Direct Tv company's practices taking credit cards or bank card information and makes unauthorized charges without your permission or knowledge
Direct tv has begun a practice that allows them to go into your checking account or charge your credit card for outstanding balances, cancellation fees, equipment or even ppv orders, unauthorized charges. This is without your consent or permission. EVEN without a bill.
I receive my bank statement stating that there was a 250 dollar charge from direct tv. I had called to inquire about transferring my service due to moving, I was told I couldnt get a transfer order until i paid the bill of 80 dollars that was going to be sent to within the next couple of days for the month service. I inform rep that i would make payment once bill was recieved like i had done for the past 12 months of service with direct tv. The rep stated that without paying the current months bill i would not be able to transfer service. She said that all i could do was cancel and reorder later once i got moved when i told her that the new owners had moved into my home. The call got disconnected and I was out of town figuring I would call back later to follow up.
3 days later my checking account has the charges taking out of my account. I call direct tv, i was inform the bill was for early cancellation fees and the 80 dollars for the month of service. I inform that i was under a 12 month contract and year was up so why was i being charged early cancellation. It was at that moment the rep stated that since i had the dvr, the contract was changed to a 2 year, i informed her no one had ever told me this and the email i recieved stated a year contract from direct tv. Also that I had previously spoken with a rep who also stated it was a year contract. I reviewed their email after the conversation, I guess i failed to make the assumption that advance equipment is a dvr, its not written out clear and why should I as the customer have to read between the lines? Why arent both of their policies verbally stated at the time of ordering and installation. It wasnt and their are hundreds of complaints on the internet stating the same practice of decieving the customers with 2 year contracts renewals and the unauthorized use of debiting banking and checking accounts.
The rep also inform me that it is now direct tv practice that all customers must have credit or bank cards on file so that they can deduct charges. I ask how was this possible without having a consumer permission. This was when she inform me that all consumers agree to this when signing up for service, it is in the customer agreement that comes with the first month bill and by that time its too late to cancel service without being penalize with cancellation fees. That they will use any cards showing in their systems in which the customer has made payments with in the past, she verified that i had 2 credit cards stored in their system in which they save when payments are made, also this is without having consumer permission.
So despite not having permission or even a bill, direct tv will debit your credit or bank card. BEWARE! This angers me, my account wasnt in collections, i have never been behind on their bills and pay consistently, nor was their any outstanding balance. I hadnt even gotten a bill yet, the fact they are able to go into banking account without my knowledge or permission is unethical to me. Direct tv was sued by md and several other states a couple of years ago and won due to deceptive billing practices. But still this is allowed to continue!
I am including the web link of their agreements so that you can see what they use but isnt verbally stated about their practices of debiting customers bank accounts. Www.directv.com/legal.
Also a copy of their email that confirms service, no where states a dvr becomes a 2 year agreement:
Congratulations on your recent order of a DIRECTV® System. You now have access to the best entertainment value on the market today. Below is a summary of your order as well as the terms and conditions of the offer.
Our web site at DIRECTV.com has a wealth of information that may help you with questions that you may have about your DIRECTV System and programming. You also may change or confirm your installation date and time by creating a user account on www.DIRECTV.com. If you have additional questions about your order, please call us at 1-866-678-9465. For questions about DSL Service please go to www.DIRECTV.com/DSL.
Lastly, we'd like to let you know about a special opportunity to enjoy free DIRECTV® service. Simply refer a friend to DIRECTV, and when they activate their service, you'll receive a special bonus credit on your DIRECTV account. There's no limit to the number of referrals you can make, so you could enjoy free DIRECTV® service for a very long time. Go to www.DIRECTV.com/refer or call 1-866-GIFT-TO-YOU for details.
Best regards,
DIRECTV, Inc.
Directv order receipt - please retain for your records
Qty. Description Each
1 DIRECTV DVR $0.00
1 DIRECTV System (18') $0.00
1 DIRECTV® Satellite Dish $0.00
1 PLUS DVRT P000006357000000001 $0.00
1 Standard IRD $0.00
Installation Included $0.00
Handling and Delivery $0.00
Tax $0.00
Total $0.00
NEW CUSTOMER OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please refer to your DIRECTV Lease Addendum for all Terms and Conditions regarding your leased equipment.
By placing this order you agree to the following terms and conditions:
You are a new residential DIRECTV customer.
If you cancel your order prior to installation, we will issue a full refund.
Failure to activate all of the directv system equipment in accordance with the equipment lease addendum may result in a charge of $150 per receiver not activated.
Offer requires you to purchase 12 consecutive months (24 consecutive months for advanced equipment) of any DIRECTV base programming package (priced at $29.99/mo. Or above), or any international services bundle.in certain markets, programming and pricing may vary. DIRECTV PROGRAMMING AND PRICING SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.
You must activate and maintain DVR service ($5.99/mo) if you ordered a DVR or HD DVR.
An HD Access fee ($10.99/mo.) is required for HD Receiver or HD DVR leases.
You accept the $4.99/mo. Lease fee for the second and each additional receiver.
Your receiver must be continuously connected to a land-based phone line to activate certain sports programming and to allow pay per view ordering by remote control.
If you fail to maintain your programming commitment, you agree that DIRECTV may charge you a prorated fee of up to $150 for standard equipment or $300 for advanced receivers within 7 days of downgrading or disconnecting your programming.
Leased equipment must be returned upon disconnect. If you do not return equipment, DIRECTV may charge a fee of up to $55 per standard, $200 per DVR, $240 per HD and/or $470 per HD DVR.
If you cease to be DIRECTV's customer for any reason (whether voluntarily or involuntarily), you must call DIRECTV at 1-800-531-5000 within five (5) days after the termination of your DIRECTV programming services to (i) make arrangements for DIRECTV to pick up all of your DIRECTV equipment; or (ii) obtain information from DIRECTV necessary to arrange for a ground or air freight service to pick up and deliver all of your DIRECTV equipment to DIRECTV.
You and DIRECTV agree that any dispute arising under or relating to your agreements or service with DIRECTV, which cannot be resolved informally, will be resolved through binding arbitration as fully set forth in your DIRECTV Customer Agreement (a copy is sent with your first bill but may also be viewed at DIRECTV.com). Arbitration means you waive your right to a jury trial.
Limit one rebate per account/person/household/DIRECTV account per 12 consecutive months.
Tawana
HUGHESVILLE, Maryland
U.S.A.
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