Credit Matters
Debt review · 22 reviews
#37
Rank
2.6/10
Our Score
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓ Loan amounts starting at R500, which suits very small borrowing needs
- ✓ Terms can run up to 180 days, giving more time to repay than many short-term lenders
- ✓ 35% per annum interest rate is within the legal limit set by the NCA
- ✓ Operates in debt review, which can be a useful service for over-indebted consumers
Disadvantages
- ✗ Ranked dead last out of 37 lenders in our analysis, scoring 2.6 out of 10
- ✗ Trust score of 2.3 out of 10 based on customer reviews we collected, which is very poor
- ✗ No active website, making it difficult to verify terms, check registration, or apply transparently
- ✗ Very limited public information available, which raises questions about transparency
- ✗ Only 11 customer reviews collected, and the picture they paint is not encouraging
About Credit Matters
If you've stumbled across Credit Matters while searching for a short-term loan, you'll want to read this before you go any further. We rated 37 South African credit providers this year. Credit Matters came in last. Dead last, at number 37 out of 37, with a score of 2.6 out of 10.
That's not a number we throw around lightly. Our analysis looked at interest rates, customer feedback, transparency, and how easy it actually is to deal with these providers. On most of those measures, Credit Matters struggled. The trust score from customer reviews we collected came in at 2.3 out of 10, which tells you something about real borrower experiences with this company.
They offer loans from R500 to R9,000, with terms running from a single day up to 180 days, and they sit in the debt review space. That's a specific type of credit service, and it's not for everyone. Our score is 2.6 out of 10. We'd say look elsewhere first.
How Does Credit Matters Work?
1. You contact Credit Matters directly to express interest in a loan or debt review service. There's no active website to apply through, so expect to do this by phone or email.
2. They assess your financial situation, which typically includes a review of your income, expenses, and existing debt obligations.
3. You submit the required documents, and Credit Matters runs a credit and affordability check as required under the National Credit Act.
4. If approved, loan terms are presented to you, including the repayment schedule and total cost of credit.
5. Funds are transferred to your bank account. Payout timelines aren't clearly published, so you should ask about this upfront before committing.
Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older with a valid South African ID
- Proof of a regular income, whether employed or self-employed
- 3 months of recent bank statements showing income deposits
- A South African bank account in your own name
- Proof of residence not older than 3 months
- A working contact number and email address
- Ability to pass an affordability assessment as required under the NCA
Who Is Credit Matters Best For?
Credit Matters sits in the debt review space, so it's aimed at people who are already struggling with existing debt rather than someone just needing quick cash. If you're juggling multiple creditors and your monthly repayments have become unmanageable, debt review can be a legitimate route. But given the low scores here, we'd suggest comparing other NCR-registered debt counsellors first.
Is Credit Matters Safe & Legit?
Credit Matters operates in a space regulated by the National Credit Regulator under the National Credit Act. Any legitimate credit provider or debt counsellor in South Africa must be registered with the NCR, and consumers have rights under the NCA including the right to a full cost of credit disclosure before signing anything. We were not able to verify active NCR registration details independently during this review, and the absence of a working website made that harder. If you're considering them, ask for their NCR registration number and verify it directly at ncr.org.za before proceeding.
Registered Credit Provider (NCR)
Our Full Review
Let's be straight about where Credit Matters stands. Out of every lender we rated this year, this one finished last. Not near the bottom. Last. A score of 2.6 out of 10 reflects problems across multiple areas, and the customer trust score of 2.3 is one of the lowest we recorded across all 37 providers.
The loan range of R500 to R9,000 is fairly modest. On the interest rate side, 35% per annum is the stated figure, and it's worth knowing what that actually costs you. If you borrowed R5,000 over 90 days at 35% per annum, you'd pay roughly R430 in interest alone, before any initiation fees or monthly service fees that may apply. Those additional costs can push the real cost of credit higher, and without a working website to check the fee schedule, it's hard to know exactly what you're getting into.
So what do customers actually say? We collected 11 reviews. That's a small sample, but the pattern in those reviews contributed directly to that 2.3 trust score, and it's not a pattern that inspires confidence. Complaints around communication and service quality came through clearly.
The no-website situation is a real problem. In 2026, a credit provider with no accessible online presence is a red flag. You can't check their NCR registration easily, you can't read their terms before calling, and you can't compare their fees against the market without picking up the phone. That's friction that most borrowers don't need.
Is there a case for using Credit Matters? Possibly, if you're specifically seeking debt review services and they come recommended to you directly. But for a short-term loan, there are 36 better-rated options on this site. We'd start there.
