Active since Nov 2025
I am sharing my experience to warn other consumers about what appears to be a coordinated **** involving CDS Consulting, Law Aid Africa, and DC Partners. I was recently placed under debt review without my consent by CDS Consulting, who also debit my bank account without me authorising or giving them a mandate. When I investigated, I discovered that Law Aid Africa—a company I have never had any contact with—also listed me under debt review. Numerous complaints online describe the exact same experience with both companies, suggesting they share the same modus operandi and are likely working together. Both companies use a third-party payment facilitator, DC Partners, to process debit orders on victims’ accounts. When I contacted DC Partners, they confirmed that CDS Consulting had loaded the debit order through their system, though they claim to be only a service provider. I also managed to trace the debt counsellor responsible for submitting my details for debt review: Bongaletu [surname withheld], contact number 071 420 4231 (which is now inactive). I do not know who this person is and had never had any interaction with him/her. None of the supposed debt counsellors or company representatives answer calls, WhatsApp messages, or emails—yet they continue to collect money and fail to pay creditors. To their credit, DC Partners have at least responded to my inquiries and requested documents for their own internal investigation. This situation appears to involve *****ulent debt review listings and unauthorised financial transactions, and I am continuing to gather evidence and report it to the relevant authorities, including the National Credit Regulator (NCR), FSCA, and SAPS. Consumers should be extremely cautious when dealing with these companies. If you notice any unauthorised debit orders from unfami**** entities, contact your bank immediately, dispute the transactions, and report them to the NCR. Constantly follow up with NCR to ensure prompt assistance. I will continue to share updates as the investigation progresses.
If have had a very bad experience with CDS Consulting. One of their agents/telemarketers contacted me, already having all my details, including bond and vehicle finance information. He presented to me an interest reduction proposal as according to him, they received my information from NCR and the banks broke the law by overcharging me on interest. At no point did he inform me that they are a debt review company and no form of counselling where do with me. Only a promise that they can reduce my interest rates by negotiating with the financial institutions that I have my bond and vehicle finance with. I requested proof of them negotiating with these mentioned institutions which I am still awaiting. I did not consent or gave them any mandate to place me under debt review nor to debit my bank account with any monies, yet to my surprise R15 701.50 had been debited off my bank account on the 26th of October 2025. None of my accounts had been paid by them, leaving me at the situation where it would be a default against my name. I have never defaulted on any of my debt and had a perfect/above average credit score (720). Luckily, I paid the account myself to avoid default which would give them the leverage they create to protect themselves. There is no way to make contact with them as the telephone number provided goes to voice mail with a message that the box is full and cannot accept any further messages. The WhatsApp number that was used, is now blocked or I am blocked on it after trying to get hold of them. I have sent numerous emails to no avail as they do not answer any emails. Now I am stuck between a rock and a hard place with very little, if any assistance from the regulating bodies which they belong to and proudly boast their affiliation with. I have made contact with several people that are sitting in the same situation and that was caught with the same dishonesty and all of them have lodged complaints with the relevant regulatory bodies without any feedback of notable assistance. Through this process I have learned a number of interesting facts. Although there is a lot of complaints against CDS Consulting, they are allowed to continue with the ********* practice without any consequence. Trying to get the matter resolved is a nightmare with very little to no assistance and time is not a factor to anybody. Some of the people I made contact with are in a process of losing their vehicles and livelihood due to non-payment by CDS Consulting. In my view there is several serious issues that people need to know about. CDS Consulting or any debt review company cannot reduce interest rate with the banks, debt review companies and debt clearing companies seem to be working hand in hand as I am undated by debt clearing companies to get the debt review listing of the credit data base, at an exorbitant premium. If you are stuck in this situation you have to fend for yourself and wait years to get the matter resolved. This modus operandi should be declared as organized crime and treated in that fashion. A lot of innocent people's lives are ruined and their credibility shattered without any regulatory body liaising with them before they are listed as financially unstable. It is a one-sided affair with banks allowing debt orders to be activated without liaising with their own clients to get clarity. This is one great injustice done to innocent people and everybody that should prevent this from happening are turning a blind eye and a deaf ear (See no evil, hear no evil) By searching the internet you will find repetitive complaints like this from numerous people with the same company and the same modus operandi used.
On or about 08 October 2025 I received a call from an CDS Consultant agent. He informed me that he received my information from NCR database and literally had all my information at his disposal include my accounts, my premiums on my accounts, outstanding balances and durations. He informed me that they could lower my premiums by negotiating with the relevant banks of my vehicle finance and home loan/bond. At no point did he make notice that I will be register under debt review or that the way to lower the premiums will be by negotiating an extended payment period. I asked a lot of questions, and all the answers were lies. I specifically asked whether it would influence my payback duration and what their fees is for this service. He informed me that their fee is covered in the reduced monthly premium and no alternative fees are applicable. I signed up with them under false pretenses from CDS Consulting's side as all the information they discussed with me where lies. I was also informed that I need to send bank statements, pay slips and ID copy for them to proceed with the process. I did not provide them with the relevant requested documents and on 10 October 2025 they requested it again from me on a WhatsApp message which seems to be the only way of possible communication with the as their telephone number immediately goes to voicemail. on 12 October 2025 I informed them that this transaction needs to be cancelled after I read horrible reviews on this platform as well as other social media platforms regard this ****ming artist. I received an WhatsApp from them on 13 October 2025, requesting my ID and that there will be a cancellation fee applicable. my response was that they have all my details as they are communicating with me and from the word go there was no mention of any fees, including a cancelation fee. On the 30 October 2025 they debited my account with the amount of R 15 701.05 which is the amount they **** to me about to cover my vehicles and bond, keep in mind that this deal was requested to be cancelled 12 October 2025. I made contact with the finance department of Wesbank as well as Standardbank where my vehicle and home are financed. None received any payment and dropped the bombshell on me. I have been placed under debt review and the first three instalments that is deducted from my account goes towards CDS Consulting's fees. I was told by the agent that there are no fees. To make matters worse I was informed that there is no interest reduction but a request to increase the duration of my repayment terms. No benefit in this whole process for me. And then the next bombshell dropped. due to them registering me under debt review my credit rating to a serious knock. I have never defaulted on any account ever in my life and are currently not in financial destress, yet with lies and deceit from a dishonest and greedy company my good name and financial credibility is tarnished. That brings me to my next issue. The National Credit Regulator that is supposed to protect consumers seems to be in bed with these horrible, lying bunch as my personal information was shared with them which goes against another useless act call POPI act. I tried several times to make contact with CDS Consulting requesting for a call back or any form of communication but to no avail. This matter will be reported to NCR and I am curious to see whether they will actually do anything about it as I saw numerous people that said that they reported CDS Consulting without any feedback. NCR allow these dishonest and lying companies to de***** more and more innocent people and ruining their reputations. What is the use of the NCR if this is allowed and CDS Consulting are still a approved/accredited member?
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