Use this abusive debt collector at your own peril

CSS’s call center is unprofessional, disorganized, and uses collection tactics that verge on abusive—potentially in breach of the National Credit Act.

After my Absa credit card was handed over due to financial hardship, I settled the account through a three-month payment arrangement. On two separate occasions, CSS confirmed the matter was resolved and that I would receive a paid-up letter.

Then, out of nowhere, the calls resumed—demanding more money. I asked to speak to a manager, who dismissed my concerns, refused to check the system, and insisted I had defaulted—without reviewing a single log or payment record.

I lodged a formal complaint with Absa in preparation to escalate to the Credit Ombudsman. Thankfully, Absa handled the matter with integrity, investigated properly, and issued the paid-up letter.

CSS’s systems are a joke—out of countless calls received over three weeks, only three had a live person on the other end. Their aggressive, tone-deaf approach almost caused serious reputational damage to Absa.

Thandi—I truly hope that in the future you lead with empathy, professionalism, and at the very least, a willingness to check your records before threatening people or further kicking them when they’re already down. This is what I was warning you about on the call.

The speed with which Absa resolved the matter and issued the paid-up letter makes it clear just how wrong CSS was—and how close Absa came to unnecessary fallout.

To any business considering CSS for collections: think twice.