...from withdrawing money from my checking account? There was this free program i signed up for, and they gave me a 3 year membership without me knowing. i just discovered $40 dissapearing from my account monthly, and when i called them to find out why, they said i signed up for a 3yr membership(which i didn't) and i can't cancel it exept i move to an area where they don't have centers. so if i cancel my checking account and change banks will they stop withdrawing money from my account!!!!!!!!!!
PS. I don't own any credit card, will this hurt my credit history if i don't won a credit card?
2007-08-07 06:51:08 · 11 answers · asked by sunshine 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
They will likely send you to a collection agency when you do not pay your bill.
THIS WILL HURT YOUR CREDIT. It is a big black mark.
If you signed a contract for a 3 year membership, and you're over 18, then you have signed a legally binding contract. You'll have to pay.
If you did NOT sign a contract (if they do not have a contract with your signature on it) THEN, you can contact your bank, and say that they are taking an unauthorized debit from your account. However, from what you've said, it sounds like you may have signed a 3-year contract without realizing it.
I would try talking to the health club, and asking them to cancel your account. Also, ask for a copy of the agreement that you signed. If you really didn't understand what you were doing, maybe they will let you out. You could also try reporting them to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area about deceptive sales tactics... but in the end, if you signed a 3 year contract, you signed a three year contract. Just let this be a lesson in the future to read anything you sign very carefully.
I hope this helps.
2007-08-07 06:58:23 · answer #1 · answered by Michael K 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First, you need to ask the fitness center for proof that you signed up for a three year membership (which you MAY have done unwittingly). It is entirely possible that your free trial membership automatically defaulted to a three year contract unless you specifically cancelled.
If the fitness club can provide a signed contract to that effect, you DO owe the money. Changing banks isn't going to help. They will not be able to withdraw funds anymore, but they WILL file a small claims action to obtain a judgment to cause you to pay up.
Frankly, I suspect this is exactly what happened, since they seem to have your checking account number to use to withdraw the funds. If there were no strings attached to that free membership, you would not have had to provide your checking account information.
2007-08-07 14:51:26 · answer #2 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can't pull money out of an account that does not exist.
If you signed a contract (realizing it or not) you are obliged to pay the money. It doesn't matter if you close the account, they can still find you, and put a collections notice on you. The collections agency will call you (probably weekly) until the debt is resolved. (This is REALLY bad for your credit score) If they have a contract with you, you have to pay. Changing accounts will not relieve you of your debt, nor will they just forget about it.
2007-08-07 14:43:39 · answer #3 · answered by susanb14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can not put a stop payment on an electronic transaction. If you signed the contract, they have every rigght to debit your account. You can close the account but this will hurt your credit and your credit score as the account will ultimately go into collections. Also you need to be aware that sometimes when you close a bank account and electronic transactions come in and hit that account, the account will reopen. If this happens you will be negative and incur numerous fees.
2007-08-07 14:02:27 · answer #4 · answered by CupCake 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it will stop them from taking your money.
But it sounds like you did sign a binding contract so you will still be responsible for this payment.
If you do not pay, they will turn you over to a collection company and that will appear on your credit and it will be a big hit to your credit.
This is why people must read and understand the terms and conditions before they sign anything.
2007-08-07 14:05:33 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you close the account, obviously they can't continue to withdraw money from it.
However, you may incur non-sufficient funds fees from your bank.
And, if you don't move from the area, you're still bound by the membership contract, and the fitness center can take you to court to collect the balance of the membership fee.
2007-08-07 14:13:54 · answer #6 · answered by Christie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why you can't cancel it? I would call them again and tell them they do not have premission to take money from your accoutn. Call your bank and tell them you want this to stop and ask for a new checking account. There is ways around this. Just tell them whats going on. A company can not legally just take money out of your account with out premision but if you have a contract you may be albe to break it. HOw old are you by theway? if your under 18 legally you can break the contract with out having to switch your account. Good luck
2007-08-07 13:56:30 · answer #7 · answered by fine_ass_fatty21 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
That's why you READ things BEFORE you sign them! You can close your account, but it will not relieve your obligation to the gym! You will still owe them and they will put it on your credit rating if you don't pay them!
2007-08-07 13:55:56 · answer #8 · answered by wish I were 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
have you current bank stop auto withdraw for the 24 hr fitness account. explain to them you did not approve of this. switching banks will also stop auto withdraw. they have separate account and routing numbers......no it Will not hurt your credit score IF you didn't apply for it...and then get denied
2007-08-07 13:57:49 · answer #9 · answered by Marie 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Closing your bank account will stop them.
You should see about getting your money back as well.
2007-08-07 13:54:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