09 Jul How to Conduct a Debt Review Status Check (Free, 2026)

Updated 7 July 2026 · Reviewed by Rynier Bernardo, NCR-registered debt counsellor

You can check your debt review status in under five minutes, for free. Pull a free credit report from any South African credit bureau and look for a debt review flag in the public records section, phone the National Credit Regulator (NCR) on 0860 627 627, or ask your debt counsellor. This guide walks you through each option step by step — and explains what to do next, whether you find a flag or not.

Option 1: Check your credit report (fastest)

1. Request a free credit report. The National Credit Act entitles you to one free report per year from each bureau — TransUnion, Experian, XDS and Compuscan — so you can effectively check for free several times a year. Request it on the bureau’s website.
2. Find the public records section. The name differs by bureau; it is the section listing judgments, administration orders, defaults and other flags.
3. Look for the debt review row. If you are under debt review, you will see a flag with a status code — A, B, C, D3, D4, F or G. Our guide to debt review status codes A to D4 explains exactly what each code means for your credit profile.

Option 2: Phone the National Credit Regulator

The NCR governs debt review and maintains the national register of consumers under the process. Call 0860 627 627 with your ID number to confirm whether a debt review application has been filed in your name — useful if you suspect you were placed under debt review without your consent.

Option 3: Ask your debt counsellor

If you applied for debt review in the past and lost track of the outcome, contact the debt counsellor who assisted you. All NCR-registered debt counsellors must keep records of applicants and can confirm your status. Tip: if you were formally placed under debt review, you would have received a Form 17.2 notice.

What your result means

If you have a debt review flag: the code tells you where you are in the process — from initial assessment (A) through court-approved restructuring (D4) to paid-up (F). See the full code breakdown here. While flagged, you cannot legally take out new credit — here is what to do if you need money urgently under debt review.

If you are not under debt review but are struggling to keep up with repayments, debt review is a legal, NCR-regulated way to lower your monthly instalments and protect your assets from repossession. Learn how debt review works.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if I am under debt review?

Request a free credit report from TransUnion, Experian, XDS or Compuscan and look for a debt review flag in the public records section, or phone the NCR on 0860 627 627 with your ID number.

How much does a debt review status check cost?

Nothing. Every credit bureau must give you one free credit report per year, and calling the NCR is free apart from the call itself.

Can I be placed under debt review without knowing?

It should not happen — a debt review application requires your Form 16. If you find a flag you never applied for, contact the NCR immediately on 0860 627 627 to dispute it.

What is a D4 debt review status?

D4 means the Magistrate’s Court has approved your restructured repayment plan — your debt review is formally in place. See all codes in our status codes guide.

How do I remove the debt review flag?

Complete your repayments and receive a clearance certificate (Form 19) from your debt counsellor, who submits it to the credit bureaus — the flag is then removed. Paid-up statuses (F/F1) can also be disputed off your profile.

Need help with your debt review status?

Whether you have found an unexpected flag, want to switch debt counsellors, or need debt review done right the first time, True North Debt can help. Contact us or call 021 753 5411.