disappointed and DISGUSTED by bullying tactics

Earlier this month I got a notification (FOR THE FIRST TIME) that I owe Mitchel's Plain Melomed the total sum of R1261.02, however, an additional R502.64, for attorney fees had been added leading to the total of R1763.66. I made contact with the collecting agent in question (Du Plessis & Partners) to enquire about the bill as it has never been brought to my attention before. A statement was then sent to me via email...it was for services rendered in November 2018, a whole year ago.

Needless to say, I informed the consultant said to be dealing with the case that I was never informed of this bill and therefore I find it strange that it had been handed over. The wreckless and misinformed conclusions She-Earl Hartzenberg came to led me to contact my medical aid, Discovery Health and they were more than helpful but patient with me too.

According to Ms Hartzenberg; "Letters do go out from the client-side making you aware of the account, please be advised that it is not the client responsibility to make you aware that there is an account outstanding if you know service was rendered. Miss Sokanyile you also get monthly statements from your medical aid and it will indicate what account is paid and what account not."

What dear Ms Hartzenberg did not research was whether or not I had indeed been informed of the said bill. Fortunately, the constant contact with a very helpful Enoch from Discover revealed that during the period of the services rendered to me by the Mitchel's Plain Melomed there had been a technical glitch and I had in fact NOT receieved notification from Discovery health of the non-payment. it was also established that Discovery Health had in fact NOT been sending me monthly statements as assumed by Ms Hartzenberg.

While it is the onus of the debtor to make payment for services rendered, it is also the onus of creditor to make said debtor aware of any outstanding debt. which in this case Melomed Mitchel's Plain had not but had claimed to Discovery that they had sent out an SMS ONCE in November 2018 - (never received) informing me of the debt. My number has remained the same for over 7 years and no one from the hospital had ever bothered to make contact with me regarding the bill.

While I do not have an issue paying the R1261.02 for the services rendered, I do however take issue with having to pay for collection fees for a debt that had not been communicated to me.

Mishka from the Melomed Mitchel's plain had the gall to tell me that it is not her problem (as the only person dealing with Discovery accounts at the hospital's accounts dept) that the postman may or many not have delivered a letter she is confident she had sent out. While I am not disputing that she may have sent the letter, I most certainly did NOT receive it. The lack of customer care and service is not only appalling but disappointing to say the least. needless to say, I will NEVER EVER make use of the Melomed Mitchell's Plain again.

I feel not only bul**** by attorneys but also the hospital had not done due diligence in this instance which makes me wonder how many other unsuspecting 'clients' are done in by them in this manner.