Complain about a product or service

ADT Security Systems

ADT Security • Sales practices • Service • Military clause

ADT is by far the largest home security alarm service in the U.S. and also does a big business in providing service to business and government. ADT works with independent re-sellers and it also has partnerships with Sears and other retailers.

It's important to note that you're buying two things when you get a home alarm system -- the equipment and the "service," which basically consists of monitoring your system and responding in whatever manner you agree to when alarms are received. Note that you must provide a working telephone line.

Like cell phones, security services will offer all kinds of deals, including "free" equipment and, sometimes, "free" installation. Of course, it isn't really free. The cost is simply built into the contract you sign, which usually runs two years or more. Like any contract, the ADT contract means what it says -- and only what it says. Nothing your salesman tells you means anything. Verbal promises are meaningless.

Therefore, read the contract fully before you sign it. Understand what you're getting into -- a multi-year contract that obligates you to pay whether the system works or not, whether your phone line works or not, whether you have a job or not.

Sure, there might be a few cases where you could get out of the contract but it's a lot easier to be safe than sorry. Read it thoroughly. If you don't understand it, don't sign it until you find a disinterested third party, preferably a lawyer or paralegal, who can read it and explain it to you. Otherwise, you'll end up like the complainants whose tales appear in this section.

Don't believe us? Check out the complaint below ...

Patricia of Tracy, CA (10/20/05)
We signed a contract with ADT in 1998 for a term of three years. The account was in my husband's name and his signature is on this contract. When I called ADT to cancel our services in June of this year, I was told that my husband had to cancel because it was his account. My husband called later in the week and was told that the company required a 30-day notice for cancellations. Since we had already sent our payment for the quarterly statement, the rep told my husband that we were going to be pro rated on our refund.

Several weeks later we received a statement telling us that we owed $331.22 for the balance of the contract. We were expecting a refund, not a balance. We were very surprised to receive a copy of a second contract made out in my husband's name but showing my name in the signature. When I questioned the rep about the discrepancy in this "new" contract she didn't have an explanation.

Damages: ADT constantly calls and wants to collect this money that we feel that we do not owe them. They send a statement every month trying to collect from us. We feel this will affect our credit report that we value very much.

James of Peconic NY (09/05/08)
I have requested over and over that my name and number be placed on their Do Not Call list. I inquired about their services and all they wanted to do is sign me up on the phone. They refused to do a site visit. For a security company, I could not believe it and said, I am no longer interested. But, they continue to call over and over again from every call center in the country. Just now, I called them again requesting that this be resolved. We shall see. ADT should not be allowed to agressively ignore and continue to solicit someone over and over again. There has to be some protection. They continue to assure me that I am off their list. We shall only hope. Just want to know what I can do next.

Loss of time.

B of Butler KY (09/04/08)
Had ADT installed, the glass breakage detector goes off when we open our kitchen cabinets or use our ice maker. So, the glass breakage detector has to be bypassed constantly. The installation staff came out and adjusted the frequency of the glass breakage detector and it is still not working correctly. I called the sales rep and left messages to no avail. Next, I called the 800 number and was told to call back during business hours. Then, I called during business hours and asked to speak to the district manager, the operator connected me and I left a voice mail.

Still, I haven't heard from anyone. I am paying for a service that is not working properly and have not been able to contact anyone to help me resolve this issue. My next action after this will be to send everyone I know an email regarding this poor customer service. Perhaps, if enough people boycott this company maybe they will be forced to improve their customer service.

Deborah of Suisun City CA (09/04/08)
They put in an ADT security system in my home last Wednesday. The technician who installed it broke a phone wire. The second technician who activated the system last night fixed the wire and the system works, but now our computer won't turn on. It just beeps. It's a 1200.00 computer.

I just called ADT and spoke with a Charles. A new technician comes out each time something needs to be done. He said he would call me back today, but as far as I'm concerned, this situation should never have happened. It should have been installed and activated correctly without breaking anything in my household with one technician visit. I also found out that they are not with the BBB and the rating they have with them is unsatisfactory. What do I do now!!!!!!!!!!

Our computer doesn't work.

Michael of Altadena CA (09/03/08)
My initial experience getting the system set up was not good, but we got past that. Some months later we changed from a land phone line to Vonage. ADT is not compatible with Vonage. My choices were to spend more money on a different phone vendor, or spend more money on a piece of equipment that uses cell phone technology. I opted for the cell phone. We've had two tech out to the house and the system is still not back on line. It happens, not a problem.

My complaint is with Customer Service, which is almost non existant. When I called the toll free number I have for ADT I got the National Monitoring Center. They explained that my problem is with the local sub-contractor office in Pasadena. Apparently National and Local Pasadena don't get along very well because each says the problem I'm experiencing is with the other.

The Manager I talked to at National said I needed to talk to the local office, and if I'm unhappy with ADT and want to cancel, then I need to talk to yet another department. In other words, he was not at all helpful. I called the local vendor three times. Their solution to customer service is simply to not answer the phone or return calls.

The bottom line is that I paid for a system that doesn't work, I'm paying for monitoring that doesn't work, and I can't get anyone at ADT to take responsibility to get it fixed.

Ernestine of Peoria AZ (08/27/08)
My daughter has had ADT for 8 years in OK. She wanted us to have them we were not to keen on it at first.I checked the computer and called Mr. B he was pleasant and informative and said if I had problems I could call him. Victor came out installed ADT on 08/11/08 between 12:00 and 1:00 in the afternoon. He did not have the two ADT signs said someone had stolen his signs! that we were promised as part of package but said they would be sent!!

I called Mr.B on 08/18/08 @1:58 he said we would get signs to us by Thur or Fri. I called Mr. B on 08/22/08 @4:35 left message he never called me back. I called Mr B on 08/26/08 @ 2:31 no return call and it is TWO weeks today since we had system installed and still NO SIGNS I could have gone with another security company that would have been more reliable. Those signs are to be placed in ones yard to show you have a system.

We don't want to have to go to out local TV station and I will write a letter to the BBB they accepted my check and cashed it but we have not gotten what we were promised and we are very, very upset about it!!! this is why people are going out of business because you cannot depend on them to follow through. We will not renew our contract and will not recommend ADT to anyone but we certainly expect to get our two ADT signs that we paid for!!!!

Aggravation because ADT did not do what they promised!!!! Did not follow through as we did when we gave them our check in good faith and expected the same from what we thought was a reliable company!! Now they are avoiding our calls!!

Sprague of Newport RI (08/18/08)
A year ago had alarm system installed. For some reason the piggybacked it onto the company next door. When I set my alarm it disturbed their phones and vice versa. When they set their alarm it set MY alarm! Worse, when they disarmed their alarm it disarmed my alarm.

Then ADT called and said they could pull a license form City hall for the system as my store addressed wasn't on their books. Over a year ago I asked them to cancel the service. Very long story short, after approx 15 phone unreturned calls to them and a year later they had a lawyer call and string arm me threatening courts, credit rating etc unless I paid a $1,000 bill for a system that never worked.

I gave in and paid. Not once did anyone from ADT EVER return my calls. Not once did they send anyone out. Spent over $1,000 on a system that never worked.

Gregory of Tampa FL (08/08/08)
Have had service with them for many years (including the maintenance contract). The techs are very professional. However the service contract is useless if the system develops a major problem. they pick and choose what will be covered. I had the main panle fail and since the system was no longer made I was told I would have to purchase an entire new sytem at my cost, plus sign a multi-year contract. Buyer Beware!

Fortunately I did not have a multi year contract, so I was able to cancel without a major financial penalty.

Angela of Elmira NY (08/05/08)
I canceled a ADT Home Security a while ago it was either installed in 2001 or 2008 also I had a few problems with my checking account so I closed it and now today 08/05/08. I receive a call from a Company name SOS never heard of them telling me. I owe ADT like $1000 and something from a broken contract which I told them back then to release me from the contract and the person that came to my house at the time told me. I could do that if. I so wished

but the problem I'm having with the situation is that it is now 2008 and you waited over 7 years and now you're asking me for some money and a month ago got mail from ADT wanting me to get ADT again and I know this isn't right no letter no nothing and now 2008 requesting money and I'm not forsure if that is even what I owe them I also ask this man from SOS not to call me again at work and wanted me to send him something stating where. I guess I will need to call Cumo's office to see if they can do this why now ? I want to know what my choices are with this situation and another thing I thought they couldnt bother with you after 7 or 8 years it should be written off

Only thing I was told they could work something out with me or they will handle it there way

Stephen of Sw 51st FL (08/01/08)
I own ADT equipment and no longer need montly service. I now have equipment problems have tried to fined service and unable to do so. Local ADT vendor will only send equip for repair if I pay $100.00 to them to pick it up. Repair company will not except any exuipment from other indivuals except ADT. I ask if I could drop it off, ADT said yes and still charge $100.00.

