You applied for credit and got declined. The reason: "debt review flag on your profile." But you are not sure you are under debt review — or maybe you were years ago and thought it was finished. This happens more often than you think. Here is how to check your status, what the flag means, and what to do about it.
3 Free Ways to Check Your Debt Review Status
Check your credit report (fastest)
Request a free credit report from TransUnion (www.transunion.co.za), Experian (www.experian.co.za), or Compuscan (www.compuscan.co.za). You are entitled to one free report per year from each bureau. Look for a 'Debt Review' or 'Debt Counselling' flag in the account summary section. If it is there, you are under debt review.
Call the NCR
Phone the National Credit Regulator at 0860 627 627 during office hours. Give them your ID number and ask them to confirm whether a debt review application has been filed in your name. They can tell you which debt counsellor filed it and when.
Contact your debt counsellor directly
If you know which company placed you under debt review, contact them for a status update. If you do not remember, the NCR (step 2) can tell you which counsellor is assigned to your case.
What the Debt Review Flag Means
| Status | What It Means | Can You Get Credit? |
|---|---|---|
| No debt review flag | You are not under debt review | Yes (subject to normal affordability checks) |
| Active debt review flag | You are currently under debt review with an active repayment plan | No — Section 88(1) of the NCA prohibits it |
| Clearance certificate issued | Debt review is complete, flag should be removed | Yes — once bureaus process the removal (7-21 days) |
| Flag present but no active counsellor | Possible abandoned debt review or administrative error | No — flag must be removed through proper channels |
Common Scenarios and What to Do
"I completed debt review but the flag is still there"
Contact your debt counsellor and request the clearance certificate (Form 19). If already issued, ask for proof it was sent to the bureaus. If the bureaus have not acted within 30 days, dispute directly with TransUnion/Experian/Compuscan.
"I was placed under debt review without my consent"
This is a serious matter. Contact the NCR at 0860 627 627 to lodge a complaint. The counsellor who filed without your consent is in violation of the NCA. You can also apply to court to have the debt review rescinded.
"I started debt review years ago but stopped paying"
The flag remains until formally removed — even if you stopped participating. Contact the original debt counsellor to either resume the process or discuss formal exit options. Ignoring it will not make it go away. Read about the debt review removal process.
"My ex-spouse put me under debt review during divorce"
If you were married in community of property, both spouses' debts can be included. If married ANC, only your own debts should be affected. Contact a debt counsellor to review your specific situation.
If You Are Under Debt Review and Did Not Know
Discovering an unexpected debt review flag is stressful. But before panicking, consider: if you are genuinely over-indebted, debt review may actually be helping you. The flag prevents new credit (which you cannot afford), your interest rates may have been reduced, and your assets may be protected from repossession. Contact the assigned debt counsellor to understand your current plan and payment status.
If you want to understand your options — whether to continue, exit, or start fresh with a better debt review company — a free assessment from Debt Solutions 4U takes 60 seconds. We are NCR-registered (NCRDC2423) and can advise on your specific situation, including transfers from another counsellor.
Related reading: How to check if you are blacklisted | Debt review removal process and cost | Does debt review affect your spouse?
Reviewed by a registered debt counsellor, NCRDC2423
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if I am under debt review?
Request a free credit report from TransUnion (www.transunion.co.za), Experian (www.experian.co.za), or Compuscan (www.compuscan.co.za). Look for a 'debt review' or 'debt counselling' flag in the status section. You can also call the NCR at 0860 627 627 and ask them to check your status. If you have a debt counsellor, contact them directly to confirm.
Can someone put me under debt review without my knowledge?
It should not happen — debt review requires your signed consent (Form 16). However, there are cases where unscrupulous operators have filed applications without proper consent, or where a spouse married in community of property was included without being properly informed. If you discover a debt review flag you did not consent to, contact the NCR immediately to lodge a complaint.
What does the debt review flag look like on my credit report?
On your credit report, you will see a status indicator showing 'Under Debt Review' or 'Debt Counselling' in your account summary section. Individual accounts included in the debt review will show a status like 'Debt Review' or 'DC' next to the account name. The flag is applied to all credit bureaus simultaneously.
How do I remove the debt review flag?
There are two ways: (1) Complete your debt review — once all debts are paid, your counsellor issues a clearance certificate (Form 19) and the bureaus remove the flag within 7-21 days. This is free. (2) Apply to court to exit early (Form 17W) — costs R5,000-R15,000 and requires proving you can afford original payments. Read our full guide on debt review removal.
I completed debt review but the flag is still there — what do I do?
Contact your debt counsellor and request they issue the clearance certificate (Form 19) if they have not already. If they have issued it, ask for proof of submission to the bureaus. If the bureaus have not removed it within 30 days of receiving the certificate, file a dispute directly with TransUnion, Experian, and Compuscan. You can also escalate to the Credit Ombud at 0861 662 837.
