Complaint Review: Vivint - Provo Utah

On May 30, 2008, I contracted with APX Alarms (now Vivint Alarms) to install an alarm system in my residence and provide monitoring services for burglary and fire alarms.  The contract was for 36 months and I paid $47.69 per month for this monitoring. 

On May 30, 2011 I called Vivint and informed them since my contract was up, I no longer wanted monitoring services.  I was told since I didn't write in at least 30 days prior to the end of my contract date, it automatically renewed for ONE YEAR.

I asked if there was some way I could take care of the contract.  I was told I could find someone to "take over payments on my account" or pay the total fee for one year. This has got to be the most underhanded trick I have ever heard of.  

Why should I pay to have this company monitor my home?  I could have just hired them outright to steal money from me with their cheating contrract.. I am a retiree and living on a fixed income and can ill afford to be cheated by unprofessional, companies. 

In order to get out of this contract, I had to pay $492.19 (the monthly fee for the rest of the year),   If you wish to discontinue their servoces, they require you to write them no later than 30 days prior to the end of their contract and no sooner than 6 months prior to the end of the contract.

I had been out of the country (in China) for the previous 6 months.  I told the account representative this and asked if theire was some way I could take care of this.  I was told I could find someone to take over my account and payments or pay the entire amount for the year.   They wouldn't work with me at all.

I had $492.19 remaining on my contract so I told them to take it from my American Express charge card and to cancel all services immediately. I believe this company is cheating homeowners by this "contract" they use.  They charge on a monthly basis for their services but they use a yearly contract to cheat the homeowners out of almost $600.00 a year. 

If the homeowner wants to cancel any time before the end of the contract they have to pay the full contract off or find someone to take over payhments.   And if you are out of the country and didn't write in, they don't even try to work with the client so the client doesn't have to pay the full year.

Even if their contact is legal by Utah State law, I belive it is underhanded and unprofessional - aimed at tricking unsuspecting homeowners out of their cash. .. Vivint doesn't notify their clients of upcoming end-of-contracts, but they sure made it a point to call me trying to sell additional items or "new and upgraded" monitoring systems!  Why couldn't they tell me that my contract was due to expire and what I should do if I wished to discontinue services?  Of course they wouldn't do that; that would be the honorable thing to do.

I feel Vivint Alarms should refund my $492.19 to me and cancel all services.    I also believe this company should be investigated for their business practices

Damage ResultingI have been cheated out of $492.19 by the company

Please citizens, if you are looking for a home security company, don't look at Vivint.  They will rob you without ever having an alarm sound.