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Clearing Your Record: How to Remove Prescribed Debt from Credit Report [in South Africa]
Clearing Your Record: How to Remove Prescribed Debt from Credit Report [in South Africa]
If you’ve ever pulled your credit report and noticed old debt that you thought had “fallen away”; you’re not alone.
Many South Africans still carry listings for prescribed debt; debt that is legally unenforceable under the National Credit Act (NCA).
Understanding what prescribed debt is and knowing how to remove prescribed debt from your credit report, can make a major difference to your financial health and credit score.
What Is Prescribed Debt?
Prescribed debt refers to debt that has “expired” because the creditor did not take action to collect it within a set time frame.
According to South African law:
- Most run-of-the-mill debts prescribe after 3 years (examples: personal loans, credit cards or store accounts).
- Some debts only prescribe after 30 years (examples: mortgage bonds, court judgments/judgment debts or some tax debts).
- Prescription means the debt is no longer legally recoverable if you have not:
- Acknowledged the debt in writing.
- Made any payment towards it.
- Been summonsed or taken to court within the prescription period.
Why Prescribed Debt Still Appears on Your Credit Report
Even though prescribed debt is unenforceable; it sometimes remains listed with credit bureaus. This can unfairly damage your credit score and affect applications for finance, housing, or even employment in finance-related roles. That’s why knowing how to remove prescribed debt from credit report is essential.
Steps: How to Remove Prescribed Debt from Your Credit Report
1. Inspect Your Credit Report
- You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each reputable credit bureau in South Africa. At ThreeSixty.me you can get your credit report (and more) for free, always.
- Review all debts listed and note any that are older than 3 years (without payments or acknowledgements).
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2. Gather Supporting Evidence
- Note the last payment date (from statements, SMSes, or account history).
- Keep records that show no contact or acknowledgement of the debt during the prescription period.
3. Lodge a Dispute with the Credit Bureau
- Contact the credit bureau in writing (via email or their dispute portal).
- State that the account has prescribed in terms of the NCA.
- Attach proof where possible.
- Credit bureaus are legally required to investigate and respond within 20 business days.
4. Contact the Creditor (Optional but Helpful)
- You may also send a prescription notification letter to the creditor, asserting your rights under Section 126B of the NCA, which prohibits the collection of prescribed debt.
5. Follow Up
- Monitor your credit report to ensure the listing has been removed.
- If the bureau does not remove prescribed debt after valid proof, escalate to the Credit Ombud or National Credit Regulator (NCR).
Your Rights Under the Law
- Section 126B of the NCA: creditors may not demand payment or try to collect prescribed debt.
- You cannot be blacklisted for legally prescribed debt.
- You have the right to dispute inaccurate or outdated information on your credit report at no cost.
Tips to Protect Your Credit Score Going Forward
- Pull your credit report at least once a year to spot errors or outdated debt listings.
- Dispute inaccuracies immediately; they drag down your score unnecessarily.
- Focus on building positive history: pay current accounts on time, keep credit utilisation below 30%, and avoid unnecessary applications.
Take Control of Your Financial Record
Understanding how to remove prescribed debt from credit report can help you clear old, unenforceable accounts that shouldn’t be weighing you down. By asserting your rights and monitoring your credit regularly, you can protect your score and unlock better financial opportunities.
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