Complaint Rating:

Company information:
Sirius XM Radio
United States

I purchased a new vehicle in 2006 and paid for a 3-year service contract with XM Radio though the dealership. Initially decided not to renew in 2009 after the 36-month obligation was completed. Without my consent or approval the service continued for 2 months and I then received a bill for $38.00.

Called their customer service and explained that I was being billed for a service that I did not request. Also mentioned that I was now considering a renewal of my service but that would not happen until they either removed the charges or provided me with a copy of a binding contract under my signature that allowed an automatic continuation of service. After some hesitation, the bogus charges were removed. That took 2-3 weeks.

I then renewed the service by phone. (Never give these crooks your credit card or bank account information.) In renewing, I made it emphatically clear that I was authorizing only a three year obligation and that I would not allow an automatic extension unless I specifically approved it at that time. The agent acknowledged and concurred. Also, I required the agent to give me the total cost-plus taxes and fees. Then I wrote the figure down just in case I needed it in the future. Sure enough I did. Surprise! I received a statement that included an additional unmentioned fee of $56.00 Music Royalty fee. Again, I called their customer service: had a short discussion and demanded a supervisor. Same song, same verse as before. Believe I mentioned The FCC and my State Attorney General and once again the bogus charges were removed.

Unfortunately, I cannot take my business elsewhere to get satellite service so I will pay these unsavory merchants for another 3 years service so I can listen to Fox/CNN while I travel.

What can we do about companies like this?
1. Never trust them
2. Never ever let them have your credit card, personal, or SSN information
3. Pay by check or, better yet, Money order.
4. Never accept their sham service and bogus billing
5. Always report them to the FCC and your state Attorney General if they persist in illegal billing
6. Never use profanity, be firm, tough and threaten the agents with personal accountability and liability (always get their name before starting the conversation)
7. Follow through, always!
8. Never let an unauthorized charge on a credit card or billing statement go unchallenged.
9. Demand a copy of the contractual document that supports their billing if they continue to demand payment. Never pay until this is provided.

I have used this technique repeatedly and found it generally works, particularly with corporations that are licensed or incorporated in the US. If everyone, who is a potential victim, would get aggressive, these collective crooks might clean up their act.