Privacy Policy

A legal disclaimer

At Debt Aid Counsellors, we are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled securely, transparently, and in compliance with South African privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you engage with us via our website, services, and communications.

1. Who We Are

Debt Aid Counsellors is a South African-based company providing debt counselling, debt review removal, loan application assistance, and financial advisory services. Our goal is to help consumers regain control of their financial future through personalized debt solutions.

2. What Information We Collect

We collect personal information to provide better services and ensure smooth communication. The type of information we collect includes, but is not limited to, the following:

2.1. Personal Information

Full Name
Contact Information (Email Address, Phone Number, Physical Address)

2.2. Financial Information

Credit Report Information (with consent)
Debt Profile (amounts owed, creditors, repayment status)
Loan Application Details (if applicable)

2.3. Technical Information

When you visit our website, we may collect technical information such as:

IP Address
Device Information (browser type, operating system, and device used)
Cookies and Tracking Data (See Section 8 for more information on cookies)

3. How We Use Your Information

We collect and use your personal information to provide and improve our services. Here’s how we use it:

To Provide Debt Counselling Services – We use your personal and financial data to assess your debt situation, create repayment plans, and offer financial advice.
To Facilitate Debt Review Removal – If you wish to exit debt review, we use your financial data to advise and guide you through the exit process.
To Process Loan Applications – We submit your personal and financial information to third-party lenders to find the best loan offers for you.
To Comply with Legal Obligations – We comply with the National Credit Act (NCA) and other applicable South African laws.
To Send Marketing and Promotional Communications – With your consent, we may send emails, WhatsApp messages, or SMSs to inform you of our services, offers, or promotions.
To Improve Our Services and Website – We use cookies and analytics to monitor website usage and improve the customer experience.

4. How We Share Your Information

Debt Aid Counsellors respects your privacy and will never sell your personal information. We may share your information with trusted third parties in the following ways:

With Third-Party Lenders – To process your loan applications and secure the best loan offers.
With Credit Bureaus – To review your credit history and understand your financial profile.
With Service Providers – To assist with customer service, marketing, and operational support.
With Legal and Regulatory Authorities – If required to comply with legal obligations, court orders, or law enforcement requests.

Note: Third-party providers have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them before engaging with their services.

5. How We Protect Your Information

The security of your information is a priority. We implement industry-standard security measures, including:

Data Encryption – All sensitive information (like banking details) is encrypted.
Access Control – Only authorized personnel have access to your personal information.
Regular Audits – We review our data protection processes regularly to ensure compliance with POPIA and other legal standards.
Breach Response – In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected parties in compliance with the POPIA.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a user of our services, you have the following rights:

Right to Access – You can request a copy of the personal information we have on file for you.
Right to Correction – You can request that we correct any incorrect or outdated information.
Right to Object – You have the right to opt-out of marketing communications at any time.
Right to Data Deletion – You can request that we delete your personal data, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements.
Right to Restrict Processing – You can request that we limit the processing of your personal data.

To exercise any of these rights, please email us at info@debtaidcounsellors.co.za.

7. Retention of Data

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Retention periods are determined by the nature of the data and our legal obligations. For example:

Debt Counselling Data – Retained as long as necessary to provide counselling services.
Financial Records – Retained for a minimum of 5 years to comply with legal and financial reporting obligations.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Debt Aid Counsellors uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve user experience and site performance. Cookies help us understand how users interact with our website.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Essential Cookies – Necessary for the website to function properly.
Performance Cookies – Used to collect information about how visitors use our site.
Analytics Cookies – Help us track visitor interactions to optimize content.

Managing Cookies:

You can control cookies by adjusting your browser settings. Note that some features of our website may not work as intended if cookies are disabled.

9. Marketing Communications

If you opt-in to receive marketing from Debt Aid Counsellors, we may send you:

Emails – With tips, guides, and offers related to debt solutions.
WhatsApp Messages – If you provide consent, you may receive reminders or updates about your loan or debt review process.
SMS Notifications – To notify you of payment deadlines or new offers.

You can opt-out of marketing communications at any time by:

Clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of an email.
Replying “STOP” to any SMS or WhatsApp message.
Contacting us directly at info@debtaidcounsellors.co.za.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected data from a minor, we will delete it immediately.

11. Updates to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When changes are made, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage users to review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect their information.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to exercise your rights under POPIA, please contact us at:

Email: info@debtaidcounsellors.co.za
Phone: 021 109 3790
Address: Pinnacle Building, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa

By using the Debt Aid Counsellors website or services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.