Complaint Review: 1st Defense Security - GE Monitronics & Kigan Martineau Advertising Director Selling Service

Then First Defense Security Refused To Refund My Money When Confronted That the System Does Nothing They Told Me it Would, as well as the fact that the Security Company itself did not respond to my primary phone number when I accidentally set the alarm off which luckily showed me that absolutely none of the functions sold were available to me. - Still going through Fraud Claim with Bank and will have to sue for that as well as damages to my walls and doors of which they made installing the alarm system and then uninstalling.

The Sale:

Advertising Director, Kigan Martineau came to my house first acting as if the system was free (an advertising unit), then telling my how much the unit would normally cost (a couple thousand) and security service would normally be 99.99 a month, but he would provide the unit free, and the service charge would be reduced to 39.99 a month and the installation would be $99.00. After detailing the units capability, with brochures and all, he told me, and showed me, the unit was fully capable of instant audio two way connection with First Defense Security if the alarm ever went off for any reason, that I would have one touch contact with police, that if I was being attacked, they could listen in and call the police and help would be here instantly.

Assuring me that if anything was to happen in a kidnapping situation, this system would ensure instant help, helicopters and everything was described. Still concerned with another bill during difficult times, I was hesitant, but thinking when Kigan offered a $99.00 rebate for the installation as well, then continued on, I would not be billed anything for three months, the first month would be free, he would pay 2 months himself from his commission, stating that I really need this particular system.

Ultimately, I was interested as I had been installing a system myself that I didn't have a lot of faith in living next to a Tier 3 Rapist, who peeks/peeps over our common back yard wall and knowing someone had been in my home, in my cupboards and on my computer, but didn't steal anything when I wasn't home. Did a background check and my intuition was right, this neighbor was a registered Tier 3 Rapist and was stalking me. I should never have told Kigan, because he really played on this in his pitch well.

What I now know was just a pitch of lies for a buck. At the "sales call" Kigan wrote his own personal check to me in the amount of $218.97. There was no real rebate of $99.99, it was his incentive, and the additional sum was for the two months paid by him as stated. So I bit and signed the contract and in that paperwork giving them my home number as my primary number, my cell as my secondary number and my brothers phone in Montana as an emergency contact in case anything had happened to me.

Here is what happened (I am so sorry it is so long, but necessary so you know what to look for when they approach you):

They knew they could not provide to me in Henderson, Nevada what they promised upon the sale. They have been in business for quite some time, they know the police will not respond to home alarm systems, nor will they respond if the 1st Defense called the police to tell them my alarm system was going off. If they didn't know, when they couldn't reach me for over 45 minutes, why didn't they call the police when the alarm did go off and I couldn't be reached. They promised they could listen in over this system, but that was certainly not available or true... they even added additional charges of $5.99 to my monthly agreement later (at installation time of course) stating that it couldn't function "at my home with my phone system" without this additional cellular unit which would allow them to communicate with me live over the unit if my alarm went off.

When I accidentally set off the alarm, there was absolutely no live communication to even let them know I accidentally set it off. I was home, so I didn't have my cellular available (off and/or charging), they didn't call my home phone which was listed as my primary phone number. I called them not knowing they were calling my cell yet, "this office is closed and opens 8:00 to 5:00", When they called my cell phone they left messages. The first message, they told me to call them, but didn't leave a phone number so I called caller ID. The office was closed and open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The second message, they left a number, I called it... this office is closed, and open from of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I got a call from my mother, who lives all the way up in Montana (while I live in Nevada), the security company called her at 4:30 A.M. to tell her my alarm was going off. I didn't even listen to their 3rd message. Instead I called the police to make sure they were not coming, that I accidentally set off the alarm. This is when I was informed the police WOULD NOT respond to home alarm systems of any kind and when I said, but I can't reach the security company, they will probably call you, the police officer told me, that doesn't matter, we do not respond to home alarm system calls even if the security company called us. There are entirely to many systems set off accidentally.

