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CB Home Safety and Security ADT Security Services horrible customer service and faulty product!
ADT Security Services

ADT Security Services review: horrible customer service and faulty product! 50

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Author of the review
12:00 am EST
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

This complaint concerns a commercial install performed for a non-profit organization. After almost six months, we still don't have a fully-functioning system and are out nearly $8,000. Our experience has included a ridiculously long list of faulty parts, missed service calls, false trips of the system, added riders to the contract during the installation process, and horrendous customer service from ADT management in the Richmond office.

The only thing ADT has done well and consistently is bill us for service and monitoring. Otherwise, they've replaced parts repeatedly without successful resolution of the problems. They've scheduled service appointments, then not shown up and not called, and their sales and installation managers are using the poor field guys as barriers in an attempt to avoid speaking with me.

I have devoted almost 100 hours in the past six months to arguing bills, driving into work at 2am to disarm a false alarm, and grappling with managers and service technicians. They have cost our non-profit a large amount of money and time due to their inefficiency, poor customer service, and faulty system.

Also, as part of the contract negotiation process, they agreed to donate $500 to one of our projects. After that donation wasn't received for four months, I was informed that they couldn't make the donation and would instead deduct that amount from our monitoring; yet another example of their inability to follow through.

I strongly encourage you to consider other security companies as I will never give business to ADT again. Please consider going with local, smaller security companies (of course check with Better Business Bureau). The only satisfactory resolution at this point would be a complete refund of all costs associated with installation and monitoring (over $7,800) and an apology from a Regional Manager.

50 comments
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Baluga
, US
Feb 21, 2018 8:59 pm EST

I agree, ADT has poor service, they bill like clockwork but the system did not work when it was first installed, it was fixed after 2 years, we then had a break-in as alarm was not functional. It got fixed and worked for a while and again stopped working. Recently they resorted to fraudulent billing as well. I was told today that they were billing me quarterly now but the bills they sent me were for past due balances (for service that wasn't even provided as yet). In early Januaty, I had told the rep to cancel my account but they are still apparently billing me. I tried to locate a Manager to speak with but obviously calling ADT, looking on their site etc will not provide access. Considering these issues, I feel that complaints at official sites, local and federal level or legal action may be necessary.

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Rautenbach
, ZA
Dec 12, 2012 3:42 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

The service was cancelled by me in august. 1 month notice was given and I received a cancelation letter for the company. They said that they will come and take the transmitter. Till today after many calls to adt they still did not come and take it out. I am a pensioner and still they stole the mone form my account and did not repay it. I am going to sell the transmitter to make up my losses. The are a ### company with no service delivery.

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MJLK
Trinidad, US
Nov 15, 2011 11:39 pm EST

I was approached as a cold call to my home soliciting ADT Security Services by two young salesmen at the same time who convinced me I needed the service. Within minutes they had 3 additional young men in my home installing the system. Days later after a request to install a monitor on a non-protected door we discovered the remote we originally got did not work. A tech came and replaced the remote and installed the additional door monitor. A few days later one of the monitors fell off it's location. 3 & 1/2 months later we still have not received a replacement monitor yet we have been charged 47.99 monthly for a system that is not protecting our home. When we request they stop charging us & to come get their equipment they say we have to pay over $1, 500 to cancel our contract. My question is, is it legal for them to continue charging for a non-working service? A worthless service and far more worthless service employees. I am a senior citizen having to continue to work to supplement my social security income and feel I've been taken unfair advantage of.

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Lancedan
, US
Nov 05, 2010 2:14 pm EDT

1. The ADT Head & Senior Management Technical Services, PTA did not return any of my calls or emails w.r.t. initial contract implementation problems, interim service, enquiries, protection requests or complaints, until
2. After spending an inordinate amount of time and money on the phones, I eventually got hold of a the ADT Call Centre Ops Manger, JHB who did help me to rectify the initial contract implementation problems stretching over 5-6 months & eventually sorted in 2008 - I should have known then?
2. I recently again contacted the Call Centre to arrange for extra protection, as promised in 2007 (and faithfully paid for since) in my original contract, for an overnight kid's party. In all that time I had only one confirmed drive-by even after I called again to enquire.
3. When I tried to contact the Call Centre again to arrange for extra protection for another 6 hour kid's party, I never got any response. Then I activated my alarm as instructed by the PVR CPF and eventually got the duty officer Daniel, who was apologetic and promised to do something for me?
4. Needless to say nothing was done?
5. Now I have to find another company to protect my family?

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Reviewer91823
,
Nov 10, 2015 12:58 pm EST

ADT changed there support policy regarding batteries failing left and right after 5 years no longer would replace them for the minimum $25. charge. ADT wanted to charge me $65 for a FedEx delivery since they would not ship to my billing address!? I will now be kicking ADT of my property. ADT has rules they say but so do "no service no gold"😊

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Idenity Victim
Crestview Hills, US
Apr 12, 2013 12:02 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

ADT changed my residence security account into an ex's name. They did not contact me (the owner of the residence and owner of the ADT account). Even though there were no other names on my account they not only changed the account name on the account, pass-codes, call out numbers, but locked me out of my own account. ADT did this in December 2012 and still bills me for the charges. Now the security and safety of my residence as at risk.

