Need advice about old Bally's fitness account. HELP!

[AgentEL]

Six years ago, I had a free month membership to Bally's.

Fast forward to today. I get a call from a collections agency saying that I owe Bally's $1400. The funny thing is, I don't remember signing anything regarding a membership. Maybe a health waiver at most.

The collections agency sounded pretty fishy to me too. They said that for calling back, they'll know down the charge to $750. But, I must take the deal now or I will lose out and have to pay $1400 and it'll go on my credit report.

All of this sounds so fishy to me. Do collection agencies bargain like that?

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

I think someone else here got screwed like that... search isn't working right now so I can't hlep.

 

[FoBoT]

you need to write them a drop dead letter saying you don't owe the money. then they are required to mail you proof. at that point, they'll either follow the law and send you paperwork to back it up, or you won't hear back from them

they might just be fishing

 

[AgentEL]

bump

 

[FoBoT]

bump? i told you the answer

http://clarkhoward.com/topics/drop_dead_letter.html

"Drop-Dead" Letter to Collection Agencies

(Date)

To Whom it may concern:

I have been contacted by your company about a debt you allege I owe. I am instructing you not to contact me further in connection with this debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law, you may not contact me further once I have notified you not to do so.

Sincerely,

(Name)

(Account No.)

 

[woowoo]

Go to creditnet and learn how to dispute it.

 

[Aharami]

does sound fishy. tell them to provide proof

 

[imported_Tomato]

Ballys SUCKS. Let us know how it works out.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
bump? i told you the answer

http://clarkhoward.com/topics/drop_dead_letter.html

"Drop-Dead" Letter to Collection Agencies

(Date)

To Whom it may concern:

I have been contacted by your company about a debt you allege I owe. I am instructing you not to contact me further in connection with this debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law, you may not contact me further once I have notified you not to do so.

Sincerely,

(Name)

(Account No.)

Nice form letter, thanks for sharing.

I would take it a step further and send it via USPS Registered Mail

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: FoBoT
bump? i told you the answer

http://clarkhoward.com/topics/drop_dead_letter.html

"Drop-Dead" Letter to Collection Agencies

(Date)

To Whom it may concern:

I have been contacted by your company about a debt you allege I owe. I am instructing you not to contact me further in connection with this debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law, you may not contact me further once I have notified you not to do so.

Sincerely,

(Name)

(Account No.)

Nice form letter, thanks for sharing.

I would take it a step further and send it via USPS Registered Mailafter wiping your butt with it.

fixed. 😀

 

[Vic]

You just received a phone call 6 years later but have never received a letter in all that time? That would not be in compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which requires written correspondence and a 30-day right for the consumer to dispute the validity of the debt. And this is not Bally's calling you but just some collection agency out of the blue claiming to represent Bally's? Have you pulled your credit report recently? My opinion is that this is a scam, and not actually a valid collection.
Unless this pops up on your credit report, my advice at this time is just to ignore it. If they call back, get the collection company name, address, and phone number, inform them never to call you again, and file a complaint with the BBB and your state attorney general.