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Report: #934449

Complaint Review: alarmmonitoringservices.com 800-365-1001 - Internet Internet

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  • Reported By: contractorscams — United States of America
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  • alarmmonitoringservices.com 800-365-1001 Internet United States of America

alarmmonitoringservices.com 800-365-1001 THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM... DO NOT USE THEM IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR HOME, IT WILL COST YOU A FORTUNE IN THE LONG RUN , Internet

*Consumer Comment: This is a fraudulent company - a scam

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DO YOUR RESEARCH. I was going to use them but the did basic research:
It sounds like they only have 2 employees. 
Call them a couple of times and you keep getting the same people. 

ANY MONITORING COMPANY THAT MAKES YOU PAY FOR A INSURANCE CERT IS A SCAM.....

They will give you a sales number to call and you get the same people. 
They will not even let you know the model number of the system you are buying from them. 

THEY ARE A SCAM. Do basic research. Call the BBB and consumer affairs and take a look at there rating. look at all of there other sites too... see below what 2 minutes of research can do... They will not even give you an address. THEY ARE FULL OF SH*!  

BELOW ARE A COUPLE OF POSTINGS FOUND 
_____________________________
(Added Apr 16/12) I finally finished my two year contract with this TERRIBLE company.  The reviewer on Sept 19/11 must have been from Ben Price, a rude and sarcastic employee. As stated by a previous reviewer, customer service is non-existent and the customer service number on their invoices is disconnected.  There have been numerous fraudulent charges on my account.  Their recent fraudulent charge on my account was a second deposit, $299.95, on my alarm monitoring equipment after canceling my account and fulfilling my two year contract.  I disputed the charges with my credit card company and reversed the charge.   Lastly, Ben Price hung up the phone on me when I called to ask when my original deposit, $99.95, would be refunded.  BE AWARE. Do not sign up for service with this awful company.  

 (Added Feb 8/12) SaveOnMyAlarm.com is fraud. I will also be sending a note to the NY Attorney General and the BBB. I did not do my homework and was trapped by this company. The contract they said I agreed to has a cancellation fee of 299 no matter when you cancel. They also try and get you for 2 more months to "protect you". This company should be shut down. Want Technical support or customer service? Leave a voice mail and they may call you back. Only good reviews are posted by the company. I will pay the 299 to get rid of them. 

 (Added Sep 19/11) I am surprised by the reviews!! I have saveonmyalarm..I prepaid for five years to get the best price ($9.95 a month on 11/25/2006.) I have since changed from cell back to land line operation; and the technical support was great. I already had an existing alarm system; so do not know about the people who complained about equipment issues. Everyone has been upfront with us..I guess we will see when our prepaid is up this November!!!
(Added Dec 12/10) This alarm company traps you. Once you are in, you feel trapped. It is very time consuming to contact them. They never contact you when it is time to renew. They just deduct money from your credit card.  They won't let you leave. You are trapped for ever!!!!  Read the terms and conditions very carefully.  I wonder how such a company exists in a civilized nation like USA.

 (Added Oct 20/10) High Maintenance!  We prepaid for three years, but every several months they changed their service terms so they keep sending us bills.  "We charge for test signals now", or "you had two account numbers in our system, we charge extra for that". Yes, they want another $5.95 for their clerical error, and another $25.00 because the credit card we had on file with them was not current.  And so on.  You get the idea.  Isolated incidents?  The billing issues I have had have been too frequent to be honest mistakes.  Too bad because the price was right, and the monitoring itself was just fine.

 (Added Sept 11/10) I purchased equipment from them and prepaid one year service in January 2008. When my service ended in January 2009, they wanted me to return the purchased equipments and emailed me a bill with charges for unreturned equipments for over $800. From their website and the receipt I received, they did not say the equipments were leased. (I paid GE 24 Basic system for $199.95, 4 door sensors for $89.95, interior motion for $69.95, 2 key fob for $59.90, etc). Since I purchased these equipments, of course I don't want to return them. They keep sending me bills and said according to Terms & Conditions, I should return all equipment to them and they never sell equipments but only lease them. I checked Terms & Conditions, which has 53 items and the document does not say all equipments are leased. (They may have changed Terms to include this one). They are now threatening to sue me in court.  There were also hidden charges for the services I never requested (one of them was auto test signal sent from the system to the service center and monthly fee was about $5). They charged cancelation fee although I only purchased one year service. All charges went directly to my credit card. I called my credit card company to reject all these charges.

