Hello, I hope you can help. I've just joined CAG after I received a letter yesterday from CRS demanding £367.20 on behalf of GOLDS Gym. The letter came out of the blue and they state they've sent previous letters which they haven't at all, so a blatant lie! I was so distressed yesterday and had a sleepless night worrying about this. I really need some advice and help! To give you the background, I joined Golds with my friend in October 2013 at a special rate given by the manager of £25 per month. We both completed the minimum 12 month contract in December 2014 we both decided to cancel our membership due to work commitments. My friend got a job outside London and I got a job in Slough which is 42.40 miles from where I live. The hours and shifts I work mean't I would never be able to use the gym anyway. My friend and I went to the gym together on the 14th December to give notice and cancel, I took a handwriiten letter and handed it in as did my friend. The person on reception was very busy and on her own, dealing with phone calls and members going in and out, and she said that's fine and she would process both our cancellations together at her end later and that no money would be taken from January 2015. This was incorrect they still took money for January and February i called my bank to cancel the payment to Golds to avoid further payments. I cancelled my DD late February to stop further payments going out. Yesterday I received a letter from CRS demanding £367.20, of which £97.20 is an 'admin' fee to bring my account up to date and to avoid further penalties. They claimed they had sent several letters which they haven't as I've never received anything from them since cancelling my membership. I read through the gyms T's and Cs and after the minimum 12 months you can cancel anytime by giving notice which is exactly what I did. But now this letter arrives. I went to the gym last night in order to resolve this and spoke with the manager who claimed I never cancelled my membership and that's why I received this letter. He said they had texted me, which they haven't and said they had sent me letters which they haven't either. He was very unreasonable and dismissive and said there was nothing he could do and to contact CRS. I said you instructed CRS so why can't you just tell them there is no claim here as I did cancel my membership in accordance with the T's and C's after a full 13 months, and giving notice in person and in writing. He said they never received anything. This is a complete and utter lie as I went with my friend to cancel. He said I would have to pay the amount and there was no point continuing the conversation. I had a sleepless night worrying about this as I'm trying to keep my credit file clean as I want to apply I called CRS first thing this morning and spoke with Michael Dunn in debt recovery saying that he would pursue this with me and I said I would not pay as I didnt owe the gym anything. He was extremely rude and dismissive and im concerned. I checked with my friend and said she's not received a similar letter which makes me think this is a [problem] as we both joined together and cancelled our membership together. Can someone please help. I can't stop worrying. Any advice/guidance will be appreciated. Thank you Kaju1900

Hi Folks, I just had an interesting chat with CID. As some of you may be aware, I've been trying to have an ex CEO of a bank (HFC's Adrian Hill) prosecuted for extortion. It was very clear that they're very reluctant to go ahead. One of the reasons though was particularly interesting. They said that there'd been absolutely no other calls to prosecute from other citizens! It made me look like a sole nutter! So, if we're ever going to have these bankers jailed, I'd like folk to realise how simply banks can try and extort money from us. I appreciate, to date, that most folk are either intimidated and pay what they don't owe, or just assume the "banks are up to their usual tricks" without taking action, probably because they've no faith in justice. If we're unable to expose injustice though, we'll never be able to fix it. I'd like to attach an example of extortion, the one that's been put forward to CID in fact. (I'm unsure why I've no permission for that?) Basically though, if you're being asked to pay something you don't owe and being advised of "consequences if you don't", it's extortion. A criminal offence. Please go to the police if you have time. Thanks for reading. Richard.

Hi, I have just come off the phone to vodafone on behalf of my partner, this was the 3rd time this week his phone has been suspended. Going back to the start, back in November he recieved a £500 + bill which I took hold of and spoke to a lovely gentleman in the team. Between us we came to the agreement of £100 a month to pay off the arrears. They took the £100 payment 31st December and everything was fine. Now comes January, the account has been passed to a collections agency and is now £700+ in arrears, how that figure comes about I cannot tell you but this is what they are saying. They have given us till March to pay the balance or his phone is suspended completely. I tried to point out we were paying the arrears just as was arranged, the plan was being stuck to our side its them that have not stuck to the arrangement, to which I was told it was only direct debited for 4 months, well if that was the case the £500+ in the beginning wouldnt even have been cleared so someone is lying here or has made a mistake somewhere. I just dont know how to fight this, for started the £500+ was extortionate but after paying £100 its gone up to £700+ rather then down. Any help or advice appreciated Thanks

