I'm seeing more and more that people are having the same issues with DirecTV that my fiance and I are having. We disputed a few charges for service from DirecTV, and we refused to pay them and instead changed service to a provider with better customer service and an overall better product. While the charges were still in the process of being disputed (whether we owed them or not after cancelling service), they undermined us and authorized themselves to automatically debit what they felt they were owed.
We immediately called and demanded that the fraudulent charges be reversed, and we were rudely told, "No, they will not be returned." As part of their "Amended Customer Agreement" (much different from the customer agreement signed by us seven years ago), they supposedly have full and total consent to automatically withdraw any and all monies they feel they are owed, even if the customer has no idea it is happening or never authorized any auto payments.
This is stealing! Plain and simple thievery. This practice needs to be stopped. It puts all bargaining chips in the favor of one party. It used to be that if there was a dispute for services rendered or goods received, the paying party could refuse payment and work things out in court or through customer service. They're taking all power away from the consumer and ripping people off.
I feel they believe they can get away with this because the charges are a mere $200-$500, much less than it would cost the average consumer to file and follow through with a lawsuit. Instead, they bank on us consumers to just roll over and take it on the chin. I hope this is stopped soon and this stealing comes to the public eye. I now have to eat the 6 NSF fees Bank of America charged me for purchases made on my debit card when I know I had $260.00 in the account to cover the purchases (food - $24, video store - $8, gas - $65, movies - $22, and restaurant - $45, all under $260.00).
So instead of the $90.00 I expected to be in the bank, I was drawn negative. I checked my account activity, and DirecTV stole $266.54 (with only $260.00 in the account), drawing it to -$6.54, then -$35.00 NSF fee = -$41.54, then -$24.00, -$35.00... and so on, totaling around $380.00, all because they decided to deal dirty and STEAL our money without our consent. Is there any justice out there? Speak out, everyone, if they're doing it to you too. I'd love to see them get theirs. Now, instead of worrying whether I want Dish Network or Comcast Cable, I have to worry about where my mortgage payment is coming from and whether I eat or fill up the gas tank. Crooks...
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