How Long Do You Stay Blacklisted In South Africa |SA Best #1 (2024)

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Last Updated on February 9, 2024 by The National Debt Review Center

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How Long Do You Stay Blacklisted In South Africa |SA Best #1 (1)

How long do you stay blacklisted in South Africa?

By The National Debt Review Center

Blacklisting someone from credit bureaus is a serious decision to make, and it’s not one that should be taken lightly. Learn more about the process of blacklisting someone in South Africa and how long they’ll stay on the list.

Table of Contents

How long do you stay blacklisted in South Africa?

If you are blacklisted in South Africa, it means that you have adverse information listed on your credit profile. This either means that you are unable to pay your debts and that your creditors are considering or might have taken legal action against you.

This depends on the listing. Some listings are for a set period of time, while others are indefinite.

How long do you get a judgement removed from your credit profile?

5 years

A judgment remains on your credit record for5 years or until it is paid in full, or a rescission is granted by the courts. Although not always the case, in general a consumer is listed as defaulting before a credit provider applies for a judgment.

How long do you get debt review removed from your credit profile?

3 to 6 Months

Once the court order is granted. The NCR will take 7 days update the status and notify the credit bureaus. The credit bureaus themselves also haveseven daysto remove the debt review flag from your record and update on their end that your debt review case is closed. The whole process, therefore, should take about 21 days to complete. Learn more about Debt Review Removal

How long do you get adverse information from your credit profile?

Two years

Your credit report is a record of your payment behavior. It tracks all your accounts and indicates where, over a period oftwo years, you have missed payments or gone into arrears on an account. Then after two years, this adverse information simply disappears.

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Being Blacklisted

How Long Do You Stay Blacklisted In South Africa |SA Best #1 (4)

What is a Credit Bureau?

A credit bureau is a financial institution that collects and maintains information about the creditworthiness of individuals and businesses. Credit bureaus play an important role in the economy by helping lenders assess the risk of lending money to borrowers.

In South Africa, there are four major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian, XDS, and Compuscan. These credit bureaus collect information from banks, retailers, and other creditors to compile detailed credit reports on consumers and businesses. Credit reports contain information such as payment history, outstanding debt, and any derogatory information (such as bankruptcies or judgements).

Lenders use this information to assess the risk of lending money to a borrower. If a borrower has a history of making late payments or has defaulted on previous loans, they will be viewed as a higher risk and may be less likely to receive new financing. Conversely, borrowers with strong credit histories are often rewarded with lower interest rates and better loan terms.

Credit bureaus in South Africa are regulated by the National Credit Regulator (NCR), which ensures that they operate fairly and transparently. Consumers have the right to obtain their own free credit report from each of the four major credit bureaus once per year. Additionally, consumers can dispute any incorrect or outdated information on their credit report with the NCR.

Why was I Blacklisted?

When you are blacklisted from credit bureaus in South Africa, it means that you have been flagged as a high-risk borrower. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:

  • Missing credit card or loan payments
  • Defaulting on a loan
  • Under Debt Review
  • Having a judgment against you from a court case

If you are blacklisted, it will be very difficult to get approved for new credit products. You may also be charged higher interest rates and fees if you are able to get approved. Blacklisting can stay on your credit report for up to seven years, making it hard to rebuild your credit.

How Long Does It Take to Get Unblacklisted?

It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to get unblacklisted from credit bureaus in South Africa. The length of time depends on the severity of your financial situation and how quickly you are able to improve your credit score. If you have a history of late payments or defaults, it will take longer to get unblacklisted. However, if you have been working diligently to improve your credit score, you may be able to get unblacklisted within a year or two.

What Are the Benefits of Being Unblacklisted?

When you are blacklisted, it means that you have been declared a delinquent debtor by the credit bureaus. This can make it very difficult to get approved for new lines of credit or loans. However, there are some benefits to being unblacklisted.

One benefit is that you will no longer be considered a high-risk borrower. This can help you get better interest rates on future loans and lines of credit. Additionally, unblacklisting can help improve your overall credit score.

Another benefit of being unblacklisted is that you will have more options when it comes to financial products and services. For example, you may be able to qualify for a secured credit card. These products can help you rebuild your credit history and improve your financial standing.

If you are looking to unblacklist yourself, there are a few things you can do. First, you can try to negotiate with the credit bureau to have your name removed from the list. Additionally, you can work on paying off your outstanding debt so that you are no longer considered a delinquent debtor. Finally, you can also consider working with a professional credit repair service to help improve your credit report and remove any negative marks that may be affecting your score.

Contact The National Debt Review Center on 0410125036

Conclusion

If you’re looking to get back on track with your credit, it’s important to know how long you’ll be blacklisted from the credit bureaus in South Africa. Depending on the severity of your financial situation, you could be looking at anywhere from a few months to a few years before you’re able to start rebuilding your credit score. However, by following our tips and staying disciplined with your finances, you can minimize the time you’ll spend on the blacklist and get back on track to a healthy financial future.