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ticked executor
Cupar, CA
Sep 16, 2011 5:04 pm EDT

My Father subscribed to ADT for his home alarm. My father died on Dec. 8th 2010. I temporarily moved from my home in Saskatchewan to his home in B.C. to take care of the Estate. In Feb. 2011 I contacted ADT to request that the system monitoring be cancelled. I was sent forms to fill out. I filled out the forms and sent them along with the requested - copy of the death cert., Will naming me as Executor, ID proving I was the named executor and a cover letter. The end of February I disconnected the alarm system from the phone line and unplugged the system from the power outlet. On April 16th, 2011 the phone was cancelled and disconnected and May first the purchasers of the house took possession. ADT is still trying to bill for monitoring the system. I have called repeatedly and they ask for the pass word. As I have explained to them over and over my father was the only one who knew the pass word and it went to the grave with him. I am then told rather rudely that with out the pass word they cannot help me. Talk about corporate ineptitude.

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Niakoe
, US
Jan 20, 2011 4:51 pm EST

1. On several occasions my house alarm went off and I am still waiting for the call centre to contact me.
2. On Saturday [protected] my alarm went off at 18:30. The call centre contacted me and I drove to my house, investigated and drove back to my friends house. This took me 45 minutes during which time NO response vehicle was at my house. Almost two hours later, the call centre gave feedback that no access could be gained to my premises. AT 20 PAST ONE IN THE MORNING A VEHICLE STOPPED AND RANG MY BELL! He is just following up on the alarm that was activated! (I think that this action was out of spite because I told the call centre that I was NOT impressed with the service from ADT)
I THINK YOUR SERVICE IS ON THE DECLINE AND AT THIS STAGE IT IS PATHETIC!

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dm2
, US
May 18, 2011 5:10 pm EDT

I accidentally set my alarm off, they called me for the code which was never given to me. When they determined I couldnt provide this information they called the police which was dispatched and sent to my home (Guns drawn and even a chopper). I called them after receiving a violation citation from the city of houston due to no permit to have an alarm system to complain but they said it was all explained to me during my sales conversation. This was never told to me by the salesperson, so I was charged about 3o0.00 by the city. I do admit blame in being a little to eager to be secured, however what irked me was what happened from thereon. I asked for my code so in the future I wouldnt go through the same situation, the rep stated he would mail it, I never got it. I called again and complained still nothing was provided by mail, they wouldnt give it over the phone. After being patient I decided to report my debit card stolen so they my billing information they had would become invalid. I called them to let them know if they want my money every month im going to need that code. Still no budge.

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Forrest Becker
Tallahassee, US
Nov 27, 2012 9:41 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I worked for secure watch (SWS)for 4 mths, and they treat everyone like crap! Mr. Thompson you owe me a $1800 team leader paycheck, which Bryan Weaver failed to send to me, (you knew were to send it but y'all made sure to send me my w-2, so i had to pay taxes on). Securewatch plays favorites in selecting who will advance in the company, and for the most part I noticed that they are racist! and yes they do do background checks, but even if you have a record all you have to do is be friends with the branch manager and he will but in a good word for you and you can stay employed and eventually become regional manager of Missouri, just ask Bryan Mcswiggan, who has a felony for a suspended license. SWS screws the sales people because if you sell a good system to a customer the sales person uses all the points they give which is seven, ( motion detector-2, smoke/heat-2, door sensor-1, key fob-1, pennant-1) and to make matters worse for every point you save you get $15 but if you go over ever point they take $30. And since the company is commission based the customers get the short end of the stick! The company also urges that the salesmen never mention anything about a credit check, but that's how you get approved they look for anyone with a 585 or better, ( the commission is also based on the customers credit, 585-614=$180, 615-649=$240, 650+=$300)And to make it even better even if you get to run some-one's credit and you can't close the deal because they find out that they have to pay an activation fee. Which can be waived for the customer, secure watch changed the amount from $99 to $149. Regardless all of this bulls*it that I've seen from the the company the real crooks are Matt Thompson and ADT. Secure watch sells the contracts that they have acquired for $1500 to ADT, ADT then owns the contract and won't due anything if the customer complains about the salesperson lying regardless of the topic the contract can be cancelled at no penalty to the customer( which is stated on the back of the contract in the fine print) but I still see all these complaints about ADT penalizing for canceling the contract due to the salesperson lying! Also ADT should pay me for doing their footwork, they steal sales from the salesperson (this was the straw that broke the camels back for me) every time the sales person runs a credit check and if the they are a few points under the recommended credit or even if the individual is interested but has to do something and wants you to come back and the customer gives you their personnel phone number to finish the process, and when you call back and you find out that ADT not secure watch came in and uses all the info that you gathered and got the customer interested comes in and sells them the system without you being there, I would consider that to be theft and this just didn't happen once ADT, so you can kiss my white a$$ if you want to say something different. So frankly I don't believe in secure watch or ADT, and until I see my money come from Matt Thompson, and I see some money come from ADT, both I would consider crooks, thieves, and liars so feel free to send either by cash, check or a money order to Forrest Becker @ 1540 blockford ct e, Tallahassee, FL 32317,

