The lawsuit, which seeks class action status, says that early termination fees were illegally collected after customers canceled their service. Plaintiffs seek a refund of fees and changes to the company's termination policy.
DirecTV has said it cannot comment on the allegations in the lawsuit.Meanwhile, many customers are expressing their unhappiness with DirecTV's early cancellation fees and willingness to collect unauthorized payments.
"I was charged a $319.00 cancellation fee from DirecTV unfairly," Chris R. says. "I decided to bundle my services with AT&T after having DirecTV for approximately 4 years. When I called [DirecTV] to cancel I was never told of any cancellation fee, I was only told that a FedEx box would arrive in a few days for me to send back my receivers.
"A month later I was charged $319.40 for an early cancellation fee [in an unauthorized charge to his credit card]. I called DirecTv and was told that because I ordered a new DVR in February 2008, to replace my broken Tivo, I was automatically put on a 2 year contract. I informed the operator that I was never told of this contract and I was told that it is part of a verbal contract." Chris says that he later spoke to a manger, who agreed to refund the fees. However, that was not the end of Chris's story.
"About 1 month later [I] received a bill from DirecTV stating that I owed them $319.40. I call back and again explained the situation and that the manager took care of the matter. The operator stated that there were no notes on the account stating that it would be credited."
Jennifer D. says that she has also had problems with DirecTV charging her credit card despite her not selecting automatic bill payment with the company. She says that she does not dispute that she owed them payment for one month's service but shortly after learning that the company discontinued her service, she learned that DirecTV charged her card $179.17—more than she owed them. "This bill was not mailed to me, emailed to me, nor was the charge authorized," Jennifer says "I did not, nor have I ever, elected for automatic bill pay. The charge was made without my consent!"
READ MORE MEDIA-TELECOM LEGAL NEWS
Consumers are becoming increasingly angry with media and telecommunications companies for sneaky billing practices. Many are now filing lawsuits alleging they were never informed of early termination fees and never gave the companies permission to take money out of their accounts.
READER COMMENTS
Rose L jones
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Kevin Balsness
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Loretta
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I never had anything to do with DirectTV, and I want that company to LEAVE ME ALONE!
By the way, what are the postal laws regarding uninvited parcels? DirectTV might at this point be guilty of a serious crime: harrassing people where they live!
Somebody please tell Direct TV to back off or THIS MEANS WAR!
To those mindess cretins who work for DirectTV (if they know how to read, which is doubtful):
LEAVE ME ALONE, DirectTV, or you will be OFFICIALLY guilty of the crime of trespassing on private property (my yard) and also of the crime of violating a person's home! I had never subscribed or otherwise had anything to do with you or your crap, DirectTV, so stop harassing me by demanding a previous tenant respond to your mails or parcels! BACK OFF!1
Brennon Hough
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Karen Carter
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A year ago, they increased my bill significantly again. I notified them again, and again, was able to reduce it some. Now, this month of March, 2018 I received a new monthly bill for just under $127. Once again, I contacted them thru their chat line, and told them I wanted to cancel for same above two reasons. The billing dept employee, after identifying me, told me that my monthly was $118. I told her that my new bill said $127. And I said, please cancel. I also told both reps that their signal was being blocked in the summertime, I had informed them of this, the previous year, but they did not help the matter. They finally canceled, but not without being very unreasonable and threatening me with a cancellation fee.
Now, my late husband and I had been customers of Directv for ~22 years. That's one of my main points. I think Directv has been overcharging longtime customers to help pay for the costs of new customers. And their records probably were stating that they were charging customers less than they actually were.
Jay Ackerman
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Gabriel Camacho
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R.G.
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Fight back!
Cindy mello
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Brittney Weeks
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Nikki
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Naekishia winbush
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Nysel
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Kasmine Johnson
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Andrea Stewart
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Ryan Starks
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Glen Muncey
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Elizabeth brown
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Karen Rodriguez
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Ashley
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Saf 12345
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WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION.
