DebtBusters SA
Verified Business
DebtBusters SA
Verified Business
2,518 Reviews (last 12 months)
Responds in 6h 30m
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
DebtBusters SA
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Based on recent customer reviews, DebtBusters SA receives strong praise for individual consultants and onboarding clarity, with named agents like Phelokazi, Sumaya, and Amanda repeatedly singled out for life-changing care. However, customers report serious frustrations with payment distribution errors, creditor terminations, and post-signup communication breakdowns. The clearance certificate and credit bureau resolution process draws significant criticism, particularly around delays and unexpected fees.
Replied to 91% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 8h 9m
TrustIndex
9.2
Ranking
#3
in Debt Management
Reply Time
6h 30m
NPS Score
52
Recommended: Very Likely
Replied to 91% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 8h 9m
Jun '25 - May '26
Based on recent customer reviews, DebtBusters SA receives strong praise for friendly, knowledgeable consultants and effective debt restructuring, with named agents like Phelokazi repeatedly celebrated. However, customers report significant frustration with after-sales support, unauthorised or incorrect debit orders, and delays in clearance certificates and refunds. The experience is highly polarised between smooth onboarding and difficult resolution stages.
DebtBusters SA's biggest strength, according to Hellopeter's AI analysis, is Customer Service & Professional Guidance. Customers consistently praise individual consultants by name, especially Phelokazi Matyumza, Sumaya Dawood, and Chuma Zuzani, for patience, professionalism, and going the extra mile. Many describe staff as friendly, empathetic, and knowledgeable during onboarding and routine queries (Customer Service 7.8).
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I am extremely dissatisfied with the service I have received from DebtBusters, specifically consultant Simamkele Booi and her team. On 20 April 2026, I had a telephonic consultation where I was given clear assurances regarding what my expected repayment would be under debt review. This was discussed in detail and confirmed multiple times, and it ultimately influenced my decision to proceed. However, on 27 April 2026, I received a payment schedule that was completely inconsistent with what had been discussed. I immediately raised this discrepancy, but since then I have been unable to get any meaningful response. For nearly two weeks, I have: - Sent multiple emails with no reply - Called daily with no success reaching the consultant - Been promised call-backs from both Simamkele Booi and team leader Lebogang Mzimkulu, which never materialised During this same period, my bank overdraft facility was cancelled and my salary was fully set off against the outstanding balance. This has left me with no access to funds whatsoever. Despite being assured that an urgent refund request would be handled with priority, I have had to escalate the matter myself just to get any movement. As things stand, it has now been almost two weeks and I am still without access to my salary. This has placed me and my family in an extremely vulnerable position. I am currently unable to cover basic necessities such as food and transport, and I am, quite frankly, worse off now than I was before entering this process. What is most concerning is how quickly commitments are secured during the initial engagement, with what now appears to be over-promising, only for the level of service and communication to drop off completely once you have committed. This is particularly troubling given that clients entering debt review are already in financially vulnerable situations and rely heavily on accurate advice and responsible guidance. I expected professionalism, transparency, and support through what is a serious legal and financial process. Instead, I have experienced poor communication, unfulfilled commitments, and a complete lack of urgency in a situation that has had severe real-world consequences. I would strongly urge DebtBusters to urgently review this matter and how cases like mine are being handled.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I am extremely dissatisfied with the service I have received from DebtBusters, specifically consultant Simamkele Booi and her team. On 20 April 2026, I had a telephonic consultation where I was given clear assurances regarding what my expected repayment would be under debt review. This was discussed in detail and confirmed multiple times, and it ultimately influenced my decision to proceed. However, on 27 April 2026, I received a payment schedule that was completely inconsistent with what had been discussed. I immediately raised this discrepancy, but since then I have been unable to get any meaningful response. For nearly two weeks, I have: - Sent multiple emails with no reply - Called daily with no success reaching the consultant - Been promised call-backs from both Simamkele Booi and team leader Lebogang Mzimkulu, which never materialised During this same period, my bank overdraft facility was cancelled and my salary was fully set off against the outstanding balance. This has left me with no access to funds whatsoever. Despite being assured that an urgent refund request would be handled with priority, I have had to escalate the