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Fairplay2
Albany, US
Oct 12, 2010 5:54 pm EDT

I purchased and had the ADT Home Monitoring service installed in my mothers home for her safety. My mother moved when she could no longer live alone and we had her service moved with her.I have paid for this service for the best part of 6 years. Earlier this year, I switched which credit card the service would be auto-charged thru. The charge went thru fine and then I simply assumed everything would be as it had be. Boy was that a miostake with ADT. Some how an for some reason they stopped charging the service on this card and I did not realize it. There was nothing wrong with the credit card. A few days ago, my mother found her service was not working and called them to find out the account was closed. I called them and they told me that the card on file was not working. I checked the account they were supposed to charge on and YES there was a charge months ago from them, so they were given the correct card number and it had worked. They claimed they were never given this card. They could not explain why they had been able to make a charge against this card if they never had it. Next, I asked them why they never contacted me since I was the person who set up the account and was paying for it. They said they had tried to call and the phone was disconnected. They also claimed to have sent a letter. Wher? They were calling my mothers previous phone and writting to her old address. How is it that they had moved her service to her new home, even had some one out to do a repair...yet according to them they didn't have this as the "billing address." We went round and round and yes I got heated with them. They offered no explainations, made every attempt to put the blaim on us and all they ultimately were concerned about was the past due money They could have given a damn that they put my mother at high risk. Oh, I paid the bill...with guess what credit card? Yup, the one they had charge on but said they never had. Well, I immediately set up a new service with another company and guess what credit card I used? You guessed it. I would NOT recommend anyone put their family member at risk with this company. They definitely don't know what they are doing and can't keep accurate records. They are also liars. It is absolutely true what someone else in here wrote...THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CLIENTS AT ALL! When ADT come into your mind...think...do I want my mother at even greater risk and you are paying to do that?

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Trident
, US
Sep 15, 2010 9:04 am EDT

I laid an complaint about money being owed to me that was deducted off my account with no consent. After almost 3 months now again i still dont have any feedback from ADT. Every time i phone to find out whats happening they just say that its still at the accounts department.

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Takemehome
, US
Aug 24, 2010 7:24 am EDT

ADT calls back and confirm they have refunded me, I checked the bank account today and they only refunded half the money owing to me. ADT please catch a wake up and do your jobs properly. You owe me a further R370.50.

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jsssika
Houston, US
Nov 20, 2009 11:02 am EST

Watch this story to see how ADT treats it's customer after a buglary.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/21654380/detail.html?success&dsq=23615580#comment-23615580

This company disgusts me

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merrittearl
Asheville, US
Jun 13, 2012 4:54 am EDT

we had an adt system for a few moths now only a few months the panel has a communication error and it sounds like a rotary phone i am shocked that adt didnt send a tech out like they said they was going to do originally so i called we tested the system they confirmed that they had to send a tech out they said it would be 25 dollars a visit i thought it was inappropriate since we pay around 41 dollars a month for monitoring seems like they would keep there systems up for u since u pay the bill we scheduled an appointment 12-5 the next day the tech came out right at 5 i thought that was terrible business practice so he tinkered with it a few minutes and said out system is fried so i asked about if it could have been due to lighting or a faulty panel so the tech automatically assumed lighting without no futher investigation and said lightening not covered and he said it would be 450 dollars for a new system then he flat out and said adt doesnt make any money from there contracts and it takes 18 months for them to see any revenue from the customers so that tells me adt dont care about the customers and everytime they come see u they will sell u a new panel every time because thats how adt makes there money 25 dollars and 400 to 500 dollars everytime they make a so called service call to replace ur panel cause they dont want to work on it. he said its after 5 so i wouldnt be able to get u a new panel today thats ur problem. so after the visit he said i will waive the 25 dollar fee in all reality i think he he realized he said to much so he would waive the fee so he would not feel so guilty ripping us off

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jayanne58
Hornell, US
Feb 09, 2011 10:12 pm EST

Does anyone have there address because I'm taking them to small claims court, and I will need there address and any other info you can give me.
my email addy is celticbikers@gmail.com Thanks Jay

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petermrogers
Washington, US
Jan 21, 2011 3:54 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This is unfortunate - and is one reason may people are turing to alarm system with the technology to notify them directly, ion addition to 24 hour professional monitoring. For instance, I get an email on my B'Berry every time something happens at my house, like a door opening, the system being armed or disarmed, loss of power, etc. ADT is just starting to sell these services (way behind the game), but they are expensive! Bigger is not always better... Hope you get this worked out.