Joyce of San Mateo CA (07/31/08)
I had a surge from PG&E go thru my aunt's home that I was living in and fried every electronic appliance... Including the ADT alarm system. So, finally I called them to get a quotation for a new system so that I can claim PG&E.. The guy came out and told me the system would be $518 and gave me a quotation, which I stupidly signed, never read the back where it states that it was a 2 year contract.. I was also informed that service won't be activated until after the system is installed and if I call in to activate the service.. After they installed the system and I was charged the $518. I just never ever heard anything, never saw a bill and just assumed I haven't had service.

7 months later, new tenants who bought the house 4 months ago inform me that the system is still under my name and that I need to call in to cancel it. I was surprised, I called and I have spoken to 5 different representatives.. the last was a manager that informed me, this is a business we can't waive the $450 termination fee since u signed the contract. I was so inflamed and mad. Finally I got a hold of the contract from the real estate agent and sure enough, nothing was stated on the front portion, but all the fine print filling up a full page about a 2 year contract and how there would be this $450 termination fee if I cancel within the first year. I'm so SHOCKED at this situation.

The new tenants don't even want service from them and I'm sure every person that reads this or I tell will never ever deal with such a horrible company. Also, the contract says that they are suppose to send me a bill quarterly and not auto charge my credit card. They have been charging my credit card quarterly apparently, which I never saw when I look over my statements. which I have yet to see. the recent charge. To top it all off, they first told me that the person had inputted my contract wrong and placed me as a 5 year contract. I cannot believe anyone would sign up for a 5 year contract with these people!

Karen of Sterrett AL (07/31/08)
My daughter leased an apartment and was told that her services could be transferred the next year when her lease was up . . . she was NOT told that each time she transfered her service a NEW contract for 3 years would have to be signed - leaving her possibly eternally indebted to ADT. We have transfered her contract to our home and yet a collectoin agency, called NAFS, is calling us to collect the cancellation fee. ADT's customer service STINKS!

What a backward company to have such a lack of customer service that they turned my daughter over to a collection agency who started calling for a cancellation fee on 7/30 when her other service only ended on 7/25 and they have an appointment to set up new service immediately but THEY could not come to our home until 8/5! WE WILL NEVER USE ADT WHEN THIS CONTRACT IS UP AND ARE CONSIDERING PAYING THE CANCELLATION FEE JUST TO AVOID PAYING ONE PENNY MORE THAN WE HAVE TO!

Mentally - this is exhausting to deal with on top of everyday life!

Lorraine of South Pasadena CA (07/25/08)
Terrible company-Beware! I signed a contract 9 months in advance and paid 50% up front when I renovated my house. They botched my job so badly-wires coming out of the floor and other wires stuck in the walls and not accessible after the drywall went in. I hired another wonderful company to do the work and ADT never returned my deposit money AFTER 14 MONTHS of sending letters and calling. Finally, I got the deposit back from my credit card company and now ADT can dispute it with them.

Floyd of E.stroudsburg PA (07/21/08)
Security system installed 7/3/08. Had asked about a 2nd key chain remote but was told only 1 to a customer.Decided to ask again & called back 7/14 or 7/15/08. Was told yes I could have 2nd remote as long as I was willing to pay for it & was scheduled for 9 to 10a.m. 7/18/08. At 12:50 since no one had shown up or called, I called ADT & my appointment time was confirmed. The person I talked to called the tech, John Cherry, & his supervisor, Joshua Davis, but had to leave a message for both. I was told he will still be at my home on 7/18/08.

At approx. 3 p.m. no one had shown up or called so I called ADT and was told the tech would still be at my home to program another remote for me but he's taking care of another customer who as it turned out had a later appointment than I did. He never made it & I never received a call that he wouldn't be here. It is now almost 1 p.m. 7/21/08 and no one has called or come out. I called ADT earlier and left my phone no. for a call back but have still heard nothing.

No physical damage but an entire day lost waiting and how do you put a $ amount on the stress this has caused?

Gary of Bonita FL (07/20/08)
Signed up for and had an ADT home security system installed on may 29th 2008... It is now July 20th and one of the zones is still not working right... They have sent tech out twice and installed parts and new equipment and the same zone is still not working... I have lost faith in this company... I asked to have a rep contact me and they give me the run-around... My opinion--- ADT was a big mistake! Use Brinks or Radio shack! You may get better equipment!

Steven of Scottsburg NY (07/15/08)
Ben works for the SKO BRENNEN AMERICAN collection agency, I don't question his motives, I believe he is just doing his job. My problem is with ADT. I had a contract with them for two years in writing from Christopher in the Henrietta, NY office. I paid out my contract in full in June of 2007. I notified ADT in writing that I was canceling their services in Feb-March 0f 2008. I received a letter from them dated March 24, 2008 responding to my request, stating that any charges outstanding would be on my final bill(which was paid a year in advance because this is not the first time I have had trouble with this company, I used to pay month to month)

I never received anything else from them, then on July 14, 2008 I receive a notice from the collection agency stating that I owe ADT $2,017.22. I called and all Ben could tell me is that was what ADT says so that is what I owe, but that he would try to look into it, and that 9 out of 10 business owners are wrong (direct quote). I don't know why no one from ADT ever contacted me.

If this has already been sent to a collection agency then my credit will have a negative mark on it which could affect my interest rates on loans I have through the business. During these difficult times I am just trying to keep my employees on the payroll, let alone pay for some fraudulent, mis-managed debt that I do not owe. I wonder how many others are out there like me.

Kenneth of Norcross GA (07/14/08)
A technician came to the house to attach a wire-- only. I was told there was a small charge of maybe $25. After attaching the wire, a mere 10-second job, he walked around the property and the rooms of the house and then spent 15 more minutes calculating, with the obvious intent of increasing his time in the house. For this ADT wants $125. I think it's criminal and so have cancelled their service.

This amount is excessive as I work only part-time as a college adjunct. I understand a nominal charge for this minor job, but $125 is absurd.

Dc of Charlotte NC (07/09/08)
ADT Security Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tyco International, ... fire suppressions, security systems, communication systems I purchased an ADT Home Security system which was installed by ALERT Security Services. Eight and one-half months the fused transformer failed to stop my resister board. Speculation from ADT was an act of God or electrical surge. But, my answering machine is connected to the telephone line/electrical line and will always wipe off messages if the above occurs.

Guess what all the messages were in tack. They dismissed my findings for their own. Now every employee with a non-existing title claims at ADT claims there is nothing to do but to purchase a new panel = $250 replacement (orig. $299). And, the order of the day is no return calls should be expected. My complaint is what happens when the next panel fires. Do I keep buying panels until my contract wears off.

$250 Manatory or $500 payout of a two year contract.

Jennifer of Limerick PA (07/08/08)
I bought my system 6 months ago and it broke. ADT is now charging me $50 just to have someone come out and look at it, how knows how much it will be to fix it. They are the ones that sold me the faulty product. They should fix it for free.

Dana of Tampa FL (07/04/08)
Switched from ADT to Brinks several months ago. Have not yet discontinued my ADT service as I am under contract for 3 more months and paying regularly. I have fully disconnected my ADT box and am no longer using the service since I now have Brinks. ADT has yet to even realize this. Hmmmmm....are they even monitoring if they apparently haven't even realized that my system is no longer functional? What about those monthly system checks they perform that they told me about when I signed up? WHAT A SCAM. Would love to see a class action lawsuit filed against them for their fraudulent practices.

3 yrs at roughly 30$/mo plus approx 700$ install.

Barbara of Thackerville OK (07/02/08)
After cancelling my alarm monitoring service with ADT over a month ago, they are STILL drafting my checking account for their monthly fee! What a total ripoff their 30 day cancellation fee is! And my prorated refund check will be very small due to their miscellaneous bogus charges.

The amount of money involved is small. The maddening part of this equation is not. I wonder what laws have been skirted enabling ADT to do this. Shame on ADT.

Milly of Annapolis MD (06/25/08)
I have purchased the service warranty for ADT security system for years, when I accidently cut a cable, ADT wanted to charge me $40 a MINUTE to fix the ploblem, If I buy a warranty what's the purpose if the company after 8 years of service can not service me? The customer service rep were rude and not willing to compromised at all.

I decided to cancel the service and then things got ugliest, they would not allow me to do an immediate cancellation so they could bill me for another month.

Michael of Waterbury CT (06/22/08)
Nov 2006 signed 3yr contract for home security services with ADT. June 2008 bill arrived with a 5% increase stating to continue delivering world class service a montering rate increase in now in effect. If i cannot change the terms of my contract how can they. This is wrong..

Sercurity companies are the worst, where my system never worked correctly from day one. I recieved 3 months free service to get me to keep the service and upgrade to a cellular connetion, which also cost more per month.