 (Added Aug 4/10) Save on My Alarm were unable to get a signal from the alarm after sending us replacement digital converters on two separate occasions.  I had prepaid for a year's service in July 2009 and they were unable to get a signal from my alarm since August 2009 - hence they did not monitor our alarm system.  We worked with them until January 2010 when got fed up with not having our home security monitored and arranged service with another provider for security reasons.   We tried cancelling with saveonmyalarm.com but instead they charged us $299 early termination fee and made no mention of refunding our money for the time that they could not monitor our alarm during the prepaid year.   This company has very poor business and customer service practices.  It's advertising is a bait and switch scam; make sure you read the buried fine print on their terms and conditions.  DO NOT rely on what they tell when you call to sign-up or sign-up  on their website.  They do not disclose their bait and switch plan for obvious reasons.  You would never sign up with them and certainly would not take advantage of their "low rates".

 (Added June 12/10) I am yet another person who is prey to this fraudulant scamming company (alarmmonitoringservices.com). I signed up and prepaid for 6 months and they billed me an early cancellation fee because they said that if I accepted any promotion the term was 2 years! They billed my credit card for $670 when I cancelled! No joke! I'm fighting it til my last breath! It's a bate-and-switch plan. It looks like an inexpensive company but it cost me horrific. I am reporting to the BBB.

 (Added April 30/10) The firm is a scam! Check the BBB ratings on their website. You will be shocked by the number of complaints.  This shady firm operates under different names:  
alarmmonitoringservices.com, americandigitalmonitoring.com, onlinehelpform.com, alarmpartner.com, ulfire.com,
elevatorcall.com, cancelmyalarm.com, ulcenter.com, 99alarm.com, dollaralarm.com, & alarmbillingservices.com.
(Added Feb 16/10) They are thieves.  Do not give them opportunity to draft credit card or monitor your house.  You will regret sooner or later...

 (Added Sept 23/09) Do NOT trust them! They told me no contract over the phone and their website indicates so too. Suddenly, I was told the $6 is only promotional price for three months. I was assessed an early termination penalty for no-contract! The key thing is that they do NOT provide alarming service to you at all! *** ***** was a very rude person!  Liar! Do not trust some raving reviews here that were apparently posted by the firm itself!
(Added July 17/09) Stay far away from this company.  We signed up as a dealer and....(read the whole review)
(Added June 24/09) Total Frauds. They're loading up their own review board here with phony posts about how they saved lives. Call their "billing problems" number and see if they ever answer the phone. You'll see. You'll never talk to a human once they over charge your credit card or checking account.

 (Added June 6/09) SaveOnMyAlarm.com is an exceptional company. They are very fast when they respond to alarms, which leaves me feeling secure and safe. I was impressed with their customer care as well. After shopping around for a while, I am beyond pleased with my choice.  Their pricing is impressive as well- $5.95 per month for monitoring...
(Added June 1/09) I have to say being a customer with them has been a pleasure.  They are....(read the whole review)
(Added April 1/09) (Updated June 26/09) I used SaveOnMyAlarm for about 6 years.  At the beginning it wasn't bad, had some billing troubles, but....(read the whole review)
(Added Mar 31/09) (Updated June 26/09) When I signed up for a home monitoring service, my understanding, based on the conversation I had with sales person over the phone was that in order to get the monitoring service for $5.95 per month I need to....(read the whole review) 
(Added Mar 6/09) (Updated July 2/09) Avoid...  a complete joke.  We were with them for over a year and after our alarm goes off today, we find out that....(read the whole review)
(Added Mar 2/09) (Updated June 26/09) I canceled my service regretfully after reading these responses though it was within the alleged 72 hour mark and of course these jokers are not going to issue a 100% refund.  This company must have been trained by Madoff Investments.  Schemers not service providers.  Stay away.  By the way they initially randomly charged me $247 and triple charged me for the converter (prior to sending it)  RUN FROM THESE PEOPLE.  DON'T LET THEM INTO YOUR LIFE....

 Update:
These jokers have sent me invoices for an $199 the price of their convereter which was returned to them via certified mail within 5 days of receiving it, and I have the signature to prove it.  This company is a cancer to the alarm service industry will eventually cause great harm.  I went with NextAlarm based on reviews from this board and they have been fantastic.
(Added Mar 2/09) (Updated May 27/09) The company is a total scam.  I called the number on their website to place an order.  They told me there is no contract and $159 that I will pay for wireless monitoring will go towards my montly monitoring fee of $5.95.  My credit card was charged for $ 400.  Even though I never authorized $400 and they told me that is a 2 year contract too.  We should file a complain with attorney general of Washington.

 Update:
The issue is still there, the company billed my credit card for $400 without my authorization.
(Added Feb 11/09) Think twice before you choose saveonmyalarm.com! This is a scammer! They have different websites offering low-price home monitoring service. DO NOT trust them! Typical bait-and-switch scam! They will send you a lot of bills of fictitious charges!  Contact BBB or Attorney General if you are already a victim!

