Some Curves close; refunds available

Refunds are available for consumers after nine Curves fitness centers in Nassau County and three in Suffolk abruptly shut down just after accepting new membership payments, the state attorney general said in a news release Tuesday.

Curves International Inc. must pay $100,000 into a restitution account to return payments to customers who had signed up at franchise locations of the fitness company.

The dozen Long Island Curves franchises were among 60 statewide that failed to make proper refunds after unexpectedly closing up shop, officials said.

Consumers seeking a refund are asked to call the Better Business Bureau at 212-358-2857.

And consumers with similar complaints are encouraged to call Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's help line at 800-771-7755.

"Curves International did not honor its obligation to provide refunds when independently owned Curves Health Clubs franchises went out of business without reimbursing its members," Schneiderman's office said.

The state attorney general's office inquiry into Curves was prompted by a Suffolk County resident's complaint. The case was handled by Alan Berkowitz, acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Suffolk regional office, with the assistance of legal intern Dana Castaldo.

Curves president Mike Raymond Tuesday issued a statement: "When it was brought to our attention by the attorney general's office that certain of our independently owned franchisees were not treating members in the same spirit of fairness we pride ourselves on, we took all necessary steps to ensure that such was corrected."