What you need to know about debt collection

SA – To be called a debt collector and to offer the services of a debt collector, a person must be registered with the Council for Debt Collectors in terms of Act 114 of 1998. Furthermore, the registration must be current. It is a criminal offence in terms of section 8(1) and section 25 of Act 114 of 1998 to claim to be a debt collector if not registered and in good standing with the Council for Debt Collectors.

Registered debt collectors are regulated by a regulatory body set up by an act of parliament and must abide by their respective industry codes of conduct. Registered debt collectors operate with pride and are calling on the public help stop unregistered and untrained thugs who operate illegally within the debt collection industry.

Before contacting or appointing a debt collector, consult the Council for Debt Collectors website (www.cfdc.org.za) to confirm their registration. Take the time to report unregistered debt collectors to the respective regulatory bodies.

Mike Bolhuis, specialist investigators into serious violent and serious economic crimes, press release extracts, November 2020