{
  "id": 4611447,
  "title": "Thinking about debt review? Here’s what happens to your credit score",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/thinking-about-debt-review-heres-what-happens-to-your-credit-score",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-31T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/advice/2026-08-31-thinking-about-debt-review-heres-what-happens-to-your-credit-score/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Entering debt review results in a drop in credit score, but the impact may not be as severe as continuing to miss payments. Debt review is a structured process to help over-indebted individuals recover and prevent them from taking on additional credit. During the initial two months, restructuring fees are paid and the debt review status is flagged on the consumer's credit report.\n\nFinMark Trust's 2025 FinScope South Africa survey reveals an increase in credit-active adults and credit purchases, highlighting the shift towards immediate access to goods through credit. During the debt review process, creditors cannot repossess items until a consumer falls more than 60 days behind on payments, as per the National Credit Act.\n\nThe initial credit score drop is not permanent and can potentially improve after 12 to 18 months of consistent payments. A debt-review status on a credit profile becomes more significant than the score itself while the process is ongoing. Once the consumer exits the process, the credit bureau can recalculate the score based on the overall credit profile, including factors like outstanding balances and repayment history.\n\nCredit providers must continue submitting payment records to credit bureaus throughout the debt review process. Consumers who make payments consistently and on time during the restructured agreement are building a positive payment history. The credit score drop is a symptom of the underlying problem of affordability, and debt review aims to stabilize finances and help consumers rebuild their credit profile after completing the process.",
  "summary": "Entering debt review will hurt your credit score, but staying in unmanageable debt will hurt it more. Here is what actually happens.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}