Teresa of Chandler AZ (06/08/08)
when we purchase our adt system we told the rep that we were only in the house with a 2 yr lease and were planning on buying a house after that was up. the rep told us that would be no problem that we can transfer services to our new house for the last year of the contract. He also told us that there would be no fee to transfer. we are now being told that we have to sign another 3 yrs with them and only get a $250 credit to put system in new house. we will now have to pay for instalation and equipment and it will be around $800 from what I have read about putting in a new system.

right now we can't afford any extras being I am not emplyed and husbands income dropped over 1/2 what he was making. they will not cancel our contract like the rep said they would.

Betty of North Highland CA (06/05/08)
Defender Security, and ADT Distributor installed two (2) door monitor and sensor detector for $106.67 install total price on 5/8/08. On 5/29/08 the processed the amount again for the install. They will not return my calls. And when I called them I placed on hold until the telephone disconnects and I have to call back. No information about this company or how to file a claim is available on-line for their customers. I have reported the incident to my bank as fraudulent and intend to follow through.

excessive customer service calls made to Defender Security automated telephone system because a live person is not available to take customer calls in the middle of the day, 2:00 p.m. on a Thursday. Excessive bank penalty fee's due to negative balance as a result of them illegally processing the installation fee for the security system twice in the same montn. Who do you know that installs two (2) residential alarm systems in one (1) month? NOBODY thats who. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. AND I WANT TO ENSURE THAT THAT COMPANY IS PROHIBITED FROM EVERY ILLEGALLY ACCESSING MY PERSON BACK ACCOUNT EVER!

John of Greenville SC (05/29/08)
I cancelled my contract with ADT in December 2007, with a positive balance of $71.60 with them. I received the check for that amount on May 27,2008, nearly half a year later. Why did it take so long to get my money back?

Anastazija of Charlotte NC (05/27/08)
My home was invaded on 01-07-08, the alarm system was activated and the system gave no alert. ADT sent a technician out to inspect the system to find nothing wrong as to why it would not alarm during the home invasion, as a result of this I asked ADT to cancel my contract and refund my money and they refuse to do so.

My home was broken into, contents stolen, and a pending contract that ADT refuse to cancel without any cost to me as the customer.

Ligia of Germantown MD (05/17/08)
On March 19, 2008, two representatives of the company knocked on my door saying I was 1 of 2 people chosen to receive a free ADT system. I live with my mom, sister and my 2 year old niece, so it didn't seem like a bad idea to get a security system. I agreed to the system, at which point they informed me that a Tellular unit needed to be installed due to the fact I didn't have a home phone. They agreed to let me pay the fee in installments of around $75 for 4 months. My mom lost one of her jobs the next day, therefore I cancelled the system within 3 business days of installing it (March 21,2008). This was the allowed time for cancelling the system without any obligation. I faxed the request and received a fax back with confirmation of receipt.

The following day I received a call from Patrick Schalkofski, he insisted I keep the system if he waived all the Tellular fees and refunded my initial monitoring fees. He also stated that I wouldn't start paying until May 1, 2008. I have this all in a fax he sent to me the day of our conversation. More than a couple weeks passed, and I hadn't received my check, so I called Patrick, left a message and waited for a return call.I also needed help installing my system completely. I had tried calling the tech that came to install it with no return call. After a couple days, I tried again, no answer, no return call. Just recently I tried various times to get a hold of Patrick, and I explained the situation to the receptionist, Valerie. She indicated that I should talk to Vanessa, the office manager. She tried repeatedly in the following weeks to have Vanessa answer the phone, and I left countless messages with no return phonecall.

The point where I understood that there was something really wrong was when I picked up a letter at the post office from Absolute Security indicating that the cancellation process had been finished and that I owed $1539.65 for the unused portion of my 3 year contract. They were also threatning legal action if I didn't pay. I am really upset and feel I was taken advantage of, and that the lack of communication with me is suspicious. I was willing to keep the system, but these were not the circumstances. I have paperwork indicating my conversation with Patrick, and call records of how many times I tried to contact the company.

I lost $30 to the county for installing the system. $66 for monitoring fees deducted from my bank account, and now a bill for around $1500, which I do not feel I owe. All I want is for them to remove the system and return the fees I paid.

Eric of Lancaster CA (05/14/08)
I was billed twice in the amount 107.17 for the installation of an ADT home security alarm. (Defender Security did the installation for ADT) I called the rep and they said they would refund me the full amount within 30 days from 3/25/08. I called back at a later date and they said it was already refunded to my credit card but it wasn't. I verified it with my card bill and followed up with the card company. I called defender security back and they said they will look into the issue and send out the refund and will call me when the process has been completed. After no refund and no call from the reps, I called them back again.

Now they said they mailed out a check, but in a lesser amount more than a month ago from my call on 5/14/08. I asked to speak with a manager, but they said there wasn't one available. So I asked the rep to have the manager call me on my cell phone, but I haven't received any return call. Now I'm waiting not only for the refund, but to clear up the amount that needs to be refunded to me.

The aditional charge of 107.17. interest charge on my card Time spend calling to resolve this issue

Michael of Port Republic NJ (05/14/08)
I signed up for ADT home security. At no time did the salesman ever tell me that I would be locked into a 3 year term with a 75% penalty for termination. Now they want over $1,000.00 to cancel so I get nothing in return. On top of this for the past 4 months ADT calls to tell me that my alarm is not registering with the central monitoring service.

When I tell them I want to cancel they said that I should have had a technician out to fix the problem even though they told me they were able to fix the problem through their computer system. Their sales techniques are less than ethichal.

No service even though they take my money.

Earl of Bristol IN (05/11/08)
Our ADT security alarm went off at 3:45 AM, and it looked like the real thing -- someone had broken in. We left the alarm on for around 5 minutes, and finally after no call from ADT, we started checking the house ourselves, and found the door from the garage ajar. Still not sure if it was a case of the door not being properly latched, ut if it was a real breakin, I started to look through our house myself.

Then I called ADT to see why they hadn't responsed, the option said press 0 if you alarm is going off, so I did, and after a few minute wait, an operater came on. I asked why no one had responded, and they said that our alarm had been turned off before it was dispatched. I told them it had been on for over 5 minutes, but they kept referring to it as an aborted alarm. I asked them why no one had responsed before it was aborted, and they said they were having unusually high call volume that evening, so it hadn't been dispatched before we shut it off.

This is not the first time we have had the alarm go off with no response from ADT, but this was the worst because of the length of time the alarm was on. I would be interested in knowing if other people have had a similiar experience with ADT or other major security services.

Even though I was not actually robbed by a burgular, and for that I am thankful, I feel that I have been robbed by ADT because they faithful collect the fee every month, but they do not respond to security alarms in a timely way.

Robert of Long Beach CA (05/11/08)
I had service installed in June 2006 at my business address in Newport Beach, CA. My business burned down on January 2007 and I phoned both my local office and the Vegas office to cancel the services, as I had nothing left from the fire. For some reason, they placed the account on a hold and then reinstated services in July of 2007 without notifying me.

In December of 2007, I received a service interruption and balance of $222.42. I contacted the Vegas office and was told to fax a letter describing the incident and request for cancel, which I did on 12/17, 2007. On 1/5/08 I received a billing for a balance of $230.19 and I called the Vegas office again on 1/15/08. They show a letter received and denied, but nothing sent to me about this. They agreed to contact the local office to waive what they said was a $1200 cancellation fee.

Today, May 10, 2008, I have received a letter from Law Offices of Barry Serota stating that I have five days to pay $208.09 or legal action would be taken. I will not pay this amount and if necessary, I will file against them for the harassment.

This has caused severe stress and sickness due to the loss of my business and ADT constantly sending bills and not handling the issues when I call them. It is as if they are not even listening to my problem, but just answering the phone so they can get some sort of credit. I cannot pay this, as it is not due them...what did they monitor??? There wasn't even a system in place, as the whole building was burnt to the ground.

Alfredo of Newark CA (04/28/08)
I am in the military and I am renting a home where I bought an ADT security system. I was never told of the 2 year contract and when the installer came to install the system told me to sign and never told me that their is a 2 year commitment. I am deploying soon to Iraq and the landlor is moving back to the house so we have to move by the 30th of April I have been trying to put my account on hold or cancel without any penalty because I am moving to my sister until I get deployed and she already has an ADT system. I don't need the system so I'm paying for no service. Please help, thanks.

I am economically being withdrawn by paying for no service and I am getting upset because I sent them a letter from my commander stating that I will be deploying soon, his orders will be coming in 3-4 months.

Joe of Brooklyn NY (04/27/08)
I subscribed to their services 6 years ago in order to fullfill requirements for art shipping insurance. I haven't needed their services for 4 years. I have had innumerable conversations with sales reps, sent multiple letters all stating that I no longer want their services, nor have I turned on their gadget, yet I keep getting bills and collection notices from them. I made an agreement one and a half years ago that I would pay for one more year, which would have ended this past October.

