Directv Charged me for 2 months service before service was activated. Did not provide all the promos promised

I did a lot of research before switching to Directv.  I made the mistake of not looking for Directv reviews and complaints.  On march 20, 2023 I chatted with Bea on Directv’s chat line from 3:46 PM until 5:29 PM, 1 hour and 45 minutes.  He assured me he had checked all the ‘promo’ boxes concerned with my new account switching from Dish TV as he was signing me up for Directv.  One of the promo boxes had to be filled as my order was being placed.  I copied and pasted the entire chat.

I tried getting into my new account March 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, 2023, to make sure everything went as promised.  Every time I called Directv I was informed it would take a few days for my account to be set up.

The services were installed on March 22, 2023 between 12:00 and 4:00 PM as Bea arranged. My premium channels were not available as advertised in the promo.  I called and was informed the premium channels were not part of the promo.   After having to call a few different departments I got the premier channels activated.    

3/25/23 @ 6:31 PM I spent 1 hour 28 min trying to get someone to verify all my promotions were applied and help me get into my account to make sure the rest of my promo boxes were checked.  No one could help or tell me.

On March 21, 2023 a bill was generated showing I was to pay $96.23 in addition to the $96.23 being paid through autopay before March 30, 2023 which I did not receive until March 26, 2023.  The bill was for services “Mar. 21 - Mar. 21”.  Service didn’t start until March 22, 2023.  See Attached.

3/26/23 @ 2:19 PM immediately after reading my email I called Directv and spoke with Shelly for 1 hour 14 minutes.  She informed me something was not right; just ignore the bill and she would put notes in my account stating any late fees were covered if any were added.  She could not verify if my other proms were added to my account. I told her I just wanted out of my contract.  She informed me I had 24 hours to get out, after that I would be charged $480.00.

Below are some of the documented times I was calling trying to get my account straighten out on March 27, 2023;

3/27/23 @ 9:59 AM I was on the line with Directv for 20 min

3/27/23 @ 10:38 AM I was on the line with Directv for 1 hour 35 min

3/27/23 @ 12:22 PM I was on the line with Directv for 35 min

3/27/23 @ 4:14 PM I was on the line with Directv for 12 min

I was told many different stories. No one could tell me if my other promos were added.  One gentleman informed me he had been working for Directv for 12 years and the other people I had conversed with did not know what they were talking about.  If I did not pay my bill twice, I would be charged a late fee.

Autopay paid it once and he took my payment $96.23 for a second time.

I finally got into my account and read the following; “Your last bill of $96.23 was for the period ending Mar 20.” See Attached

According to their statements I paid; “Your last bill of $96.23 was for the period ending Mar 20.”

The bill was for services “Mar. 21 - Mar. 21”, I paid $192.46 for services before my service was installed.  See attachments

My next autopay will be for $96.23 due April 12, 2023, $288.69 in 23 days.

How can this happen?  What can a person do to protect themselves?