I had my cell, unplugged, and in hand when 1st Security called a 4th time, I told the security company representative that I accidentally set off the alarm, I began to tell her I am suppose to have live communication, and my conversation with the police, why are they calling my cell instead of my home, why are they calling my mother in Montana, what could she do for you or me here in Nevada? What in the world is going on... she didn't want to talk about this, she was in a hurry to call the security and tell him he didn't have to come to my house and hung up the phone... 10 or 15 minutes later, the security came anyway. Keeping in mind, I spoke with the security department at least 15 minutes after my alarm went off, where would my life be today if I had to wait for the security guard 1/2 hour to visually check and then decide whether he needs to call the police or not waiting an additional 10 - 20 minutes.

When I spoke with management at 1st Security (after 8:00 a.m.), and on three occasions to discuss these problems, my inquiry and request for resolution or to remove the system, cancel the contract and refund my money (I noticed they took out $143.99 of my account just that morning), but which was told to me by Kigan Martineau nothing would not be taken for one month. (Later he informed me the installation fee of $99.00 should only have been taken, but his check was to cover that) The sales person, Kigan Martineau's check was for the rebate and a couple months of service paid by him as incentive for the sale.)

This unprofessional manager, I can't recall his name right off hand, told me... that is fine, 1st Defense Security prefers not to do business with "Neurotic people such as yourself". By neurotic, I suspect he meant that, I was not stupid enough to let them add even further additional charges attempted on 2 other occasions besides the phoney cell phone attached to the system. The first, at the time of the contract signing, a tech was suppose to install that night. When he came over, he told me there would be an additional $60.00 a month charge than thought because my house was not wired for the system. The salesman, Kigan Martineau, was still there, he told him in front of me, her house is wired.

He had a unit to check for the wiring in the walls. We checked every window and door. They were wired. Then they said they could not install that night after all. The next day another man came to install. He told me there was going to be an additional charge of $30.00 for wireless as one of my windows was not wired. We checked it yesterday, it was there, in fact that is the only plug we pulled out to view the actual wire used, the rest were checked by the tester alone. I argued with him, went to look, the wire was pushed back into the wall from the window frame. This made me angry, I cut into the wall and pushed the wire back through and told him to connect that window as well.

So, being called neurotic for not allowing them to rip me off in these ways and standing up for myself to get what was fraudulently promised confirms to me this was all intentional. What kind of professional business acts in these fashions? A fraudulent criminal company! They said they normally sell the product and service for $99.99 a month, but my house would be considered an advertising house and that is why I was getting charged only $39.99 a month. Crooked sales tactics trying to get the full $99.99 any way they could after the sale, even when the product didn't function as promised, and even though a unit that performs the exact same functions this one actually only did, less an inept on call security department, for $150.00 one time charge and install it yourself, which is what I had half way done when they came to my door with this phoney scheme.

This is it, these are the scam tactics they use that everyone needs to be aware of. Of note, as First Defense Security has refused to refund my money, I am working with the bank to get that back under fraud. Second as soon as a decision is made, I will be able to know what funds to ask the Court for, whether the $143.99 is part of my lawsuit against them or not. Not only did they leave holes all over my walls, in my closet which will need to be repaired, but they doors have permanent wholes as they are made of metal. The sliding glass door was left with a broken seal allowing air and moisture between the glass. But my lawsuit is most importantly for the purpose of bringing to the attention of the Courts the disgusting tactics used by First Defense Security. Once again the wanting of a few bucks is more important than the lives of the people they so call service. What if it hadn't been me that set the alarm off? What if it was my stalking Tier 3 rapist neighbor? There is absolutely no room for thieves in the business of security.

First Defense Security: HOW DARE YOU ALLOW SOMEONE TO FEEL A SENSE OF SECURITY WHEN THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SECURITY IN THIS SITUATION. I can't fathom your insurance company knowing what you are up to or they wouldn't cover you.

Anyone, anyone at all that has been hurt due to the fact that First Defense Security didn't honor its promises to you and negligently allowed for you to be hurt due to their insufficiencies... I will witness to anyone you wish me to how First Defense Security did this to me. This will likely show any Court/Jury that they intentionally mislead people all for the sake of money which in turn allows people to get hurt with a false sense of security when they paid First Defense Security for those protections. If it takes a few lawsuits to put an end to this fine, that's what it takes.

Teresa
Henderson, Nevada
U.S.A.