Debtfree Magazine February 2018

NEGATIVE PRESS
FOR DEBT REVIEW
FIRM MSA & NCR
An expose’ by Checkpoint has
focused in on the plight of some
consumers trying to remove
themselves from debt review
with MSA Consultants. The
show was not complimentary
and labeled consumers
interviewed as ‘victims’ of the
firm. Footage was shown of
interactions with consultants
who hung up on consumers
and focused on what appeared
to be bad service (for example
being left on hold or refusing
to provide voice recordings, or
told debt review is a “savings
programme”). Consumers told
of how they had paid various
amounts from R3000 or R900
(twice) to R300 to try get out of
debt review with no effect. The
consumers in the show claimed
they had been put under debt
review without their consent.
The firm offered to provide a
written statement and perhaps an
interview later but during filming
these never became available.
The producers then interviewed
the NCR about the matter and
asked why it was taking so
long to action complaints from
consumers about the firm. The
picture painted was not positive.
Another Debt Counsellor who
was interviewed during the show
(and portrayed in a much more
positive light) pointed to the legal
requirements of the NCA and
best business practice.
The MSA website is currently very
empty and the topic was avoided
at the NCR Conference.