Please Note:
I was NEVER- on AUTO PAYMENT!!!!! for this particular reason.
I have other bills that take priority over this one right now.
I am disputing this charge.
You do NOT have any right to use my debit card without my AUTHORIZATION or CONSENT.
Kellie Mees
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Philip Griffith
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Steve Malloch
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Christopher Hartman
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tammy
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Peter
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Richard E Evans
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Randi Williams
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They are theives!! I had to cancel directv because I got tired of being on the phone with them every month because there were always extra charges on my account. I never had the same bill amount in the over year that I had service with them.I cancelled Auto pay within the 1st month of signing up for their service because my bill was never the same.
So last night I noticed 648 taken out by Directv I guess just because they felt like it. I would love to know how in the Heck this is legal? How are they able to keep your credit info on file when you cancel Auto pay or no longer have service with them? You turn in your equipment but they claim they never receive it. Why don't they send someone out to pick the crap up so you have proof that you sent it? I myself am too trusting when it comes to this stuff. It's companies like these that make it hard to trust anyone. Good luck to all out there dealing with this scamming and thieving company. If anyone is even considering using Directv run!!!
Joseph Carlini
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Arron Harris
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Jessica wade
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vlynn arrington
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When contacted, they said that it was for a past due bill and non-return fee for the boxes. I asked them to tell me who authorized the payment, they said it was automatically created by the system. The Nerve. This transaction has caused an overdraft in my checking account. Direct TV/ATT says they will reverse the charges. So now I am in the waiting game for the transactions to post before my bank can step in.
Now get this, the outstanding bill was $264 and some change. Knowing this however, they restored the Direct TV Service with no hesitation. WTF.
Melissa
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James Revell
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In Dec it was looking pretty bad finance wise so I called Directv to see if I could atleast return the equipment in case I lose my home and have to move. The CSR said they could not send me a return box until the account was fully paid. Well, to my surprise, they did send a return box that week. I mailed by USPS the equipment the same day.
I went to pay my mortgage today and check bank balance. Not only did Diectv take the ETF but also equipment fee from my bank account using my debit card that I had used for bill payments (NOT by auto bill pay). A total of $460 without my permission. I called Directv to ask why or how. The CSR told me they have the right by contract to recover all fees by whatever payment method on file. To add insult to injury, the $460 is only for fees and equipment. According to them, I still owe for the last 3 months of service.
The prepaid USPS return box they sent me does not include a tracking service. I was unaware that the tracking service cost extra by USPS. I have a receipt from USPS but there is no way to tell if the package was delivered or not. Starting the new year a couple hundred $ overdraft and behind on all my bills.
Val
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Solon Sutton
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I've contacted multiple representatives, some helpful, most not. And I'm kind of trapped, because I have no idea what to do. Had I known he was lying, I would have never signed up in the first place. I'm disgusted by this "legal" thievery. And I assume I will have to go about cancellation my own way for the best results. I've been an at&t customer since 2005, go figure 1 interaction would make me consider leaving a company I had so much invested in.
TR
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Jaimee
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BCM
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Gabriel
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rick barrett
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april smeal
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Ella
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Russ whitson
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Jim . Biesbrock
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Carole ciacchi
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A salesman from Direct TV was canvassing our neighborhood and offered us the Ultimate pkg, four free receivers, $200 gift card, free HBO and Showtime, for three mo and nine months. Included in the package was Starz and Cinemax which we presently had. With cable,phone and ultimate package we whew to be locked in for two years. It was installed..when I called the salesman he said that the wouldn't honor it and it would be between $165-180.
Raymona Griffin
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Donald Hughes
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Mary Harris
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so after 10 calls to AT&T speaking with 3 countries and 7 states, I am no further now than I was 2 months ago they are still charging early termination fees, along with late fees and my bill is now $568.26. I refuse to pay them these fees I feel it was false advertising and unethical of the agent to even signing me up for the promotion. She knew I had been a long time customer from the get go! I have been robed by a company that I stood behind for over 30 years.
