Dish Network Fraudulently Charged Credit Card Charged a family member's credit card that wasn't on the account Ripoff ENGLEWOOD Colorado
In September 2004 I established a Dish Network account, solely in my name name. My parents were visiting me the day I moved in to my new townhome and they offered as a gift to pay the setup fee of $49.95 (only).
When I cancelled my Dish account, I didn't return the equipment promptly enough, and in December 2004, they charged $300 to my parents credit card for that equipment. I immediately called Cust. Svc, only to be told by 3 different people that my account should NOT have been setup without a credit card on file for ME, and that if my parents used the card for the setup, then I authorized those charges; my parents never authorized any further charges, verbal or written. I signed the contract, and the account is in my name.
Under DishNetwork's FAQ section, it clearly states, We do require that the name on the credit card and the name on the Dish Network account match to prevent fraud.
I filed complaints with the FCC, FTC, BBB and Attorney General's office, only after I spoke with Christina, an amateur, boorish Dispute Resolution Specialist, and her supervisor, Charles, a pre-pubescent sounding man who sounded as if he were bothered by the entire situation and blamed me for authorizing the charges on their credit card. I have 38 pages of emails back and forth, until finally getting a phone call from Dana, David Moskowitz's (general counsel for Echostar) assistant.
I guess you REALLY know that you've sparked a wire with someone when your file has been transferred to the General Counsel of a corporation.
Dana wanted to pull a contract out to quote almost every verse of it, despite knowing that my account was not setup correctly and the charges were definitely fraudulent. I explained to her that 3 representatives and Charles (the supervisor) told me that my account should not have been setup period. Dana exclaimed that they are all mistaken and confused. I explained to her in great detail the inconvenience of my parents over 2 weeks of filing fraudulent charges at their bank, all the while Dish Network continually attempting to obtain the $300 from their account.
Meanwhile the equipment was returned safely to El Paso, the $300 was eventually returned to their account.
However, Dana generously offered 1 month of programming for my parents, which I immediately said is unacceptable, she then spouted off then what can we do?" which is where we lie now.
I am awaiting responses from the Attorney General's office and an attorney I contacted to see where I stand in all of this mess.
I IMPLORE any one out there considering Dish Network as your satellite provider, to re-think that decision. If you ever have any trouble, or billing problems, you will be met by the most complacent, ill-mannered and jaded specialist you will ever speak to in your life.
Avoid Dish Network / Echostar Communications at all costs. Trust me, it will cost you more than they are worth.
Scott
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.
20 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Rochester,New York,
U.S.A.
No one said anything about late fees....
#21Consumer Comment
Sat, August 27, 2005
No one said anything about late fees because that's NOT what you were charged for.. you were charged for EQUIPMENT YOU DIDN'T RETURN.
You were an idiot for letting your parents use their credit card and you were an idiot becuase you didn't return the equipment. You were a bigger idiot becuase YOU FAILED TO READ THE CONTRACT YOU SIGNED.
No, Im not an employee or ex-employee of dish. I do not use their service, do not use sattelite TV of any way shape or form... hell, I don't even have cable (GASP!!)
I respond to these ripoff posts becuase 1) I am constantly amazed at morons who REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS and then b***h about the consequences and 2) I am amused at idiots like you.
It's time for you to grow up and take responsibility.
J
Pgh,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Robert Your Right
#21UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, August 27, 2005
Robert, I am a ex-employee of dish, even though I don't agree with a lot of things that dish does I do agree that dish had every right to go after there money since the equipment was not returned. By charging the card it got scot's a$$ in gear to return the equip, I do think that the information should be in bigger print on the contract in the contract but scott should do a better job of reading it over, it not dishes reponiability to make sure that the contract was read, it sound like to me that scott is a procrastinator who had plans on returning the equipment and never got around to it until the money was taken. I have had dish for over a year and never had a problem ever.
Tony
Glendale,California,
U.S.A.
No Harm Done (?)