Hundreds of dollars wasted, stress.

Dean of Glenpool OK (04/25/08)
We just bought our home June 07, July of 07 Mr. Green contacted us. We told him we were not sure of signing a contract. He said it would only be for a year and that if we did not want the service we could cancel anytime. Also we noticed that the contract which he told us was for a year, was rewritten for 3 years. After paying for about 6 months without ever really using the service we canceled. We are now be harassed by ADT for over 600.00

This has put a hardship on my husband. He is on disability and the stress to us has caused sickness

Eric of Newark CA (04/22/08)
Jospeh Morte came into my newly purchased home to review the previously installed ADT security system. He explained to my wife that a few more things needed to be installed before the system could be activated. However, he explained the additional work could not be performed until we were under contract. To secure my wife's signature he told her the contract was month-to-month and could be cancelled at anytime so there was no risk. Two of my wifes friends were present during this conversation.

In a classic bait and switch, Joseph Morte signed us up on a 2 year contract with a $500 early termination fee. We discovered all of this quite by accident when we called ADT to freeze our account a couple months later. We have been fignting with ADT for almost 6 months now and the company is completely unwilling to alter our contract so it reflects what we were told we were purchasing. Everyone at ADT acts powerless. One cusomer servive rep explained that ADT was in the business of making money and therefore would not change the contract. We filed a complaint with the BBB and ADT contacted us saying they had a resolution, they ended up telling us there was nothing they could do, wow, some resolution. Google ADT lied, we are not alone.

We have lost all financial flexibility. We are stuck paying ADT $30 a month for the next 2 years. The alternative is to cancel the contract and pay a $500 termination fee which makes little sense.

Sandra of Burlington, NC (04/22/08)
I called to inquire about the system and liked the explanation. I set up an installation appointment for the following week because I knew I would have the money of the installation ($299) in my checking account. Will told me that this would be okay.

To my dismay that evening i had a negetavie balance on my account because they took out the money immediately. I called that night and the next morning and was assured that the money would be credited to my checking account immediately. I received a call from the manager stating it will take 72 hours for the refund and they could not cover my overdraft fees.

I am not even a customer yet and they this to me. It didn't take them 72 hours top take my money and now i have to wait all these days to get it back.

Rosibel of Parlin NJ (04/10/08)
We had a system installed. A year later we had to move and we called to find out how to proceed. We had a three year contract that if we did not honor we would have to pay a cancellation fee. We were told on the phone that what we had to do was to TRANSFER the services to the new address. We proceeded to do the TRANSFER and paid another $600 dollars at the new address. Two years after when the original contract was due, we called to cancel and were told that we still had a year left.

After numerous calls (and I mean numerous), and sending copies of my original contract, I was told to contact the branch that initially did the installation because they had mistakenly giving us a NEW contract on top of the one we already had. I contacted the local branch and was told and I quote WE NEVER DO TRANSFERS, ONCE YOU ARE OUR CUSTORMER YOU ARE OUR CUSTOMER FOR LIFE. Hence, since we had signed paperwork, which we were told was for a transfer but turned out to be a new contract, we are still being charged the cancellation fee. From my conversations to the many people I spoke to at ADT, I came to the conclussion that they can tell you whatever they want over the phone and not honor their word. They are very dicieving with their business practicess.

Damaged credit report

P of Hanahan SC (04/09/08)
The day I moved into my new home, September 15, 2006, an ADT salesman rang my doorbell. I told him I wasn't sure if I wanted a security system - but he kept making the deal better and better, so I did sign up for the service. After a year and a half, I received a letter stating that ADT was raising the monthly monitoring rates.

I looked at all the paperwork I signed and saw nowhere that this was applicaple - so I called customer service. They read to me a statement that I apparently signed off on, that said they could raise the rates whenever they wanted to. I asked them to send me a copy of that signed contract and statement, because I did not have any paperwork or copies that made that statement.

In about a week I did receive a copy of just the cover page of the the Alarm Service Contract. Unfortunately for ADT, it has a Customer Signature Line, but it is not my signature! I signed an Emergency Info Schedule, a Schedule of Protection, but NOT a Alarm Service Contract. When I received the copy of the Alarm Service Contract Cover Page, it was glaring that the signature was not mine! The signature was clearly forged - I do not know by whom - but it is not my signature. When I called customer service, they immediately waived the increase, stating that, according to the contract,(the one with my forged signature) if I opposed the increase and they don't approve to waive the increase, I would have the right to cancel immediately. So seeing that they did waive the increase immediately, I don't have the right to cancel the contract until 2009.

I will be requesting cancellation of this contract for a variety of reasons - the main reasons are that I have discovered that they are not monitoring my system at all, and forgery is a crimal offense.

I have been charged $32.99 a month for 19 months, $626.81 for no service at all based on a forged contract.

P of Hanahan SC (04/09/08)
The day I moved into my new home, September 15, 2006, an ADT salesman rang my doorbell. I told him I wasn't sure if I wanted a security system - but he kept making the deal better and better, so I did sign up for the service.

After a year and a half, I received a letter stating that ADT was raising the monthly monitoring rates. I looked at all the paperwork I signed and saw nowhere that this was applicaple - so I called customer service. They read to me a statement that I apparently signed off on, that said they could raise the rates whenever they wanted to. I asked them to send me a copy of that signed contract and statement, because I did not have any paperwork or copies that made that statement.

In about a week I did receive a copy of just the cover page of the the Alarm Service Contract. Unfortunately for ADT, it has a Customer Signature Line, but it is not my signature! I signed an Emergency Info Schedule, a Schedule of Protection, but NOT a Alarm Service Contract. When I received the copy of the Alarm Service Contract Cover Page, it was glaring that the signature was not mine! The signature was clearly forged - I do not know by whom - but it is not my signature. When I called customer service, they immediately waived the increase, stating that, according to the contract,(the one with my forged signature) if I opposed the increase and they don't approve to waive the increase, I would have the right to cancel immediately. So seeing that they did waive the increase immediately, I don't have the right to cancel the contract until 2009. I will be requesting cancellation of this contract for a variety of reasons - the main reasons are that I have discovered that they are not monitoring my system at all, and forgery is a crimal offense.

I have been charged $32.99 a month for 19 months, $626.81 for no service at all based on a forged contract.

Jim of Union KY (04/08/08)
I was a customer of ADT for 6 years,I sold my house and moved into a rental property which I had rented for 1 year,I transfered all utilities and from the conversation I had with ADT thought I was simply transfering that account as well.In the midst of unpacking,the ADT guy comes by,hooks up 3 doors,then said someone else will be back next week to do the windows.just sign this so I can get paid for coming out today.I didn't look for my glasses,just signed and he left,I didn't even get a copy.I found out later that I had signed a 3 year contract on a place I have rented for a year.

I contacted the BBB,but ADT is unwilling to work with me.They just took advantage of me as an elderly person.

Michael of Houston, TX (04/08/08)
In March 2008, our contract with ADT was automatically renewed for alarm monitoring of my warehouse. Since we have had this company since 1998, our contract kept renewing yearly after the initial three-year period, so the automatic renewals slipped my mind. This year, our warehouse lease expires in May 2008. When I called ADT to inform them of canceling the contract as of April, they said I should have given them a 30-day notice before the contract was automatically renewed. For me to cancel the contract - for whatever reason - I would be charged a fee totaling the entire year's coverage less 25%.

Even after pleading and complaining of not being notified of the renewal, ADT is holding me liable for 75% of the charges for the remainder of the year's contract. Essentially, I will end up paying more than $200.00 for service they will not be providing. I THINK THESE AUTOMATIC RENEWALS WITHOUT THE COMPANY NOTIFYING THE CUSTOMERS IS UNFAIR AND UNETHICAL! IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UNLAWFUL.

Sandi of Waxahachie, TX (03/28/08)
System was installed in February 2006. For the next 5 months, they debited my bank account random amounts. Each time I called, no one seemed to know what was going on. I was also getting bills for other amounts. After 6 months, that was fixed.

I contacted the company after 18 months to add a delay to my back door. At first, I was told there would be a high charge for someone just to come out and look at it. Then I was told they couldn't come out as far as my house, but yet they came to install. 

I knew I wanted to cancel, so I waited for the 2-year contract to be up and gave my required 30-day notice.  They canceled my account prematurely and charged me the $200 cancellation fee PLUS a previous month that they debited my account. After received no less than 3 more bills for odd amounts and speaking to at least 7 different people, they finally got the final bill correct.

We paid the pro-rated amount, but they turned us over to a collection agency anyway.

