Direct TV Cancellation Fee Took $607 out of my bank account without my authorization El Segundo, California *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account that someone wrongfully takes it from you!

I signed on with direct tv almost a year ago.  Unfortunatly, I had to recently cancel my services because I could no longer afford to pay direct tv.  My husband and I checked our bank account and found out that direct tv had taken $607 without our authorization.  My husband filled out a dispute form and filed it with the Regions Operation Manager at our bank.  However, he advised us even if we did not authorize the charges that there is still probably nothing that they can do and that we need to take this up with direct tv.  My husband also had to put a freeze on our account. 

 I have called direct tv 3 times in the past 2 days and have gotten no where.  They refuse to transfer me to a manager and everytime I call they are supposedly all in meetings.  They tell me that one will call me back but no one ever does.  I explained to them that first of all I know I did not pay and that I owe two months in bills and they are still billing me for that (an amount of $151).  I however asked them why they charged $607 to my bank account without my authorization.  They told me that I never sent back all their receivers and equipment and that was also for early cancellation fees.  I explained to them that I know they sent back the boxes for me to return their equipment not even a week prior to this incident with the bank.  I explained to them that it rained on the boxes that they delivered and I had them dry out and I was in the process of sending the equipment back.

I explained to direct tv that since they have now charged $607 to my bank account that they are not getting any of their equipment back.  I went round and round about asking them to send me proof of where I signed showing that they could take out cancellation fees and other fees without my authorization.  They said that it has all that information on their website and I should have read that.  They basically told me that I never signed anything stating that though.  I also asked them to send me something in writing showing the amount of cancellation fees for early cancellation and for other miscellaneous charges when a customer does not return equipment (because it seems like they are charging whatever they want depending on the situation on each customer).  They could not provide me with that either.  They just told me that $320 was for my early cancellation fees.

I then told them that they need to send me a letter stating that if I sent all their equipment back that they will retract these fees from my bank account.  I advised them if they did not do that then they are not getting anything back from me.  They refused.  I called again and was told that a manager will call me back within in 24-48 hours so I am still waiting on that call.  I probably will not get a call back.

The problem I am having here is that my husband and I were about in the process of going to an attorney and filing bankruptcy because we are losing our home.  We have not paid mortgage or anything like that either.  I explained that to direct tv.  Therefore we did not have any money in our bank account (and when I spoke with the Regions Operational Manager at my bank he said that my husband and I have been loyal customers until this incident).  We now have over negative $600 in our bank account and cannot pay it.  Our bank is going to charge us $6 a day everyday until we can.  The Regional Operations Manager however is going to waive the fee until he gets an answer on the dispute form that my husband filled out.

I honestly do not know what my husband and I are going to do.  The only thing that my husband and I had in good standing was our bank account and now direct tv has messed that up.

I am going to also try to file a complaint with the corporate headquarters online with direct tv.  I am not sure what else I can do here. 

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder RipoffReport.com Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com

Rip-off Report PO Box 310, Tempe, Arizona 85280