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another example of ADT
Bay Minette, US
Nov 04, 2010 1:43 am EDT

This company is a complete Fraud. It is a perfect example of how the customers are at the mercy of these scams and there is no one who can help them. My story goes back to 2007 when my troubles began. Every day an ADT hound will trouble us to have this useless piece of ___ at our home. These guys will beg for their meager commission and one day I committed the mistake that cost me three years of regret. Just a few days ago the three long troubled years came to an end and I hurriedly called to cancel this b___y account. The guy on the other end agreed and closed the account. I specifically asked if there is a balance. He said zero. Then after 3 days I saw again billed and amount drawn from my credit card. I called and the lady on the other side refused to agree and said that I should have given a month notice. Is there any one in this world who can stop them doing this act.

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DontComplwithPYH
Aurora, US
Jul 30, 2010 10:48 pm EDT

[censor]tards.

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jackzack001
Phoenix, US
Jul 28, 2010 6:13 pm EDT

ADT Security is a joke! And a ripoff too!
I know because I worked for them for almost 2 years as a commercial and residential service engineer in Arizona.
I designed, installed and tested technical security systems at US embassies and consulates before I retired from the USG and went to work for ADT. I am an electronic engineer and had specialized USG training in all aspects of technical security. I did military communications systems engineering for 23 years prior to working in security.
When ADT hired me, they promised 30 days of training and I got nothing! They also said I would earn $75k but it was less than half that amount. And ADT managers, who knew nothing about security, expected and demanded that service personnel do at least 7 service calls per day, regardless of the complexity of the problem. Service crews were sent out with no parts and often had to call other service personnel to see if they were nearby and had the part needed.

ADT installs alarm systems that do not work and when a burglary does happen, they tell the customer ADT is not liable since the customer did not test his alarm system monthly as they are supposed to do.
Most homeowners would not even know if their system was communicating or not with ADTs monitors (they either have a communication link over a telephone circuit or a wireless connection via a cell radio transmitter). I personally saw situations where the system was installed and not working properly and the customer had been paying for months or up to a year without knowing it.
Yet despite all the shortcomings, ADT sees fit to charge $30-40 a month for a false sense of security - it's all about profit and little to do with customer service and satisfaction.
And ADT has no installation standards, installer training, or spare parts on service trucks. I was sent to one customer’s home which was about a 1 hour ride away; when I arrived he needed a few standard 1.5 volt batteries and I had none on my truck. I had to drive to the nearest Ace hardware and buy them using my own money. At other residences, I found the heavy alarm panel mounted with only drywall screws (it was falling off the wall), exposed conductors on wires, panels installed upside down, and sensors that had been installed days ago falling off.
ADT sales reps know little about security principles and how to design a proper alarm system. They advertize the $99 special, which is OK for a studio apartment at best, and then use the bait and switch scam to get the customer to shell out $1000 or more for an “expanded” home alarm system. Sales reps are out to maximize the total sale dollar amount since they get paid on commission.
And ADT will take over any system ever installed by anyone else, as long as the customer pays the $30-40 monthly fee. Then ADT will not have trained personnel or parts to support these odd ball systems when they do fail.
Buyer beware! It is a known fact that a big guard dog is a better deterrent for burglary! And keep in mind that a critical factor for any alarm system is the time it takes for police to respond to the alarm– if you are in a remote location and it takes 30 minutes for police to get there, burglars have this much time to crash and grab.

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SUSIEQ02
Live Oak, US
Apr 07, 2010 4:33 pm EDT

I talked to ADT in February about installing a system in my house & they set up everything on the phone and the people were coming out in almost 2 weeks to install & then they had a delay & I changed the date bu then I decided I wanted to just cancel & they told me it would be 4-5 weeks to get my $147.00 back, & here it is April 7th and I STILL do not have my money back! Are they crooked or what? I won't be giving them a good word, they can count on that! SCAMMERS!

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ALL ALRMS COMPANIES
Minneapolis, US
Nov 24, 2009 10:51 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Thanks, we must make the Alarm Company go broke.

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ALL ALRMS COMPANIES
Minneapolis, US
Nov 24, 2009 10:49 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Their are ways to out foxed alarm companies.

Do NOT And I mean do not sign any Contract with out talking to a legal Advisor 1st, and until the Alarm is put into your Home. if the Company REFUSE. Just way, my Advisors told me for YOUR AMARMS COMPANIES TO GET OFF AND GET OUT OF MY HOME IMMEDIATELY!
Also, check with your Credit Card Company. let them know that you will get back to them ASAP after the Alarm was put in. or not put in. The INSTALLER MAY HAVE A COP OUT BY NOT SHOWING UP TO INSTALLED AS PROMISE!

