DirecTV and erroneous PPV charges

[John]

I've had DirecTV for roughly 18mo. now and never once have I encountered a billing problem. Today I get my bill and I see five (5) Pay-Per-View charges ranging from 3.99 to 29.95. There were (3) regular hollywood action titles, (1) Pride Fighting, and (1) Latino Fury Boxing...NO PORN. Since I have never once ordered a PPV movie, there was no question that it was a billing mistake on DirecTV's end. I viewed the PPV order log on my receiver and of course it's blank as well.

I called and got thru to a rep named "Michelle" who agreed to subtract the charges, but then stated "we can only remove the charges ONCE for the duration of your account with us."

I found that to be a very disturbing clause, and immediately asked her to block all PPV ordering on my account. She then stated that the PPV titles were ordered from my phone number so I would need to lock PPV thru my receiver as well.

Has anyone else had a problem like this with DirecTV?

 

[fatbaby]

Originally posted by: John
I've had DirecTV for roughly 18mo. now and never once have I encountered a billing problem. Today I get my bill and I see five (5) Pay-Per-View charges ranging from 3.99 to 29.95. Since I have never once ordered a PPV movie, there was no question that it was a billing mistake on DirecTV's end. I viewed the PPV order log on my receiver and of course it's blank as well.

I called and got thru to a rep named "Michelle" who agreed to subtract the charges, but then stated "we can only remove the charges ONCE for the duration of your account with us."

I found that to be a very disturbing clause, and immediately asked her to block all PPV ordering on my account. She then stated that the PPV titles were ordered from my phone number so I would need to lock PPV thru my receiver as well.

Has anyone else had a problem like this with DirecTV?

Maybe someone in your household ordered some pr0n channels just by curiosity?

<--never had billing problems

 

[John]

Originally posted by: fatbaby

Maybe someone in your household ordered some pr0n channels just by curiosity?

<--never had billing problems

There are two people in my household; me and my girlfriend. I know for a fact she didn't order them. Also, as I stated above my PPV order history on the receiver is empty. No title have ever been ordered.

The only other scenario is that someone broke into our home, failed to take any merchandise, and ordered PPV titles over the span of a one week period. Impossible..........

 

[Syringer]

You should just keep your phone line unplugged..

 

[axelfox]

Dude! If you only watch for 10 minutes they won't charge you! Honest!

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Syringer
You should just keep your phone line unplugged..

I do now.

 

[arcas]

She then stated that the PPV titles were ordered from my phone number so I would need to lock PPV thru my receiver as well.

So the next time erroneous charges appear on your account, the CSR can say "You must not have blocked PPV properly on your receiver. Pay up."

Seriously though, is this due to the nature of satellite systems? I don't have a good understanding of how DBS works but it seems odd that DirecTV cannot block PPV from their end.

 

[vtqanh]

Originally posted by: John
I've had DirecTV for roughly 18mo. now and never once have I encountered a billing problem. Today I get my bill and I see five (5) Pay-Per-View charges ranging from 3.99 to 29.95. There were (3) regular hollywood action titles, (1) Pride Fighting, and (1) Latino Fury Boxing...NO PORN. Since I have never once ordered a PPV movie, there was no question that it was a billing mistake on DirecTV's end. I viewed the PPV order log on my receiver and of course it's blank as well.

I called and got thru to a rep named "Michelle" who agreed to subtract the charges, but then stated "we can only remove the charges ONCE for the duration of your account with us."

I found that to be a very disturbing clause, and immediately asked her to block all PPV ordering on my account. She then stated that the PPV titles were ordered from my phone number so I would need to lock PPV thru my receiver as well.

Has anyone else had a problem like this with DirecTV?

The rep was an idiot, talk to her manager; it just doesn't make any sense. If it is their fault, there should not be anything that you have to do on your part

 

[Insane3D]

I am glad I don't have a land line to hook up. They tried to convince me to hook up my land line again just for their reciever...LOL. I am a happy camper...just got my free two room system installed today. I was paying $48 for less than 60 channels with Adelphia, and now I get 130+ for $45....not to mention the quality difference...

 

[NogginBoink]

There are three magic words that you can use in situations like this.

Those three words are, "Federal Trade Comission." (The words "Public Utilities Commission" have similar effect in different industries.)

Mention those three words in the context of writing a letter. Any smart CSR will start kissing up.