My experience: debt restructuring, debt review and the debt review flag

I want to share my experience because I believe other consumers should be aware of what happened to me.

I was contacted multiple times by Mutual Credit Solutions / African Debt Restructuring and was convinced to enter into what I believed was a debt restructuring solution.

I later discovered that I had been placed into formal debt review. This was not my understanding of what I was agreeing to when the service was presented to me.

After I decided to cancel the debt review, I was then referred to another company called African Flag Removal to assist with removing the debt review flag from my credit profile.

I was told that they could assist with removing the flag, and I paid approximately R6,000 for this service.

However, after paying the money, I did not receive the outcome I was expecting. The debt review flag was not removed, and I have not seen a meaningful resolution to the issue.

This has left me questioning the relationship between these companies and the way these services are being presented to consumers.

My experience has been:

1. I was contacted about what was presented to me as debt restructuring. 2. I was convinced to enter into what I believed was a restructuring solution. 3. I subsequently found myself in formal debt review. 4. After cancelling the debt review, I was referred to African Flag Removal. 5. I paid approximately R6,000 for assistance with removing the debt review flag. 6. The debt review flag remains, and I have not received the outcome I was led to expect.

I am now seeking clarity on where my money went, what services were actually provided, and why I was referred from one company to another for additional fees.

I believe consumers should ask very specific questions before paying for these services, including:

* Am I being placed under formal debt review? * What exactly am I signing? * What happens if I want to cancel? * Can the debt review flag actually be removed, and on what legal basis? * What exactly am I paying for? * What outcome am I guaranteed, if any? * Are the companies involved connected?

I am sharing this review based on my personal experience so that other consumers can make sure they fully understand the process and the fees involved before committing to it.