Thanks, PLEASE, BEWARE. One Alarm Company, different name for different ends of the Country, even in the same City. that's a phony cover up.

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jsssika
Houston, US
Nov 24, 2009 9:37 am EST

A disgusting company indeed - read this and decide for yourself:
http://www.click2houston.com/news/21654380/detail.html?dsq=23535191#comment-23535191

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ASHLIE R.
El Paso, US
Nov 17, 2009 12:28 pm EST

DO NOT GO WITH ADT ! VERY VERY RUDE PEOPLE WORK THERE, WHEN I SIGNED UP FOR ADT THEY INSISTED I SIGN A CONTRACT AND THE GUY DID NOT EXLAIN TO ME WHAT I WAS SIGNING THESE PEOPLE JUST WORK ON COMMISSION SO THEY JUST WANT TO LOCK YOU IN A CONTRACT ! MY ALARM HAS WENT OFF SEVERAL TIMES FOR NO REASON AND THEY BASICLLY JUST THROW ME TO THE LINES WHEN I CALL TO COMPLAIN ! THERE SUCH AN AWFULL COMPANY WHEN I WANTED TO GET OUT OF MY CONTRACT THEY SAID I HAD TO PAY 75% OF MY REMAINING BALANCE WHICH WAS 1, 200 ! AND IF YOU READ THE SMALL PRINTS IT EVEN SAYS THERES NO GUARANTEE ON THERE EQUIPMENT SO IN CASE THERE WAS A BUGLARY IT MAY NOT EVEN GO OFF ! JUST TAKE MY ADVICE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S ADVICE DO NOT GO WITH ADT ! AND MOST OF ALL DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT ! I KNOW FOR A FACT NOW OF WHY THEY MAKE EVERYONE SIGN A 3 YEAR CONTRACT ITS BECAUSE THERE SERVICE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS THEY DONT KNOW WHAT THERE DOING AND THEY KNOW THAT ANYBODY WHO GOES WITH ADT IS GONNA WANT OUT OF THERE CONTRACT !

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ALL ALRMS COMPANIES
Minneapolis, US
Nov 16, 2009 7:04 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

1) All it takes is to Out foxed the Alarm Companies.
2) Read the print before you sign any Contract.
3) Make sure you understand what you are signing, if not asked your Legal Adviser.
4) If you have 3 days to cancel which you likey do, make sure that Saturday and Sunday/Holiday is not including.
5) Make it clear if they need the Cancellation by Express Mail, that the Post Office is close on Saturday Afternoons, all Day Sunday and Holidays.
6) " " " that not everyone has Fax Merchines.
7) Check with your Credit Card Company before you sign your Contract.
8) Make it clear that no one enters your House w/o the back ground check of the Installter in Writting.
9) " " " " it must take 2 People to Installed and or unintalled and Immediately with out other excusses.
10) " " " " that you will have the persons name that signs for the overnight Express. and you will want your Refund Immeditely. no excusees.
11) and finally, I have herd the excusses that it takes days to get the refund.
12) guess what? the Armish could had deliverd the Express faster then even before the refund is approved.

BEWISE, BEAWEAR IF FRUD and BECAREFUL! MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

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ottoherman
el paso, US
Nov 16, 2009 4:29 pm EST

To make it easier to cancell with out the hardcore sale tackticts, will someone please list ADT's national fax number so we can simply send it in writing and keep a fax conformation for our records to defend when they turn it over to hard collections, and to send a copy to the local credit beareu. Thanks and may your hearts be filled with peace, God Bless You.

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ALL ALRMS COMPANIES
Minneapolis, US
Jun 18, 2009 7:45 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

ADT SUCK, AND YES, I MEAN SUCK!

I tried the service with the 3 free day. I change my mind and got the cancellation over night express. which is expensive, and besides, it takes them forever, to get back to you. However. I have a hunch that polite People works for this crooked Alarmed Company. well, I finally out foxed them and got 100% Refund. no big deal. it took a while. but, my Credit Card. AX was on my side.
Before, anyone signs any Contract. and I am no ATTY. however, I will say, take my advise, and hired a ATTY. or legal Advisor. they are those People for a small fee. Do not be stuck with a 3-5 year contact. yes, ADT like any Alarm Contracts out, so they can be too cheep to pay Wages to Excellent workers. that is the whole Problem. All Alarm Companies are the same. I think they are the same company yet, different name. yes. ADT sucks, Their Communications Sucks! and to take No they don't understand. they will lie, and want to hustle you to agree. Remember People False Alarms is what the British calls Crying Wolf. and too many, one is in big Trouble. I get along with the People next door we do not have not know each-other, yet, respect. with out having False Alarm. I had another Alarm Company that I had cancel when I moved. and gave them the Paper Personally. so the snob rude women that did not want to cancel me, asked if I had wanted to have service at my new Address, I said NO! and walk out, finally, I had to turn off that stupid Alarm even through it was not turn on. turn out it was the Stupid BATT.
It beep and disturb people next door. this was at my ex-home condo, that I am trying to sell. Yes. Alarm Companies Suck ADT SUCKS. so, the White House has ADT. and they also have Security People 24/7/52.
ADT IS A LIING CROOKED COMPANY!

