Fitness First notorious for fraudulent debits?

dogman989

I joined Fitness First on a special 3 month deal in October last year. It was important to me that I joined a gym on a short membership as I was about to emmigrate to NZ. In January I contacted the gym to confirm I was emmigrating and they confirmed that as I had given them notice in writing that they would activate the closure of the membership. There would be no more debits from my account.
A few weeks after I arrive in NZ I check my bank account and guess what?....They have debited the membership fees from my account.
I tried calling but the number from their website is not recognised. I tried calling the Head Office but the number is not recognised. I tried email the club direct and received no response, so I sent another email witht the same non-response.
I have now contacted my bank, from my mobile in NZ, to be told there is nothing they can do. The direct debit is cancelled but Fitness First can continue to draw on my card details which was given to them as a promise of payment.
What about the 3 month deal?
'Check the small print' said my sympathetic bank clerk, 'they offer a 3 month deal but the small print mentions something about a 12 month minimum term'. Isn't that being mis-sold a product?
Apparently, there is nothing that I can do until the 12 month period is over, The bank clerk went on to state....
'Fitness First are notorious for this'!
And then confirmed that she had spoken to many account holders who were in the same predicament and who had just had to fight for the cancellation themselves, eventually with some success. Any action is made all the more difficult with me currently residing at the other side of the world.

Has anyone else encountered this? Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can successfully stop monthly payments going out?

dogman

Anihilator

You either signed up for 3 months or you signed up for 12. Which is it?
If its 3 months then take it further, if you misread or misunderstood the agreement that is your problem.

As for fraudulent. No. At worse its a mistake that needs resolved. As for a bank saying this. Well banks are notorious for stuff too including not being very helpful considering they wouldnt help you with a report of unauthorised activity on your card. Maybe ask to speak to their disputes/chargeback department.

fluffnutter

They're using the 16 digit number to draw on your current account. You could destroy your bank card and ask for another. Drastic but effective. I never give my bank card details for things like this - credit card all the way for me. Easier to destroy a credit card plus you're protected by the Consumer Credit Act.

However, if you have signed the contract and you don't pay them, they could try to pursue you for the money. In which case, you'd have to try the mis-selling argument.