13 Feb How to Check If you are Placed Under Debt Review
Note: This article has been merged into our updated step-by-step guide: How to Conduct a Debt Review Status Check (Free, 2026). It covers all three ways to check your status, plus what every status code means.
It is not uncommon for South African consumers to be unsure of their debt review status. You may have applied for the process some time ago and lost track, or you may suspect that you were placed under debt review without your consent. Whatever the outcome is, it is important to know exactly where you stand so you can plan a way forward.
Being under debt review is not a bad thing – in fact, it can help you overcome your debt more quickly. It is, however, important to note that debt review will directly impact your finances and access to credit. If you are wondering how to check if you are placed under debt review, we have outlined a few ways.
Check Your Credit Report
Your credit report holds the answers to many uncertainties around your creditworthiness and debt review status. Whenever you apply for credit or financing, lenders will perform a credit check to assess your creditworthiness. It outlines your credit history, reflects your current and past accounts, and highlights your repayment behaviours and any red flags.
Requesting your credit report is the most straightforward way to check whether you are under debt review. You have access to one free annual credit report from each of South Africa’s major credit bureaus – TransUnion, Experian, Compuscan, and XDS. This makes it easy to access all the information you need to confirm if you are listed under debt review. Just look out for the debt review flag.
Contact the National Credit Regulator (NCR)
You can contact the National Credit Regulator (NCR) directly to enquire about your status. The NCR governs the Debt Review process and maintains the database of consumers who are under debt review. If you have questions about how you were placed under debt review or need clarity about your debt review status, this can give you the answers you seek. Here is a breakdown of how long debt review lasts.
Check in with your Debt Counsellor
If you applied for debt review in the past and are not sure of the outcome, contact the debt counsellor who assisted you. All NCR registered debt counsellors are required to keep records of applicants and should be able to confirm your current status, or if you were ever placed under debt review. Note that you would have received a Form 17.2 if you were formally placed under debt review.
If you find that you are not under debt review and are struggling to manage your debts, let True North Debt assist. We can help you stay financially fit, now and in the future. Our team offer a reputable, transparent debt review service to consumers who cannot manage their debt obligations. Debt review is a legal way to reduce your debt repayments and improve your finances. CONTACT US now to get started.