Let me begin by stating that I do not have an account with Directv. I helped someone out by letting them use my debit card to make a payment, when the account holder did not have a card to use. On July 22, Directv withdrew $447.32 from my checking account by using the earlier provided debit card number.
I contacted the Office of the President via email on July 23rd. I was contacted about two hours later and explained the situation to Chris. He seemed very helpful and stated he would be able to take care of the mistake quickly. He asked me to have my bank send a letter showing the money had been deducted from my account, along with my address and all would be taken care of.
I called my bank and had this done that same afternoon. Two days later I phoned Chris again and he stated that the letter was not sufficient, he needed my bank account number and/or my debit card number faxed to him with the other info from the previous fax.
My question to him was, of course, "You were able to charge this to my account, you have my information, why do you need it again?". He stated that this was policy and he would need it to proceed. I had my bank send this information to him.
A few days later, I receive a few voicemails and an email (remember that one for later) from Cynde. She stated that she was now overseeing the account. Cynde stated that I would need to fax her an actual bank statement. I asked why, and she stated that this was procedure. I told her I would do this.
I was unable to fax it the same day and brought my statement to work with me the next day. I decided against using the company fax for personal use, especially for a long distance number and contacted the Office of the President again to see if I could email it to them. Cynde was not available but the gentleman I spoke with said that they did not have access to email. I did not mention the email that Cynde had already sent to me, as I did not want to have an argument at that time.
I left work early and went to an office store and faxed the documentation. I waited two days and contacted Cynde on Friday, August 3rd. She said she received my fax and had sent it to finance. She said she had not heard back from them, but would call as soon as she heard from them.
I spent the weekend being very irritated about the whole mess. I called the Office of the President again this morning, and was told that Cynde had called in sick. The young lady, I believe it was Amy, but I may have that wrong, read through the notes that Chris and Cynde had made and stated that the last note showed that Cynde was waiting for the fax that I had sent the previous week.
There was no mention of receiving the fax, sending it to finance, etc. She said at this time all she could do was to send an email to Cynde for her to receive when she returns. I asked to speak to a supervisor and she said that she already had and they could not do anything until Cynde comes back.
It has now been 15 days since Directv STOLE $447.32 from my checking account. I will say that the reps from the Office of the President have been kind, but kindness does not make up for stealing. I have read a few other reports about them debiting other people's accounts without permission, but at least those individuals had accounts with Directv.
This is, in reality, nothing more that theft. My bank has told me to come in and fill out an affidavit and I will get my money back "in a few days". I spoke with a friend with the local law enforcement, who stated that he believes this may be a crime, but is not sure of jurisdiction.
Perhaps it is time for legal action.
Jerome
Horn Lake, Mississippi
U.S.A.
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