DCA adding fees to Gym 'debt'?

[steveb2006]

Hello

 

- My son opened an account with a gym in Bournemouth but has since relocated to China

- I believe a years membership was owed which was £72.

 

As no one ever received any letters from the gym (as he had moved)

they passed it to a Collection agency (CRS)

 

who have traced his home address (Im his Father)

 

so we have now received 2 letters demanding £172

 

I am ok paying the £72 but CRS have added £102 fees

- do you think this is excessive and / or enforecable?.

 

Of course it was my sons fault for not sorting it out when he relocated

- but as he didnt no one knew of the original debt

- so it seems a bit much to also pay the £102 fees.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[dx100uk]

ignore them

 

no DCA has any legal powers to add anything to any debt.

 

they ARE NOT BAILIFFS!!!

 

did he inform the gym he was leaving them?

 

dx

[ericsbrother]

That is how DCA's make a living, hoping that people think that there is a legitimacy to their claim for the extra cash just because they are a debt collection agency. As it is not a fortune get your son to pay the original mambership fees directly to the creditor.

[slick132]

Hi SteveB and welcome to CAG

 

When YS left the country, did he contact the gym or their admin company to confirm this ?

 

In writing, in person or by phone ?

 

Depending on your answer, he may not have to pay the balance of the year's fees.

 

Don't be fooled by CRS. They make it all look proper and scary but they have no authority and this is highly unlikely to affect YS's CRA records.

 

[steveb2006]

Thanks all - very helpful