Chad Schwering
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Ted Rork
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Robet Dineen
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Louie J
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kim
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Steve
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I never gave them authorization to use my card ever
If they were here I would beat the living sh*t out of them
DE Beasley
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emdayton
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I signed up for this service during a visit to AT&T. I upgraded my cell phone services with some of those upgrades contingent on my apply for Directv. So now, if I refuse to pay for someone elses balance what is going to happen to my cell phone plan?
I'm contacting Verizon now. I will gladly pay out the @ss in cancellation fees before I pay for someone elses bill!
kellie hart
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Sally & Jim Mcvey
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Jacki lynn Ewing
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David Brewster
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Sometime in the summer of 2015 I received an unsolicited phone call from Directv. The call was from the “win your business back” group. A very pleasant woman asked me why I left. I explained my reasons. She said in essence “we didn’t treat you very well - will you give us another chance?” She offered to clear up all disputed charges with both Directv and Verizon-an amount of more than $200.00 and she offered a package of $49.00 a month. Unfortunately I accepted. When the first bill arrived all the old charges appeared on it – not what they promised to make the deal. At that point in my view Directv had broken the agreement.
I called Directv that day. We end up in a three way phone call with me, the Verizon rep, and the Directv rep. The Directv rep assured the Verizon rep that Directv would assume the back charges. The Verzion rep asked the Directv rep to send an email assuring that Directv would assume the charges. The Directv rep agreed to do that. I do not know what transpired with regard to the email. I was asked to provide Directv a credit card so that the monthly fees could be charged automatically. Directv said the charges were so low that they need assurance to cover costs. I did that via email.
The next’s month’s bill again failed to remove the old charges. In a rage I called Directv. The young woman I spoke with seemed indifferent at best. When she said essentially I was responsible for the problem I said in what was a very angry tone “Cut the damn service off!” When I turned on a television the next day service had been discontinued. I got a bill from Directv for well over $1000 (now $920 as I have returned their equipment).
Belynnda
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cathey neuman
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Devera West
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Eleanor hardeman
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jay and Kim
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Dina Bondeson
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I did however, pay a $29 start up fee for my mother almost half a year ago off of this card but she no longer has service with them.
On 1/28, there was a charge of $12.18 (like a "test" withdraw)
I thought that was odd, but didn't have time yet to call and ask about it.
I then got paid on 2/03. Got ready to pay some bills after work this day, and got a text from my bank of a transaction of $387.92 was approved.
I called Direct TV but they were closed, so I called at work the next day. Got customer service, who told me that I would have to fill out a form online and it will take 7-10 business days to process them even to call me back regarding the issue. I have children, I work full time, and cash on hand is needed every day in my life. I did research on them, and apparently they are pulling this on many other people. Very sad that ANYONE should have to go through this horrible customer service.
Deedra
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William Bell
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Lakeysha johnson
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A. Slater
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Marvin Wiley
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TOMMY SEAVELLO
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Courtney Farmer
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khart
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nesha
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Lee
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Bruce Erickson
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Daniel smith
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Angela Moon
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jamie snyder
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Scott sharp
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Monique
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veronica spires
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Ken
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Laura Goff
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Isela Forward
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I ma also going in circle with this company!! I moved a year ago and in the new apartment there is no line of service, so Direct TV decided to cancel my account and charge me with 180.00! fortunately I had changed my debit card because the one on file for Direct TV was old and I needed a replacement...so they never took the money out of my account..but I am in collections now and this is damaging my credit!!! I NEVER CANCELED!!!
I cannot believe the amount of complaints I have read and NOTHING has been done against this company!!!
WE NEED HELP!!!
Lisa Ketchum
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There is no talking to them they just pass you from person to person
Felicia nunley
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helen sawyer
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Paula Sanchez
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S. Ressler
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Jessica Washington
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James
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Be careful as Directtv will get hold of your cards even without permission.