#21Consumer Comment
Tue, August 23, 2005
It seems to me that after you fulfilled your portion of the "contract", they fulfilled theirs. The $300 was returned.
No Harm, No Foul
Tony
Glendale,California,
U.S.A.
No Harm Done (?)
#21Consumer Comment
Tue, August 23, 2005
It seems to me that after you fulfilled your portion of the "contract", they fulfilled theirs. The $300 was returned.
No Harm, No Foul
Tony
Glendale,California,
U.S.A.
No Harm Done (?)
#21Consumer Comment
Tue, August 23, 2005
It seems to me that after you fulfilled your portion of the "contract", they fulfilled theirs. The $300 was returned.
No Harm, No Foul
Tony
Glendale,California,
U.S.A.
No Harm Done (?)
#21Consumer Comment
Tue, August 23, 2005
It seems to me that after you fulfilled your portion of the "contract", they fulfilled theirs. The $300 was returned.
No Harm, No Foul
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
I will tell you this (again)
#21Consumer Comment
Mon, August 22, 2005
No one has mentioned the credit card being charged for anything 'PAST DUE'...both Robert & Rebecca have stated this is their rebuttals...I find this amusing since there weren't any late fees, or termination fees applied to that credit card, only the equipment !!!
yes Robert, I, Scott signed the contract, my parents did NOT...you MUST obtain written authorization on a CONTRACT to charge someone's credit card....if Echostar/Dish weren't just sued in 2003 for over $5 (five) million dollars for THIS VERY SAME THING..I might be tempted to go along with your dream...however in the real world, it's not gonna fly.
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
IT IS ILLEGAL WHAT ECHOSTAR DID
#21Consumer Comment
Mon, August 22, 2005
If you Robert are not an employee of Dish/Echo, then you sure are taking a very interesting stand on this issue, especially from a customer point of view.
Dish Network/Echostar CANNOT just charge anyone's credit card for setup, it MUST match the account name, not to mention the party that has given their CC # MUST sign authorization, there are no verbal assurances for a contact, you and I know this. I have spoken with David Moskowitz, who in DETAIL told me this and has offered to settle this matter.
Looks like I'm playing with the big boys, and the big boys just BLINKED.
STAY AWAY FROM DISH NETWORK / ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS...DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE ABSENT-MINDED PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THIS COMPANY WHO RESPOND TO ANY COMPLAINTS. GET A LIFE !
Rebecca
Louisville,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
NO illegal activity here
#21Consumer Suggestion
Mon, August 22, 2005
Read your contract, I worked for several years for a Dish Network Retailer.
For the past 4 years, or more, there has to be a valid major credit card given to open an account with atleast the same last name as the main account holders name - which would be your parents. And I am sure that when your parents opened the account for you, they were read this disclaimer over the phone when they also authorized the use of their credit card.
I am sure they were also informed that there would be a cancellation fee for early termination of the account, including non payment.
There is also the difference between being charged by Dish Network in Colorodo for the programming and termination of programming and being charged for the equipment for early termination by the local retailer that installed your system. Normally Dish Network does not go after both.
Robert
Rochester,New York,
U.S.A.
Scott didn't return the equipment promptly enough
#21Consumer Comment
Fri, August 19, 2005
You stated: "When I cancelled my Dish account, I didn't return the equipment promptly enough, and in December 2004, they charged $300 to my parents credit card for that equipment." So when DID you cancel your contract?
What does your contract (you know, the one you SIGNED) say? Does it say that the credit card has to match the contract? Does it say that if you dont return the equipment they will bill the credit card for the cost? The web site is NOT a valid contract.
If your going to play with the big boys, you need to read the fine print.
And NO, before you ask, I dont work for Dish network, echo star, direct TV or any cable company.
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
add'l info
#21Author of original report
Wed, August 17, 2005
I spoke with Dana again in the legal dept, she refused to answer my question of why does your website state that the credit card MUST match the account name, she simple stated " I don't want to"...and hung up...very professional! She also wanted to make very clear that she was to be the only point of contact from now on...wonder why ?
