If creditors are calling and the debt is bigger than your salary can handle, the person you need is a debt counsellor. Not a financial advisor. Not a loan consolidator. A debt counsellor: the NCR-registered professional legally allowed to restructure your debt, protect your assets, and deal with your creditors so you do not have to.
This page explains what a debt counsellor does, how to check that one is properly registered, what it costs, and how to start. If you would rather just talk to one, the WhatsApp button above puts you in touch with a registered counsellor in about 60 seconds.
Why South Africans Choose DS4U
Why a Registered Debt Counsellor Matters
Most of the debt review horror stories you have heard are not about debt review. They are about a specific debt counsellor who was either unregistered or careless. Picking a properly registered one upfront rules out almost all of that risk.
Every legitimate debt counsellor holds an NCRDC number from the National Credit Regulator. Ours is NCRDC2423. You can verify it yourself in three minutes at ncr.org.za. Search the name or the number and confirm the status reads "active." If a counsellor cannot give you a number, or the number returns nothing, walk away. Anyone offering "debt mediation," "debt elimination," or any branding without an NCRDC number is either ignorant of the law or breaking it.
Only an NCR-registered debt counsellor can legally place you under debt review, file your Form 16 and Form 17 with creditors, and route your payments through a registered Payment Distribution Agency. The fuller guide is in our piece on how to verify an NCR-registered debt counsellor.
Meet the DS4U Debt Counsellors
You have a right to know who is actually handling your matter. Two NCR-registered debt counsellors lead the team:
Rowan Breeds
Lead Debt Counsellor, NCRDC2423
BCom Finance, University of South Africa (UNISA). Leads client assessments and creditor negotiations.
Wesley Breeds
Debt Counsellor, NCRDC1887
BSc Honours, University of Southampton. Handles restructuring plans and court submissions.
Full qualifications, photos, and the rest of the team are on our team page.
What a Debt Counsellor Actually Does
A debt counsellor does not lend you money or pay your debts for you. The job is to restructure what you already owe so you can actually afford it. Four parts to that:
- Assessment. We look at your full debt portfolio, your income, and your essential living expenses, and work out whether you are legally over-indebted.
- Negotiation. We approach each of your credit providers to reduce interest rates and extend repayment terms, so your total monthly payment drops to something you can manage.
- Court protection. The restructured plan goes to the magistrate's court for a confirming order. From that point your assets are protected under Section 86 of the National Credit Act.
- Distribution. You pay one consolidated amount each month to a registered Payment Distribution Agency, which splits it across all your creditors.
The process itself is debt review. The counsellor is the person who runs it. If you want the step-by-step of the process rather than the role, read how NCR debt review works and what a debt counsellor does day to day.
What It Costs
Debt counsellor fees are capped by the NCR, not set freely. You pay a once-off application fee, a restructuring fee, and a monthly aftercare fee, all built into your single monthly debt review payment rather than charged separately. You never pay a debt counsellor into a personal account. Every cent flows through a registered Payment Distribution Agency with a full audit trail. The detail is in our piece on what a debt counsellor costs in South Africa.
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Start Free WhatsApp AssessmentHow to Choose a Debt Counsellor
Two checks rule out most of the bad operators. First, NCR registration: confirm the active NCRDC number on ncr.org.za. Second, peer recognition: the Debt Review Awards is an annual industry review where counsellors, PDAs, attorneys and credit providers rate each other on real performance. A counsellor recognised by their own industry for several years running has been vetted in a way no marketing page can fake. DS4U has been a Debt Review Awards Top 10 finalist in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
For the full checklist, including the red flags that mark out a scam, read how to choose a debt counsellor in South Africa and our comparison of the best debt review companies.
Debt Counsellor or Financial Advisor?
People mix these up often. A debt counsellor is NCR-registered and restructures debt for over-indebted consumers. A financial advisor is usually FSCA-regulated and handles investments, insurance, and wealth planning. If creditors are calling, you need a counsellor. If you are stable and planning ahead, you need an advisor. The full breakdown is in debt counsellor vs financial advisor, and if you are weighing debt counselling against the wider process, see debt counselling vs debt review.
What to Expect From Your First Call
The first assessment is a WhatsApp conversation, not a sales pitch. It takes about 60 seconds to get going and there is no obligation. We ask what you earn, roughly what you owe and to whom, and what your essential expenses are. Then we tell you honestly whether debt review fits. If it does not, we say so and point you at what does. You can also run the numbers yourself first on our debt review calculator.
Reviewed by Rowan Breeds, NCR-registered Debt Counsellor (NCRDC2423), Debt Solutions 4U.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a debt counsellor is registered with the NCR?
Every legitimate debt counsellor in South Africa has an NCRDC number issued by the National Credit Regulator. Ours is NCRDC2423. Go to ncr.org.za, search the counsellor's name or NCRDC number, and confirm the status reads 'active.' If a counsellor cannot give you a number, or it returns no active record, do not work with them. Only an NCR-registered debt counsellor can legally place you under debt review, file your Form 16 and 17, or distribute your payments.
What does a debt counsellor cost in South Africa?
Debt counsellor fees are regulated by the NCR, not set freely by each counsellor. You pay a once-off application fee, a restructuring fee, and a monthly aftercare fee, all capped under the NCR fee guidelines and all built into your single monthly debt review payment. You never pay a debt counsellor directly into a personal account. All money flows through a registered Payment Distribution Agency (PDA). If anyone asks for cash or an EFT into a personal account, that is the clearest sign of a scam.
Is a debt counsellor the same as a debt review company?
A debt counsellor is the NCR-registered individual legally authorised to assess your finances, negotiate with creditors, and take your restructured plan to court. A debt review company is the business that employs one or more debt counsellors and handles the admin around them. When you sign up with a reputable company like DS4U, a named, registered debt counsellor is responsible for your matter. Always confirm the actual counsellor's NCRDC number, not just the company name.
Does a debt counsellor near me matter, or can it be done remotely?
Location does not matter. Debt review is governed by national law (the National Credit Act), and your matter is handled with your local magistrate's court regardless of where your counsellor is based. DS4U runs the entire process over WhatsApp, so clients from Cape Town to Polokwane work with us without ever needing an in-person meeting. A good remote counsellor with a strong track record beats a mediocre one down the road.
What is the difference between a debt counsellor and a financial advisor?
A debt counsellor is NCR-registered and specialises in restructuring debt for over-indebted consumers under Section 86 of the National Credit Act. A financial advisor is usually FSCA-regulated and focuses on investments, insurance, and wealth building, not debt restructuring or creditor negotiation. If you are over-indebted and creditors are calling, you need a debt counsellor. If you are financially stable and planning for the future, you need a financial advisor.
How do I start with a DS4U debt counsellor?
Send us a WhatsApp message. The first assessment takes about 60 seconds and there is no obligation. We look at your income, your debts, and your essential expenses, and tell you honestly whether debt review fits your situation. If it does not, we will tell you what does. You can also use our online debt review calculator to see your likely reduced monthly payment before you even speak to us.
