Defender Direct Protect Your Home FRADULENT BILLING PRACTICES Indianapolis, Indiana

Defender Direct is an authorized dealer for ADT. My alarm system was installed in Sept. 2012 by a youngman named Adam who presented himself as an employee of ADT. In Nov. 2012 I learned that my contact with ADT was purchased by Protect Your Home aka Defender Direct. I've received several letters (not invoices) from Defender Direct asking to be reimburse for a Permit Fee.

According to Defender Direct the permit fee is charged by my city, municipiality, and state. The letter states; Defender Direct paid the permit fees on my behalf and now I owe them. I currently live in Cincinnati,Ohio.

I've verified with the city that they do not charge nor collect permit fees for home security systems. I've tried on several occassions (each time I've received a letter) to explain this to Defender Direct. The customer service rep. always, always becomes very agitated, angry, and rude with me.

I simply state I'm not paying for this bogus charge and hang up. They are very consistent because a few short weeks later, I receive another letter from them. The first letter I received attempting to collect a permit fee was for approximately $60.00. All subsequent letters have increased in dollar amount.  The most recent letter I've received is dated 01/11/2013 with an amount due of; $1,127.23 for a non existent permit fee.

I don't reside in a mansion, nor do I have antique furniture, expensive paintings or other luxury items. To date, I've never received a bill from Defender Direct. I called to inquire why I have never received a bill. I've only received letters re: this bogus permit fee. I was advised my account did not qualify for billing. I said to the customer service rep.  "you can not be serious".   

I saw an ad in a neighborhood paper for an ADT home security system. The install fee was only $99.00

I thought it was a bargin. Everyone I spoke with initially represented themselves as employees of ADT. Unfortunately, I found out too much that "in the ad" it mentions PROTECT YOUR HOME an authorized dealer of ADT.

 I don't believe I am the only person that has a negative experience with this company. I'm cancelling my contract and moving on to a more reptuable company. This is a typical example of buyer beware.   The business practices are unethical and borderline illegal.