3 Messages
Charged $124 for "FREE TRIAL" 2 days into 14 day free trial!
The title says it. I upgraded my phone at AT&T and was asked if I would like to try the DirectTV box to receive a $100 credit towards my ATT account. I asked time and time again, explaining that I am a disabled veteran on a fixed income if I would be charged. Time and time again they looked me dead in the eyes and said I would only be charged if I did not bring the box back before the 14 day free trial ended. Now, here we are, DAY 2 of the 14 days, and I get hit with a $124 charge.
I fully intend on telling my bank this was a fraudulent charge, and plan to spend every free second that I can letting as many people know about these disgusting, predatory tactics that DTV AND ATT do to their "CUSTOMERS". This is just disgusting. I now have absolutely no way to pay my car payment in FOUR DAYS. Every penny that I receive is accounted for, so this just makes me sick to my stomach that they would lie right to my face over and over and over. Feel free to respond to this, or don't. Either way, I am doing EVERYTHING that I can to warn EVERYONE about this absolute scam.
litzdog911
ACE - Sage
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46.4K Messages
1 year ago
You posted in the DirecTV Satellite forum, but I'm guessing this was a DirecTV Stream trial offer? The 14-day free trial does incur an up-front charge that gets refunded if you cancel within the 14 days. That's how it works. It's sad that the AT&T folks weren't up-front about this. They're often clueless about this stuff.
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shannon02
ACE - Expert
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21K Messages
1 year ago
We are all on a fixed income as the job only pays so much per month same as SSI/disability.
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thomdmusic
3 Messages
1 year ago
@shannon02 Well that's a silly thing to say. When you're on disability, you aren't ALLOWED to work. That = FIXED. You're on a "fixed" income because you choose not to work more. People in my situation legally can not. Thanks for your brilliant input however! Lol.
@litzdog911 Thanks for the answer. So essentially, they're incredibly predatory. They've screwed me royally. I'm creating a comment bot to leave reviews every where I possibly can to let people know how this works. This situation, I took personally. Predators.
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shannon02
ACE - Expert
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21K Messages
1 year ago
Most jobs pay x per hour 40 hours a week that is fixed so it is a fixed income.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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22.9K Messages
1 year ago
Then cancel the DIRECTV STREAM service and get that amount refunded since you are still within the trial. Be prepared that your bank may deny the "fraudulent" charge since it was a legitimate business relationship even if you didn't properly understand the details of the promo (not saying you are to blame, just how banks tend to treat these situations).
Comment bots of any type are predatory themselves. Don't double down on a problem because an agent didn't properly explain the details.
(Side note, if you are qualified for a ID card from DEERS/RAPIDS for a 100% rating or in a retired status to see about getting a new ID card in the next year or if you haven't already. They are completely replacing all the old style)
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thomdmusic
3 Messages
1 year ago
@Juniper Thanks for the info on DEERS. I had not heard that actually. I agree that comment bots are a scummy thing to do, but companies do these things with zero remorse to people who have no way to correct the situation. Sure I can cancel, I obviously plan to today. But will that get my money back in time to pay my car payment? Had they just told me how the trial worked, I would have happily declined and I wouldn't be in this mess. But that wasn't the case. So, if their intention is continue treating the situation the same (completely and directly lying to customers about not being charged as long as it's canceled), I have a hard time caring. If a comment bot saves even one person from being overdrafted/defaulting due to this exact situation, I'd would call it worth it.
Anyway, thank you for taking the time to explain all that you did, especially the DEERS part. I very much appreciate that.
@shannon02 You have your heard in a very weird part of the sand. Get some air. You're willfully ignorant.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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22.9K Messages
1 year ago
@thomdmusic
You're welcome. Not any good announcement (yet). I think the intention is by the end of 2025 to have everyone replace the old colored Teslin cards to the new USID. So not a rush, just something to plan for before the mad rush of those that find out late (or procrastinated). If you web search (GOOGLE or your preferred search engine) for RAPIDS Site Locator, you can check the options for your closest office and schedule an appointment if they don't do walk-ins.
I don't know how quick the amount refunds. I would talk with your bank that way if it shows as pending on their side that they can cover the car payment without any overdraft concerns.
You could consider a BBB complaint as that sends your concern to the corporate level. Usually get contact back within a few business days. Would be a way to officially discuss the situation instead of making another problem (bots) worse. Just my two bits on that. Either way, this is all the fault of that initial agent who misinformed you.
(edited)
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