Jane of Glen Allen VA (03/24/08)
I tried to cancel my acct in Dec., 2007 by letter, had payment going to credit card cancelled. I started getting bills in the mail, which I paid. I called Jose on 2/22, who was not obliging at all. Told me they had not gotten my letter to cancel acct. I asked him why had they started sending me bills. He said it was because the credit card co. had refused payment. Well, of course the payment was refused, because I had requested the credit card co to stop this payment from going through. He finally told me he would put in for cancellation on 2/22, to be effective 30 days later. Now I have gotten a bill for the month of April. How do you get rid of companies like this? I will never to a contract w/any company again. I've learned my lesson.

Mable of Matteson IL (03/17/08)
Feb, 2008, Cory came to my home to discuss what type of cameras, DVR, and the price. I told him exactly what I wanted and where I wanted to have them installed. Steve was sent by ADT to install 5 outdoor cameras; but he installed them where he wanted them. After the installation, he opened the box for the DVR. He took out the plastic enclosed, which was a remote control and the manual giving the type and discription of the DVR. He ran very fast out the door to his van, to tuck it away. When time came to install the DVR, there is no booklet, no remote control. It appears that he has given a lesser model than we are paying for. That is why he did not want us to verify the model number and information on this DVR which is now missing a remote. Steve was very comfortable with keeping the remote control and trying to convince us that there is no remote. We WANT WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR. I would like the right DVR-REMOTE-BOOKLET. Every time ADT sends someone out for installation, there are problems with the installers. They want to get paid, and I want what I'm paying for.

I have called Cory Zemaitis (708 548-9818) and his boss Jim Lezza (630 205-2178) several times, with no response. I am paying for something that I have not received. I am asking for a new, boxed DVR.

Vera of Ft. Lauderdale FL (03/11/08)
ADT is switching from analog to digital and passing the cost to it's customers at $200.00. Is this legal?

Sabrena of Erwin NC (03/11/08)
A few months ago, ADT came and installed a system in my home. Damage was done to the front door. I have been calling them every since. I have been transferred around to different people, but no one has helped. I finally got a call from the person who installed the system; and he was supposed to come out and look at the damage. This was in Oct. '07. However, he never showed. In Dec. '07, I wrote a letter and sent pictures with delivery confirmation, but no one can tell me what happened to my letter or pictures. In Jan '08, I finally spoke with Robert Shirley who said that he would take care of this, and I never heard back from him. My emails to him have gone unanswered. My home is unsecured with the damage. No one from the company is trying to assist.

The wood to the side frame of the door is split and chipped. The plate over the hole for the deadbolt lock won't stay in place; therefore, there is nothing to slide the deadbolt lock through. Yet the sensor is in that hole. I can't lock my home except the lock on the door knob. Anyone can enter my home.

Rebecca of Webb City MO (03/04/08)
I contracted with ADT out of Springfield, MO, to install and monitor a security system for my home. I gave them a check for $917.00 on Jan. 10, 2008. Since then they have made six different appointments to install it. For three of those appointments they simply didn't show up. That was three days in which I had to take off work in order to be here without the courtesy of a phone call to let me know they weren't coming. The other three appointments that they actually kept were disappointing due to the fact that they couldn't install it. Why they couldn't install it is still a mystery to me - you would need to ask them as to their reasons.

Today, I asked that they refund my money which was met by a 1/2 hour of: Let me connect you to.... All I want is my money back so I can get a reputable company to install a security system for me. Needless-to-say, I am extremely dissatisfied with their company, customer service and product.

I have been unable to get a refund of $917.00.

Oliver of Miami FL (03/02/08)
I had ADT install a security system with alarm screens, and it cost me $1500. The tech put his foot through a hole in my ceiling, and the system never worked properly. Techs came out monthly for the first year, but it always kept breaking. Twice the alarm went off, and ADT didn't even know about it. Other times the ADT rep. called me and told me she couldn't get in touch with the police. After a few phone calls and being denied, I finally found a nice supervisor who canceled my account with no penalty.

$1500 initial install and $45 per month of monitoring all wasted as the system never worked.

Lamplighter of Willliamsburg VA (02/29/08)
ADT is suing my company for $1833.09 for early cancellation of my security monitoring service contract. I canceled the service because ADT's service technicians told me on June 11, 2007, that my old Wells Fargo security equipment (they did not install this old system) was obsolete and not repairable. Its batteries were not staying charged, and even though I had a maintenance contract, they were trying to charge me $100 for these batteries. It also had ground fault and polarization problems. Since it was disrupting my business by beeping and knocking my phones and computer off line, I had the technician power the system down and turn it off. This system was totally unreliable and unable to be monitored. I faxed a letter of cancellation to the ADT office in Las Vegas. They said they did not receive this letter. I have my fax report from Verizon on that date, and ADT representatives have referenced it in my phone records. Regardless of receiving the cancellation, because I signed a 5 year contract, they want 90% of the balance of that contract, or $1833.09 for doing nothing. I relayed this to Christie, a lawyer in their law offices, Barry Serota and Associates, and have now been advised that ADT will settle for $500 if I pay up in 7 days. Should I pay up and forget about it or not?
If I pay, can I still go after them in a class action suit or try to get my $500 back some other way?

After reading the ADT complaints on line, it seems to be a scam that TYCOs ADT practices over and over, all over the US. I asked a business acquaintance who monitors security systems in another state about their reputation, and he said they are bad news. Most of his present customers were past customers of ADT. He said transient people do the installations for the larger ADT franchisees and are suspect in more ways than one. Many systems are unreliable due to the unqualified technicians installing them. Because of their contracts, it does not matter. ADT is Insincere and Not Secure.

My company will be paying out $500 for services not received, should we decide to pay them off. We are unsure yet if our credit will be marred.

Letitia of Pretoria OTHER (02/15/08)
A year ago I moved into a rental home of which I had a 1 year contract.The owner had told me that ADT had supplied them with security response (activation) to their property, and asked if I was interested in continuing using them. I said I was. A consultant(I do not recall his name) came to see me. I told him my lease was only for 1 year, to which he said it was not a problem, I would be billed on a month to month basis. I agreed to this. Now 1 year has passed, and I have kept up my payments as agreed only to be informed that I cannot cancel my contract. I feel that they misled me into this contract. They say that I can BUY the contract back from them.... Please assist me in resolving this.

Linda of Richfield Springs NY (02/13/08)
I purchased a house in September 2006. It needed some work done before I could move in. I also wanted a security system installed and decided to go with ADT. They came and started the installation in April 2006, finished it a couple weeks later in May. There were some problems - a technician came to address them and wasn't able to fix, but told me to try it out a couple of days and call back for service. I had to call for service (three days later)- left several messages with the customer service/sales person I had originally dealt with, and she failed to contact me. I decided after a couple of weeks of not hearing from ADT, that I would contact the Better Business Bureau, which I did.

Well a couple of months went by, and it was the end of August when I received a phone call (she left a message) from Marie Small in the Syracuse, NY office of ADT (original contact/sales person). This was the Friday before Labor Day, and she now knew that I had contacted the BBB. I was not home and did not get the message until Labor Day when I returned home. Again I called Ms. Small - had to leave a message, did not hear from her. It was now October - nothing from ADT. In November I decided to take advantage of their 6- month money back guarantee if not satisfied with their service as the six month mark was October 26th, 2007.

ADT is saying that I haven't given them an opportunity to correct the situation, and therefore the 6 month money back guarantee doesn't apply. The BBB wasn't able to help me. I went to the NYS Dept of State - Division of Licensing Services as suggested by the BBB; they haven't been able to help me. I have been told that because ADT has a contract signed by me, and that I didn't give them the opportunity to correct the problem - they are refusing to refund my money - over $2,000. I ask you - how many months should a consumer have to wait before a security company returns a call for service? I can't afford to hire an attorney for this; who else do I go to for help? I don't want to depend upon ADT in an emergency given their response time in this situation.

Ms Small also told me she would send me a capital improvement form to fill out to recoup the sales tax. After several calls to her, I finally got that form after two months. THEN - I did not get the credit back to my American Express card until I contacted AMEX myself - explained the situation to them, and THEY recouped the sales tax for me! I told them to not allow any more charges to my account from ADT Security. To this date, I have not paid any monitoring fees as I want my money back. There is so much more I could tell you - I have a file that is approximately two inches thick! I am so frustrated and upset with this company - I do NOT WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH A COMPANY LIKE THIS!

I tried to cancel the contract - I even told the corporate contact - Bonnie Gurney, that they could send me a bill for 75% of the monitoring time (fees) left as stated in the contract. She refused to do that. The contract also states that they can come in and remove their equipment and that is fine with me - but I told them they would have to pay for a contractor to repair any damage, etc. inside my home and that I don't want any live wiring left.

