Last Updated: January 2023

Debt Guidance (Pty) Ltd (“we”, “us”, or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This notice explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you use our debt solutions.

We may update this policy from time to time. If we do, we will notify you of the changes.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at Email:[email protected]

3. Information We Collect

a) Information You Provide

When you complete the contact form or interact with us via email, phone, or live chat, we collect the following personal information:

Full name, Contact details (email address, cell phone number)ID number

We also collect and store any communication you have with us.

b) Information from Third Parties

We may receive your personal information from marketing service providers who act on our behalf. This is only if you’ve agreed to be contacted by us.

c) When You Apply for Debt Counselling

As required under the

National Credit Act (35 of 2005)

, we collect additional information, including:

ID numberMarital statusNumber and age of dependentsResidential addressEmployment detailsFinancial informationCredit reports and scores from credit bureausInformation from your creditors, attorneys, or their legal representatives

4. Cookies and Website Data

We automatically collect certain information when you visit our website using cookies, such as:

Device type and operating system

Access times

IP address

Pages visited and links clicked

Location data

We use this data to improve website performance and user experience. You can manage your cookie preferences via your browser settings or by visiting

www.allaboutcookies.org

. Disabling cookies may affect how our site functions.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Provide our debt counselling services

Contact you regarding your enquiries or account

Send you marketing material (via email, SMS, or calls) about our servicesShare relevant credit-related products from third partiesContact you about products or services from other companies if you have requested it

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by emailing

[email protected]

.

6. Sharing Your Information

We only share your information in the following cases:

With our trusted service providers (e.g., SMS providers or support teams), under strict data protection agreementsIf legally required by law, regulation, or court orderTo enforce our policies, protect against fraud, or respond to emergenciesWith third parties during a company merger, sale, or restructuring processWith other advertisers on our website, if you request us to do so

7. Retention of Information

We retain your personal information:

For as long as you are our client or subscribed to our servicesAs required for operational needs or legal complianceNo longer than necessary for the purposes for which it was collected

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Request what personal information we hold about youRequest details of any third party we’ve shared your information withUpdate, correct, or delete your personal informationObject to the processing of your dataUnsubscribe from marketing communicationsLodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (SA)

Note:

We may take up to 21 days to process your request. Proof of identity may be required.

9. Security Measures

We implement reasonable security safeguards to protect your personal information from:

LossMisuseUnauthorised accessDisclosureAlteration or destruction

If you suspect a security breach, notify us immediately at

[email protected]

and include as much detail as possible.