I received a bill from SiriusXM in May 2011 for $41. I called and told them I disputed the bill and was told they would settle for 1/2 but I had to pay immediately. I declined and said I would not be paying. This month I received a new bill for $46 with a late charge of $5.00. I called, spent 15 minutes on the phone with a customer rep. who basically told me the account had somehow been reactivated in March but there were no notes as to why. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was disconnected. I called back and went thru the same routine again but this time asked the customer rep. to note that if I was disconnected I would not be calling back. I was transferred to Amy, employee #720076, who basically told me charges continue to accumulate until I call to cancel so that my $4 balance has grown to $46. I explained I never authorized re-activation in March and I never received any bills until the one in May when I called. she said the money was due. I asked for her supervisor and was told it was Sunday and she was the supervisor on duty and there was no one above her. I asked for her managers name and phone # and she refused to give it to me directing me to the Sirius website to file a complaint. I told her to refer the account for collections as I was not paying and she said it was noted in my file. I cannot believe this company will argue for so long with 3 different employees over this charge. It's no wonder they are going out of business. I am informing the 3 credit bureaus of my dispute before Sirius or any collection service can notify them

I made a startling discovery as I was checking one of my credit card accounts this morning. A $767 charge from Sirius XM Radio. I started an account with them in 2003 after the trial period was up in a new vehicle I had purchased. I liked it enough that I eventually purchased a second tuner, which was billed on a month to month basis, and even purchased a 5 year subscription for the first radio. As time went on the subscription rate on the second radio kept increasing, but I continued the subscription anyway. This morning was the last straw, however, when they (Sirius XM) took it upon themselves to hit me with a charge for another 5 year subscription without even asking if I wanted it. Consequently, I decided to sever ties with Sirius XM completely, and I immediately called and canceled both subscriptions. Sirius XM has had a real problem with increased rates primarily because they insist on paying millions of dollars to broadcast inane programming from the likes of Howard stern Oprah, Martha Stewart, and the like. bottom line is, they spend money like a bunch of drunken sailors and then expect everyone else to pay for it. Well, I'm not gonna any more!

I purchased a new vehicle in 2006 and paid for a 3-year service contract with XM Radio though the dealership. Initially decided not to renew in 2009 after the 36-month obligation was completed. Without my consent or approval the service continued for 2 months and I then received a bill for $38.00.

Called their customer service and explained that I was being billed for a service that I did not request. Also mentioned that I was now considering a renewal of my service but that would not happen until they either removed the charges or provided me with a copy of a binding contract under my signature that allowed an automatic continuation of service. After some hesitation, the bogus charges were removed. That took 2-3 weeks.

I then renewed the service by phone. (Never give these crooks your credit card or bank account information.) In renewing, I made it emphatically clear that I was authorizing only a three year obligation and that I would not allow an automatic extension unless I specifically approved it at that time. The agent acknowledged and concurred. Also, I required the agent to give me the total cost-plus taxes and fees. Then I wrote the figure down just in case I needed it in the future. Sure enough I did. Surprise! I received a statement that included an additional unmentioned fee of $56.00 Music Royalty fee. Again, I called their customer service: had a short discussion and demanded a supervisor. Same song, same verse as before. Believe I mentioned The FCC and my State Attorney General and once again the bogus charges were removed.

Unfortunately, I cannot take my business elsewhere to get satellite service so I will pay these unsavory merchants for another 3 years service so I can listen to Fox/CNN while I travel.

What can we do about companies like this?
1. Never trust them
2. Never ever let them have your credit card, personal, or SSN information
3. Pay by check or, better yet, Money order.
4. Never accept their sham service and bogus billing
5. Always report them to the FCC and your state Attorney General if they persist in illegal billing
6. Never use profanity, be firm, tough and threaten the agents with personal accountability and liability (always get their name before starting the conversation)
7. Follow through, always!
8. Never let an unauthorized charge on a credit card or billing statement go unchallenged.
9. Demand a copy of the contractual document that supports their billing if they continue to demand payment. Never pay until this is provided.

I have used this technique repeatedly and found it generally works, particularly with corporations that are licensed or incorporated in the US. If everyone, who is a potential victim, would get aggressive, these collective crooks might clean up their act.

Since XM Radio became a monopoly by purchasing Sirius radio they have been raping customers. They combined the two operations of the only two satalite radio services. They cut jobs and costs by combining the two broadcasting. They charge extra if either of the two previous service customers wish programming from the other company. They then they cut customer offerings like on line access and then charged more for old programming.

This is exactly why the government is supposed to prevent monopolies and protect the consumer. Here we see the government allowing the monopoly and letting the monopoly fleece the customer base during a historic depression in the United States economy.

I enjoyed my satalite radio but am willing to go back to free radio and my CD and I-pod. Satalite radio needs to go bankrupt!