Hey, Hi, i have the same situation with ya. I never finished my couple months left of training due to injury. Now they are constantly calling asking to be paid for the remaining 2 months that I didn't pay them for because I never went. They just keep calling and I just ignore their phone calls. They do leave a message but I never call them back. Don't know what going to happen from here. It's been about 6 months of this repeated phone calls.
Signed up with paramount fitness and they billed me 2x in one month bouncing checks and so I called to let trainer have it and tole him if he can dishonour our contract so could I and now they've wrecked my credit and harrass me with phone calls.
This number is from Paramount Acceptance - A collection Agency!!! Your gymn or spa membership contract is NOT with this Collection Agency - it is with that Gymn or Spa!!!
A good place to file a complaint is with the Federal Communications Commission. The rules they govern are stricter. I believe it is complaint # 1088
FCC doesn't mess with complaints; and my complaints in the past have always been investigated!!!
FTC and donotcall, place complaints on a list, and will investigate, file charges if they see a pattern. So everyone needs to file complaints, so that there will be a definite pattern!.
Anyone have problems with Collection Agencies calling? There are laws to protect Consumers from these jerks. #1, they technically do not have any authority. They usually purchase charged off bills, from other creditors for pennies on the dollar. #2, because the bill is with an original creditor, you are NOT obligated to these jerks. They will try to convince you that you are. #3 the only way you become obligated to these agencies, is if you make payment arrangements with them; thereby creating a contract/agreement, where none exist, when they first contact you!!!
If you answer the phone, simply say:"I do not discuss financial matters by phone - send me a statement in writing and I will respond to it." Then Hang up!!! Otherwise, they will have you completely shaken!!! The longer they keep you on the line, the more chance they have, to get money from you including payment arrangements – or payment agreement/contract!!! You are NOT legally obligated to talk to them!!!
Collection agencies are ruthless jerks!!! They will tell you they are the original creditor when they are not - even though it is illegal, for them to do it, per Federal Consumer Protection Laws. You can legally sue them for $1,000.00 per violation.
When you do get a statement - google "FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT" One or more online Attorney websites will be shown. These websites will have valuable information, including a Cease & Desist sample letter; or a Cease Communication letter. Once received, it is a violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, to contact you further.
You can also educate yourself by reading Consumer Protection Laws at www.ftc.gov; a lot of valuable information. Don’t have time, download and read later. You will be glad you did!!!
I am not an Attorney - just an Educated Consumer, in Consumer Protection Laws. I have spent hours studying these laws and becoming familiar with them. They have helped us and friends/family as well; and hopefully it will help someone, who reads this.
And for those self-righteous criticizers, who say, just pay your bills on time; things happen to people with Credit Card debt, medical bills etc., often beyond their control such as job loss, divorce, death, illness etc. and you find your self in a bind. We've been there, we know. You do not plan to pay late, or not make payments; but if the income quits - there's not a whole lot one can do! You then are forced to prioritize, Mortgage, Utilities, Car payment then food, if you can! Other things have to be let go!
I hope this information will be helpful to somebody who reads it!!! Also another site to check out is www.ccdnlaw.com, good information. And they can help you!!! If you fill out the contact us, put down your referral by tlcpetmommy – in the comments section; they will know who I am!!!