I closed the account with Directv on June 20, 2011. The rep asked me to send a check payment when I received my last bill, which I did, sent a check for $7.45, and the company also took the same amount from my bank account, without my consent.

On July 9th, Directv issued me with an invoice for $133.31 from PPV charges. How? the account was closed. I called them to find out about these charges and they said they have gotten the charges from the smart cards after I returned them, and the charges were from July to September 2005! I told them that it was impossible to order anything from the remote because the phone lines were not connected to any of the boxes, and to stop trying to collect something I did not owe them. They said 'someone' in my household ordered them. Right, the boxes were in the living room, family room, and two bedrooms, and someone ordered 4 Adult PPV movies from each box, and I did not know about it? Come on! The kids were too small to watch that, my spouse had no interest in that kind of stuff, and if anyone wanted to see it... we have Internet! When I asked about the times of day the movies were ordered, they say don't have than kind of information. They even asked me if I had any visitors that may have ordered. The answer: NO!

They kept calling everyday twice a day, I called them back about 10 times, and everytime I talked to a customer service rep and then the billing department and told them the same thing over and over. They finally asked me to send a letter disputing the charges to the Billing Dispute department, which I sent on July 20th. They still kept calling trying to collect.

On August 2, 2011 they actually went into my bank account and withdrew the funds without my consent... Again! So, now they have taken a total of $140.76 from my hard earned money to cover false PPV charges.

It was impossible to deal with anyone from customer service or the billing department; first they were being all nice and asking why I cancelled Directv, and giving some kind of great deals -according to them- even wanted to know how much I am paying now with the new service, and saying they would pay off my new contract. I told them I was not going to disclose that information and just take care of the billing problem. Nothing. Only one rep agreed that the charges were ridiculous and that I should continue disputing them, but did not help either. The reps even told me they could not reverse the charges or give me credit because the account is closed and they have no option to do that. My response? You can charge me and try to collect and take my money, but have no option to credit me? What???? Nobody had an answer to that, just kept saying 'that's the way the system works'.

The last thing they asked me to do, was to fill out a payment dispute form and fax it. I already did that and I still do not have my money back! I know is not much, but I actually WORKED to earn this money and it is NOT FAIR they take it just because they can! There is not even an option in the website to delete the credit card information! So, they have my info forever? Yeah right, I already requested a new account number, a little too late but at least they do not have access anymore.

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Directv

6 Updates & Rebuttals

Inspector

Tobyhanna,
Pennsylvania,
USA

You go Claudia!

#2Consumer Comment

Thu, August 11, 2011

I did at one time install direct TV back when they were first getting started. Since then they have turned into monsters as well as Dish. I believe that they were scamming you because they are struggling right now. Direct TVs policies are outrageous. Glad to see you won this one.
The installers probably ordered the movies on the card prior to installing it in your house. Do you remember exactly what month in 2005 that you received this card and when the movies were ordered?

Ken

Greeley,
Colorado,
USA

I can read AND comprehend...you can't

#3Consumer Comment

Thu, August 11, 2011

Re-read my post, it says when (oh and if) you re-connect the phone line the receiver will send the info to direcTV. If NOT re-connected of EVER connected, it will be read out of memory when your receiver is turned in. Ask your hubby if he really enjoyed the movies. ;)

Nice try, but I DON'T work for DirecTV, in fact I'm retired from a different industry.

You can try any attack you want and my rebuttal stands and IS accurate...get over yourself.

I can certainly comprehend FAR better that you appear able to...have a nice day..

Claudia

Covina,
California,
United States of America

You should pay attention to what you read

#4Author of original report

Thu, August 11, 2011

Exactly, what part of "the phone lines were not connected to any of the boxes" did you not understand?

Also, were in the report did I say the lines were connected again? And, five year-olds? From where did you get that?

Just so you know, the boxes were NEVER connected to the phone line.

Besides I already noticed that you are either a troll, or work for that company. I already saw your postings on other reports making the same kind of comments, so all I'm doing right now is making you see for yourself what kind of 'out of context' rebuttals you give.

Whatever you comment from now on, I'm not going to answer because 1) it would be feeding a troll like you, and 2) I would also be losing more of my valuable time, obviously something you have no idea as to what it means.

Whatever the company did by returning my money, I really don't care, I got it and that's it.

Ken

Greeley,
Colorado,
USA

You were wrong and DirecTV was generous...

#5Consumer Suggestion

Thu, August 11, 2011

When your phone line was disconnected from your receiver, the movies ordered are stored in the receiver memory and read when you re-connect your phone line or send the receiver in and close your account. Dish and DirecTV both do this to recover payment for movie purchases not paid by being reported over the phone line. You need to check and see which of your 5 year olds purchased them. :)

You can believe SOMEBODY ordered them.

Claudia

Covina,
California,
United States of America

Got my money back!

#6Author of original report

Wed, August 10, 2011

As promised on my previous update: I just got my money back! Yay! I just hope this doesn't continue happening.

Claudia

Covina,
California,
United States of America

Getting my money back!

#7Author of original report

Fri, August 05, 2011

After filing a report with the Better Business Bureau, and the BBB contacting Directv, the company agreed to reverse the PPV charges and refund my money "in recognition of the previous years of loyalty you had provided DIRECTV." Not because they were false charges.

Per the e-mail today, it will take 7 business days for the finance department to actually issue the refund, I will update this report when I receive it.

Of course the company does not admit any wrongdoing, meaning that other customers will continue getting the same treatment. At least I'm getting my money back, and hopefully this will serve some purpose so that other persons do not go thru the same huge hassle I have just been through.

This is an extract: "For future reference, the DIRECTV Customer Agreement advises our customers that by providing a credit or debit card they authorize us to apply this method of payment to satisfy all amounts due upon cancellation. In addition, the DIRECTV Customer Agreement also advises our customers how our receivers transmit DIRECTV Cinema and DIRECTV Pay Per View events to us for billing purposes. The access card inside each DIRECTV receiver stores DIRECTV Cinema and DIRECTV Pay Per View events ordered with a customer's remote control. A phone line or internet connection is required for customers to maintain this privilege. In circumstances where a receiver is not constantly connected to a phone line, our only opportunity to download and bill our customers is when the equipment is returned. While we understand there may be a significant delay between the date the movie or event was ordered and the date the charges are added to the bill, the charges are still considered valid. We hope this additional information helps clarify any concerns, and we truly regret we were unable to retain you as our customer. Respectfully, DIRECTV Office of the President."