User Reviews (22)
Average rating: 2.3/5
Difficult to get clearance
It is difficult to get a clearance even after paying all my debtors. Credit matters cannot find paid up letters from two debtors
Removal from debt counseling
An excellent, efficient service. Their professionalism is beyond measure. Transparency and prompt feedback excellent.Thank you Judie Knootze and your staff.
Credit matters service is based on lies.
Worst company I ever came across, firstly they placed me under debt review when I didn’t even need debt review or basically didn’t understand what it is all about. I’ve been under debt review since the age of 24, I am now 30 and wanted to clear my name but they are not assisting me at all after I sent all the necessary documents required to clear myself including paying them the fee they requested to remove me. After receiving my money, I know have trouble getting in touch with them because there communication is non existent. They are the worst people to deal with because when you call the company and tell them you have a problem they still put you through to the same person I am receiving no joy from or better yet no answer from. I don’t know if companies like this should even be in operation because this clearly a **** getting you on debt review and seemingly struggling to get you off. The lady I spoke to name is Fadwa and please any advice on how I can deal with this company will help.
Poor service
I send 3 emails, which I didn't received any feedback.
Pathetic Customer Centric - ******
I have lost patience with Credit Matters regarding their credit clear clearance process. I have practiced my rights multiple times however they are not coming to the party. They've requested me to send all the necessary documents (Paid up letters) I also went far as making a payment that was required but I still don't have a clearance letter. I have forwarded proof of payment as evident. The last communication I had with Kelly Smith was around 15 August 2025 from email address *********** informing me that she will forward the clearance letter by the end of the week but until now. Can someone from your office contact me and provide me with my clearance letter that is due to me. My contact details are Thembakazi Xegwana ********** and my correspondence email address is *********** I don't get feedback within the next 3 business days I will take the matter with Ombudsman if I don't get feedback by the 7th November 2025.
Debt Review - Credit Matters - Increases
Good Morning, Debt review is supposed to assist people who are in need and struggling, yet my debit order has once again been increased by R876.41. Our income does not increase, so these constant rises are not helping — they are taking food off my table. Instead of assisting people in need, this process feels like it is pushing us down even further. This is not the support debt review is meant to provide. Please urgently explain why these increases are happening and what can be done to actually assist us. Kind regards
HARRASSMENT
Harrassing me telephonically. I have not given you permission to call me. STOP! Next stop will be icasa. 4 calls a day EVERYDAY!!!!!!
Unauthorized caller
Keeps calling me without my permission. Never gave my number to them yet they know me by name. Violating the Popi act.
Credit Matters stinks - Chose Z-FIN pros
I signed up with these guys initially the first few months went well. Few months later I was in I was in a position to pay in full over 200k in debt cash to debtors that I owed money to this was 2019 Credit matters had made no contact with me and their system still showed that I owe money to RCS and others when in fact I had paid in full and got a paid up latter. Be careful with these guys they ***** you credit up further. Credit matter did not help me in the least bit but rather made things more difficult and to date has not helped me. I had contact everyone I owe for settlement of which I settled and then the crying out to my debtors for paid up letter, The cash and payment was my responsibility whereas the adnin,. call and co-ordination should have been done by Credit Matters. Save time energy and money and chose in fact with Z-FIN instead, they are on it all the time. I called in on 2 May just before 15:00 and spoke to a very bad attitude person called Lee I then insisted on a superior Dom who was extra rude and since this person said the call is recorded I hope management higher than her listens to it and reprimands her. She says let's speak like adults works herself up I then meet her energy and I'm at fault Rude and of no help. Since you Dom so nicely rudely explained that the calls are recorded I hope you senior management listens to my call Friday just before 15:00 5 May Lee and Dom both very rude poor service from day 1.. I paid all my accounts to to date I should not have any debt yet Credit matter who has not made contact or done anything for me want money from me For what? What have you done foe me after my monthly installments? I had to get settlement and paid up letters myself
Worst experience in my life
Worst experience ever , brought me into more trouble than help. Messed up my credit profile further. Go with z-fin instead . What a waste of time , money and energy. A lady by the name Dom and a guy named Lee were unbelievably rude.
Use credit bearue
I don’t know why they exist bcoz noone ever answers their phone or give you feedback after logging a dispute on your credit report. This is affecting our lives and finances and they seem not to care!!! Useless!!!
