Washington Attorney General Sues DirecTV
Google the terms DirecTV and complaint and you'll get almost 1.4 million hits.
UCAN has received many complaints echoing the same unfair sales practices alleged in a recent lawsuit filed against DirecTV by the Washington State Attorney General. If you're a victim of DirecTV, please file an online complaint with UCAN's Fraud Squad. If you signed up for a bundled AT&T / DirecTV package in California, you may also want to file a complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission at https://ia.cpuc.ca.gov/cimsapp/
Among the abuses reported to UCAN and elsewhere on the Internet are:
Misleading advertising - DirecTV entices new viewers with ads for low prices in big print while hiding a multitude of fees, planned rate changes and terms that call for automatic renewals in print too small to read.
ETF - DirecTV locks consumers into a two-year contract with a $400 plus early termination fee without disclosing the terms.
Rebate confusion - In order to obtain a promotional rate, customers sometimes have to submit a rebate. Customers who submit the rebate form after installation may be charged full price for their service for up to two months. Those who fail to return the rebate within 60 days of an order are charged the full price indefinitely – even if DirecTV failed to adequately inform them of the need to mail the form.
Charging for "free" services, installation and upgrades - The company advertises “free” installation and upgrades such as an HD receiver, DVR receiver or premium channels such as HBO and Starzz. In fact, customers may be required to pay monthly fees for the equipment. The premium channels are offered as a free trial that automatically converts into a paid subscription.
Contract extensions - DirecTV not only requires customers to agree to an extended contract at the beginning of service, but attempts to extend those terms even further. The company extends the length of contracts when customers require equipment repairs, upgrade equipment or move.
Undisclosed financing requirements - DirecTV fails to disclose that the company’s least expensive package of $29.99 per month is only available to customers who meet certain financing conditions and agree to have the costs automatically charged or debited.
Protection plan - Many customers are not aware they have been signed up a $5.99 monthly "protection plan" which DirecTV may charge $10 to cancel.
Non-return of deposit - DirecTV requests a customer's Social Security Number to run a credit check. Those who do not provide their SSN or those who do not pass the credit check may be required to pay a $200-$300 deposit to get service. Those who cancel service prior to the end of their contract lose part of the deposit and may also be charged cancellation fees.
Misleading promises of cash back - DirecTV ads show promises of cash back from $50 to $200 for referrals or moving, but consumers do not get any cash. Instead, they may get a $5 or $10 bill credit over several months.
Related links
Washington Attorney General sues DIRECTV for “unconscionable” sales practices
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| DIRECTVComplaint2009-12-14.pdf | 1.37 MB |
Communications: Cable & Satellite TV -
Post to Twitter
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network - (619) 696-6966
Terms and Conditions
UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be: a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
That said, get to digging on the site, inform yourself, speak your mind, and earn Watchdog Bones! This is YOUR site, and we mean it. So comment on any of the content, discuss the latest issues in the forums, file a complaint on a company with the Fraud Squad, and generally cut loose.
See our Terms of Use, Privacy, and Copyright complaint policies as well as our Content Reuse Policy, Some Rights Reserved. Remember, if you have any questions about copyright law or need legal information regarding intellectual property, the internet, or new technologies, visit our affiliate New Media Rights at www.newmediarights.org. If you are in the San Diego region, you can also can apply to use New Media Rights' multimedia studio and equipment for free.
Fraud
I was told everythingI agreed to was recorded for verification.
There were numerous extra charges I was not informed of when I ordered their basic package through their promotion for 24 months
1. I was not informed I was to pay the full price the first month and only given the promotionnal price from the second month onward ( for the first 12 months)
2. I always referred to the TOTAL price with any other charges included and that was the basis for my agreement. I was told AFTER I received my beill there were extra charges (for "receivers, tec) even though I maintained in the previous communication my understandung above.
3. They attempted to charge me for Showtime without my permission and only informed me after the fact they included it in my bill. When I complained they only removed part of the charge and tried to hide that fact on my next bill.
4. I was told (on a recorded call) that the charge for the second twelve months would be a TOTAL of $58 and that wouldn't change. I'm now told the price has gone up.
Remedy: I would like a refund for all the previous errroneous charges and for them to keep their agreement about the second twelve months.
Can you please call (360-221-8937 after 10:00 AM) or email back how this will proceed.
Thank you so much,
Eric Levine
DirecTV fraud
I was told everythingI agreed to was recorded for verification.
There were numerous extra charges I was not informed of when I ordered their basic package through their promotion for 24 months
1. I was not informed I was to pay the full price the first month and only given the promotionnal price from the second month onward ( for the first 12 months)
2. I always referred to the TOTAL price with any other charges included and that was the basis for my agreement. I was told AFTER I received my beill there were extra charges (for "receivers, tec) even though I maintained in the previous communication my understandung above.
3. They attempted to charge me for Showtime without my permission and only informed me after the fact they included it in my bill. When I complained they only removed part of the charge and tried to hide that fact on my next bill.
4. I was told (on a recorded call) that the charge for the second twelve months would be a TOTAL of $58 and that wouldn't change. I'm now told the price has gone up.
Remedy: I would like a refund for all the previous errroneous charges and for them to keep their agreement about the second twelve months.
Can you please call (360-221-8937 after 10:00 AM) or email back how this will proceed.
Thank you so much,
Eric Levine
As an employee and subscriber
As an employee and subscriber of DISH Network, it’s always pained me to see some DISH customers who got swayed and misled by DirecTV’s clever marketing. I can tell you we require contracts as well but we make every effort to be completely forthcoming and honest about our requirements and terms. We’re continually making strides and changes to improve our customer service as well, which helped propel us to highest ranked among satellite and cable tv service providers in the last ACSI survey. While DirecTV’s score dropped from previous years and they received an F rating from the BBB.
I hope that those who were victimized in this are able to find a fair an equitable resolution with a minimum of inconvenience, its just ridiculous to me that it had to get this far.
Post new comment