Jonathan of Aliso Viejo CA (02/13/08)
ADT installed an alarm system at my place of business (restaurant) and never completed the installation. I have called numerous times and spoken to numerous people from various branches, and no one has taken action to correct the problem. I currently have an alarm system that does not have any front zone protection or door triggers. The alarm does not trigger if anyone enters the restaurant while armed. I have a lot of expensive equipment that can easily be stolen. I have been paying $35/month for almost 3 months for an alarm system that does not work. I have called the local branch in Anaheim and spoken to Jason and have not heard back from him. I have spoken to Josh with customer relations and have not seen a technician. I have complained, complained and complained, but no action has been taken.

Potential consequences: break-in and loss of $100K worth of equipment. $35/month for nearly 3 months for an alarm system that does not work.

Kathy of Virginia Beach VA (02/01/08)
The door to door salesmen came hard-selling their security system. I was told that I could cancel at anytime. After we got our system, we found out that we could not use it for medical reasons. My middle child (who was 5 at the time) is autistic and absolutely facsinated by numbers. We had to disassemble the system because he was always playing with it. I called ADT and explained the problem. They told me that the medical excuse only applies to the person who signed the contract. I explained to them that he is a young minor living with me. They don't care, I can't use the system, and can't get out of the contract even though we have a medical condition which keeps us from using the system.

I have to pay the remainder of the contract.

Mick of Ely MN (01/31/08)
While a resident of Pennsylvania an ADT system was placed in my home. Sales personnel and installers all insured me that if for any reason I had to move or was transferred the contract could be terminated or I could take the monitoring equipment with me. I aaccepted the verbal terms of their agreement and unfortunately paid little attention to the contract when the system was installed.

In July 2007, I lost my job and was forced to sell my home. When I attempted to terminate service I was told that I would have to fulfill the balance of my contract and was rudely provided another copy of the contract demanding payment. The second option, taking the monitoring equipment was not an option as it had been installed and wires run through the walls of the house which were irretrievable. ADT's response was too bad, sorry about that. Like many ADT customers I'm now hounded for payment of the remainder of the contract despite the fact that I could not take it with me as promised or that my contract could be terminated upon relocation.

Joyce of Springfield OR (01/29/08)
Yesterday I phoned this person for ADT service to cancel. Then I called again this morning to cancel, they said they already have taken the money out of my Credit Card, and the accounting office had NO phones for me to use to cancel. I had to pay even though I had canceled the order in less than 24 hours. They tried to charge my Credit Card $149.99. Luckily the Credit card had not processed the order, so was able to stop a payment.

I was able to stop payment to ADT because it had not been processed, but the person said that if it has been processed I could call again. I ordered the credit insurance at $11.95 per month from Visa.

Timothy of Montgomery AL (01/26/08)
ADT equipment is faulty and has alarmed without a call from ADT or police showing up. I requested 2 separate appointments after 5 with no call back to confirm. After calling again, I find out there are no appointments after 5 or on weekends--when I'm available. I call to cancel the contract, citing just cause for non performance. They say it's not nonperformance since I've not given them the opportunity to fix it. They will charge me $200 to get out of the contract.

I don't feel safe, my system is not working, I can't be home for a 5-hour block for them to fix it between 8-5. Their contract actually says I can't sue them. Don't they understand this strategy will cost them many thousands of dollars in sales as I will now tell everyone I know not to use them? I will also actively campaign online against them. I'm changing to a local company that is cheaper, reliable, can fix my system after 5 or on weekends, and will let me out of their contract whenever I want. If any attorney thinks I have a chance at suing ADT, please email me.

Travis of Atlanta, GA (01/16/08)
In June of last year, I had an ADT security system installed in the home I just bought. Everything seemed great and then my home was burglarized in August.

What's the big deal? The big deal is that when my home was burglarized, neither the ADT monitoring center nor the police were notified. The robbery, which happened at about noon on Thursday, August 23rd, went undetected while I was out of town.  My dog's vet called to tell me that my dog was in their custody. This is how I found out my home had been burglarized! 

A technician found that the system had no power.  Due to the negligent installation the backup battery (which is only used if the power goes out) was completely drained that resulted in all communication with the monitoring center being severed. So, I did not receive the installation I paid for and was not receiving the service I was paying for. The security I thought ADT was providing was all in my head.

Robin of Chicago IL (12/31/07)
ADT called me in November telling me that the routine test showed up that my system wasn't working. I asked them to do another test, and they said they would, but did not. I received a call on December 30 that the system was not working. Asked them to test it and after much hemming and hawing, they did and realized that it still wasn't working. (Note that they did not want to run the 2nd test.) I asked for an appt. on the 31st as I was leaving town on Jan 2. They set one up which they then canceled. They set up an appt. on Jan 1 and then canceled it. They claimed that their contract did not require them to provide service but did not let me cancel service.

Paying for service that doesn't work; no ability to cancel service.

James of Escazu OTHER (12/16/07)
I have had a lot of problems with ADT. I use their services because there is no other option in Costa Rica. Whenever they have given me estimate on a system, they always say it is going to cost about 90% less than the actual price that I have to pay when they come to install it--claiming that they did not account for areas that require sensors without wires and other things. Also, they have left a complete mess in the house following every installation with pieces of cut wires and dust from where they drilled into walls and ceilings. No attempt is made to clean up even the smallest bit.

I recently got a quote for a house that already has a system in it. The system worked completely fine, and when they came out to check it they said they changed the way they treated Zones, and that every window in the house would have to have a separate Zone and could not be treated as a group of windows in the same Zone, even though they were all in the same area of the house. For the kitchen, for example, they wanted $650 to treat each window separately. Prior to that they had treated the whole kitchen as a single Zone. They are not real smart people because they are not thinking about winning the service contract, only the quick buck for the installation.

First house took over a year for the system to get completely installed since they way underestimated the job and only installed part of the system. No discount for the service was offered during the time the system was incomplete; we still had to pay for all the months we only had a partial system. The second time when they told me I had to pay $600 more to revise a system that was completely working, I refused their service. Economic damage in this case is to ADT because they lost a customer.

Christine of Colorado Springs CO (12/10/07)
I have a contract with ADT. A couple of weeks ago my 6-year-old accidentally set off the alarm. I kept entering my code, but the alarm would not shut off. I made several calls to ADT to shut off the alarm and to let them know that it was not a real emergency. I called several times and each time was put on hold. The alarm was blaring, and it was freezing outside. My two young children and I were stuck outside in the freezing cold. When I finally did get someone on the phone from ADT, they informed me that the reason I was put on hold was because they simply had too many calls.

This was a good wake up call for me. I learned that if this had been a real emergency then this service would not have helped me. I informed them that I wanted to cancel my service because of this. ADT said that I cannot cancel my service because I have a contract. If they don't hold up to their side and supply a service, then I should not have to hold up to my side. I want this canceled and my contract canceled.

Ralph of Wareham MA (12/06/07)
ADT is not compatible with Comcast. After over 45 hours of Comcast working to get my phone working and numerous checks, it all came back to ADT. ADT refused to have the vendor meets, and lied about when they were coming. They made appointments and never showed up and at one point they told us they would come out BUT even though we had an addtional service contract (extra $5.00 per month) they would charge $238 for the 1st hour and $58 for every 15 minutes. Interesting enough, if you want service from ADT after 5PM or on a weekend, there is NO ONE available! So I guess if you are burglar, and see the ADT sign, just knock the alarm out druing either period and you will know they property is not protected!

As a result of trying to coordinate meetings with the vendors, I have taken numerous hours off from work. The stress that they have caused has been unbearable and their attitude of indifference has been un acceptable. They truly did not care when I called to cancel my contract and once again took it with indifference. They are too big and do not realize their responsiblities to the consumers who use them. The result of all this is that I am now faced with either having to give up my telephone or my alarm with ADT. Unfortunately, I was planning a vacation and am now faced with the stress of possibly have to cancel it until I can get an alarm company that can be compatible with Comcast and is responsive to their customers. One last thing, I have come to hate the song We Wish You a Merry Christmas after listening it for approximately 2hrs while I switched from dept to dept at ADT and the song looped while I was on hold with each one.

Becky of Seminole FL (12/04/07)
We contracted for an ADT alarm system at our veterinary hospital. It is installed and is constantly going off during the day while clients are here, and at night it always trips on. We have had numerous service calls, and it still is not repaired.

Our patients are scared by the noise of the alarm system. You can imagine what that sound does to dogs and cats. If frustrates their owners, and it causes the staff to run crazily about to turn the alarm system off. We have had numerous false alarms which is not making us very popular with the local police.

Pedro of Lakewood CO (12/02/07)
Miss Sandoval came to my office and told me all about the benefits of purchasing or leasing one of their surveillance cameras. She said how by installing one of her systems we would be protected against theft. She said that the advantage of the system she was offering is on how ADT monitors the system from their main office. I decided to lease a system.