matter myself just to get any movement. As things stand, it has now been almost two weeks and I am still without access to my salary. This has placed me and my family in an extremely vulnerable position. I am currently unable to cover basic necessities such as food and transport, and I am, quite frankly, worse off now than I was before entering this process. What is most concerning is how quickly commitments are secured during the initial engagement, with what now appears to be over-promising, only for the level of service and communication to drop off completely once you have committed. This is particularly troubling given that clients entering debt review are already in financially vulnerable situations and rely heavily on accurate advice and responsible guidance. I expected professionalism, transparency, and support through what is a serious legal and financial process. Instead, I have experienced poor communication, unfulfilled commitments, and a complete lack of urgency in a situation that has had severe real-world consequences. I would strongly urge DebtBusters to urgently review this matter and how cases like mine are being handled.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
***** We had an agreement that they will debit money from my account for 11 months which started from the 20th of May 2025 to the 20th of March 2026. On the 20th of April 2026 they deducted money from my account and when I tried calling them I was told the last payment is in July they have extended. I told them to cancel and I was told they have escalated the matter. Till today I am waiting for a response. Tried sending them email they are not responding. I even tried reaching out on their socials they are not responding. The person who was assisting me is Thomas. I can’t get hold of him.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
***** We had an agreement that they will debit money from my account for 11 months which started from the 20th of May 2025 to the 20th of March 2026. On the 20th of April 2026 they deducted money from my account and when I tried calling them I was told the last payment is in July they have extended. I told them to cancel and I was told they have escalated the matter. Till today I am waiting for a response. Tried sending them email they are not responding. I even tried reaching out on their socials they are not responding. The person who was assisting me is Thomas. I can’t get hold of him.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I am writing to formally express my frustration and dissatisfaction with how my case has been handled. I recently contacted DebtBusters for assistance regarding my loans and was assisted by a consultant named Sindisiwe Mbokazi. She asked me to sign documents, stating that they were only needed to check whether I qualify for debt review. Minutes after I signed, she called back to say that I do qualify and asked if we could proceed. I clearly and explicitly told her that I needed time to think about it and requested that she call me back on Monday so I could make a decision. To my shock, on Monday I started receiving emails from my credit providers informing me that my accounts had already been handed over to DebtBusters and placed under debt review — without my consent. Since then, I have made multiple attempts to contact Sindisiwe Mbokazi without success. Other consultants have promised that she would call me back, but I have received no response. Instead, I continue to receive confirmation emails stating that my accounts are under debt review. This is completely unacceptable. At no point did I give authorization for the process to proceed. I was very clear that I wanted time to consider my options before making any decision. I demand: Immediate clarification on how my accounts were placed under debt review without my consent. Urgent reversal of this process if it was done without proper authorization.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I am writing to formally express my frustration and dissatisfaction with how my case has been handled. I recently contacted DebtBusters for assistance regarding my loans and was assisted by a consultant named Sindisiwe Mbokazi. She asked me to sign documents, stating that they were only needed to check whether I qualify for debt review. Minutes after I signed, she called back to say that I do qualify and asked if we could proceed. I clearly and explicitly told her that I needed time to think about it and requested that she call me back on Monday so I could make a decision. To my shock, on Monday I started receiving emails from my credit providers informing me that my accounts had already been handed over to DebtBusters and placed under debt review — without my consent. Since then, I have made multiple attempts to contact Sindisiwe Mbokazi without success. Other consultants have promised that she would call me back, but I have received no response. Instead, I continue to receive confirmation emails stating that my accounts are under debt review. This is completely unacceptable. At no point did I give authorization for the process to proceed. I was very clear that I wanted time to consider my options before making any decision. I demand: Immediate clarification on how my accounts were placed under debt review without my consent. Urgent reversal of this process if it was done without proper authorization.