The Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Fitness International and its subsidiary Fitness & Sports Clubs alleging unlawful practices that make membership cancellations exceedingly difficult. The complaint alleges hundreds of millions of dollars in unwanted recurring fees stemming from cumbersome cancellation procedures and reports from tens of thousands of customers. Fitness International operates over 600 locations and more than 3.7 million members under multiple brand names. The complaint identifies two primary cancellation methods—in-person and by mail—that require printed forms, website logins, limited in-person hours, manager availability issues, and mailing costs. The complaint further alleges inadequate disclosure of cancellation options and undisclosed recurring service sign-ups.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is suing the operators of LA Fitness, over allegations that they make it "exceedingly difficult" for consumers to cancel gym memberships and other related services offered in their clubs nationwide. In a Wednesday complaint, the FTC accused Fitness International and its subsidiary Fitness & Sports Clubs of illegally charging consumers "hundreds of millions of dollars in unwanted recurring fees" as a result of cumbersome cancellation processes.
Both of these options require consumers to print out a form on the gym's website, which includes logging in with credentials that the agency says some customers don't have or remember. And if a customer opts for in-person cancellation, there's limited hours and often difficulty finding a manager to process the forms, the complaint notes - while mailing the form comes with additional costs.
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