SK
Sarah K

1 reviews | Active since Feb 2015

11 Oct 2023, 10:10

Debt review process complete BUT still have debt against my name and still being debited unnecessary fees

I've been under debt review for years. I've never missed a payment, and have stuck to the process in the hopes of one day finally being debt-free and able to start afresh without the weight of my past stupid mistakes haunting me.

As part of the process, they pull a report of all debt against your name and then come back to you to say that all accounts and institutions have agreed to the debt review terms. Fantastic!

Later I discover that actually one of the creditors is no longer on my debt review due to a missed payment (hold on, WHAT? I haven't missed any payments??) and they will take it up with the credit provider. Much later, completely matter of fact, I am made aware that this account is not included in the arrangement, but they will continue making the allocated payments anyway. No explanation. Fine, let's just get this done, and I'll address it with them when my debt review process comes to an end.

I ask when this will be, and a date is given. Then I'm debited after that date, and I'm assured that THIS was the last one. Debited again. Same story of "difference in figures" given when queried, but I look in to it. The accounts under review are paid up (although they have not given me anything to say as much; it's kind of a huge deal for me, after going through this process) but they still debited me to pay towards the account that wasn't included in the debt review arrangement AS WELL AS R840+ towards their fees and extra products I had to take out in terms of the agreement.

So they know that, by definition, the people on debt review are battling financially, right? We are trying to get our lives back on track. But they gladly take R840+ that I don't NEED to be paying to further line their pockets despite the process being done with them. And the call centre agent lies about it being "adjusted credit values from the loan institutions". That's ********!

Apart from that, I still sit with not 1 but 2 credit providers still hounding me for money, with little to no explanation as to why, after all these years on debt review paying R8,5k per month to be "debt free" I am still being chased and harassed about a further +/- R50k owed to these. It appears this is made up almost entirely by horrific interest (which I would assume the debt counsellor could/should be trying to argue with the credit providers as they were aware I was on review and can't reasonably be expected to have app****). These banks can't even tell me though or even provide me with statements, because this needs to be requested by the debt counsellor?? ... And from Debt Busters - SILENCE.

I'm so despondent. It feels like I will never be free of this. Surely this is not how this process is supposed to work??

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Replies (3)
DebtBusters SA
DebtBusters SA's reply11 Oct 2023, 10:12
Official
Dear Sarah K, 

Thank you for making us aware about your unsatisfactory experience with our service. We aim to take every possible action to ensure this problem is rectified and we can provide the best solution possible to your inconvenience.
 
Your matter has been referred to a dedicated Specialist who will contact you within one business day to discuss possible resolutions to your issue, and hopefully regain your confidence in our company.
 
Kindly note our escalation channel is theceosoffice@debtbusters .co .za.
 
Best regards,
DebtBusters.
SK
Sarah K's update11 Oct 2023, 10:26
Reviewer Update
Your new customers need to be warned. All of the happiness and hope and relief they feel in the beginning because of your great promises and service - it's a VERY different picture at the end of the process:
1. Ridiculous delays in getting answers and feedback
2. Not actually debt free
3. Still paying stupid fees to you

I feel so awful for everyone who is in the same desperate mess that I was in, who thinks they've found a glimmer of hope with you... they will get their rude awakening when they think the process is done. They need to be warned.
DebtBusters SA
DebtBusters SA's reply11 Oct 2023, 10:40
Official
Dear Sarah, 
 
Kindly note that we are treating your matter with the utmost of importance and have already assigned it to our Specialist Team. 
You can expect a telephone call within the next 24 hours. 
 
Regards,
DebtBusters.