive any more harassing phone calls.
More Peace, Less Stress
We negotiate lower interest rates on your behalf, and we extend your repayment terms. This means you get a bit more breathing room as you begin moving towards more financial stability.
We’re Comprehensive from Start to Finish
Once you’ve cleared your debt, we apply to clear your credit report. So, all you must do throughout the process is make your payments. We do everything else on your behalf!
The ultimate reason to undergo debt counselling is simply to get on a better financial wicket overall. To live debt-free is the goal, and with debt counselling it becomes possible.
How Does Debt Counselling Work?
If you’re struggling to make your monthly debt repayments, you can apply for debt counselling with a registered debt counselling company like National Debt Counsellors.
The process of debt counselling is much simpler than you might expect. It is summarised in a few easy steps:
Step 1: Request a Free Consultation from National Debt Counsellors
One of our professional consultants at National Debt Counsellors contacts you and takes you through a free, no-obligation financial assessment. This is to determine whether you’re over-indebted or not. Don’t worry, this process is completely confidential!
Step 2: We Notify Your Creditors & Negotiate a New Payment Plan for You
If you are over-indebted, we then notify your creditors that you’ve applied to go under debt review. From here, you and your assets are immediately protected under the National Credit Act. We also negotiate your loan agreements with your credit providers and restructure your repayments to an amount that’s affordable. This means you’ll no longer struggle to make payments each month!
Step 3: Pay a Single, Affordable Monthly Instalment
Once we’ve handled the above steps for you, you begin paying one easy monthly instalment via an accredited PDA (Payment Distribution Agency), which distributes the funds to your credit providers.
Step 4: We Make the Approved Plan an Order of the Court
Our panel of Attorneys apply to the Magistrates Court on your behalf to make your restructured repayment plan an official order of the court and ensure you remain protected during the process.
Step 5: Your Debt is Paid Off and Your Credit Record is Clear!
Slowly but surely, you’ll pay off your debt. Hooray! Once it’s repaid, we issue you a clearance certificate and notify the credit bureaus to clear your credit record. You are now able to live in financial freedom!
Why Choose National Debt Counsellors?
We’re a team of leading debt counsellors who believe that debt doesn’t mean disaster. We assist everyday South Africans who find themselves struggling to meet their monthly financial obligations. Our team of Debt Counsellors are registered with the National Credit Regulator and offers you a free, no-obligation assessment of your financial situation.
If you commit to this process properly, your life can change. If you’re struggling to manage your debt, take that first step towards financial freedom and contact us today. Don’t put it off, because your financial freedom is waiting!
