Know your rights, says credit regulator

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) has urged consumers not to ‘let bad credit pollute their lives’.

This was the theme for this year’s Consumer Right’s Day which was observed on 15 March.

The regulator said the theme aims to discourage consumers against making bad credit decisions, such as not misusing credit to buy things they cannot afford or do not necessarily need, or using credit for consumables such as food.

Acting Manager for Education and Communication at the NCR, Anne-Carien du Plooy, said the campaign will help consumers understand their rights as enshrined in the National Credit Act.

“The NCR continues its educational drive to assist consumers in making better financial decisions,” said Du Plooy.

Some consumer rights enshrined in the National Credit Act are:

• Right to apply for credit. If an application is declined by the credit provider, a consumer has a right to be provided with reasons why the application has been declined;
• Right to receive documents in an official language. A consumer has the right to receive any document required in terms of the National Credit Act in the official language that the consumer reads or understands;
• Right to confidential treatment of personal information. This means that the credit provider may only use your information for the purpose for which it was given;
• Right to access and challenge information held at the credit bureau;
• Right to get assistance when over-indebted. A consumer has a right to be assisted when struggling to pay debts.