DirecTV (DTV) is trying to rip me off. It started a few months ago. My credit card changed and I forgot to tell DTV. When I found out, I immediately called in the payment. The next week, DTV sicked a debt collector on me. I called DTV and they said I stilled owed more money. I did not think it was right but I paid it.
The debt collector continued harassing me. I sent them a screen shot of DTV's web site showing that I owed $0. They went away for a week then started back. They claimed that ATT-Uverse (DTV's parent) claimed I still owed more. I sent another month's statement showing that I owed nothing. No change.
I finally complained to Consumer Fraud Protection Bureau. The debt collect went away.
Next month we had trouble with our equipment so we called DTV. They offered a 'FREE' upgrade to the new genie system since we had bee loyal customers since 2001 and we also had the protection plan. The guy came out and installed the new system.
At the end of the month I looked at the new bill >$1000 (~$900 for the upgrade). Called DTV and they very humbly apologized and agreed that this was a mistake and an 'escalation' would be filed and it would be cleared up shortly. Five days later, I checked and no change so I called again. The girl said that she could see the escalation (#7543487842R2) but it takes seven to ten days to resolve. On the eleventh day, I called again. This time the girl said she could see the escalation but wanted to know if I was ready to pay.
After the fifteenth day I called to cancel. This time the girl said the escalation was approved and I would see the new bill in three days. I canceled. She said that they were sorry to lose me and they would not charge for breaking the contract early (new escalation # 1-238263516392r2). I asked how to return the equipment. She said an email would be sent in three days with instructions. After three days I looked on the web for how to return the equipment. I found lots of complaints about DTV claiming the equipment was not returned (even though some had tracking #'s to prove otherwise).
I fully expect a (final) bill for $1500 - $2000 or more). Even if I pay it (which I won't), they would only turn around and set their dogs on me again for the same bill.
Even my neighbor has complaints about false practices from DTV. My son said that he experienced similar issues with AT&T Comcast.
AT&T bites
