- Report: #90558
Complaint Review: Protect America - Round Rock Texas
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Protect America
5100 N. IH-35, Suite B Round Rock, Texas, U.S.A.
Phone:
877-230-1739
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
Protect America Alarm Monitoring Scam Problem Round Rock Texas
This company has a nice little scam going--they offer you equipment at no charge, and you agree to a 3 year contract. The salesperson tells you that you can cancel after 3 years, and the equipment is yours.
However, there is no mention of a renewal clause, which is automatic and clandestine, for 2 year periods at a time. To cancel this service you must send in writing a cancellation 60 days before the contract expires. If you cancel 59 days before the expiration, they tell you that you are responsible for another 1 or 2 years. Keep in mind, that you must be able to prove to them that they received a written cancellation note, which means a certified letter or the like. Furthermore, in my case, the company has been unable to provide me with a copy of the contract that they claim has this automatic renewal policy.
To make matters worst, they coerce you into automatic withdrawal from a credit card or checking account, and they refuse to stop debiting this account, even after you revoke authorization. The only way to stop the withdrawals is to close the bank account or credit card account. Keep in mind that this type of auto-renewal policy has been deemed illegal in many states like New York (see ADT's settlement with its NY contract holder), and it is only a matter of time until other states adopt simillar policies.
THIS IS A TRUE SCAM. I really think the company is not in the alarm monitoring business as much as it is in the extortion business. I really feel sorry for the senior citizens who want alarms in their houses, and may be shammed by Protect America.
Andrew
natchez, Mississippi
U.S.A.
However, there is no mention of a renewal clause, which is automatic and clandestine, for 2 year periods at a time. To cancel this service you must send in writing a cancellation 60 days before the contract expires. If you cancel 59 days before the expiration, they tell you that you are responsible for another 1 or 2 years. Keep in mind, that you must be able to prove to them that they received a written cancellation note, which means a certified letter or the like. Furthermore, in my case, the company has been unable to provide me with a copy of the contract that they claim has this automatic renewal policy.
To make matters worst, they coerce you into automatic withdrawal from a credit card or checking account, and they refuse to stop debiting this account, even after you revoke authorization. The only way to stop the withdrawals is to close the bank account or credit card account. Keep in mind that this type of auto-renewal policy has been deemed illegal in many states like New York (see ADT's settlement with its NY contract holder), and it is only a matter of time until other states adopt simillar policies.
THIS IS A TRUE SCAM. I really think the company is not in the alarm monitoring business as much as it is in the extortion business. I really feel sorry for the senior citizens who want alarms in their houses, and may be shammed by Protect America.
Andrew
natchez, Mississippi
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Waverly,Ohio,
U.S.A.
tried charging me to even see the contract
#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, November 05, 2004
A couple of months ago my home was burglarized. So i did the thing most would do and started searching for a Home Monitoring System for the protection of my famliy. Upon discovering Protect America i spoke with a Christopher Johnson whom faxed me the contract for me to review. MR johnson took all my info and said the minute i returned the fax signed he would run a credit check and send me the wireless system. After a few days and a few different communications i went with a local Monitoring System. I began recieving emails from Protect America requesting the contract returned. I advised them at this time i went through a different company and i appreciated there time. Both Christopher Johnson and his Superior Dustin Davis sent me emails that i owed Protect America $100.00 for entering into a contract. I tried to explain that i never entered into a contract.I still have over 35 emails saved from this very long day(some getting very unprofessional) threating to turn me into a debt collection if i didnt pay or i could return the contract signed and the service would begin. The whole time i was emailing back and forth i was filling out a better business bureau complaint and registered a complaint with the Texas Attorney General. In the last email i sent them I attached the copy and paste of both these complaints and there appropriate #'s. Mr Davis replied once more and too my amazement, he discovered there wasnever a contract entered into. Never was an apology even given. A couple weeks ago i received letters from both the bbb and lawyers from Protect America stating i owed nothing and P/A stated it was all a misunderstanding. I wonder how many unknowing,nieve, or elderly people they take advantage of every day with this same scam. I advise anyone to stay away from Protect America, and go with either go with one of the BIG TWO or a locally owned and operated.
