Hi wonder if u can offer me advice. Over a year ago I switched gym membership, i cancelled the old DD and was happy the new one was going out, to cut a long story short in error i cancelled the new one and left the old one running (this is because the DD payee names were very silimar and i got them confused). First I heard about it was a letter from the debt collection agency. This was when I realised my error. I told them I would happily pay the £200 outstanding gym membership but they told meI also had to pay and additional £150 for their charges. I couldnt afford £350 in one payment so I offerered to set up a DD - I was told that if i did that I would have to pay a £15 set up fee and an extra £3 per DD. I work with DD's and I know that the amount I would pay a month would not be £3 in bank costs to them, neither do I agree with a £15 set up fee, then again neither do I agree with paying them an additional £150. I am happy to pay the original outstanding amount of £200 as it was my mistake that the membership wasnt paid. Can anyone offer any advice if they can legally enforce these charges?

After reading the threads on giving ur personal information out to debt callers I thought I must add my own experiences and why now I refuse to give any callers my information. When I first moved into my house I was constantly getting mail for the previous tenant. Whenever a letter arrived that wasnt in my name i just marked it not known at this address and return to sender and reposted. About a year later someone came from British Gas regarding an unpaid bill from the year 2000. I explained to him that I had never been with British Gas and also that I didnt move into the property until 2002. I showed him my tenancy agreement as prove. He aplogised and left. I heard nothing until about 6 months later when a letter arrived through my door addressed to the tenant. I opened it and it was from a debt collection agent. I phoned them and after minutes of listening to a very sarcastic nasaly voice demanding I make repayments when i finally got a word in edgeways i asked what the debt was for. An unpaid British Gas Bill!! So i explained as best as I could - these people are not very good at letting u finish what u say, I naively gave her my name. Next thing I knew I was getting the debt letters in MY name. Each time i would contact them informing them it wasnt my debt. I even send proof of tenancy which showed I did not move into the property until 2 years after the debt occurred and also sent tem proof that when i did move into the property i immediately switched to another provider. 2 years and many phone calls, letter later I had a rather threatening visit from a bailiff, once again I showed him proof. I immediately contacted the police regarding this who gave me advice about under any circumstances never allow one into my house and they will try many excuses to gain entrt - using my phone, toilet etc, they also gave me an emergency contact no. After many threatening phonecalls saying they would take me to court regarding the matter - and me pleading with them to take me to court. It happened. At the court hearing, I showed them copies of correspondence, letters which showed they had changed the name on the debt into mine, proof that the debt occured before I was the tenant. I can still remember the judge saying - but this isnt ur debt. I sighed and replied - I know that, u obviously now know that, will u please tell them that!. The judge threw it out, but for about a year later I still received letters from them and it didnt stop until I got a solictor to write to them threatening them with legal action for arrassment. Sorry this is long winded but wanted to warn everyone what could happen if u give these people ur name