AG Nessel Wraps Up Holiday Scam Campaign with Alerts on Memberships in the New Year

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is wrapping up her holiday scam campaign with consumer alerts on travel club and health club memberships. As many look to travel more or commit to fitness goals in the new year, it’s important consumers make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. 

“The new year gives us a perfect opportunity to set goals,” Nessel said. “Before joining a membership to help tackle your New Year resolution, take the time to ask questions to protect yourself from scammers and deceptive business practices.” 

Considering the following suggestions will help you make a wise decision and may help you avoid common problems with memberships. 

• Budget. Carefully consider the cost of the membership and whether you can afford to make the necessary payments. If the services of instructors and/or trainers are provided, inquire about the training qualifications of the staff and whether you will be charged for the service. Do aerobics or other classes require additional fees?  

• Long-term contracts. A long-term contract may not be right for you, especially when paid up front for the entire membership term. Ask whether a month-to-month or other short-term contract or trial membership is available. Regardless of the length of your contract, ask if you can pay monthly. If the club closes you may lose less money.  

• Cancellation and Refunds. Make sure you understand the cancellation and refund policies before signing the contract. What happens if you move, are injured, or get a serious illness? Is there a fee to cancel? Also, what happens if the fitness center or travel company goes out of business, or moves to a different, less convenient location? A “lifetime” membership is really only good for the lifetime of the business, not your lifetime.  

• Read any contract carefully before signing. Don't be rushed prior to signing any contract; take your time and make sure you understand all of the contract terms before signing. Read all the fine print! Be sure to check for inconspicuous charges. Ask for an unsigned contract to take home and review. 

This release is the last of our 2024 holiday scam campaign. However, these alerts remain relevant all year long, and each entry in this year’s campaign can be found in the list below:  

November 29: Credit Card Safety - Keep Your Accounts Safe 

November 30: Website Spoofing - Scammers Disguised as Trusted Brand 

December 2: Online Shopping - Be Smart, Stay Safe 

December 3: Wise Charitable Giving 

December 4: Prevent Identity Theft: Protect Your Mail and Packages from Porch Pirates 

December 5: Computer Ransomware - What Is It? 

December 6: Travel Tips 

December 7: Hey! Why Isn't That Price Fixing? The Real Story of Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Prices 

December 9: Phishing Scams 

December 10: Puppy Scams 

December 11: Artificial Intelligence and Scams 

December 12: Credit Cards - Did I Charge That? 

December 13: Gifting Circles Good, Gifting Schemes Bad: How to Spot an Illegal Pyramid Scheme 

December 16: Grandparent Family Emergency Scam 

December 17: Michigan's Scanner Law - The Shopping Reform and Modernization Act 

December 18: Drop-Shipping: What you Need to Know Before You Buy or Sell Online 

December 19: Paying With a Gift Card 

December 20: Business Sudden Closure - Protect Yourself 

December 23: Payment Apps and Scams 

December 26: Avoiding Unhappy Returns - Returning Merchandise Bought Online or In the Store 

December 27: File a Consumer Complaint 

December 30: Data Breaches: What to do Next 

January 2: Free Credit Reports: What Consumers Should Know 

January 3: Health Club Memberships - Lose Weight, Not Money and Travel Club Memberships  

To file a complaint with the Department of Attorney General, residents are encouraged to contact: 

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213 
Lansing, MI 48909 
517-335-7599 
Fax: 517-241-3771 
Toll-free: 877-765-8388- 
Online complaint form

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