Anyone Else Run Into This Early Termination Scam?

They are correct any new receivers to the account starts a new 2 yr contract unless it is to replace a defected receiver.  Mover's deal starts a 1 yr contract also.  It appears the new partners are returning to the old return policy of sending a return kit by FedEx to be returned to the post office.

Yes, any upgrade of equipment or additional equipment does indeed trigger a two year contract. Too many times do us members hear of times where agents failed to mention such criteria and simply pushed an upgrade. There isn’t much that can be done for you now since the contract was already initiated with the upgraded equipment. 

I am confused on why you must pay $440. If you upgraded back in 2021, this wouldn’t make sense since each month of the contract is worth $20 (amounts to $480 by the end of the two years). Thus, you owing $440 now does not add up. You must have been put back into a contract for more upgraded equipment, moving services to a different address, etc.

@Lizzardden 

Was with Directv for almost 5 years-so all termination issues should have long expired.

Only your initial service agreement would have finished. You can get a service agreement multiple times, regardless if you've had them 5, 10, or even 20 years.

After 15-20 minutes the rep came back with some story about my having gotten a new set top box back in 2021 and that had made the 24 month obligation live again.

Any time you do an upgrade of equipment (adding an additional TV counts), then you have agreed to another 24 month service agreement.

On this bill is a "early termination fee" from Directv for $440.

As the early cancellation fee/early termination fee (ECF/ETF) is valued at $20 for each month remaining, that has nothing to do with 2021 if you just canceled. That would indicate the service agreement updated a couple months ago (so 22 months remaining out of 24). I would call back and verify with a different agent what the ECF was for.

BTW-they never sent me the required information on returning my equipment-so I had to ask about that today while on the phone with them.

Perhaps the boxes are no longer returnable. What are the models of each one you have? If any are returnable then you take them with your DirecTV account number to a participating FedEx or The UPS Store for your free return. Make sure to keep receipt showing they took possession.

Having an ECF after 5 years (or later) is not a scam itself. However upgrade in 2021 at most would have a few months left so wouldn't be a $440 ECF. Either agent was wrong about cause of service agreement or ECF is in error that needs to be fixed.

I didn't upgrade or get any new services.  My set top box quit and they provided a new one. That in of itself does not seem to warrant a new 24 month period IMO. 

A warranty replacement doesn't renew the service agreement. As long as it was like for like, than I'm guessing it was activated as an upgrade in error which should be easily disputable.

What are the models of the box that quit and the one that replaced it?

They were both H25-500-C-R.  Thanks for your very concise first response-I appreciate that!!  

And what I really don't get is that I received a statement in the mail just 2 weeks ago from Directv showing a list of charges and adjustments, including the $440 which was wiped out leaving a balance of zero. They had it right and now someone at ATT is getting in on it???  I see now why people complain so much about Directv service.

This may have something to do with AT&T selling off 30% of DTV and the new partner moving things back to DTV.

Both H25, then that leans heavily to warranty replacement activated as upgrade in error. If still an issue, call back and say "cancel" and agent should submit a request for an ECF waiver as that was an obvious error.

If you got a statement with the $440 with an adjustment that wipes it out, sounds like it was already corrected.

The H25 is expected to be returned as that is the newest non-DVR receiver model.

They had it right and now someone at ATT is getting in on it???

Sorry, I'm not entirely sure what is being asked. But if issue is resolved then great. If not, call and dispute reference the warranty/upgrade issue as mentioned.

With the new co-owner taking over 30%, but handling management/day-to-day operations, I certainly hope they give DirecTV dedicated support to fix the issues from AT&T's origional acquisition of it. We shall see.