This is more of a desparate call for help, actually. I'm just going to briefly explain what my frustration is all about and see what happens from y'all.
I can't imagine y'all not getting any complaints or requests of some type of consumer investigation regarding Protect America, Inc., a company located in Round Rock, Texas. This company rushes, pushes, forces, deceives people into contracts for home security systems.
On the Internet there are complaints and desperate pleas from people trying to deal with Protect America, Inc. There are stories that are truly unbelievable and, to this day, I do not know how this company continues to get away from ripping people off. It's really, really cruel. You'd have to actually read these reports to understand what I'm trying to convey to you. Go to just a couple of websites I want to mention of many I found interesting. You may not understand why until you read my complete e-mail.
Quick and brief summary of our situation:
We had home secuirty service ADT. Wonderful and professional people!
On day Protect America, Inc. Calls our home and talks to my husband and, after a lengthy sales pitch, my husband is lead to believe he is entering into an agreement, not a contract, to "try" the security system.
The security system is cheap and does not work. The system is mailed to the consumer and it's up to the consumer to install the system. Long story short, time "expired" for us to return the system. At this time, we still had ADT.
A few months later, due to health reasons, my husband had to retire. This has caused a HUGE financial burden on us to the point of considering bankruptcy. We start cutting expenses, cancelling services we don't need, etc. We called ADT and explained our financial hardship. No problem. They cancelled our security service with them without any hassle.
We called Protect America to cancel due to financial hardship. Right off the bat, they were rude. I literally was in tears explaining to them that the $36 a month was very much needed for medicines or food, necessities. One person told me "Aint' gonna happen. The contract is a three-year contract, it is a legal binding agreement/contract and therefore you are bound to pay the monthly fee, period." What? We weren't aware of that. This was just six months into the so-called agreement. I was devastated! Well, if one is on a fixed income, a $36 increase to that fixed income is a blessing.
That was not the only call to Protect America I made. I called and talked to many "representatives" and even chatted on their website. I got the idea to do that from one report I read off the Internet where a customer posted his chat so people can be warned of Protect America, Inc. And I thought, "My goodness, this is happening to millions of people!"
Anyway, to add to our burden, since we absolutely cannot pay for the service, Protect America, Inc. Has now turned our contract over to a collection agency, Anderson, Crenshaw & Associates, LLC, based out of Dallas, Texas. At first glance, the letter looks like it's from a law firm until you see in tiny letters "A Professional Collection firm." I figured, if I had the money, I could just pay Protect America what is owed currently, which is approximately $260; but, one, I don't have the $260; second, Protect America advised that, even if I could do that, they no longer can accept that payment because the contract "has been sent to collections;" and, third, because of that, we now owe the three years', $1,594.08! Now, is that ethical? I'm not an attorney, but that sure does not seem ethical to me.
Please take a moment and keyword search "Protect America, Inc." and you'll be amazed how a Round Rock company is profiting by scamming consumers and getting away with it.
If there is anything that y'all can do, please do and help us and the millions of people out there that are in the same predicament we are in or will be. The magnitude of harm that Protect America, Inc. Has caused and will continue to cause should be exposed.
At least give the consumer the option to made the choice, of course, to subscribe to their service and purchase their product after being forewarned about Protect America, Inc. And legally obligate Protect America, Inc. To clearly explain what the consumer is about to obligate to in person by written document, not by phone, not by Internet. And by all means, have Protect America's service people install the security system for the consumer!
I think this is unethical and deceitful, ESPECIALLY when the consumer they are dealing with may not be understanding exactly what's being communicated or the consumer is not of sound mind. No one from Protect American, Inc. Came by our home.
You'll find on the Internet Protect America, Inc.'s profile states: "In 1992 Thad Paschall and Turner Bowman founded Protect America, Inc.in less than 6 years, Protect America, Inc. Has become one of the fastest growing home security companies in America, with offices coast-to-coast..."
There is so much more information, but I'm sure I've written more than you wanted to read.
Also, there's reports how employees/salespeople were mistreated, misguided.
And one report I read where one person checked with the BBB and found that over 800 complaints had been filed with the BBB. Can you imagine what it is now. This company must be investigated.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. And, yes, I have documentation to back up my statements.
Brenda
Austin, Texas
U.S.A.
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