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
If you are looking for financial peace of mind, avoid DebtBusters at all costs. Entering debt counselling (NCRDC4172) with them has been an absolute nightmare that has left my family in a worse financial crisis than before. Despite successfully collecting our consolidated monthly instalment of R18,000, DebtBusters completely failed to secure our accounts. As a direct result of their negligence, our creditors (Finchoice and Mobicred) bypassed the PDA and processed unauthorised double deductions directly from our bank accounts, including a massive R3,448.17 from Finchoice. When I urgently escalated this to my consultants, I was casually told a refund would take "up to 5 business days." However, after days of being ignored by the consultants and Team Leader, I called their contact centre. A remarkably honest agent named Siphokazi (the only professional person at this company) informed me that refunds actually take 21 days, and the ticket assigned to process my refund had not even been actioned! Management refuses to answer emails, the consultants are utterly lacksadaisical, and the entire process is a chaotic mess. They are quick to take their consolidated payment but will leave you to fend for yourself when creditors *******ly double-deduct. I am utterly disgusted by this gross incompetence. Consider this a severe warning to anyone thinking of using DebtBusters.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
If you are looking for financial peace of mind, avoid DebtBusters at all costs. Entering debt counselling (NCRDC4172) with them has been an absolute nightmare that has left my family in a worse financial crisis than before. Despite successfully collecting our consolidated monthly instalment of R18,000, DebtBusters completely failed to secure our accounts. As a direct result of their negligence, our creditors (Finchoice and Mobicred) bypassed the PDA and processed unauthorised double deductions directly from our bank accounts, including a massive R3,448.17 from Finchoice. When I urgently escalated this to my consultants, I was casually told a refund would take "up to 5 business days." However, after days of being ignored by the consultants and Team Leader, I called their contact centre. A remarkably honest agent named Siphokazi (the only professional person at this company) informed me that refunds actually take 21 days, and the ticket assigned to process my refund had not even been actioned! Management refuses to answer emails, the consultants are utterly lacksadaisical, and the entire process is a chaotic mess. They are quick to take their consolidated payment but will leave you to fend for yourself when creditors *******ly double-deduct. I am utterly disgusted by this gross incompetence. Consider this a severe warning to anyone thinking of using DebtBusters.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
So DebtBusters , Everything was going great right up until the last payment'. Then I saw a charge for R603 , which I queried , I was told not to worry I dont need to pay anymore , only to find out is was the insurance that just keeps running , Someone phone though a few days before I saw this and asked me if I was to keep the insurance and I said no Thanks , Please cancel , everything is paid up , and Now another month is added up to that , so now I must Pay R1193 *** .....and when I ask on the when site for help . i get told to contact CSU whoever that is. Guys I did not budget fir this ...and dont want the insurance ....Come on how must I refere Friends and was going tooo.....uuuummmm NOT.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
So DebtBusters , Everything was going great right up until the last payment'. Then I saw a charge for R603 , which I queried , I was told not to worry I dont need to pay anymore , only to find out is was the insurance that just keeps running , Someone phone though a few days before I saw this and asked me if I was to keep the insurance and I said no Thanks , Please cancel , everything is paid up , and Now another month is added up to that , so now I must Pay R1193 *** .....and when I ask on the when site for help . i get told to contact CSU whoever that is. Guys I did not budget fir this ...and dont want the insurance ....Come on how must I refere Friends and was going tooo.....uuuummmm NOT.
The most common complaint about DebtBusters SA, based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Trust, Transparency & Compliance. Customers report being placed under debt review without clear consent, hidden clearance fees of around R3,500, and credit bureau flags remaining after settlement. Several allege misleading information at sign-up about fees, terms, and the difference between consolidation and debt review (Trust & Transparency 5.7).
DebtBusters SA scores 3.1 out of 5 on Hellopeter's AI analysis of service quality in Debt Management, compared to the Debt Management industry average of 3. Their strongest theme is Consultant Quality (3.9); their weakest is Clearance & Credit (2.6). The top AI-rated Debt Management business on Hellopeter is FDC Group (4.8). How is the AI Score calculated? →
DebtBusters SA has a TrustIndex of 9.2 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 2,518 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 91% of negative reviews, typically within 8 hours 9 min. Hellopeter has tracked DebtBusters SA across 14,782 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →