Direct TV fraudulently withdrew $948.04 from my account on November 15. I did not authorize Direct TV to withdrawal any funds, nor did I have a contract with them, or was receiving services from them at the time they took my money. I originally contacted Direct TV in late April or first of May in response to an ad received through the mail. At the time the bundle was to be $86 for all the movie channels and the internet and there was no contract, I specifically asked that question and was told no, it was month to month. Upon installation the workers broke the meter box and left two satellite dishes in the yard and left cut wires exposed. I called Direct TV to complain about that, they took my information asked that I send pictures to an address, which I did but have never been credited or contacted regarding the complaint. The electric company had to replace the meter which they destroyed and bill to my account. Additionally when I paid the initial payment of $197.00 I questioned why I was given a price of $86, I was told that my account would be credited the difference. That was never done. I also called to complain that one of the receiver’s boxes was not working and we did not have cable on that TV, this was about a week after services were installed. I was told someone would come out to fix it; the first time that someone did come out was about after 3 or 4 calls later. They fixed the box so some channels would appear, but no less than three days later the same problem still existed and no channels were available. Again I called and was told someone would come out to repair it, they never showed up. I also complained asking that we get credit for the box since we were paying monthly for something that was not working. Again I was told they would credit the account, and again that never did happen, likewise they said they would fix the box, they never did. Furthermore the internet services which were supposed to be part of the bundle was never installed, was told on three occasions that they would be out to set it up, they never showed. There was a rebate as well that was part of the special they were running, although I filed online for the rebate, I was told that it never went through and therefore I would not be receiving a rebate. Each month I was charged $186 for TV only. Each time I called I was told my account would be credited, it never was. Therefore given the shady way business was conducted, the inflated cost and the lack of consistency with Direct TV, I canceled the service in late July/early August. I was told I would need to return the boxes in the return package that would be sent to me. I did not receive a return package until November 16. At no time were they given authorization to debit my account for any amount. However on November 15 my account was debited $948.04. I had to go to the bank and file and affidavit to get my money back. My debit card had to be canceled and a new one issued, which I will have to wait 3-5 days to receive. The other bills I have pending will likely cause my account to be overdrawn because of this. At no time was it disclosed to me that they would ever charge my account for any reason, other than when I called in and made a payment over the phone. However, that was not the case when they stole this money from me. They used the credit card information they had on file from previous payments to commit fraud and take my money. Direct TV should not be allowed to take hardworking consumer’s money because they feel like it. I called to complain about this and demand my money back, at first they told me to call the bank because it would be quicker. Then we spoke with Jamal, a supervisor who said he could credit my account for $600.00, and that all of it would be credited to the account if we reconsidered having Direct TV for a service provider. Again this is unacceptable and we demanded that all the funds be returned immediately. The end result after a 1 hour and 20 minute conversation with several different people in customer service, Jamal agreed that the funds would be credited back to my account, but it would take a week or so and again suggested that I contact my financial institute because it would be quicker for them to do credit it. Given the history of deceit displayed by Direct TV it is highly unlikely that they will be crediting my account back. This has been a big hassle; my bank is making me wait while they investigate before they are able to return my money. Meanwhile I still do not have my money and the whole matter is unfair to hardworking honest consumers like myself. I do not have an extra grand to throw away to a company who clearly commits fraud. This should not be allowed!
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