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ALL ALRMS COMPANIES
Minneapolis, US
Jun 18, 2009 7:16 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

AFTER READING OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS. I WILL SAY THAT ADT SUCKS. AND I MEAN SUCK, THOSE NURDS CAN NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. SURELY THEIR ARE NICE PEOPLE WORKING FOR A CROOKED ALARM COMPANY. AND AS FAIR AS I CAN TELL, ALL ALARM COMPANIES ARE THE SAME, IF NOT THE SAME COMPANY OWER WITH DIFFERENT NAMES TO COVER IT UP. A PICE OF MY ADVISE. I WILL SAY, THAT BEFORE, YOU SIGN ANY CONTRACT. AND FOR THE LOVE OF PEACE, DO NOT AND I MEAN DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT FOR ANY ALARM COMPANY AND THAT GOES FOR TRIPLE FOR ADT. IF SIGN WITH OUT YOUR ATTY OF OTHER LEGAL ADVISOR.. YOU WILL BE STUCK FOR 3-5 YEARS. YES. 3-5 YEARS. WHAT A CROOER OUTFIT. CELL PHONE IS ONLY 2 YEARS.
20% OFF YOUR HOME OWER INSURANCE. YEAH, WHERE IS THE SAVINGS. IF YOU WASTE ON POINTLESS ALARM SERVICE. OH YEAH, I AM HAVING ALL CAPITOLS LETTERS, NOT YELLING AT ANY ONE PERSONALLY, IT IS THE FACT. FALSE ALARMS ARE WHAT THE BRITISH CALLS CRYING WOLF. TOO MANY FALSE ALARMS WILL DISTURB THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR. SO FOR THE LOVE OF PEACE, FINE SOME OTHER MEANS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME. ADT SUCKS. GO IT?. SUCKS! THS LAST MONTH, I WAS ASSURE THAT NO MORE CALLS WOULD BE MADE. SURE ENOUGH, 2 CALLS CAME IT. THE GUY SAID I WANTED SERVIE. WHICH IS FALSE. AND HE SAID THIS PASS WINTER. LOKE I SAID FOLKS ADT SUCKS. FALSE CRY WOLF ALARMS.

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jgalek
Houston, US
Apr 24, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

ADT is absolutely horrible! I will spare you the long saga of details, but they have sent two technicians and two salesmen out, have $350 of my money and have stopped returning my calls over the last 2 months. When I call "HQ" they say I need to deal with the home office in Houston where I live. When I call the Houston office, IF anyone answers, they tell me to call HQ.

If you want to be "safe, " the first step to take is get as far away from ADT as possible. Please take my word for it and save yourself the time.

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rob street
Jonesborough, US
Mar 21, 2009 12:41 am EDT

adt hired sws to install my system and the 2 men from sws stole money and tools and other things from my house! i do not reccomend adt or sws for anything. neither company will help me or try to fix the problem, they are basically ignoring me. so do not trust either of them!

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Ron W
, US
Feb 02, 2009 7:34 pm EST

All that I can add is, read the fine print carefully because it will come back to haunt you. When the service person comes out to fix your system, don't believe the person unless it is in writing when he says that there will be no charge for service. Also some people don't realize that they are dealing with two different companies (ADT and the service contractor). When ordering the service from the salesperson (who is an independent contractor), he will ask for your social security number so that the company can do an inquiry on your credit rating. The other subcontractor will do another inquiry on your credit rating also, that will give you two dings on your credit rating in one day. Insist on one inquiry in writing, so your credit rating will not be hurt. Also, everything that your sales person promises must be in writing to be valid. I think the minimum agreement is three years lock in, so be careful and read the small print, I wish that I had.

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Carlos
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Sep 04, 2008 8:04 am EDT

I agree with the complaints posted. They are crooked. I had ADT for 7 years (they bought out my original two companies). I requested cancellation of their monitoring services effective August 31 by phone in late July. When I did not hear from them, through email or snail-mail, as far as confirming the cancellation, I sent them a message on July 12 by logging-in to my account in their website (MyADT.com). They responded with an email informing me that they do not accept cancellations by their website messaging system. They said I had to either call them (which I had already done) or fax them. I decided to fax them again requesting cancellation effective August 31st, on August 12. I requested confirmation through an email. On August 21 when they did not respond, I resent the fax. On September 2nd, since they had not responded, I called them. Now they tell me that they did not receive the phone call or the faxes. They confirmed the fax number with me annd I have a record of 2 successful faxes sent on August 12 and 21. Now on September 2, they charged me the $93.40 for the next 3 months monitoring. The credit card company (Citi) says that it would be hard to prove that they actually received the faxes. So, it seems that ADT knows exactly what they are doing and how to do it.