The day of installation came. The installer learned at that time that our office telephone system was surviced through Vonage. He did express some concern but said that he could make it work somehow or another. He assured me that the monitoring would work. In his attempt he cut some wires and re-wired some and said there it's all done.

When he left I discovered that my Hi-speed connection and my vonage telephone system was not working. I immediately called Miss Salazar but recieved a message, I further called the office and told them what had happened. they finally gave the phone number of the installer and I was able to contact him. He said he would not be able to come back to my office untill the following day. I asked what he had done with the cutting and splicing and also told him what had happened. He said, I guess what I did, did not work.

He instructed me over the cell-phone on what to do to reverse it. After I finally restored my phone and Hi-speed internet I called miss Salazar to explain to her that I needed the system to be un-installed because it was not working in its intended way, etc. She returned my call and said, we can un-install it but that I would still be liable under the contract and all money and service would be forfeited ($1076.00), yet I would still be charged for all monthly service fees.

Naturally I disagreed. She said she would contact her supervisor and have him contact me. He never did.

James of Alameda CA (11/12/07)
We are in dispute with ADT Security Services. We had terminated their services in May, 2006. They insist we owe for early cancellation of a contract prior to its expiration date and want $664.03. We were never contacted about this matter prior to its being turned over to a collection agency. Our company began service with ADT in October 2000.

After almost seven years I am unable to locate a copy of the original agreement in our files, but I highly doubt it was that long term. I have repeatedly requested back up documentation. My requests have been ignored.

I have written directly to the president of ADT Security Services, Inc. in Pleasanton, CA and even brought this matter to the attention of David E. Robinson, President of Tyco Fire & Security, Tyco International (US) Inc. which is the parent company of ADT. No response. I have been dealing with their collection agency for almost a year. Today I received a letter from a new collection agency after having no response to my last letter on April 5, 2007. This prompted me to do a little ADT research on the web.

My research took me to http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/adt.htm

I was appalled by the litany of consumer complains about ADT. Apparently our experience is not uncommon. In retrospect with the amount of time I have put into trying to resolve this issue it probably would have been cheaper just to pay them. It would appear that this is their modus operandi. Harass and harass and harass until youll just give up and pay.

Valerie of Vineland NJ (10/30/07)
I have not have services with ADT for approximately 2 years. They are accessing my checking account and as late as September 25, 2007 withdrew $385.07 from my checking account.

This is not the first time they have taken money from my account. I do not know what to do. I removed their equipment from my home. I do not have their services, yet I continue to be billed. I have another alarm system. I have asked them to stop accessing my account and they threatened me, over the phone. Please help.

Lisa of New York NY (10/29/07)
I have had ADT service for over 2 years, and it has only worked for about half of that time. According to FCC rules they had to come and change from analog to digital at my cost. this began last week, 10/22/07. They were to come between 8-noon that day. I called at 11:30 to find out the whereabouts of the technician only to be met with sarcasm and resistance. I hung up and called back at noon, when no one showed up and demanded to speak with a supervisor. It took at least 5 minutes of insisting to get one on the phone at which time I refused to pay the $199 for this upgrade that the government had required. After 10 minutes of explaining my complete dissatisfaction with their lack of service, they agreed to waive the charges. I then had to re-schedule, having wasted a complete morning of my time.

We had other calls, appointments scheduled, only to have more no-shows and extended waits on the phone--one for over 45 minutes, being forwarded to 5 different departments and having to explain my situation 5 times. I demanded reimbursement for the past 3 months in which I was NOT able to activate my system due to the issues with the window alarms in my daughter's room.

Because I was so insistent, I do not have financial losses, but their customer service and their poor quality of service is being reported.

D of Houston TX (10/26/07)
About 6 months into our 2-year ADT contract, we realized it was nearly worthless. We left the house one day and forgot our dog was running around indoors. We set the system to "away", and the motion sensors activated because of the dog. About 3 hours after the activated alarm, a police officer rang the doorbell. He asked if everything was okay. I said yes; he left. How much more worthless can our security system be?

Monica of Oakland, CA (10/11/07)
I purchased a small business in May 2005, taking over a lease from the previous owner (a family member). The business had a security system with ADT so as the new owner I contacted ADT to have the service transferred to my business name. Unfortunately, I failed to read the very very very fine print involving a five year contract.

I made it clear I wanted to maintain the existing contract due to the fact the remaining time on the lease was about 15 months. The rep. from ADT advised me this was NO PROBLEM but stated I needed to sign the contract to reflect the new business.

A new owner purchased the building and decided he wanted to change the building from residential/commercial to 100% residential (condos). Per the ADT contract if you are able to get the new tenant to continue with ADT you can end your contract without having to buy out the remaining contract, however this building was being gutted.

I am stuck with a $ 1387.18 payoff bill from this company.  I realize I should have read the fine print before signing this document, but I felt the rep was steering me in the right direction.  I have paid more to ADT since I closed my business than when my business was open.

Maria of Bayside NY (10/09/07)
We just found out that for the last three years that we have been paying for our home security system, ADT was not receiving any signals from our home. Therefore our home has been unprotected for three years. Back in July of 2004 we changed our phone system to an online service. I gave ADT the new number (since they have it on record) and didn't think anything else about it. This past February our alarm went off and we called 911. With the cops surrounding our home, I called ADT and was told that all was normal and that they would send out a technician. The tech came and replaced a couple of batteries and charged us $152 for 30 minutes. We recently had work done on our home and needed sensors replaced. The tech came today and told us that we have not been connected to ADT for the past 3 years. ADT claims that we should have told them about our phone change (which I did) and that they ran a test on the system. However, how could they run a test on a system that is not hooked up? They told us that everything has been normal for the last three years. Yet we are not even connected. They had no answer for that. Every time I have called them with problems not once have they told us that we are not connected. Yet they have continued to bill us and cash the check. I think everyone that has ADT and has recently changed their phone plan or are thinking of changing, should know that they run the risk of having absolutely no protection for their homes or families with ADT. ADT will not tell you that your connection has failed, but will continue to collect your money.

ADT is only willing to refund us one years service fees. This is completely unacceptable.

Ron of North Port FL (10/08/07)
Suddenly got a notification that my payment schedule was being changed from 1 month in advance to 2 months in advance. Returned bill with instructions to cancel monitoring service. Was contacted by telephone thanking me for my custom but advising me of a 30 day cancellation requirement. Agreed as reasonable to 30 days from my date of cancellation. Got a demand for payment of the 3 months billing. Then got a corrected bill impossible to figure for more.

Got another corrected bill for 3 months minus credits for 1.5 months. plus $100 contract termination. Got notice from collection company demanding payment. notified collection agency, account was in dispute and that the credit should have bee 2 months and the $100 was invalid as the contract had been negated by ADT by changing payment requirements unilaterally.

Frank of Gaithersburg MD (10/05/07)
We bought a home in Gaithersburg, MD. which had ADT alarm system but did not have a contract. We didn't want a contract but did want to replace a broken part. You can't replace a part without signing up for three years of service. The salesman compared the deal to the cable company. THE CABLE COMPANY! I wouldn't sign so they sent me home. I would never deal with a company like this.

Shopping for new security system.

Therese of Holiday FL (09/28/07)
Received letter that we needed to upgrade our cellular signal or lose communication - got stood up twice, 3rd guy showed up and wanted to put a huge unit in our living room. Said he would have to get with his local service manager to figure out what to do. That was August 25. Today is Sept 28 and we still can not get anyone to call us back.

Nancy of Pontiac MI (09/25/07)
Glass break alarm at 6:48 a.m. 9/24/07. ADT alleged they called Pontiac Police Dept. but could not get answer. ADT tells me they are given a secret phone number by which to contact the police when burglar alarms go off. I verified w/Pontiac Police this is not true, all dept. numbers are public and ADT should have tried 911 and they would have responded. ADT also called my next door neighbor who did investigate the problem.

Todd of Hempstead, NY (09/11/07)
On 6/7/07, a deposit of $800 was paid to ADT for the installation of two more security cameras. ADT quickly accepted the money, but two weeks later informed us that they would not actually do the job, that it was impossible. We requested a full deposit refund and were told that it would not be a problem. In the meantime, we found a company to do the installation (which was obviously quite possible).

In August, we were finally connected to a manager who assured us that there had been a problem getting the check to us, but it was taken care of and should be coming soon.  For over 3 months, ADT has held our $800.  

Bryan of Bremerton, WA (07/25/07)
Bought my house a year ago with ADT already installed. Contacted other dealers but initial cost was more than I wanted to pay. Contacted ADT and asked specifically about length of contract. Was told this was month to month. Didn't see anything on the front of the contract about any length of time.

After a year of not really using the system, I decided to cancel and was told for the first time that this was a three year contract and was in the print on the back.

