Empire Fitness
Unauthorized/Fraudulent Charges

The Empire Fitness has taken debits from bank account that were not authorized on 3 occasions. First, when I originally signed up for membership I was billed 49.99 (03/17/10) instead of the 39.99 price I was quoted as evidenced on my contract. Then I was billed an additional 39.99 (03/21/10) which should have been my first sign of trouble. I spoke with the manager at Empire Fitness and was assured this would not happen again. Nevertheless I then signed up for an additional personal training service with trainer Danny. On March 23rd I signed the contract for personal training services and was prorated the onetime amount of 305.00 for the end of March and April, which is evidenced on my contract. I was told by Danny that I would not be billed until the 5th of May for my next payment as I was paid up until then. To my surprise I was then billed an additional 289.99 (04/07/10). I then called again and spoke with the manager Jeremy concerning my unauthorized double billing. He assured me it was a mistake and it would be corrected. I was told that I would receive a refund. About 2 weeks past and my account had not been refunded. I then spoke with Jeremy again and he stated that since so much of the month had past that instead of refunding my money I would not be charged for May to make up the difference. I foolishly agreed thinking that Jeremy was really nice and apologetic... I decided to forgive the mistake and continue my membership. However last month was the last straw. On June 15 I was billed 240.00 for my monthly membership. I noticed it was lower than usual but with all the problems I had experienced, I figured they were finally correcting the issue from March were I was double billed for the original membership of 39.99. I went on with my training as normal not thinking anything of it until June 27 when I noticed a new charge of 279.99 from Empire Fitness. I was very upset at yet another mistake on my account. I called immediately and spoke with Jeremy again. He didn't seem to have any record of the transaction. He referenced to me that a Ms. Sarah Longshore handled the accounting and she was not in but he would follow up with her and call me back. I had not received a call back and checked my account the following day and there to my dismay was yet another charge of 279.99 (06/28). At this point I was completely devastated. My money was gone that was already allocated for bills and other expenses and the worst part is my rent has gone unpaid and my account is overdrawn complete with many insufficient fund charges. I then call Empire Fitness yet another time and speak with Jeremy again. I was told that they needed a bank statement from me because for some reason there record keeping is flawed. I was told that my account would be credited when they received my bank statement. I took my bank statement and dropped it off and was assured once again the issue would be corrected. I called to follow up Friday July 9 at approx 12:24pm. I was told by Jeremy that Sarah was in the office and they would look over my account right then and there and make sure it was corrected. He then stated that computer system was being updated or fixed or something and he would call me back after it was repaired when he would have some information for me. I waited a couple of hours and had heard nothing so I called back at approx 3:07pm and was told by the receptionist Jeremy was in a meeting and once again He would return my call. I waited another couple of hours and had not heard anything so I called back at approx 6:20pm and was told by Jeremy that my account was being refunded by Ms. Sarah Longshore and I should notice on my bank statement that the charges were reversed. Knowing that it was a debit transaction I waited another week and still had not seen any changes. I then called back Friday July 16. I spoke with Jeremy again and was told that he was there while Sarah put the refund through to my account. I then asked for a transaction ID or some confirmation number. He did not have this but stated that he would have Sarah email me directly. To date I haven’t received the confirmation. I have no faith in this but I am waiting patiently. I am very grieved by this matter and wish I had some assistance to get my money back since it was fraudulently stolen my account. I feel completely taken advantage of and I feel helpless since I keep repeatedly getting lied to by management at the Empire Fitness.

Company: Empire Fitness
Country: USA
Address: 7696 Highway 72 W Ste 110 Madison AL 35758
Phone: 2568909500

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