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Is this lender legit?

Check a lender’s name, NCR registration number or website against the National Credit Regulator’s register, and against the warning signs of a loan scam. Free, instant and anonymous.

Enter the lender's name, their NCR registration number (for example NCRCP1234) or their website address.

2 Has this lender done any of these? Optional, but it makes the check more accurate

This check uses the National Credit Regulator's public register and the answers you give. It can't confirm who you're really dealing with, because scammers often copy the names and NCR numbers of real lenders. Always verify contact details independently, and never pay anything to receive a loan.

How the check works

Every credit provider in South Africa must be registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR). This tool checks what you enter against the NCR’s public register, live, each time you search.

  • NCR number: we look the number up and show you who it belongs to, and whether that registration is current, cancelled or lapsed.
  • Company name: we show registered companies with a matching name, plus any similar names whose registration has ended.
  • Website: we scan the site for an NCR number and for wording that’s common in loan scams, then check any number we find.
  • Your answers: if a lender has asked for a fee upfront or for your banking PIN, we’ll tell you it’s high risk, even if the name or number is registered.

What it can’t tell you

A clean result doesn’t prove you’re dealing with the real company. Scammers often copy the names, logos and NCR numbers of genuine lenders. Always compare the phone number and address on the register with the details you’ve been given, and contact the lender using details you’ve found yourself.

The check reads the NCR register as it stands when you search. Some lender websites load their content in a way our checker can’t read. If that happens, look for the NCR number in the site’s footer and enter it instead.

Think you’ve been targeted by a scam? Contact your bank straight away, report it to the police, and let the National Credit Regulator know on 0860 627 627. Read how to spot a loan scam for the warning signs.

Register information comes from the National Credit Regulator’s public register at ncr.org.za. Instant Loans SA isn’t affiliated with the NCR. We don’t store the names, numbers or websites you check. This tool is general guidance, not legal advice.

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Every lender on the ILSA panel is registered with the NCR. One application, free to use.

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