South Africa's National Credit Regulator (NCR) launched a Consumer Rights Month campaign to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities under the National Credit Act 34 of 2005, and to encourage informed and ethical credit decisions. The campaign also warns consumers to remain alert to loan and debt counselling scams. The release frames consumer protection as a shared responsibility between consumers and NCR registrants, and highlights practical obligations for consumers when entering credit agreements, including providing accurate income and expense information to support proper affordability assessments and reduce over-indebtedness risk. It also urges consumers to read and verify documents before signing, keep personal details updated, report material changes in circumstances to providers, monitor account activity, protect banking and identification information, and understand complaint escalation processes. The NCR links its messaging to the 2025 World Consumer Rights theme, 'Empowering Consumer-Balancing Rights with Ethical Business Practices', and notes that, through the Consumer Protection Forum, March is used to intensify education initiatives and encourage compliance with the National Credit Act through ethical practices.
National Credit Regulator 2025-03-10
South Africa's National Credit Regulator launches Consumer Rights Month campaign ahead of World Consumer Rights Day
The National Credit Regulator of South Africa launched a Consumer Rights Month campaign to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities under the National Credit Act 34 of 2005, emphasizing informed and ethical credit decisions. The campaign warns against loan and debt counselling scams and highlights consumer obligations, such as providing accurate financial information and understanding complaint processes. It aligns with the 2025 World Consumer Rights theme, promoting compliance through ethical practices.