Consumer complaint received 2019-07-02
Company: First Credit Services Inc.
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
In the summer of XX/XX/XXXXmy ex girlfriend had a work fair at her company and vendors came and offered deals on different products. One of the vendors there was XXXX  XXXX. The salesman informed her that it would be ok if she signed me up for a membership even though I was not present and we are not married. I never agreed to this and was not aware it had taken place until she informed me at a later date. When I showed up at the gym for the first time I was never given a contract nor did I ever sign any terms or conditions. Furthermore, the only information I ever received verbally from any employee was that I was not in a contract and I would be charged month to month. The last month that I paid for in full was XX/XX/XXXX. The last time I visited the gym was XX/XX/XXXX. I decided to stop using the gym as I was unhappy with their customer service. 

When I first received the email from the company telling me that I was late on my payment for XX/XX/XXXX. I explained to them that I never signed any contract and that I was never instructed verbally that I was responsible to notify them of cancellation. I was under the impression that month to month meant that if I didn't pay for the upcoming month my membership would be cancelled until I renewed. 

Since I had not used any gym services for the month of XX/XX/XXXX( since XX/XX/XXXX ) I did not think it was fair that I should be charged for services I did not receive. I was then told that I had signed a contract because XXXX XXXX ' policy is that every customer is required to sign a contract before they can start using gym services. I explained that I never signed any contract and therefore could not be held to terms and conditions that I never agreed to verbally or in writing. I was then told that it didn't matter and even though I had not used any services since my last payment that i would be reported to a bill collector if I didn't pay. Which brings me here. 

I have requested from both XXXX XXXX  - XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX and First Credit Services Inc. - XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NJ XXXX, to provide me with the contract where they claim I agreed to their terms and conditions. I requested this information in XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXXand XX/XX/XXXX. I still have received no response. They just keep telling me that since my girlfriend signed for me that I'm responsible. They have also reported this to my credit report already even though I have repeatedly disputed the charges. 

It is my understanding that I have to sign a document in order to be held to its terms and conditions. Since I was never given the opportunity to do so, I don't think I should be penalized. Especially, since they are asking me to pay for services I never received. I think this is a major problem in our society of companies taking advantage of the little guy even though they made a mistake by not following their own rules. Please help me and all the other little guys by not allowing this injustice to take place. I would like this removed from my credit report and the charges dismissed.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation