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DirecTV review: unauthorized charges 17

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10:34 am EST
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Called in august 09 to cancel my account, was told that I would be charged $160 for early termination. This was the only charge I was informed of and I agreed. The agent said I would receive a box to ship back the receivers in 6-10 days. The box did not come until the middle of december and on 12/17 I discovered a charge for $408 from directv on my checking account which overdrew my account close to $100. I called directv and was told that my account wasn't canceled and that the agent had put in the notes that "I called to cancel, but refused and would call back." this is an obvious lie, why would I call to cancel then refuse. I know from experience that agents at some companies are docked in pay for canceling an account so I had my suspicions as to why my account really wasn't canceled. I asked the supervisor if agents are docked for canceling accounts directv and he actually told me "yes." I asked why my account was charged without my permission for more than the $160 I was quoted and he stated they don't need my permission as I signed a contract that permits them to do this. I was told that I would receive a refund for the receivers but not for 6-8 weeks. When I asked to speak with his superior I was told that this was impossible, so I called back and was told by another supervisor the same thing. I asked if they would be able to expedite the refund so I did not incur anymore overdraft fees and they said it was also impossible.

I called my bank to dispute the charges and they were able to speak with directv and have the refund expedited and also reversed my overdraft fees. Apparently a 3rd party bank has more pull than a paying customer, imagine that.

For anyone who reads this, do yourself a favor and don't sign up with directv. They are deceptive, lie and don't care at all about the customer and if you try to cancel don't expect any cooperation whatsoever on their part.

Like george carlin said "it's all [censored] and it's bad for ya"

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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

17 comments
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Joe Utara
Rio Rancho, US
Dec 29, 2008 3:45 pm EST

I canceled my contract. I was moving out of state. they claim they suspended my contract for six months and becouse they had my credit card number after six months they startted charging my credit card without my authorization. they claim that is their policy and I can cancel again but it will cost me for a month and other cancelation charges.

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1Hotgurl2008
Niagara Falls, US
Jan 02, 2009 10:04 am EST

I had service with direct tv. I called to cancel the service after my agreement was fulfilled. during my agreement term, I had several receivers blank out, and had to have them replaced through the insurance I had purchased through dtv. I also, went to best buy and purchased/leased 2 receivers a day prior to the cancellation of my services. they said that I had to return the 2 receivers that I just paid $160 for together. I said return my money and I will return the receivers, I did not pay $160 for a day. they refused. I canceled the service. I had used my mother's credit card to make a payment or 2 before and was unaware that they stored this info. to my surprise, my mom called me about a $600+ charge on her card; whew, I flipped. I called dtv and they explained that they will bill any credit/debit card used on the account. I told them that this was unauthorized and they needed to refund the money. I put in a dispute with the credit card company, and faxed dtv proof that this was my mom's cc not mine. the charges were reversed.

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lab513
elyria, US
Jan 24, 2009 1:38 pm EST

Please please do not give this company your bank credit card or any other kind of debit info they will rip you off in a hot second. I made a payment (1x) for my daughter and when she closed her account they took the charges out of my bank why because according to their so called customer policy they have the right to charge any card they have on file. this is what they told me. I argued with a rep not 1x but 5 x's that I did not authorize the payment. and that he should have told me when I made the payment that this card could be used again if they had said that I would have stopped the payment right then and there. now I am into direct tv for 307. plus 72.00 for nsf funds caused by ther stupid [censored] bs. there comments was sorry mam but that's customer policy
Customer policy... I am not a customer nor will I ever be one.

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Kathryn Grant
Atlanta, US
Mar 26, 2009 2:00 pm EDT

Last year, I purchased a new hd tv from best buy. they offered special pricing if customers also purchased hd receivers from direct tv. as an existing customer of direct tv, I thought that it made sense to purchase the hdtv from them and take advantage of the sale price.

It wasn't until months later that I found out that direct tv automatically renewed my two year service contract. I contacted their service department to discontinue my agreement, explaining that I was being transferred (job relocation) and that I was being housed in an apartment complex that had an existing cable contract with another service provider. I would not be able to have my service transferred.

I was told that because I had renewed by agreement, (I did?), that I would have to pay an early cancellation fee of $150.00, even though:

1) I had no knowledge of this extended agreement
2) my new home location could not accommodate their service - not because I didn't want it, but because there was another service provider already there
3) I had been made aware -

Really, I asked? I wrote to their customer disputes center asking for verification, several times, and have heard nothing. i've asked for copies of a signed agreement, voice recordings, anything that would prove that I was notificed that my agreement would automatically be renewed. i've written them, called, e-mailed, and still have no response. this unresolved bill is now going into collections.

Beware - direct tv is not direct! not in their communications, their customer serivce practices or in their consideration of their customers.

If any one has any suggestions as to what to do, I would greatly appreciate the suggestions.

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Abusive Direct T.V.
Philips, US
May 01, 2009 2:31 pm EDT

I am in the total agreement with these customers complaints. I was insulted with direct t. v.'s customer service after many attempts to correct being over charged for a basic satellite.
When their representive contacted me by phone I was told they had a special for $29.99 per month needed my s. s # to do a credit check, the rep came back to me in a very short time and told me I was approved to receive their service, all he needed was a credit card # to confirm an installation date, I told them I did not want this card to be used for direct debit billing, I wanted to be billed by mail. I proceeded to give him my debit card #, what a mistake! I had their service from 11-13-2008 to 01-22-2009. two weeks after getting their service I noticed my bank card had been debited $79.47, I called my bank to tell them not to allow any further debit transactions from direct t. v., that I never authorized them to debit my acount, I was told that I needed to file a dispute that my card is backed by visa, so I file my dispute and put a stop on any future debit charges they might attempt. secondly, I called direct t. v.'s customer service to inform them that what they did was illegal, I never authorized them to debit my card and that I agreed to a $29.99 per month service. well let me tell you the c. s. @ direct t. v. was so rude and insulting I could not believe that this was really the same company I had seen advertised on t. v. and in publications nation wide. they said they would get back to me about being over charged and would note my account that I did not authorize them to use my debit card. I didn't hear from them and on december 28, 2008 they attempted again to debit my bank card for a shocking $110.09, my bank rejected direct t. v.'s charge, and called me saying direct t. v. had attempted this again that I needed to close out this debt card and get a new debt card #, which I did. again I callled direct t. v.'s c. s. to inform them that what they were doing was very illegal. they appoligized and and sent my call to her supervisor. after holding forever I was received by scott who was a living nightmare. scott told me that I had service with them at my present address from feb 17, 2005 to aug 14, 2006 and I owed them money from that service, how much he didn't say, just that it was an unsettled balance. I was shocked, I told him that this address was new, it's a new structure, nothing exsisted here before we built this new home in august 2008. scott insisted that under my s. s.# and this address I had outstanding money owed to them, diect t. v.. I couldn't get anywhere with he about this mistake of theirs, he was rude and insulting and told me to get help from the fraud hot line, that he couldn't help me. well I cancelled their service, sent the equipment back to them, they invoiced me for $551.52 and now have allied interstate collections after me for $630.99. I am surprised that this direct t. v. is getting away with deceiving the public with false advertising and collecting financial and personal information to abuse them financially and personally. what is happening in our country is a crying shame. if anyone knows of help in this situation please list it for all of us that are being abused.

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AttorneytoSueDirectTV
Laguna Niguel, US
Jun 10, 2009 12:44 pm EDT

I cancele with direct tv because as a long time customer, they don't care about updating your equipment - just new customers got the dvr. I canceled in nov. 2008. I had a credit on my account which I never received. six months after I canceled, they helped themselves to my credit card and started billing me as if I was receiving their service (I wasn't). I was told that I did not "cancel" but just "suspended my account for 6 months. I am an attorney, and told them, that no, I clearly canceled and that their use of my credit card is fraud. I intend to file a class action against direct tv. if you have been fraudulently billed by direct tv - email karilalaw@att.net.

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WILLFIGHT
Atlanta, US
Aug 01, 2009 12:11 pm EDT

I was a pretty happy direct tv customer until I needed to cut some on my budget. I called them to disconnect - prompt enough and they sent me boxes for the receivers and good instructions for packing and return. then they sent me a bill for movies I "viewed" over two years ago based on info on the "memory cards" (of course in their custody, so how can I dispute?) also because the charges were two years old they sent directly to collection!
in the meantime, I figured the $40 wasn't worth more hearburn, so I paid - my bad, I mistakenly bill payed them $300 and my credit card company $40... I called immediately and dic tv said they'd just credit it back to my bank account. several days - nothing. call again, "oh the check will go out in two weeks" check?! two weeks? I need my $260 now! that was two months ago, i've received two statements from dic tv advising I had a credit balance, but where's my refund? of course i'm sure they'll include some extra payment to me for them being late... fkng aholes

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Onesha Nunn
US
Sep 27, 2009 7:40 pm EDT

My husband's debit card was charged for my final bill and for equipment charges for my direct tv account. my husband is not on the direct tv account and did not authorize them to use the card. I am not on his banking account and do not have any access to his account.

During the majority of the time I was with direct tv I was seperated and he was not even living with me. he made the last payment on my account before I ended the service. we were told because he has the same address listed as his primary address now and because we have the same last name his card can be charged for my expenses. his card was charged over $700 for services that have nothing to do with him. he is not even authorized to ask questions on my direct tv account. we have been told that the funds will not be refunded until their equipment is received eventhough my husband has nothing to do with this account. once the equipment is received we will have to wait an additional 5 days.

Beware of direct tv. they have horrible customer service. I cancelled my nfl package prior to the season and was charged for the services. the list of bad experiences can go on and on. if you search more you will find many similiar and worse horror stories with this company.

