****

16 months after my gym membership with Ignite Fitness expired, I received a sms from Saya Recoveries (not even a call or email) stating that I've been handed over to Saya Recoveries for collection of the amount of R953.58.

According to the South African National Credit Act, Section 129 indicates that it is the obligation of the credit provider to notify the consumer of his/her intention to hand a matter over for collection or legal proceedings prior to doing so, and yet I have not received a phone call, an email, an invoice or statement, nor any letter of demand requesting an amount still owed on my previous gym membership or request for settlement, in 16 months.

Saya Recoveries email addresses do not correlate to their names, and a received email from the address ********** becomes a random address of ********** upon the option to reply.

I believe that Saya Recoveries is a ****, and based on comments from other members of Hello Peter, it seems that Ignite Fitness isn't the only gym that they work in cahoots with.

Sending people threats of being handed over and the possibility of being blacklisted, without following due protocol is not only *********, but also *******.

1. Friday 4 August 2017 at 14h00: Phoned Saya Recoveries, quoted reference number, left a message and never received any call back. Status: No response.

2. Friday 4 August 2017 at 14h05: Phoned Ignite Fitness, spoke to ***nor who instructed that I send an email to Daniette van Noordwyk. Status: Unable to assist as the matter had been handed over, but was unable to see on the system why my account was in arrears, nor was she able to see any form of communication or letter of demand.

3. Saturday 5 August 2017 at 09h25: Emailed Saya Recoveries stating that I had attempted communication the day before but had since had no response, and requested that the person responsible for my account please call me. Status: No response.

4. Saturday 5 August 2017 at 09h55: Emailed Danietta van Noordwyk of Ignite Fitness, as well as ********** as instructed by ***nor, requesting clarification as well as proof of monies owed. Status: No response.

5. Monday 7 August 2017 at 12h00: Contacted Saya Recoveries, phone number has been disconnected. Status: Disconnected phone. No response.

6. Monday 7 August 2017 at 12h00: Contacted Saya Recoveries, phone number has been disconnected. Status: Disconnected phone. No response.

7. Monday 7 August 2017 at 12h50: Emailed Danietta van Noordwyk, ********** and ********** Status: No response.