Also, "Robert" it was not 3 months before the equipment was returned; if you read my dispute, it says I opened an account in September and termniated in December, the equipment was returned in a little over a month after December.
Try focusing on the fraudulent, illegal charges, pitiful customer service, and an even more pitiful "legal department"....AVOID DISH NETWORK, AVOID ECHOSTAR - they'll be in court soon enough of something similiar, sit back and wait.
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
add'l info
#21Author of original report
Wed, August 17, 2005
I spoke with Dana again in the legal dept, she refused to answer my question of why does your website state that the credit card MUST match the account name, she simple stated " I don't want to"...and hung up...very professional! She also wanted to make very clear that she was to be the only point of contact from now on...wonder why ?
Also, "Robert" it was not 3 months before the equipment was returned; if you read my dispute, it says I opened an account in September and termniated in December, the equipment was returned in a little over a month after December.
Try focusing on the fraudulent, illegal charges, pitiful customer service, and an even more pitiful "legal department"....AVOID DISH NETWORK, AVOID ECHOSTAR - they'll be in court soon enough of something similiar, sit back and wait.
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
add'l info
#21Author of original report
Wed, August 17, 2005
I spoke with Dana again in the legal dept, she refused to answer my question of why does your website state that the credit card MUST match the account name, she simple stated " I don't want to"...and hung up...very professional! She also wanted to make very clear that she was to be the only point of contact from now on...wonder why ?
Also, "Robert" it was not 3 months before the equipment was returned; if you read my dispute, it says I opened an account in September and termniated in December, the equipment was returned in a little over a month after December.
Try focusing on the fraudulent, illegal charges, pitiful customer service, and an even more pitiful "legal department"....AVOID DISH NETWORK, AVOID ECHOSTAR - they'll be in court soon enough of something similiar, sit back and wait.
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
add'l info
#21Author of original report
Wed, August 17, 2005
I spoke with Dana again in the legal dept, she refused to answer my question of why does your website state that the credit card MUST match the account name, she simple stated " I don't want to"...and hung up...very professional! She also wanted to make very clear that she was to be the only point of contact from now on...wonder why ?
Also, "Robert" it was not 3 months before the equipment was returned; if you read my dispute, it says I opened an account in September and termniated in December, the equipment was returned in a little over a month after December.
Try focusing on the fraudulent, illegal charges, pitiful customer service, and an even more pitiful "legal department"....AVOID DISH NETWORK, AVOID ECHOSTAR - they'll be in court soon enough of something similiar, sit back and wait.
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
and....if I had returned it "promptly
#21Consumer Comment
Wed, August 17, 2005
As you stated if I had returned it "promptly, none of this would have happened" - if Dish Network had told me at the setup that they "require the credit card to match the account" NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED....right Robert ?
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
and....if I had returned it "promptly
#21Consumer Comment
Wed, August 17, 2005
As you stated if I had returned it "promptly, none of this would have happened" - if Dish Network had told me at the setup that they "require the credit card to match the account" NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED....right Robert ?
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
and....if I had returned it "promptly
#21Consumer Comment
Wed, August 17, 2005
As you stated if I had returned it "promptly, none of this would have happened" - if Dish Network had told me at the setup that they "require the credit card to match the account" NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED....right Robert ?
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
and....if I had returned it "promptly
#21Consumer Comment
Wed, August 17, 2005
As you stated if I had returned it "promptly, none of this would have happened" - if Dish Network had told me at the setup that they "require the credit card to match the account" NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED....right Robert ?
Scott
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
I will tell you this
#21Consumer Comment
Wed, August 17, 2005
I had a death in the family and I was not home to return the equipment...any other questions ?
Robert
Rochester,New York,
U.S.A.
So then, please tell me this.
#21Consumer Comment
Tue, August 16, 2005
Why didn't you return the equipment "promptly"? You are talking a 3 month period. If you had done that, then none of this would have happened.