SHD Financial & Legal Solutions Took My Money, ****, and Left Me in Worse Debt

I joined SHD Financial and Legal Solutions on 27 September 2024 after they promised to help me manage and settle my debts, including payments towards my car at VW. I paid an initial amount of R13,500 which was meant to cover admin fees and also go towards my vehicle debt/installment for the month, as they said an asset like a car must be prioritized.

From 25 October 2024 to February 2025, I faithfully paid R9,000 monthly as per the agreement, totaling R45,000 paid to SHD. However, I was shocked to find out that none of my debts were paid. VW repeatedly contacted me warning that I’m behind, and eventually, I was told my car would be repossessed due to non-payment.

SHD claimed to have paid VW and sent me “proof of payment.” But when this was reviewed by VW, it turned out they paid R22,000 into the WRONG account, and this error was only reversed in March 2025, after months of me calling, emailing, and being passed around by their rude and unprofessional staff. Despite my consistent payments, only R22,000 was ever paid towards my vehicle, and now I am left with a R29,000 outstanding balance at VW.

The remaining R36,500 of my money is unaccounted for, and they continue to lie, claiming they paid debts that the creditors confirm they never received. All of this time, I kept in touch with their agents, who are clearly directed by a very rude and arrogant manager/director, who even threatened me and insulted me in Afrikaans on calls.

Currently, SHD does not answer my calls or emails, and when they do, it’s only to deflect responsibility. They are taking advantage of vulnerable people who are trying to fix their credit, pretending to help, while keeping and misusing our hard-earned money.

I want to make this clear: I did not sign up for a ****. I signed up to settle my debts through them, and I held up my side of the agreement by paying every month. According to the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), I have the right to:

Fair and honest services

Disclosure of information and accurate billing

Protection from unfair and ********* business practices

What SHD is doing is in clear violation of these rights.

I demand:

A full statement of account and breakdown of where my R58,500 went.

Immediate payment of the R29,000 still owed to VW.

Proof of any payments made to VW.

A formal apology and disciplinary action against staff who were unprofessional, threatening, and verbally abusive.

I will also be reporting this to the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and the Consumer Goods & Services Ombud for further investigation.

No one deserves to be ****med like this, especially when trying to do the right thing and settle debts. Let this be a warning to others – do not trust SHD Financial and Legal Solutions.