Title: Harassment & Threats from “Amalgamated Business Directory” / Business Directory Over Outdated Adverts

Title: Harassment & Threats from “Amalgamated Business Directory” / Business Directory Over Outdated Adverts

Complaint: I am being harassed by “Amalgamated Business Directory” (also calling themselves “Business Directory”) through threatening emails and WhatsApp messages demanding immediate payment or a so-called “cancellation fee” for outdated adverti*****ts I never renewed. They have threatened that if I do not react immediately, I will receive a summons, be blacklisted on ITC, flagged as a “bad payer” on Google Live, have my account blocked at CIPC, and be charged interest. Yet the law is clear — in terms of the National Credit Act (NCA), interest may only be charged where a valid written agreement exists specifying the applicable rate and terms. In the absence of such an agreement, no lawful interest can be enforced.

Although these adverts were placed on behalf of companies, they have made it clear to me that because my personal cell number appears on the adverti*****ts, I am held personally responsible for the alleged debts — even though a second person’s number also appears. This is unfair and lacks any legal basis.

I have repeatedly asked for a signed contract or agreement — none has been provided, because I know there never was one. If anything is sent, I will do everything in my power to have it forensically tested to confirm authenticity.

They have also *******ly published my personal contact details online without my consent, in violation of the Protection of Personal Information Act. The original adverts were paid for years ago and should have expired. They have since republished or altered them without permission, then used them to intimidate me into paying fees I do not owe.

My legal question: Why has the Prescription Act (No. 68 of 1969) not been app****, considering that any alleged debt older than three years has prescribed? Furthermore, has any substantiated claim been provided to prove a legal obligation?

Advice for others: If a company claims your advert has been “running on their website” without your consent or payment, a forensic digital crime & cyber expert can investigate exactly when it was published, for how long it ran, and when any alterations were made. Don’t be bul**** into paying for something you did not agree to.

These scare tactics are *********, possibly ********, and appear to breach the Consumer Protection Act, National Credit Act, Prescription Act, and data privacy laws. I demand the immediate removal of my information from all their platforms and an end to this harassment.