Home South African Beware online scams to have your debt written off

Beware online scams to have your debt written off

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Your debt cannot be written off in terms of National Credit Amendment Act yet, prompting the regulator to call service providers claiming to be able to do this, scams and strongly condemning such scams.

Cape Town – Your debt cannot be written off in terms of the National Credit Amendment Act yet, prompting the regulator to strongly condemn as scams service providers claiming to be able to do this.

Many may find themselves in a tough financial spot amid the devastating economic impact of Covid-19, but the National Credit Regulator (NCR) is warning consumers against false information on the National Credit Amendment Act relating to “Debt Intervention”.

“The NCR has discovered several online scams, such as “ask.auntykaryn.co.za” which direct consumers to apply to certain companies to qualify for their debts to be written off under debt intervention. This is incorrect and misleading,” NCR debt intervention manager, Anne-Carien Du Plooy, said.

She explained that although the National Credit Amendment Act was signed into law, it is not yet in operation and awaits an implementation date to be promulgated. This simply means that it is currently not in effect, stressed Du Plooy.

The NCR said consumers would only be assisted for debt intervention once the act has been promulgated by the president.

“Consumers should beware of these scams and avoid falling victims to them,” Du Plooy added.

She provided the following insight about “Debt Intervention”:

* Consumers should not fall prey or victim to scams where companies and individuals direct them to pay for services with the promise that their debts will be written off.

* Consumers are encouraged to verify such information with the NCR on 0860 627 627 before any payments are made or agreements entered into.

* Consumers who are battling with repayments on their debts can contact a registered debt counsellor directly for assistance.

* There is no basis for consumers to utilise agents to get to a debt counsellor and pay agent fees.

All registered debt counsellors can be found on the NCR’s website at www.ncr.org.za or consumers can contact the NCR on 0860 627 627 for assistance in this regard.

Consumers are further cautioned to never give their personal details such as their ID numbers to strangers telephonically or online.

Cape Times

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