Woolworths Collection handed me over without contacting me first

Woolworths as yet again showed terrible customer service. On Saturday ( 25/07/2020) my mother in law received a call from a debt collector ( Blake and associates person named Noelene), looking for me. Upon consultation with them , I was told that it was for a woolworths account of R317.00. I was in total shock as I knew I didn't have a balance. I am a cash paying customer and if I used the card it would be due to the extra discount that you would get to swipe your card. Apparently I made this purchase on the 24th of December 2019. We thereafter went on an overseas holiday and it could of slipped my mind to pay at the end of Jan as I donot have accounts. So my argument , is why did woolwroths not contact me if the account was overdue. I received no statements, phone calls or smses. I confirmed on Monday this week that my details on the system is correct. After 7 months, my account was handed over. Does woolworths not follow the regulations of the National Credit Act. What steps were taken prior to me handed over?