Russell
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Lisa Strup
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marie
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They sent me a box for the equipment yet to be picked up I informed direct TV that it's on the porch and has been for three weeks now, yet no on picked it up I contacted them today told them if it's not picked up I will obtain a police report that they failed to pick it or up have UPS pick it up.. UPS stated that Direct TV has to order it. IDK
Anyway I received a text today stating they tried to charge me account 585.00 without my permission, I was told I owed them 10.25 yet I told them I dont have it yet and that they do not have permission to take anything from my account to removed my info, I also informed them that any money going into the account would be from Social Security and that I revoke all permissions.. Copy of email in my possession..
My bank canceled my card re issued a new one and they filed the a fraud alert in my behave. They are crooks!
Jesse Hall
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Jack Root
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For the next several month's my bill showed a $6.00 charge ("Rec. Fee") followed by a $6.00 credit. Then the fee was gone, as was the credit, but my programming fee went up by $6.50 per mo.
Received an E-Mail from DTV, that receiver rental fees will no longer be listed seperatly, but will be included in the programming fee. Am I the only one who smells 'deception'?
With 10's of thousands of Thompson DSS receivers out there, I can't believe I'm the only one paying $13.00 a month, for something that was supposed to be free. Class Action anyone?
Dale Meldgaard
on
I had planned on canceling my service on June 25, 2015. Now, I am afraid to do so. Please advise.
Karen S Martin
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So I went onto my next issue, when would I receive the return of my "deposit" of $230? I was then told for the first time that this deposit was non-refundable. I questioned how/why a deposit is non-refundable and why it was that it was non-refundable. I was told that because of my poor credit I was required to make a deposit and that it was marked non-refundable. I never received a reason why it was marked non-refundable or why I wasn't told that it was a fee, not a deposit. They chose to illegally mislead me, calling it a deposit and not a fee. I told them that I knew they recorded all their customer service calls and they could review my call from February 2015 to verify what I was told. I requested to speak with a supervisor which they happily agreed to, though it took quite some time to get one on the line. The first thing the supervisor did upon connection to me was to give me her name and tell me that she could not change anything with regard to my deposit. She listened to me, and agreed on every point. She spent quite some time reading, but was unable to do anything. I was getting quite angry by this time and told her that I understood she couldn't do anything to change my non-refundable deposit to refundable but surely she could transfer me to someone who could. At this time she informed me that because I had just today received my second statement I waited too long, I missed the time frame in which something could be done.
I was never transferred to anyone with the authority to change my deposit to "refundable". The supervisor did however tell me that I could get with my bank and dispute the charge on my bank account. But she then informed me that while I could get with the bank and make a dispute, Direct TV would then place the $230 charge on my bill so that I would owe it anyway.
For a corporation as large as Direct TV (now owned by ATT) to deliberately mislead a customer and steal $230 and then have their own people admit the wrong doing but not do anything to remedy the problem is unconscionable. You would think that a company that has already been in hot water with the FTC for "misleading" customers, would have learned their lesson, but I guess they feel that they are above all that. I willingly recognize that my poor credit is cause for the assessment of a deposit to guarantee my account. The whole premise of a deposit is that it will be refunded to you after a specified time period or that the balance of my deposit will be applied to the final balance on my account at the time I end my 2 year contract. Unfortunately according to Direct TV supervisor, Luwaan in Georgia, it will not happen in my case. They just took away my right to make an informed decision as to whether or not I want to agree to the privilege of giving them $230 which will never be returned or refunded. Direct TV illegally misrepresented to me that the $230 was a deposit when in fact it was a fee.
JE Miller
on
I went through the same DirecTV bullshit as everyone else with overcharges, unauthorized charges, bank and credit card issues. There is no written contract with DirecTV, everything is verbal on the phone. It's time to start another class action lawsuit against DirecTV as apparently they didn't learn from the first few lawsuits however they paid out millions to the consumer.
