Harlands / CRS Text Message

[Sam1994]

I cancelled my gym membership in February 2018 over the phone to a gym colleague and was told I would be able to use the gym up until March 2018 for the 1 months notice payment.

 

However come June, I noticed they were still taking the payments out of my account, I contacted my bank and they were able to refund me the 3 months additional payments that they took out. I went into the gym and they said that you're not able to cancel over the phone even though I can clearly remember making the phone call and being told that it would be cancelled.

 

The manager of the gym said that I'm still a member of the gym but offered me the ability of not having to pay the 1 months notice but would not be able to refund me the 3 months that they took out without me knowing (which I am fine with as the bank refunded me).

 

So that was that, and I thought it was all sorted and then last week I got a text message from an unknown number saying:

 

'You have been sent an email from CRS regarding your account. Please check your inbox/junk folder or call the helpline on 01444 449165'

 

I checked my emails and couldn't find it, maybe because I used an old email that I can't remember anymore, but I wasn't too sure what the text message was about anyway so I just left it.

 

Then this morning I got another text saying:

 

'Please call CRS on 01444 449165 between 8:30am and 6pm. We sent a letter a week ago and need to discuss this with you. Thank you.'

 

As a note I have moved house since, so I haven't seen this letter. I've read some other posts on here, but they're slightly different to this situation and I just want this resolved asap.

 

Thanks!

[dx100uk]

no you are exactly the same as 99% of people here

 

simply block their texts and emails and bounce them back

 

there is nothing anyone can do to you.

 

dx

[Sam1994]

no you are exactly the same as 99% of people here

 

simply block their texts and emails and bounce them back

 

there is nothing anyone can do to you.

 

dx

 

So is that it, just ignore them? Will they not take action in anyway?

[dx100uk]

like what?

[Bazooka Boo]

No they won't take action, they DON'T like to go to court because they get crucified.

 

Embarrass the gym on social media.

[slick132]

Hi Sam and welcome to CAG

 

Please confirm what gym this is about - it can affect the way you handle this issue.

 

Take some time to read other threads and you'll the same thing again and again - folk being told one thing by the gym staff about cancelling and then being harassed by Harlands/CRS for money they almost never owe.

 

Harlands/CRS threaten lots but generally DO nothing.

 

They can't register any alleged debt with a CRA so it won't affect your credit rating.

 

Keep a log of all contact from Harlands/CRS in case you need to file a complaint of harassment.

 

And forget talking to the gym for now - they will normally be totally disinterested in helping you in any way.

 

[Sam1994]

Hi Sam and welcome to CAG

 

Please confirm what gym this is about - it can affect the way you handle this issue.

 

Take some time to read other threads and you'll the same thing again and again - folk being told one thing by the gym staff about cancelling and then being harassed by Harlands/CRS for money they almost never owe.

 

Harlands/CRS threaten lots but generally DO nothing.

 

They can't register any alleged debt with a CRA so it won't affect your credit rating.

 

Keep a log of all contact from Harlands/CRS in case you need to file a complaint of harassment.

 

And forget talking to the gym for now - they will normally be totally disinterested in helping you in any way.

 

 

Ok, thank you for the info, the gym is called 'The Workout'

[slick132]

Ok, thanks for the gym's name.

 

If Harlands/CRS persist in harassing you, we can suggest a letter telling them you cancelling as per staff instruction and paid a final fee, so Harlands should back off !!

 

In the meantime, just ignore them.

 

[Sam1994]

Since posting this, I've received a test message saying:

 

'It is urgent that we speak to you today. Please call CRS on 01444 449165. Thank you.'

 

Today I received this message:

 

'You have been sent an email from CRS regarding your account. Please check your inbox/junk folder or call the helpline on 01444 449165'

 

I checked my email and this is what it says:

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

ACCOUNT BALANCE: £205.35

 

Dear ...

 

IMPORTANT - PLEASE CALL US TODAY ON 01444 449165

 

Re: CRS Ref No: ...

The Workout Burton Ref. No: ...

Following our initial letter, we are disappointed that your account with The Workout Burton is still in arrears

and our fee has not been paid.

We would still like to reach an amicable resolution to this, however, if you fail to respond to this

letter, we will have no option but to commence further action to recover the monies owed. The

options available to us are:

 

1. LEGAL ACTION

 

We believe you are in breach of a legally binding contract with The Workout Burton because you have not

paid your membership and our fees. We may pursue a claim under this contract through the Courts. If we

do so the following process would apply:

1. We will write a formal letter explaining what we are demanding and give you a final

opportunity to pay/reply;

2. If this failed to settle the matter we would issue proceedings against you in the County Court;

3. You could then either:

a. make payment, ending the legal process, or

b. dispute some, or all, of the amount was owed.

4. If you dispute the amount was owed the Court process would continue, at the end of which

the Court would make a decision on our claim.

5. A strict Court imposed timescale will apply in relation to the Court process.

Were we to be successful in our claim, or if you ignore the claim, a County Court Judgment (CCJ) may be

registered against you requiring you to make payment. You may also be liable for our costs of pursuing

legal action and interest on the amount owed.

If you then fail to pay the amount covered by the CCJ we would take the next steps required to enforce the

judgment. To do this we would have to make an application to Court.

2. OUTSOURCE TO EXTERNAL AGENTS

 

Your account would be passed to another Collection Agency who will take further action to recover the

monies owed.

YOU CAN AVOID THIS HAPPENING IF WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS YOU CONTACT US ON

 

01444 449165 TO ARRANGE PAYMENT WITH US.

 

Yours sincerely

For Credit Resolution Services

 

Nuria Manson / Collections Department

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Should I go into the gym and tell them about this?

[AndyOrch]

No

[slick132]

Hi Sam,

 

Ignore this but keep us posted.

 

No need to reply at all.

 

[Bazooka Boo]

Look at how desperate that letter is.

 

 

 

They should be struck off !