I am trying to locate where I would go in Atlanta Georgia to report
deceptive business practices.  I am not out any money, and nothing has
happened to me personally, but I am so surprised at a letter I
received in the mail I just have to believe its illegal.  In short, I
received a bill from Bally Total Fitness that my membership, which was
cancelled 1 year ago, was used last month.  Bally even gives me the
date it was used!  They stated, in very strong terms, that I needed to
pay a full year of past due membership fees immediately.  When I
called Bally and told them I have a letter confirming that my
membership was cancelled, I was told that the letter I received was
just a promotional mailing and there had been no use of my membership
since I cancelled it last year.  They even asked if I wanted to take
advantage of the promotional offer they sent in the letter/bill. 
Since I have no real problem to be resolved you can leave out the
Better Business Bureau.  I am hoping there is some government agency
that investigates these things.

full_o_questions-ga:

Thank you for your Question regarding deceptive business practices,
and how to report them. I am glad that this is simply an academic
exercise, instead of one where you were actually scammed.

You may be interested in the following article on the Federal Trade
Commission website:

Health Spas: Exercise Your Rights
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/spas.htm

At the bottom of this article, you will find the contact information
you are looking for, to report what you believe are deceptive business
practices on the part of Bally Total Fitness, to the FTC. While a
single report may not result in action being taken against Bally,
there is the possibility that you are not the only person who has been
subjected to this type of tactic. If the FTC receives a large number
of complaints, they will pursue the matter.

The toll-free number for the FTC is 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

I hope that this helps!

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Thank-you.

BBB of Metropolitan Atlanta
WWW: http://www.atlanta.bbb.org
Email: info@atlanta.bbb.org
Phone: (404)766-0875
Fax: (404)768-1085
P.O. Box 161447
Atlanta, GA 30321