Contact/send letters to the BBB, your state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission about how crooked DirecTV really is and what they have done to you as a consumer. Get in on a class action, it's time to put a damper on DirecTV's criminal activity.
ryan schweitzer
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Nick Alford
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This couldn't have happened at a worse time, my family is already struggling being a one income household, my wife went to buy groceries and my card declined. Most of our bills have been paid but now we have no MO we for food for two weeks. Thanks Directv, I will proceed to let the world know about how your company scams people.
tara
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Sean Miller
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MaryR
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Vicki Woods
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Zachary Goldschmidt
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DWAYNE CORNWELL
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cmyers
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Sherry Vogel
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Sherry Vogel
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Michael King
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Just got a bill for 140.00 for Pay for view from 2008 and up.
What is my liability. Texas has a 4 year SOL on debt, is this just loans and such and would this be outside that law.
I contend it is their problem I did not pay, If I even ordered these movies, as their system did not account for the Pay for view. I do not remember ever ordering many pay for view movies.
Should I contest this? I have asked for itemized list of charges and bills for the month following the charges to see if I did indeed pay for them and would be paying twice if I paid this bogus statement.
What ground do I stand on. It appears Direct TV actually has a website advising they have all kinds of rights and to pay bill, to avoid hassles.
April Adkins
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Edward H Furlott
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Roberto rijos
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Denis Carr
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Now I'm starting to get the picture about DirecTV.
My latest DirecTV bill--on autodraft--showed a new charge for "Regional Sports Fee." Upon questioning customer service I learned that my subscription package has for years always included these "regional sports" channels, though I never watch them. In other words, my subscription package pays for these channels and, yet, I'm now supposed to pay for them again--a double charge--through this new sports fee. Foul!
Of course, there was nothing that customer service could do about this. It didn't take much challenge before the agent realized he wasn't as helpless as he might have thought.
Oh, and I made it quite plain that there would be no $5 service charge to me for using "customer service."
Lachell
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Vicki Rock
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Erica
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Ellen Crosby
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brandy
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jamie frazier
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V. Bossio
on
I am now going through this with Directv and with AT&T Uverse Internet. Total damages; about $380-390.
I was told that since they have my credit account number on record, that if I do not pay these charges within 15 days of terminating services, they look at it like a charge to my service acct. and will extract that dollar amount directly out of my bank account. No questions asked.
Nice of 'em, ain't it? Hey, look at the positive side; at least you don't have to waste your time and energy writing them a check. They just help themselves to your hard earned money and all because you are, or were, trying to save yourself 20-30 bucks a month by finding cheaper service. In all fairness to me, as if anybody cares about your truly, I, like many many others was not aware that I was in a contract situation. With either provider.
The Bigger Picture For Me Personally: I'm gonna try to get a new vehicle in a few months. I'll need to finance that vehicle. That'll be difficult to do with a bad debt hanging over your head. If this gets turned over to collections, that's what'll happen. And that's how people lives become senselessly complicated, which of course leads to physical problems resulting from the needless and senseless stress. And all because of, and in the name of---we want to keep you as a customer.
The laws that are on the "books" enable this criminal behavior by these large corporations. Until that changes, nothing changes.
Somebody's got to step up to the plate and stop this criminal practice. I wonder who it will be?
Laci
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myrtle shepherd
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Kathy
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sarah webster
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E. M. Blake
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Michael
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This happened to me recently and I had to cancel because the landlord said no to satellite tv. but after begging and pleading with him for 3 months he finally allowed us Satellite TV so after my recent experience with DirectTV I heard alot about their competitor's customer service and signed up with them and have been happy ever since. I have a complaint filed with BBB and the attorney general and soon the FCC. So if they think about collections, that will be easier to dispute also.
Carlos
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Robyn Roundy
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Denise Liggett
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Linda
on
On March 31st, I spoke with a male tech. Telling him I would like to cancel the service because the picture has a shadow, I can’t deal with it; and no one seems to be able to help. He acknowledged he saw I had just gotten the service installed and said he will send out a tech (at no charge) because they don’t want me to cancel and would like resolve the issue I’m having. He also stated it could just be the connections. The earliest the technician was able to come was Tuesday, April 2nd between 10:30am – 11:00am.
