Direct TV Scam

• 3/31/21 I was called by someone calling himself James who claimed to be with Direct TV media solutions, his #5004.   He offered to lower our monthly bill for the next 36 months to $124 plus tax and chgs. if we paid $99.00 now.  He gave his phone #718-838-9937.  Because he had all our information on our account including our address, phone number, ATT passcode and how much our bill was, I paid the $99.00.  He gave me a confirmation #6299943715A.   Subsequently I got an e-mail that our monthly bill was being lowered to the approximate amount he claimed.  I then got a call from ATT Direct TV asking if I was authorizing changes to the account.  I related the above to that person, who said that it was not a Direct TV action, and a scam.
• On 4/10/21 I was called by this same James saying that Direct TV was sending up another satellite and they needed to upgrade our box.  It would also upgrade us to 4G.  He asked for $200.00 refundable deposit, to be paid by check or credit card.  Again, he had all our information regarding Direct TV.  This time I said the money should go on our bill.  He claimed it had to be check or card.  I said it sounded like a scam, and he immediately hung up.  

          We had never had anything like this before ATT took over Direct TV.  All my              contacts with Direct TV were with American customer service reps, and we were very happy with our service.  It seems this fraud is a direct result of using Indian customer service representative companies who obviously do not keep our information safe.  I will be reporting this to the appropriate authorities, both state and federal.  I have never in the past been taken like this, as I am very careful.  The only reason this person was able to scam me the first time was his complete knowledge of our Direct TV account.  I think it would be appropriate for ATTDirectTV to refund the $99.00 that was taken from me.  We are living on Social Security and cannot afford to lose any amount of money.  We a long-time customers, and I usually have been happy with this company.