Hi I am new and a bit desperate please excuse me. I have had various Payday loans with the Minicredit, always paid them back - no problems however, yesterday I got a default notice saying that the loan had not been paid. I immediately checked with my Bank (Barclays), who told me it had gone out and they told me the time it went and also the authorization code from them!! Rang Minicredit, and informed them of all the above (they said that because I moved and hadn't updated my records with them - I moved on the 12th January and to be honest I plumb forgot, they said that because the money is pending... I have defaulted!! . I re-checked with Barclays (who I have to say have been extremely helpful) who said it is upto to Minicredit to claim the funds - I am quoting what Barclays said "it is their responsbility to claim it". I have emailed Minicredit and told them all of the above. I also filled out a complaint form. I will not ring them again, its 0871 number (so they can make even more money from me!). I haven't updated my address with them....I am too scared too! they are saying that I now owe them £55 plus another £25... the alleged loan default is 1 day old... geez these people are a nightmare!! Anyone got any ideas how to deal with these dreadful extortionate people? Thanks and any help gratefully received, I am so upset my hands are shaking as I type this!!

Hi All, Late last year I received a fine for having no insurance on my vehicle. I was unaware that my insurance provider had cancelled my policy due to me not providing them with some information. Anyway a long story short, I received a fine from the courts and i sent a means form off to them to allow them t calculate what I can afford to pay. I have received no acknowledgment of my means form and when I chased it up they said it has gone to the Marston Group bailiffs and I would have to talk with them. I rang the bailiffs and they said that a letter has been sent out to me and that £85 has been added onto the fine. I now understand from the courts that there is nothing that I can do and that all I can do is negotiate with Marston Group however they will not negotiate. They have said that the only payment plan I can agree with them is £150 upfront then £100 per week - which I cant any where near afford. The total fine is now £800...I would like to know what I can do because the fees are going to just rack up...its says on my letter that if I don't pay within 7 days another £215 will be added on and they are ging to take my stuff. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I have had a business account with Barclays for in excess of 10 years. When I bought my second machine 4 yrs ago I requested a 3 month extension of my £1500 overdraft to £4000 to cover extra running costs etc. They refused on the grounds that I had not previously kept within the £1500 limit. Yes I had been over it occasionally but certainly not excessively and nothing was ever returned unpaid. During that 3 month period my account went to £4100 OD and back to within its set limit again. They never bounced a payment but charged me a fortune in paid referral fees and unauthorised OD interest. My charges that quarter were over £700. Do I have a case for extortion against them as its obvious they were prepared to lend me the money required, but wanted to charge me more for the priviledge. I was origionally prepared to let it go but I am now in the process of switching banks as they have got increasingly difficult to work with and have literally turned their back on me and my business which last year doubled its turn over and could do the same again this with the support that Barclays are refusing me. Hope someone can shed some light for me Thanks

http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=252669&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 The above thread will give you all the information, but the basic gist is this: * Person parks up at Lidl in Thornton Heath * Is issued a notice for overstaying * Has CCTV from the Tesco over the road that proves that he hasn't overstayed * Points this out in writing and notice is cancelled * The notice appears to be photoshopped by http://www.athena-parking.com. He has provided a copy of what they sent to him on page 3 of the thread. PPC's on the face of it appear to be sinking to new lows, and this seemed the most relevant forum I'm registered with to share the information.

