January 23, 2010
By Staff Reporter
In an effort to streamline the handling of consumers' complaints about creditors, Manie van Schalkwyk, the credit information ombud, has extended his jurisdiction to hear such complaints.
Previously, the ombud dealt only with complaints about credit bureaus. These complaints were referred to the National Credit Regulator (NCR) if they could not be resolved by the ombud.
Van Schalkwyk's office will now be known as the credit ombud, and it should be your first port of call if you have a complaint about a credit agreement or transaction.
If the ombud cannot resolve the complaint, it will be referred to the NCR. If the NCR does not resolve the matter, it will be referred to the National Consumer Tribunal.
In terms of the National Credit Act, the NCR can refer consumer complaints about creditors to an ombud, but the Act does not stipulate which ombud, and to date the NCR has been dealing directly with such complaints.
You can contact the credit ombud as follows: telephone 0861 662 837; email ombud@creditombud.org.za, fax 0866 879 649, or send a letter to Postnet Suite 444, Private Bag X1, Jukskei Park, 2153. The ombud's website is www.creditombud.org.za
  
 
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