FAQS

A Section 129 Notice is a  letter from a credit provider that is issued once you are a month in arrears alerting you that your account is in arrears and advising of the options available to you to bring the arrears up to date or resolve any dispute that you may have with the credit provider relating to the specific account. You have 10 business days to respond to the letter to avoid escalation into being issued with a summons. If you receive one, do not ignore it — it is your opportunity to resolve the issue before your assets or credit record are affected. ICS can assist in negotiating with creditors and protecting your rights before matters escalate.

- Debt Counselling is a formal process regulated by the National Credit Act where a registered debt counsellor assesses whether you are overindebted and proposes a plan to creditors to make your monthly debt repayment are affordable. Once you are placed under debt counselling, your credit bureau profile will display a flag that will alert creditors and restrict them from providing you with more credit. The flag can only be removed once you have settled all the unsecured debt and a vehicle and a Clearance Certificate is issued. If a mortgage was included it does not have to be settled but it should not be in arrears. - Credit Disputes Mediation, which ICS specialises in, involves negotiating out-of-court settlements directly with creditors to find fair and practical solutions where you have dispute with your creditors and  debt collectors.

Depending on the status of the account and the stage of legal action it is possible to stop the repossession of your car or home. The National Credit Act has various options available for consumers who are in arrears or have disputes with their creditors. ICS is a registered Alternative Dispute Resolution Agent and can engage creditors, negotiate repayment terms, and help protect your assets from repossession — provided action is taken quickly.

Yes, once you are under debt counselling, you are prevented from accessing credit until you have been issued with a Clearance Certificate and the debt counselling flag is removed from your profile.

The duration depends on your level of debt, income, and agreements reached with creditors. On average, most clients complete their plans within 3 to 5 years. ICS focuses on realistic, short-term solutions that deliver lasting results.

Missing a payment can put your arrangement at risk and may restart legal or collection processes. If you contact ICS immediately, plans can often be renegotiated or adjusted to keep you protected. Open communication is key to maintaining creditor confidence.

If your credit report contains outdated or incorrect listings, ICS can assist by reviewing your full credit report, identifying inaccurate or expired entries, and submitting verified disputes to the relevant credit bureaus on your behalf. This ensures your record accurately reflects your financial position and improves access to fair credit opportunities.