P
Legal
Prescribed Debt
Debt that's so old (usually 3 years unpaid) that the creditor lost their legal right to collect it. The creditor had to take court action within the time limit or lose it. Prescribed debt must be removed from your credit report — it's unenforceable.
Usage Examples
"Bongani owed a retailer R5,000 in 2021. He didn't pay, they didn't pursue it legally. By 2024 the debt prescribed — three years had passed with no court action. Bongani demanded they remove it from his credit file. They had to, legally."
"Thandi had a default from a payday lender that went unpaid. The lender went silent — no letters, no court action. By 2026 it prescribed. She wrote to TransUnion with proof (or lack thereof) of any legal action and demanded removal. Off her file."
"Andile ignored a Takealot account debit in 2022. No legal action followed. In 2025, it prescribed. He contacted Takealot asking for removal from his credit bureau record as prescribed. They grudgingly did it."