Dish Network
Unauthorized debit card charges after paying $49 installation fee

On May 2, I called Dish Network to have satellite TV installed. I was told I had to pay a one-time up front installation payment of $49, but it would be refunded on my first statement which would more than pay my first month's bill. I chose the Dish Family plan for $19.99. I authorized a one-time payment of $49 on May 2. On May 15, Dish Network installed satellite TV at my home.

From there, it's been a nightmare. The quality of service was terrible. We constantly dealt with the satellite going down, even when the weather was good. On my first statement, I received the $49 rebate, but I was charged $39.99 per month and to my surprise, I was charged for two months of service, instead of the usual one month. I've never, ever been charged for two months service on any statement for anything.

I paid one month only and two weeks later, Dish turns my service off. Two days later, they make an unauthorized charge to my Visa debit card for $56 and didn't turn my service back on. To make matters worse, I had to pay another $56 to get it turned back on. Two weeks later, I get my second statement and once again, I'm charged for two months of service, but this time, it's $52 per month.

I immediately called Dish to complain and when I get nowhere with the customer service rep, I decide it's time to close my account. I felt that Dish was/is being very deceptive. Nothing was mentioned of a cancellation fee and I honestly feel that since the service was so bad, I should not have been charged anything - period!

On 9/24, Dish made an unauthorized charge to my Visa debit card for $198. This is the second time they have charged my account without my authorization and it is infuriating. I called Dish and was told it was for a cancellation fee. I was also told that when I paid for my installation fee in May, I gave Dish authorization to make charges to my Visa debit card. This is not true. I would never agree to allowing anyone to take a payment from my debit card without an authorization agreement. Nothing was every mentioned to me about the fact that Dish felt they had Carte Blanche with every customer's debit or credit card or checking account based on the first charge for the installation fee. Every charge I have made to Dish has been a one-time authorization for payment.

On 9/26, I logged onto my account at www.dishnetwork.com to find that they say I owe them another $409. Well, they aren't going to get it. I closed my Visa debit card and opened a new one, but I think they may find a way make unauthorized charges to that account as well.

I have been told that Dish is notorious for placing charges thru India where it is not illegal to make unauthorized transactions and that they also search and find other accounts for customers who have closed their credit or debit cards due to Dish's unauthorized transactions. Whether this is true or not, I do not know, but...

I talked to a neighbor who canceled her Dish account only to find out that they continued to make unauthorized charges to her credit card as often as once a week in amounts of $6 up to $400 with no explanation of charges. She closed her credit card. One month later, she found a ACH transaction on her checking account from Dish and swears she never gave them her checking account info.

Seems to me that since Dish Network is an American based company dealing with American customers, they still have to abide by US laws where unauthorized transactions are concerned no matter if they come from India or Timbuktu.

Company: Dish Network
Country: USA
State: California
City: Englewood
Site: dishnetwork.com

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