On June 1st, 2010 at approximately 4pm I called Directv to speak with a representative to inquire about the scheduled installation for the same day. I was informed by the rep that the order was canceled due to past due balance on previous account at residence in the name of David Goodwin. The rep asked if I knew David Goodwin and I said "Yes. Why?" The rep stated that He owed $354.00, and that until this is paid I (Richard Goodwin) would not be able to open New account per Directv policy. I told the rep that my brother has moved and currently still has Directv. The rep then asked me for his current phone number. I told the rep that I am not at liberty to share that information and that it should be on his account.

The rep then had the nerve to request that I pay the debt and take it up with my brother later. I immediately informed the rep that she just violated Privacy laws and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and that I was not privy to any information of any other person even if its my mother. The rep re-informed me that this is Directv's policy and there is nothing more she could do. These laws have been broken:

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Section 805

(b) COMMUNICATION WITH THIRD PARTIES. Except as provided in section 804, without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than a consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.

Section 807

(10) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer.


I later spoke with a Directv supervisor of the same department and informed her of what took place. The supervisor explained that there is nothing she could do and that it was the policy of Directv to share private information and that no laws were broken. And that I can take it up with legal counsel. And we will!

I am hoping customers will read this before they choose a less than satisfactory company such as Directv . I had to move and I had always paid my bill on time. At my new address this company could not find a site. They did not even bother to look. I had to request a supervisor to come out and confirm. He confirmed there was no site at the new address. So I have to wait for 3 months for this company to return my money. They send me statements stating that my refund due was $52.70. I have 3 statements to prove this. I also called 3 times to confirm that my refund in that amount was being sent. They would disconnect my service if my bill was not paid on time but make me wait for 4 months to get my refund. When it gets here it is for $5.81. Little bit of difference here isn't there? Then they give you a line a bull. I will never use this company again and I will make sure everyone I know does not either. I know you think this may not amount to much but you keep doing customers this way you will certainly see the difference. This is a totally defunct company stay away! By the way another company was very capable of finding a site and the bill is half of what this company wants to charge! Beware! By the way I sent you piece of crap back to you. Mistreating customers is not the way to stay in business!

After 5 yrs of "loyal" service Directv, we were sent a postcard for 3 free pay-per-view movies.
We were charged for the movies on our credit card and were told that the charges would be credited to our next bill. Month after month we never received a credit...After the most recent call my wife has made, customer service said a credit was made in April and our records show nothing, only charges (which thankfully she keeps very organized). They admitted the mistake but are still disputing the refund- how can this be?? They say we need the movie voucher coupon?? There never was one!
The charges are relatively nominal but now is it strictly about principal.

What's so frustrating is that MASSIVE amounts of time (we're talking hrs.), multiple times my wife has called to try to straighten out reiterating the situation to someone different (shouldn't they make notes of previous customer complaints??) We could easily see how DIRECTV could be doing this on a mass scale...I mean what % of the busy customers who are getting ripped in this 3 free movie deal are going to notice the non-credit have the time/energy to square it away? Not many.

We canceled our service today, at least we have the power to do that!!!

Just had an unbelievable experience with Direct TV. Called to cancel my account after two years with them. Tired of not being able to get local channels and slow service. When I called to cancel they offered the moon. Then when they found out I was serious they got nasty. They wouldn't give me my deposit back or credit it. I asked how much I needed to pay to get disconnected and they couldn't tell me. He was rude and argumentative. Unbelievable!

When i got my service with direct tv they told me i was going to get 1yr of showtime free and 3 months of starz and hbo> I had only 1 months of showtime and I was billed for the month so i called to complain they put it back and next month i got billed again so I called them back and I told them that on my order I supposed to get it free for a year so they told me nope and when i told the guy to check my order he hung up the phone on me . called back asked to speak to a manager and they told me that managers are to busy. so just waiting for my contract to be over and i am getting rid of them.