April 2nd, he arrived before 10:30 am. After several tries, he could not get the shadow to go away. I explained I got better service from my regular antennas when I didn’t have cable. “What’s the purpose of getting cable if regular TV is better and clearer with an antenna? The satellite dish should make the picture crisp.” He said, “It is what it is. This is the best it will get because you have the basic DVR boxes. The only way to get a crystal clear picture is to upgrade to the Genie.” I said, “Well then, just cancel my service because I can’t afford that.” He informed me I had to call and cancel.
I called at 10:10am to cancel my service with the DirecTV agent, Jay. I was told I had twenty-four (24) hours to cancel. I replied, “All the times I called, no one mentioned that; and it doesn’t say it anywhere on the contract and the flyers you keep putting in mailboxes that you have 24 hours to cancel. That’s misrepresentation. The same way you have to legally disclose to the caller, ‘this call is being recorded’, and ask the caller's permission if you can call them by their first name, you are obligated to disclose to a new consumer that they have twenty-four (24) hours to cancel their contract with (DirecTV)." Instead they kept prolonging the issue. Not once did any of the DIRECTV technicians legally disclose to me, the consumer, “Ms. XXXX, I DO NEED TO ADVISE YOU THAT YOU DO HAVE 24-HOURS TO CANCEL YOUR AGREEMENT WITH DIRECTV.” Never ever was it divulged to me at any time on Saturday night; the day it was installed, Sunday or Tuesday when the technician came out.
I called to cancel my service at (800) 438-2427 at 11:21. I was given another number (888) 355-7530 to cancel. I called them at 1:49 pm. Another woman called wanting to offer me more stuff. I said right now, I just want to cancel and send this stuff back. The calls are recorded. Request the tapes. She also informed me about returning the equipment. I asked what about the satellite dish. She stated, "You can leave it in case you change your mind later." I said I wouldn’t. She said it was free. You know why it’s free? If you remove it, it will leave holes in your home's siding. If not resealed, it will cause damage your property. THAT’S WHY IT’S FREE AND THEY DON’T WANT IT RETURNED TO THEM. They should be paying to remove it and seal the holes from the installation.
I am totally dissatisfied with this company. They ask that I return the boxes. I tried to return them to their local office but they would not take them. I had to wait for the boxes to be shipped. I received a bill for the equipment before the returnable boxes arrived. When they finally arrived, I boxed the equipment according to the instructions and took them personally to my local post office.
There should be an investigation of how many other homeowners/renters are dissatisfied and have been misrepresented and harassed by DirecTV for whom poor service was provided.
I told Jay a person legally has 72 hours to cancel. It's called emotional shopping. We have 72 hours to change our mind. I've NEVER heard of 24 hours. The Legal term is actually called (in some states) a "cooling off period."
There should be a world-wide lawsuit against DirecTV to right a wrong done to helpless consumers who have been literally raped by DirecTV, the banks and credit card companies that partnered together to strip the consumer of any control over the dispute of the Cable companies w/o prejudice.
vikki
on
On April 3rd 2013 I spoke to id # 9338 but not before speaking to an agent before her and I did not get her id #. For the first time I was told I would not be receiving the refund of $724.67 would not be put back into our bank account. With my stomach turning and getting even more upset I was finally transferred to a manager id # 6509 John, who repeatedly cut me off would talk when I was talking, and when I brought this to his attention, he immediately blamed me! Over and over again I asked the agent and manager to listen to the tape of March 19th to verify what I was saying was correct ,and there was no mention of any past due bill nor a fee for canceling early, all I was told is that they cannot do that! Steve also called on this day and was again reassured that the money would not be put back into the account UNLESS we were willing to come back to Direct T.V. (is this bullying, or blackmail, or holding our money hostage?)
Sharon Weckessr
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Steve Meadows
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Direct TV SUCKS !!!
June Blascruz
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M.Shelton
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TS Ward
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christopher deherrera
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Frank Harmann
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