DIRECTV Theft, unauthorized use of credit card, child abuse, family abuse Albuquerque New Mexico

The first time I signed up with Directv in 2007, we disconnected after the trial period. We called to disconnect and they offered no services to return the channel boxes for service so we got charged $300 which was taken out of our VISA account without our authorization. We still have those channel boxes.

The second time, I asked repeatedly, because of the past incident with our card, "Are you going to use my VISA without my permission?", to which they replied, "No, we just need your card for the setup fees." This card used is my husband VISA and he only authorized it for the $35.00 set up fee.

On June 8, we moved back to Albuquerque and had only $199.00 in our checking. We are still looking for jobs and unable to pay the bill. I called their 800-531-5000 number and asked who to call to get the boxes or where to return them. The man on the line, said we were signed up for two years and could offer us a waiver on our $200.00 past due bill.

He stated for $50.00 on our VISA he could transfer our account to NM. Because I wasn't aware that we signed up for two years and were going to get charged a cancellation fee. We had no money so I left it as was until we could pay the bill.
Today we found out DIRECTV took that money in our account plus $329.00 unauthorized.

Now we have no money for our children, gas, or groceries. I spoke with Carlos, a supervisor, and he said that it's in our agreement that DIRECTV will automatically charge our credit card on file for any bill amount left unpaid. Initially, when I hooked up service the second time, they stated, "No" they wouldn't use our card, yet their agreement says otherwise. I wasn't notified and although having read the Customer agreement, it wasn't clear because of what the rep told us. He said he will send us boxes to send back the equipment and will credit our account. Which account, our checking or the DIRECTV account?

This needs to be brought to attention. With their "Free Service and Trial Period" claims and credit card requirement, it's misleading and hurts families. We weren't aware of a two year service agreement, yet have to worry if our card will be used unauthorized again. My husband has gone to file a dispute with his bank and shut off that card. This hurts our credit and our family.

I'm in the process of working with the NM Attorney General, who says that my case is not the only one regarding this issue, the Better Business Bureau, local television stations and sent an email to chase.carey@directv.com, which is the CEO of DIRECTV. I found this email address off the WWW after searching for other customer complaints.

DIRECTV is hurting families, low-income or not, and this is bad business practice. Please let the public know that when they use their card with DIRECTV, to be sure that they may be swindled out of their savings or checkings. Isn't that theft? Where can I go now to get my money back? I'm very disgusted with this company and feel sorry for others who may be in our situation.

Mrs. r****
Albuquerque, New Mexico
U.S.A.