 (Added Jan 26/09) Liars and cheaters! I signed up for what I thought was $5.95 per month monitoring only to be charged $19.95 per month. When I called to question the charge they told me I was locked into a two year contract at that rate. I clicked on "prepay 3 months" thinking I was just prepaying three months service, not signing a two year contract. There is nothing whatsoever on the order page that indicates that you are choosing a two year contract. The popups that are supposed to inform you of the plans are vague, with misspellings, and do not say anything about signing a two year contract. There are no links to any terms and conditions on the webpage.  Please everyone contact the Washington State Attorney general's office and tell them that "saveonmyalarm.com" is a scam operating in their state. http://www.atg.wa.gov/  We should set up a forum to discuss this scam or class action!
(Added Jan 12/09) Despite management's rebuttal, Save on my alarm will try to get whatever money than from you by any means possible....(read the whole review)

 (Added Jan 1/09) I was worried about these reports but took a chance anyway realizing that they do over 1500 new accounts a month and 20 complaints over a few years is nothing. After I did switch, I found Saveonmyalarm to be fast, efficent and curtious.  Apparently most if not all these complaints are from people that do not understand what they sign up for or worse, want something for nothing.  (Lets face it, the majority of us people looking for cheaper alarm monitoring are penny pinchers in the first place...)  They offer month to monthy service at a higher rate and there are no contracts to adhere to.  But if you want the lowest $5.95 rate you must commit to a 24 month term.  Whats so hard to understand about that?

 (Added Dec 20/08) Lord have mercy!  What a bunch of thiefs.  They was unable to convert my alarm and tried to sell me a cheap one zone panel to replace my 12 zone panel.  I told them to forget it and they charged me another $200 until I could return the diverter and said there were no refunds on pre-payments.  If you still want to use these scam artists, you need to have your head examined!  Beware, they go by several different names and will come up on the top in a Google search.  The $5.95 rate is only when you sign up for 5 years in prepayment.  It is like a bad dream trying to cancel and get away from them.
(Added Dec 18/08) Warning this is 2 year contract that you sign, the $50 free is only good after the promo offer, then will apply to $19.99 per month, and will charge you for the converter too, so be carefull.  What you think is cheap monthly service turns out to cost more, go with other national brand service, be smart avoid this company.
(Added Dec 2/08) (Updated April 5/09) Re: American Digital Alarm.  This is a rip off company.  They also go by saveonmyalarm.com and many other names....(read the whole review) 

 (Added Nov 18/08) I feel that I was tricked into signing a two year contract. I checked all the boxes, clicked on what I thought was an option to pay three months up front and then be billed $5.95 per month thereafter. Nothing warned me of a two year contract at $19.95.  If you visit their cheesy looking site you will see how it tricks you. Avoid this company.
(Added Oct 17/08) They never sent out convertor, and tried to keep money for service set-up that was never performed.  I have been in dispute with them over this for 6 months and had to have my account number changed, since they autodraft and reverse the transaction.  Do yourself a favor, avoid this fraudulent company. Currently my bank has gotten my money back, but this alarm service is continuing to send threatening emails.  Still have ADT, and won't use this type of alarm convertor ever in the future.  
(Added Oct 6/08) The company advertises $5.95 a month service for a year, but they upped my price to $19.95 a month, just a few months in, without any notice at all.  Unfortunately I did not notice this for several months.  What a dishonest company.  I was optimistic about them at first due to the good (fake) offer, and they were responsive with false alarms.  Very disappointed.  Glad I recommended them to no one.  Should have went with a REAL company I suppose.
(Added July 5/08) Following are just a part of a letter I am sending to BBB of Alaska, Oregon & Western Washington (DuPont, WA) and Attorney General Of State Of Washington to register complaints against this company...

_________________________________________________________________

Product or Service Involved: Alarm Monitoring

An Alarm Monitoring Service company with over 20 BBB complaints in the last 24 months with sketchy domains such saveonmyalarm.com  dollaralarm.com alarmemail.com  halfpricealarm.com  TurnMyAlarmBackOn.com policealarm.com  ulcenter.com americandigitalmonitoring.com GoToMyAlarm.com alarmemail.com AlarmPartner.com halfpricealarm.com AlarmMonitoringServices.com have been popping up on the web, to provide alarm monitoring services..  With that many domains, and paste-up job websites, it is a good indication that it is not as save as it seem, sending some alarm bells ringing.