They are obviously crooked. They only accept phone calls or faxes in order to cancel, however, later they claim they did not receive them. They do this to try to cheat their customers out of an additional 3-month period and in order to punish them for daring to cancel their monitoring. Doesn't the government monitor this kind of fraud on consumers?

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whyme88
, US
Aug 10, 2008 12:30 pm EDT

I left ADT after three years of employment at the National Marketing Center (NMC) in Jacksonville, Florida. The pay was good, the benefits were good, but job satisfaction evaded me for the entire three years. My job was to assist customers in reactivating and reprogramming existing ADT alarm systems in their homes remotely over the phone. I was also an ADT customer for three years; ADT employees get a 50% discount on installation and monitoring. During the three years I was a customer, I found that my alarm system was typically effective and that the monitoring center did a pretty good job of responding to the few false alarms I experienced. There was one incident that prompted me to leave ADT (as an employee and as a customer) that occurred several months ago. A fellow employee in my department, for reasons unknown to me, decided to tamper with my personal home alarm system programming using the remote downloader hardware/software ADT utilizes for reactivating existing alarm systems.
This person changed my master arming code and disarmed my alarm system while my wife and I were both away from our home. When we returned home we were obviously concerned that not only had our alarm been disarmed, but we could not re-arm the system either. I discovered the program tampering to my alarm monitoring account when I returned to work and made copies of all program documentation and reported the incident to upper management. No action was ever taken, that particular employee is still at ADT, and I'm no longer an employee or customer there. I have filed a complaint against ADT with the Florida Department of Consumer Affairs because of this incident.
I'd like to let everyone who stumbles across this post know that paying for alarm monitoring should be a thing of the past. Most everyone has a cell phone these days, so why not monitor your own alarm system. With simple programming on the alarm keypad, you can change the phone number that the alarm system dials from the alarm company's monitoring center to you personal cell phone number. You can call the police, friends, and neighbors and have them check on your home just as easily as some $8.00/hour monitoring center employee can. Most alarm company monitoring centers are required to contact the homeowner or a key holder to the home before they can notify the police anyway.
To monitor your home alarm system via cell phone, you'll need a few things. First, you'll need the manufacturer's installation and programming guide for the make/model of your alarm system. This will walk you through the programming steps for changing codes, phone numbers and so forth on your alarm keypad. Second, you'll need the phone number and monitoring account number that your alarm is currently programmed to dial. You can get this information from your alarm company's monitoring center operators; if not, ask around in your local area and find an alarm technician (or ex-alarm technician) who can find this information for you (usually for a small fee or favor). Third, you'll need the installer code for your particular alarm system. This code will allow you to access the advanced programming for your alarm at your keypad. Once you have the programming guide, all phone numbers and codes, it's just a simple matter of following instructions and typing in numbers on your keypad.
It's really quite simple; if you can set up address book phone numbers in your cell phone, you can reprogram your alarm system. When the alarm goes off in your home you'll be notified directly on your cell phone, and you can in turn call the police yourself.
Now, if all that's too complicated for you, or if you can't obtain all the codes and information you need for your alarm, there is another option that will still allow you to monitor your own alarm system. You'll have to purchase a digital alarm phone dialer. You can usually find one of these at your local Radio Shack or electronics store or by searching on-line. These automatic phone dialers can usually be had for around $80.00. A digital dialer can easily be wired (just two wires usually) to the siren output connection in the main control panel of your alarm system (that's the metal box that houses the main circuitry and system back-up battery for the alarm system). When the digital phone dialer is installed you'll unplug the alarm system from your home phone wiring and plug the digital alarm dialer phone cord into any phone jack in your home. The digital phone dialer will come with wiring and programming instructions and are much easier to program than the alarm system itself. A big plus with most digital phone dialers is that you can program two, four, or even six phone numbers for the system to dial in the event of an alarm. This allows you to program your cell phone, neighbor’s phone, friends, other family members, etc...Please note; however, you should not program the dialer to call police or other emergency services; that's unlawful in most areas.
So, stop paying $30, $40, $50 per month or more for alarm monitoring and take control of your own home security. You can do this with a lot of the alarm systems that are out there; it's just a matter of doing some research and/or spending a little cash, and doing a little wiring.
For those of you that do not have a home alarm system and are thinking about getting one for your home a company called X-10 has a pretty good do-it-yourself system that comes with keypad, remote key fob, six number digital voice phone dialer, five window/door contacts, two motion sensors, and an additional wireless keypad, all for under $200.00. Just Google X-10 and you'll find their website. I bought one of these systems for my 75 year old mother-in-law and it works great. I installed the entire system and programmed it in under two hours.
I'm not what you would call an expert alarm technician, but then electronic alarm systems and alarm system monitoring is not rocket science either. Even the latest and most advanced electronic home alarm systems still use the same basic circuitry and components that have been used in home alarm systems for the past 30 years or more. I have to laugh whenever I see ADT's new commercial where they talk about their "new" keychain remote control...they've been selling that same remote for at least 20 years now.
You'll pay $400/year and up for monitoring with most alarm companies, and yes, they do sometimes provide technical service if the alarm breaks, but most problems you would ever have with a home alarm system you can fix yourself (if you have basic mechanical skills), like replacing the system backup battery, reattaching a lose door or window contact or replacing batteries in wireless door/window sensors and motion sensors, etc...
If the alarm system is just totally screwed up, you can easily replace the entire system yourself for less than one service call from an alarm company technician.
I hope the information I've provided on this post is useful to some of you out there. At least you know that there are alternatives to paying extortion fees to an alarm company and being locked into a 3 year contract. I'm sure that there are many other alternative home security solutions out there that cost way less than ADT that I have not mentioned here; so get off this blog and start doing your research.