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rayy
Grand Junction, US
Sep 28, 2009 1:01 am EDT

Direct tv has the worse customer service I have ever encountered. they are nasty can not get their billing right? do not use them. bresnans has beenso nice and concerened.. that is what makes a buisness thrive judy

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squatty
Austin, US
Nov 08, 2009 11:01 pm EST

set up a movers connect if you can. It costs 50 dollars to initialize and when the direct technician goes to apartment claim no line of sight. Direct will refund the money you were charged and you get out of contract due to cable company there and no line of sight for satellite to receive. Cumbersome for time but not any money out of pocket. Do not give up receiver you bought. Sell it on Craigslist to recoup some of your money lost in dealing with them.

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Rehoboth
Wray, US
Dec 31, 2009 3:33 pm EST

I ordered direct tv on Oct 2008. When I recieved my first billing statement it were more than directtv told, I then called directtv in Dec of 2008 as them to cancel. When I applied for a job this year the employer ordered a credit report and to find out directtv says I owe them $1267.54 and that is not true. I sent them a letter of cancellation, and also one to the credit bureau and disputed the charge because I called and canceled and I don't owe them 1 red cent.

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Cat01
Butler, US
Oct 22, 2010 9:07 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I cancelled my services with this company several months ago, due to numerous complaints.
They never cancelled it on their books and sent me a cancellation notice in my email just yesterday.
This morning I woke up to find several charges posted to my bank account totalling an amount over $1, 100. I have never authorized this company to deduct any of these charges. In contacting the company this morning, I was given the runaround by the representative-who even went so far as to tell me that when I made a payment using my debit card-they had the authority to use that card whenever they felt like it.
I have cancelled that debit card and am in the process of filing fraud charges with the bank-however-it will take anywhere from 5 to 30 days to get any of my money back in the account.

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Blanko
US
Jan 25, 2011 5:50 pm EST

Direct TV added a $5.99 per month protection plan without my authorization. Also they did not clearly explain that I had to go on line and register rebates, resulting in $20 overcharges for my first three bills. They did agree to remove the $5.99 when I called and instructed me how to go on line, set up my account, then apply for the rebate. They advertise over 200 channels, but a large number of these are duplicate, or strictly promotionals for products I have no interest in. The list of free movies seems to be the same movies over and over again.

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dianarene
cumming, US
May 19, 2012 10:28 pm EDT

I called five months ago to cancel my service with direct tv. they did not cancel my service and kept billing me month after month and sent me a bill last week stating I owed $755.72. when I called to cancel service I was told it'd total to be $345. big difference! I woke up today, less than 7 days after I received the bill, to find my account overdrawn $211 because they removed the $755.72 from my checking account on saturday afternoon causing all of my bills to fall out of place. I called direct tv to get the problem resolved and set up a payment plan. the lady that I spoke to seemed to not care at all, said it wasn't her problem, and told me that they don't put a due date on the bill because they don't know how long it takes to get to the customer. okay, so why is there a 15 day period between billing date and due date if you don't know how long it's going to be before the customer gets it? then she said the $260 in fees for my equipment would be refunded but that's all she could help with but it could take up to 6 weeks. really? I am going to my bank tomorrow (as today is sunday) and filing a complaint for fraudulent charges. I can not express enough how irritated and upset I am about this since three of my bills automatically come out of my checking account tomorrow and now will not be paid because direct tv didn't give me the chance to even call and work something out. I don't see how they expect everyone to have the ability to call them and pay them the day something is received. it's ridiculous and myself along with the people I know who have already had issues with direct will not let this go and will make sure the company doesn't get a dime from me. I didn't mind paying my debt, but to not terminate service when asked, keep billing me, then automatically remove funds from my account without permission is just uncalled for and very, very, very unprofessional.

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George Spangler
Mountain View, US
Jun 02, 2014 4:08 pm EDT

I got DIRECT TV in February
of this year and was promised they would pay my final charges from Dish Network. still waiting on there response, no luck. please take care of this my account [protected] thanks I haven't had no luck via telephone

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Moni34
US
Feb 09, 2015 1:16 pm EST

My name is monica and my card was charged 755.10.
The worst part is I don't even have and account with them.
They gave me the run around this happen on january 30th
2015. since then i've been trying to get my money back.
I first called them with a halo of profound words, I was so upset
I can't even think I put the first complaint in on feburary 1 because
That's the date I discover the charges. I called back two day later to check
The status of my complaint they denied it because the card match the address
I said what I don't even live there, then she proceed to become angry
So I said I don't care if your upset with me you guys took my damn money. so then I was told to fax my bank statement over that's going to take additional 10 days. I said look I don't have time to do the waiting game. so the guy on the phone said the quickiesy way to get your money bank is to do a dispute online I said okay. so I did that and then I called the corporate office and told them I put a complaint in. I really can't wait another 10 days, she was very helpful but I told her if my money is not in my account by 2/10/2015 i'm calling fox news and speak with jeff cole and then nbc news and
So on and so on! this company is sad they rip people off and a messed up view on things! they need to change their policy it's wrong. i'm so angry but I know that i'm going
To get my funds back!

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Moni34
US
Feb 09, 2015 1:18 pm EST

People need to be aware of this company bad news

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