American Digital (aka Cencom Inc., Safeguard America) have received complaints ranging from false advertising, to bait and switch tactics, rude customer service and deliberately obtaining domain names in bad faith.  http://search.bbb.org/Results.aspx?ph=800-365-2527

American Digital provides alarm monitoring services and claims to be able to monitor all alarms.  However complaints received have indicated that they are not able to monitor alarms that have been lock by other providers and therefore no service can be provided unless you lease one of their system.  Before long, you will realized that you have been locked into a bait and switch tactics scheme.  They claim that they will "refund if the conversion cannot be done due to their inability", however the switch is that you have to lease their expensive system.  If you don't accept their offer, then it is not their "inability to convert the system" and your list of problems just gotten bigger.  When you try to cancel, they become threatening rude and will tell you can only cancel after 60 days, introducing their delay tactics.   So without service provided, no cancellation, you have been scammed into another internet false advertising scheme.  The list of complaints goes on, that includes the attempt to maximize the most out of their victim's credit card, until a cancellation form with "certified proof of delivery" is sent in or they will continue to bill you with the credit card number they have on file.

In an attempt to set the record straight, the president, Ron Cats had explained that refunds are provided if cancelled within 72 hours; in my opinion that is pretty much saying refunds will not likely happen, as installation will take up to 72 hours or more.  

On June 6, 2007.  ADT file a Complaint with the WIPO Arbitration against Cencom Inc (aka saveonmyalarm.com or American Digital and their many DBA names) for trademark infringement with no legitimate interests in the domain name .  For all the foregoing reasons, the Panel orders that the domain name, be transferred to the Complainant ADT.

The Panel also noted that Respondent is no stranger to deliberately obtaining domain names comprising other's trademarks. E.g., Google Inc. v. Cencom Inc., FA0603000669284 (Nat. Arb. Forum May 8, 2006) ( based on GOOGLE mark).

Someone ought to put a stop to this company.  It is sad Ron would call his company American Digital, as it is not at all American we want to be known for.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 08/29/2012 03:53 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/alarmmonitoringservicescom-800-365-1001/internet/alarmmonitoringservicescom-800-365-1001-this-company-is-a-scam-do-not-use-them-if-you-934449. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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#1 Consumer Comment

This is a fraudulent company - a scam

AUTHOR: software76 - ()

POSTED: Thursday, December 19, 2013

 I signed a 24 month alarm monitoring service contract with this company on 7/9/2011. They completed my 24 month term on 6/30 eventhough nothing in the terms and conditions states that I will not get the full 24 months. I was put on a month to month plan on 7/1/2013 and was charged $19.95. I cancelled on 7/6/2013 but they charged me another 2 months - $39.90. Per the terms and conditions there is a 60 day advance notice required for cancelling any plan including the month to month plan. I cancelled before my 24 month plan was supposed to end on 7/9/2013 so even with the 60 day cancellation requirement I should of only been charged an extra $39.90 instead of $59.85. They refused to work with me to satisy my complaint. Their website says that "you can cancel anytime" but even for month to month subscribers they will be charged an extra 60 days when cancelling. What is to stop them from having a 360 day advance notice cancellation requirement and saying you can cancel anytime? This company is a scam. There have been several complaints against them so the attorney general has even taken action against this company. Avoid this company at all costs. If all consumers take a stand against this fraudulant company it will go out of business. Anyone who feels cheated by this company should file a complaint with the washington state attorney generals office. http://www.atg.wa.gov/. The office has already taken action against the company and it will take further action if enough consumers complain. Even if your charges are per the terms and conditions you can still file a complaint and say the company is engaging in deceptive practices which it is banned from doing per agreement with the attorney general's office. Here is the decree they signed with the attorney general's office. On September 6, 2012 the Washington State Attorney Generals Office entered into a consent decree with Cencom,Inc. a Kirkland, WA business. Cencom Inc. and all successors are hereby permanently enjoined and restrained from directly or indirectly engaging in failing to clearly and conspicuously disclose the material terms of alarm monitoring services, Misrepresenting that Cencom is a BBB Accredited Business if it is not, Failing to offer valid agreements to consumers, failure to disclose early termination fees, failing to obtain a consumer's explicit informed consent of the Terms and Conditions of the agreement and misleading "free" advertising. Cencom shall provide two reports to the Washington Attorney Generals Office. Each report Cencom will set forth the changes it made, why those changes were made and what those changes are intended to accomplish. Upon entry of this Consent Decree, Cencom will immediately cease and desist all billing activity against any consumer who has previously attempted to cancel their account but was denied due to Cencom's practices, all collections activity against any consumer whose alleged debt was incurred due to the practices of Cencom and within 45 days of the entry of the decree Cencom agrees to send letters of explanation to all relevant credit reporting agencies explaining the reason for any collections actions against Cencom customers. Cencom will request that all record of such collections actions be expunged from the credit reports of affected customers. This agreed upon refund program will expire 75 days from the entry of the Decree and Cencom shall mail refund checks to all consumer who have responded to the the email Cencom has sent out in order to determine the amount necessary to compensate the consumers for the early termination fee that the consumer actually paid to Cencom. For further information on this action please contact the Washington State Attorney Generals office at 206-464-7745 or online at www.atg.wa.gov

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