Clearance certificate
I am extremely dismayed by ********* conduct of Credit Matters. I need to share my frustration to the Nation of SA. They are doing their best in a very excellent way to deepen the pain while it hurts most. I entered into agreement with them in 2017 for debt relief. In 2018 I realize I was going backward. I started paying for my self. Except three accounts which was Mortgage Absa, Standard bank revolving credit and MFC for for car. I also paid them without their arrangements until I finished. In 2024, I paid up these major accounts after I retired and submitted my proofs of payment. I inquired where to submit my documents. I called everyday no response. Then one day I got their WhatsUp number, I furthered my frustrations as no one would allow me any finance support to buy on credit. I wrote an email to NCR, I tried Umbudsman and was referred to online lawyer. I was cared if it was not a **** I made calls seeking for my clearance certificate. Finally got an email of *********** I reforwarded my proof of payments no response. Can I be assisted from this Mafia company. Since 2017 until now my life is stuck credit matters is more than suicide or hangpal. Please help me. I paid all my debts 207 000 in August after my pension payout I was left with nothing. Any intervention that can assist can help me out. Kind regards
No response.
I have been Emailing to get a clearance letter for over a year now. Ive Recently been in contact with Ebrahim Jansen, who has now again just gone quiet with no response to my emails.
Not satisfied
I'm not happy at all with the experience I received When I signed up I was advised that first payment goes towards the fees and 2nd payment goes to my debt however find out that was totally a lie I did 3 payments however it was still going towards the fees Now if I request to suspend was advised in order to be removed i need pay all my debt before they can remove me however the agreement was to pay for foschini and MTN and they will remove me Now it not the case I need to pay all my debt to remove me what the hell is that because home loan it 20years so they telling me I'll be under debt review for 20years because they failed to oblige with their contract
Credit matters have misplaced their respect
I don't know how say all but yeeeeeer F**k,i joined around 2014 then stopped 3months later because i was going nowhere slowly,they been deducting huge amount only to pay 40/70 to creditors,i settled my other account within 6months and loan this year.now i have all my account and debt free i called them asking to remove me,there was this lady very rude talked to me like a child.i got angry and decided to go somewhere else where i will be treated with respect.now they refuse to do tranfer to my new people, then got a call from Don tried to explain to me and i s aid NO,she then had audacity to tell me "what will i do if she refuses to do transfer?",i got angry and went over the roof.this circus company have no respect for people works like money laundering
Very thorough but?
Very thorough, although communication can be improved, i had to go all the way to their offices to get information which could have been provided telephonically or via email, was very inconvenient for me to drive all the way up to the top floors to get to their offices what a headache that was.
Credit Matters
Has helped me when it was Covid and very good service.
Bad Service
Very bad service indeed. The phones are not answered. We have been contacting them since last year September. It took them three months to give us banking details after paying in November. To this day we are still waitng for Clearance Certificate. What a service, its so bad you dont have words to discribe this company.
Credit review
Good afternoon! I took a TV and a fridge at Bradlows store in Richards Bay. I started paying up until COVID came. I lost my job. I was unable to continue paying the store. So now I have got a new job make an arrangement with Acquifin Pty Ltd to deduct R1200 every. The biggest mistake they made was to my credit of R32000 as an installment.so now I can't get a loan,or even to open an account at any store. I am really stucked.Can you please assist me. Bheki Nxumalo
very good experience excellent 10 stars
Hi It was really good and amazing the help I got from Credit Matters. Credit Matters staff was clued up on everything and they helped me with my debt like really helped me with my debt. Everything is great now Topnotch service
Showing 20 of 22 reviews
Contact Credit Matters
Website: http://www.creditmatters.co.za
Credit Matters is one of the largest, national debt counselling businesses in South Africa. We started operating in July 2007 after the National Credit Act came into existence. Amongst other things, provision is made in the Act for the registration of deb
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I borrow from Credit Matters?
Loans range from R500 to R9,000. That's a fairly limited range compared to many other South African credit providers who go up to R250,000 or more, so this sits firmly in short-term, small-amount territory.
What interest rate does Credit Matters charge?
The stated rate is 35% per annum. That's within the legal maximum set by the NCA, but remember that initiation fees and monthly service fees are added on top of interest, and the full cost of credit can be higher than the interest rate alone suggests. Always ask for the total repayable amount before signing.
How fast does Credit Matters pay out?
Payout speed isn't clearly published anywhere we could find. Without an active website or public documentation, you'd need to ask this directly when you contact them. Don't assume same-day payout unless they confirm it in writing.
Is Credit Matters registered with the NCR?
We weren't able to independently verify their NCR registration during this review due to the lack of an active website or published registration details. Before you hand over any personal or financial information, ask for their NCR number and check it yourself at ncr.org.za. That's not optional, it's essential.
Can I get a Credit Matters loan with bad credit?
As a debt review provider, Credit Matters works with people who are often already financially stretched, so bad credit won't automatically disqualify you. That said, they're still required under the NCA to do an affordability assessment. If you genuinely can't afford repayments, no registered lender should approve your application.
What documents do I need?
You'll typically need your South African ID, proof of income, 3 months of bank statements, proof of residence, and your banking details. It's worth calling ahead to confirm their exact requirements since there's no website checklist to refer to.