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Amy Covington
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Apr 29, 2008 4:10 pm EDT

ADT hires numerous subcontractors who don't know what they are talking about and install systems improperly. I had so many false alarms that I was actually fined by the City and ended up disabling my system because every time I left it seemed like my alarm went off. What's more I told the salesman who signed me up that I would only be in the home for a year and could I cancel if I needed to and he said yes. When I went to cancel I was told I would have to pay $450. I couldn't afford it and so they continued to withdraw the monthly payments out of my account. Now I'm just so ticked off that they have NO options available for people who move to apartments and no longer have use for the service. ADT did not provide any new equipment for me, as I already had equipment so they had nothing to lose ... except for any potential future business from me or people I know based on their treatment of me. Every time I've called I have been treated so rudely. They clearly only care about making money in any way that they can.

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Jim Atkins
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Apr 08, 2008 1:58 pm EDT

I had ADT in my house for 6 years, I sold my house and moved to a rental house, which I contracted for a year.I told ADT that I was moving, they said we can move your account over there, ADT is the only company that will put a system in a rental house.So I said OK, the ADT guy showed up in the midst of unpacking, installed alarms on three doors.Said someone will be back next week to do the windows.He was real friendly, lifted a box or two, then at the appropriate time, said just sign this so I get paid for coming out today.Without searching for my glasses, I scrawled my name on a faded piece of paper, didn't even get a copy.When no one showed up for a 6 months I decided to cancel the service, BUT I now found out I had signed a new 3 year contract on a place I rented for 1 year, tried to go through BBB, but ADT won't budge, they took advantage of me, an elderly person.I will pass on this story to anyone that will listen.

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Mike
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Mar 22, 2008 10:53 am EDT

ADT provides terrible customer service. Our alarm wasn't even working properly because they didn't replace the batteries and then they wanted to charge us to come out. DO NOT USE ADT, and if you have them, cancel them at the earliest opportunity!

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Mike B.
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Mar 21, 2008 9:55 pm EDT

My complaint sounds scary similiar to Hrojas, Ours started off with rude customer service, we got a call saying the tech. would arrive from 12-1pm, he showed up @ 2:20 pm, then the work order was wrong my wife had to fight and argue with them for a good half hour also he stayed until 9:30pm it did not get installed, the tech said i'll come back tommorrow after my first appt. is done, what? STAY AWAY FRO DEFENDER SECURITY PLEASE!

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hrojas
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Mar 20, 2008 5:42 pm EDT

My panel has not worked since 7 days. I called for service and was told I had to wait at least 48 hours. I then scheduled an appointment as soon as possible. The date of the appointment was my birthdate, but I waited for the service person from 12-5, considering my panel did not work, and I was to be on a business trip and was concerned for the home security of my family. I confirmed at least 3 different times with ADT my service appointment, as I would miss work, and be at home. The service person did not appear. I lost my wages for the whole afternoon. When you call to inquire about why the service person is not there, they make you wait over 15 minutes on the phone. (Unacceptable). When I finally did get through I was told I did not have a service appointment, though I had confirmed at 3 different occasions. Please do not get ADT service, as it is nonexistent.

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d. Whitmore
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Feb 19, 2008 3:41 pm EST

The ADT system started sending false alarms. A tech came out and supposedly change the sensors and cleaned the panel charging 100.00. The panel continued to stick. A called to ADT resulted in a tech giving instructions on how to change the code. After the instructions were implemented the panel shut down. Three techs have been out without success causing me to miss I full day and 2 half days from work. The last tech stated that he needed to order a part. He called two days later left a voice mail asking me to call him and set up an appointment. Which I did, however, on the day of the appointment he did not show and a call to ADT indicated that no appointment was made. That seems pretty suspicious . Why did he make an appointment and ADT is unaware? Females be cautious! I have been without a system for almost a month. If I were you I would think twice about ADT. I am switching to a new company ASAP.