How Long Do You Stay Blacklisted In South Africa |SA Best #1 (2024)

FAQs

How Long Do You Stay Blacklisted In South Africa |SA Best #1? ›

How long do you stay blacklisted? In South Africa, negative information can remain on an individual's credit report for up to five years, which means that a person can potentially stay blacklisted for this duration.

How long does one stay blacklisted in South Africa? ›

How long do you stay blacklisted? In South Africa, negative information can remain on an individual's credit report for up to five years, which means that a person can potentially stay blacklisted for this duration.

How long does bad debt stay on your name in South Africa? ›

The display period for a default is 1 or 2 years; for a judgment, 5 years. These periods are in line with the data retention periods prescribed by the NCA. This enables banks and stores to make informed risk decisions when deciding on whether to grant you credit.

How to get off the blacklist in South Africa? ›

The most straightforward method is to settle the outstanding debt. TransUnion, one of South Africa's prominent credit bureaus, suggests that paying off the debt usually results in your name being removed from the blacklist within 7 to 20 days.

What is the blacklist law in South Africa? ›

The National Credit Act (NCA) provides individuals with certain rights and protections when it comes to credit blacklisting. According to the NCA, individuals have the right to access their credit records and challenge any incorrect or outdated information.

How long does it take to be removed from blacklist in South Africa? ›

The simplest way to clear your name from the credit bureau is to pay off the debt. According to TransUnion, one of South Africa' biggest credit bureaus, this will usually result in your name being removed from the blacklist within 7 – 20 days.

What happens if you are blacklisted in South Africa? ›

What happens when you're blacklisted? Credit lenders see you as a higher risk and may either: Not approve your loan or credit application. Grant your loan application with a higher interest rate.

Does debt expire in South Africa? ›

A prescribed debt is, to put it simply, an obligation that has essentially "expired." Usually, debt is said to have been prescribed when after three years have passed and the creditor or debt collector has not filed any legal action or requested payment of the outstanding balance.

What happens to debt after 3 years in South Africa? ›

Prescribed debts are generally contractual and civil debts that should be extinguished or written off after a period, usually 3 years.

Does debt get written off in South Africa? ›

The number of years it takes for debt to become prescribed varies depending on the type of debt. For personal loans, credit cards, retail accounts, and vehicle loans, the timeframe is three years. Therefore, debt older than 5 years in South Africa is, most of the time, no longer collectable.

Do people still get blacklisted in South Africa? ›

Blacklisting is a term often thrown around by credit providers to threaten or coerce people with outstanding debt to pay up. However, blacklisting was done away with several years ago already – and most consumers don't even know.

How do I check if I am blacklisted in South Africa? ›

To check if you are blacklisted, you can receive an annual complimentary credit report. This can be obtained from any of the prominent credit bureaus in South Africa. The report provides information on your credit score and allows you to review for any potential inaccuracies.

Can you get a job if you are blacklisted in South Africa? ›

In the context of South African law, blacklisting is a notation on an individual's or company's credit report that indicates a history of non-payment or defaulting on debt. This mark can severely impact a person's or entity's ability to borrow money, obtain contracts, or even secure employment.

What happens after 5 years of being blacklisted? ›

Once you have been blacklisted you will have a bad credit record for anything from 2 – 10 years, depending on the type of listing that you have against you, but even after this period of time, a judgment can be issued against you if you have not paid the money that you owe.

How do I clear my name from blacklisted? ›

If you fail to pay outstanding debts, credit bureaus will add your name to a blacklist that will make it difficult for you to obtain loans in the future. Paying off your debt will remove your name from the blacklist.

Can a foreigner be blacklisted in South Africa? ›

Should a foreign tenant default on their rent, they cannot be blacklisted. This poses a problem for landlords having to deal with defaulting foreign tenants, as they cannot have the same consequences as a South African citizen.

How many years does blacklisting last? ›

Once you have been blacklisted you will have a bad credit record for anything from 2 – 10 years, depending on the type of listing that you have against you, but even after this period of time, a judgment can be issued against you if you have not paid the money that you owe.

Does blacklisting still exist in South Africa? ›

The term "blacklisting" or "blacklist" is a term still widely used among South African consumers. "Blacklist" is a misleading term, a category that dates back to when credit bureaus only kept negative information.

Is it true that after 7 years your credit is clear? ›

Highlights: Most negative information generally stays on credit reports for 7 years. Bankruptcy stays on your Equifax credit report for 7 to 10 years, depending on the bankruptcy type. Closed accounts paid as agreed stay on your Equifax credit report for up to 10 years.

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