BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler encouraged consumers Thursday who bought memberships to a recently closed martial arts facility to file a refund claim with his Consumer Protection Division.
In December and January, Chung's Martial Arts, a martial arts facility operated by Duke Chung, closed down two locations in Silver Spring. The clubs allegedly closed without giving advance notice to members.
"This is the exact reason why Maryland law requires health clubs to obtain security," Gansler said. "It gives consumers a safety net to ensure they won't be paying for services they don't receive when a facility closes its doors without warning."
Gansler's Consumer Protection Division may be able to help consumers recover some membership fees and can provide information about how to stop the club from continuing to collect payments set up as automatic transfers from bank accounts or automatic debits. Consumers can send a copy of their membership agreement and proof of payment to the division if they believe they are entitled to a refund.
Maryland's Health Club Law requires self-defense schools, weight loss centers and health clubs to register with the Consumer Protection Division. Clubs like Chung's Martial Arts must give the division a bond or letter of credit to protect consumers' advance payments. Chung's Martial Arts was registered with a bond.
Maryland AG urges members of closed martial arts facility to submit refund claims
