Virgin Active and ARC debt collection..Please help

princesslulu

Hi,

Im being chased by ARC debt collection on behalf of virgin active gyms.

I DID CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP PROPERLY, i dropped a letter off at the reception desk at least one month before i cancelled by direct debit with my bank.

Virgin Active say they never got my letter. They have also been sending letters to my old house so i havent got them.

ARC are horrible and somehow have got hold of my parent's number and are bullying them.

Please tell me what to do?

Thank you in advance!

elainey_2

Hi,

I'm a volunteer adviser for the Citizen's Advice Bureau, I may be able to help.
A couple of questions:

1: Did you keep a copy of the original letter you gave to Virgin Active?
2: How long ago did you cancel the agreement?

As for the debt collection agency contacting your parents, this could be classed as harrassment. This could also be a criminal offence. I would suggest writing a letter of complaint in the first instance to both Virgin Active and ARC. I would also suggest that if they do contact your parents again, then for your parents to simply put the phone down. They do not have to speak to them.

Hope this helps
Love Elaine xxx

p1an0player

How long was the gym contract for? there is usually a minimum term

That said, debt collectors can't do very much unless you have been taken to court

princesslulu

There was no minimun contract because it was a student memebership. You could cancel at any point as long as you gave one month notice which i did.

I handed the letter in around the 29th Nov which said i would be cancelling from JAN which i did (so the last direct debit payment was dec).

Now virgin say they have had no letter from me and ARC are chasing me.

Im not sure what to do as there is no reasoning with either of them.

I dont have a copy of the letter because i didnt save it because it was only short.

Any idea what to do?

Thanks!

p1an0player

I think that with a lot of companies, like Setanta for example, if you cancel the direct debit that triggers a threatening debt collection procedure even if you have properly cancelled.

In your case I would be tempted to do nothing! until the point you get any court papers which is unlikely

cabbage

No this isn't official CAB advice as CAB workers are only insured when they give advice at an official session. They are insured in case of mis advising a client. CAB workers are not allowed to give advice via forums. Many do, but do it personally rather than as CAB advice. Most posters on this forum do the same. They share the information they know with others to help where they can. Many are professional people who just want to help. Just like this poster.

Having said that, the information is correct. The parents should point out that the debt is nothing to do with them and that if the caller continues to call, they will log the calls and then make a complaint to the OFT for harrassment.

If they debt is in dispute, it is harrassment if they continue to badger you or your parents. There is a long list of what is and what isn't harrassment. they are allowed to contact you to ask for payment, but not repeatedly, late at night etc. They shouldn't be discussing your debt with your parents.

I would write again to Virgin and copy in the debt collector. Explain that you hand delivered the letter in November giving one month's written notice and then cancelled the DD in Jan. Keep a copy this time and send via recorded delivery so you have proof of delivery.

See what happens. If they take you to court it will be up to the judge to decide who is in the wrong. It could go either way but are Virgin willing to take the risk and the expense.

further info from CAB can be found at www.adviceguide.org.uk.

There is also some very good info and template letters at www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

alwaysonthego_2

blindasatwat wrote: »

In that case should not say I am a CAB adviser then should it?

a troll who as something against cab advisers!!

elainey_2

:A Thank you to all the people who stuck up for me - it's appreciated.

I do like to try to help whenever I can, I was merely stating what I did, and giving my perspective. I'm pretty sure all the professional people who post on here know that any advice given on this forum by them is just help and not an official advice service. I'd always suggest that if anyone is unsure about any of the advice given on here then to get it checked out by contacting any one of the numerous agencies out there.

Love elaine xxx

alwaysonthego_2

elainey wrote: »

:A Thank you to all the people who stuck up for me - it's appreciated.

I do like to try to help whenever I can, I was merely stating what I did, and giving my perspective. I'm pretty sure all the professional people who post on here know that any advice given on this forum by them is just help and not an official advice service. I'd always suggest that if anyone is unsure about any of the advice given on here then to get it checked out by contacting any one of the numerous agencies out there.

Love elaine xxx

Don't worry hun, I think the majority of his odd behaviour was directed at me. Apparently CAB advisors give out wrong advice on here and we should all be sued :rotfl:

elainey_2

alwaysonthego wrote: »

Don't worry hun, I think the majority of his odd behaviour was directed at me. Apparently CAB advisors give out wrong advice on here and we should all be sued :rotfl:

Do you think he was told something he didn't want to hear by a CAB advisor??:D So you're an advisor too - cool! How long have you been doing it? I qualified in June last year, and it's the best thing I've ever did! Despite the occasional moaner, when a client goes away with a huge weight lifted off thier shoulders by something you've helped with, it makes it all worthwhile.

Love Elaine xxx

alwaysonthego_2

elainey wrote: »

Do you think he was told something he didn't want to hear by a CAB advisor??:D So you're an advisor too - cool! How long have you been doing it? I qualified in June last year, and it's the best thing I've ever did! Despite the occasional moaner, when a client goes away with a huge weight lifted off thier shoulders by something you've helped with, it makes it all worthwhile.

Love Elaine xxx

No, he thought the some advice I had given was incorrect, even though it wasn't. I think he had issues!

I have been advising for 2 years, though have been relegated to gatewaying because we have alot of trainee advisers at our bureau and they are not allowed to go on the phones. I love being an adviser, most clients are greatful but you do get the minority that scream at you, though they are screaming at the system but we take the full brunt x