Hi there.. I would like to get some advice in regards to a Vodafone UK problem which seemed to be unresolved after 4 months despite taking the necessary steps/actions as advised/recommended by Vodafone. I feel extorted by them as I am the one to bear the brunt for their mistakes yet I am having to continue to pay them £26 / month. Below is a chronological order of the events. Late-October / Early-November 2011 (1) I attempted to take ownership of my friend's Vodafone account (contract expiring Nov 2012) but my application was unsuccessful due to a failed credit check. I asked for reasons of the failed credit check and was told to contact experian. (2) Vodafone staff also hinted that my old university student halls address (back in 2008/09) was used for the check, and on one occasion, even got my date of birth wrong. I tried to reason with them that the address mistake was not my fault, but I was told to send an email to their credit liaison team to appeal and also to get a copy of my credit report from Experian for which I paid £15. (3) My details were updated at Experian. It seemed that the addresses they have on me are outdated. In addition, I was told that the electoral roll details will be updated in their system in December 2011. (4) I was also informed by Experian that Vodafone rejected my request most probably due to my recent move from Bristol to Leatherhead and that my name had yet to be on the electoral roll. They could not see any other reason for me to be declined credit. (5) I sent out 2 emails to credit.liaison [at] gb.vodafone.co.uk but my emails were not responded. I accepted the fact that I had to wait 90 days to re-apply. Early-January 2012 (1) I called the local town council (Mole Valley) and they confirmed that I am listed on the electoral roll. (2) I called Vodafone w/c 9 Jan 2012 to confirm the details they have on me (including previous addresses). They managed to confirm my date of birth and account number but was not able to confirm previous address as the guy could not access my profile. The reason I was given is "your account is locked for 90 days from Oct 2011". 18 January 2012 (1) Immediately 90 days from Oct 2011, I called Vodafone (08700 719 038) to re-attempt the transfer of ownership. I tried to explain my situation to the lady who answered my call but was cut short. She insisted I first give her the mobile number I wanted to transfer which I did. She confirmed my identity by asking my date of birth and password. I was also asked to confirm the postcode of my current address which I also did. She then put me on hold for 5 minutes, and when she got back, she told me that I had failed my credit check. I told her that she did not even give me the opportunity to confirm my previous addresses but she insisted that she had followed the proper procedures and told me to wait another 90 days before re-applying. (2) I argued that I'm not going to wait another 90 days as I did not authorise her to perform the credit check and asked to speak with a manager. I then spoke to one "Tony Henry", and asked him which address was used for the credit check to which he said "XXX (2008/09 Uni halls address)". I replied that it was incorrect and explained that his staff has not allowed me to verify that. (3) I also told him that I have been paying for the account for the last 3 months by direct debit. He insisted that his staff followed the correct procedure. (4) He said he will speak to his superior "Michelle Stewart" and told me to expect a call within 48 hours (Friday 20 Jan 2012). 24 - 27 January 2012 (1) I never received a call from Vodafone. Instead, on Tuesday 24 Jan 2012, I decided to call them back. I tried to speak to Tony Henry or Michelle Stewart but never got a chance to. I had to re-explained my entire situation (again) to the person who answered my call and was put on hold. I was then told that Michelle Stewart wants me to email her (email address ending with tsc.co.uk) a copy of my credit report, which I promptly did on the day itself. (2) I never received an email from Michelle Stewart acknowledging the receipt of the email. I called Vodafone back on the Thursday 26 Jan 2012 and was asked whether I had sent that email to Michelle Stewart. I replied, "Yes, on Tuesday itself". I was then told that Michelle was away on business and will only be back the next day (Fri 27 Jan 2012). (3) I called on the morning of Friday 27 Jan 2012 and asked to speak to Michelle Stewart. Was again unable to speak to her. I was then told that Michelle Steward rejected my appeal and that she has listened to all my recordings and deemed that Vodafone staff have not done anything wrong at all. I was told to "try again" in 90 days. Additional Information (1) I paid another £15 early this month (Feb 2012) to have another look at my credit report. Spoke to Experian and they cannot find any reason for a rejection. Just so you know, my credit score is 907 with no record of late payments. (2) As of the latest credit report (8 Feb 2012), Experian told me that the last credit check performed on my account was October 2011. They also confirmed that there were no credit checks performed by Vodafone on me this year (2012). --- I would be really grateful if someone can provide me with some advice on how to deal with this problem. Suggestions to just cancel my direct debit with them are not an option. The contract with Vodafone ends in Nov 2012 and I'm paying £26 a month now and I am not able to move my personal (O2) number to Vodafone as I am only the authorised contact and not the owner of the account. Thank you for your attention. Please do not hesitate to contact me if further information is required. I have copies of the emails I sent to Vodafone. Really appreciate your time. Eugene

SPARK ENERGY oh dear... I rented a very small two bedroom house and moved in on November 14th 2011. SPARK ENERGY were the electricity and gas supplier. When I received a huge bill from them and looked at their tariff I was astonished at how they were overcharging. They were just using a series of excuses to ramp up 'extra' charges and a higher tariff. They were impossible to telephone and they refused to email me. They sent me a bill for £323 for just six weeks consumption and I can see they are charging about double per Kwh electricity unit than other suppliers. They are also charging me about £300 'extra' per year for not having a direct debit. Of course I am not expecting to be involved in direct debits when I am trying to transfer to another supplier & I never signed a contract with them and don't want anything to do with them - ever ! ! They are totally unprincipled and I advise anyone never to have anything to do with them. They are appalling !!!!! When I asked Scottish Power to supply me, SPARK ENERGY refused to transfer the account. Scottish Power said there was nothing they could and the would be unable to supply me if my previous supplier refused to transfer the account. Can this really be true ? If so I am in hock to an organisation which you can never escape from rather than a power supply utility company. What can I do ? How can I escape? Help anyone !!