Since I am in the second year, I was told I would have to pay $100. These people are very deceptive and I would never sign up with them again.

Maria of Ozark, AL (07/19/07)
I used the ADT security system on my house for 3 years.  I rented the house the last year and when the tenants left the house in June I called to suspend the service.  They canceled it and I was told that I had a credit for that month because they charged me already (automatic withdrawal). 

On July 5, ADT company charged me again. I called many times and they said I had a credit and that the account is canceled.  What I don't understand is if they suspended the service on June, why do I owe them part of July?

Jim of Tampa, FL (07/19/07)
My daughter had a contract with ADT in 2004.  On 1/22/07 she sent a letter of cancellation, with a check for $145.36 (the final 4 month's payments at $36.34 per month) to terminate a 3 year contract.  The final check was cashed by ADT in February 2007.

They sent her account to a collection agency, Collect Tech System, stating that my daughter owed $77 for a contract that was never cancelled. She is now being harassed by several calls from this credit agency.  They refuse to listen to any of the documented facts that she has, nor can she receive any satisfaction from ADT after trying to contact them several times.

ADT has tried repeatedly to withdraw additional funds from a closed bank account, well after the cancellation date.

Alfredo of Austin TX (07/02/07)

I called ADT to get information about their alarm system. A salesman came over and said that since my house was not prewired, a wireless system will have to be used and I will have to pay about $230.00 for the equipment and sign a 3 year contract. Less than two years later the monitoring service went up $2.00 which is now 37.11.

Exactly two years later I am moving to another house and I just found out that I have been paying for monitoring and I have not been getting the service. They did not even have my phone number. ADT said that it is my fault because I should have been testing the system monthly. Apparently the installer did not test the system when the alarm was installed. On top of that, ADT wants me to pay a $100.00 cancellation fee.

Sophia of Aurora CO (06/27/07)

On May 21st 2007, we contacted ADT Security Services regarding an installation of Surveillance System and Burglar Alarm System. During last month we have been lied to regarding the capabilities of the surveillance system, we were also lied to that the first 4 months we will not be charged for the monthly Burglar Alarm Services. The surveillance system does not work!

We had two technicians in our house and both lied to us further more, first tech told us that the reason it does not work it is because this unit was USED. The second tech came to the house, promised us to correct the situation by installing a DVR - They lied to us initially regarding the capabilities of the surveillance system to be able record the movements of objects also that we will not need a DVR and all the info will be available on the Internet?

They charged our credit account for $800.00 without authorization and completion of work.

Sharon of Land O Lakes FL (06/21/07)

Two men came to our house and were selling home security. I was not home and my husband said they would have to talk to me. After I came home from work, they showed up at my front door. I kept telling them I was not interested and then they asked if they could just tell us about it as they would be paid for it. I let them in. After quite some time of telling us we would get $1500 worth of free equipment and the service that was $39.95 would be around $25 to $28 a month because our insurance would give us a discount we finally agreed to take their monitor service of Burglary, Police, Fire, and Medical. They were to install it the following Thursday.

On Tuesday my husband called our Insurance and they said they don't give that discount. When I got home, I called Ridley and told him we didn't want it he said to let him call his boss. The owner called me and said he would give it to me for $29.95, which is the employee discount and rather keep arguing I said Ok. On Thurs when the guy came out to install the service my husband called me at work and said they wanted him to sign for $39.95 and I said no so when he got things installed and was telling my husband about everything my husband called me at work to say we don't get a smoke detector.

I called Ridley back and asked him how would they know if my house was on fire, he said I would have to push the button on the main panel. I again asked him, how would you know if I wasn't home my house was on fire and he said he would have to call his boss. I told him I was never given what I was told I would get and this was to much hassle to not even have started the service yet and I didn't want it. He told me I had a contract to keep. He started yelling and I hung up on him. He called right back and told my husband he would give him the $300 smoke detector for $50 and my husband said ok just to get this over with.

That was on Thurs 6/7/07. We had not heard from anyone by Sat. 6/9/07 so I called Ridley and he said he would get with his boss. That's the last we've heard from anyone Except for the bill be got the following week for $165.22.

Barbara of Orlando FL (06/12/07)

We encountered a lightning strike that caused the system to sound off. While placing my 4th call to ADT and them not be able to locate our account by phone number, we finally reached someone at ADT that could walk us through the system shut down. For days after this I tried to speak with someone regarding repair and found that, 1) even though we had been customers for 10 years and never even 1 day late with fee payment they could not bill us 30 days net for service and b) every time we called they could not locate our account .

Finally, got a supervisor who stated that yes, we could have the repair billed, but service person may refuse work - so my understanding was that this must be an independent contractor - right? ADT stated no - but he may refuse to do work. 10 years - loyal customer - never asked for any upgrade or anything - finally have an alarm go off - of which they should have seen and called us - BUT NO - guess they do not want to retain business - we are switching. Oh, by the way - they offer new system special at $ 399.00, with discount and contract - cost is $ 99.00, my service call was $ 461.00.

Joy of Savannah, GA (05/15/07)
I think ADT is a complete scam. My alarm didn't work properly from day 1. Yes, I had a technician come to the house and I honestly knew more about the system than he did. He did not fix the problem.

I tried to cancel the contract and was told to pay a fee of $128.50 in order to do so. I complied. However, I kept receiving bills from ADT. It turns out that it never got cancelled.

When I called to cancel, for the second time, I was told I had to pay those bills and a cancellation fee of $220.25. I wrote a letter and got one bill credited. I was still unable to cancel.

This month my contract is up and I still had to fight with two people in order to cancel the service! 

Susan of Arlington, TX (05/12/07)
I have residential alarm service through ADT.  On 03/01/07 I had a service call to replace a broken door sensor. I paid the technician by check and received a receipt. Since then I have received two invoices from ADT, for different amounts, for that date of service.

I have spoken to the Customer Service and Billing Depts several times without success. They make up stories to explain the differing amounts.  Their rep also told me that it takes them 4-6 weeks to post checks to customer accounts!

I told them the check had cleared my bank and was asked to fax front/back copies of the check. This has been done twice, despite transmission verification.  After the second fax was sent I spoke to a supervisor who confirmed she had received it and that she would take care of the situation. That was two weeks ago.

I am still receiving ADT computer generated phone calls telling me I need to call them again about this delinquent account.

Diane of Fort Lauderdale FL (04/23/07)

We had a pushy dealership sales call that promised we could get out of the contract if we moved. my family are moving to Greece and I needed to cancel. First, they refused to cancel saying that I couldn't stop the contract. I told them I was willing to pay the cancellation. They insisted that I had to get the new homeowners once our house sold to take over the contract. When I finally (hours and hours on the phone) got them to understand that I was not going to do that and I just would pay the penalty, they realized that it was my husband's name on the contract. So, I would have to have him call.

I informed them that he was out of the country but I had a full, durable power of attorney. First, they said that they did not honor power of attorney contracts. Then, again after hours and hours, they admitted that they would honor the power of attorney but I would need to fax it over with a letter from him. Again, I explained that he was in Greece and I was in Florida with the power of attorney. I could have each of us send a fax but I couldn't do both. Then, they just wanted to talk to him. I told them that I needed a direct phone number (1-800 numbers do not work internationally) and they said that they don't have any direct lines and couldn't give a number.

On a side note, the system is awful and I only used it twice in the entire 2 years! Despite their charts of the horrible crime wave, I found my new neighborhood to be quite friendly and safe and tended to keep my doors unlocked during the day.

Glenn  of Lathrop CA (10/25/06)
I recently purchased and moved into a newly built home in a new sub-development. Since I moved in, ADT has been making unsolicited sales calls to my house once a week at 7:00 PM. The first few times I told the ADT Sales person I was not interested. On 10/24/2006, I told the sales person that showed up that I have repeatedly told them that I am not interested in their services and I would like them to stop bothering me. The sales person said, "You'll be sorry" as he walked away.

 In the morning, I found a "secured by ADT" sticker on my car with the following written across the back of it in large green letters, "Asshole!" When I got to work, I called ADT and was put in touch with someone at 561-988-3600. From what I was told, the person who came to my door was not an ADT employee, but was an Authorized Dealer. Upon further questioning, I found out that ADT does not screen any of their sales people for criminal backgrounds.

This is quite scary considering these people are gaining access to neighborhoods and homes under the pretext of selling security. I have already called the Lathrop, CA police department and will be filing out a complaint directed towards ADT for harassment and threats.

I am now in fear that my house will be vandalized or broken into by someone from ADT.

Angela of Newark, NJ (10/16/06)
My home was burglarized about a year ago. I had an ADT security system, but the thieves were able to disarm the security system within seconds--before the signal ever reached ADT's monitoring system. 

When the police came to my home, they felt ADT bore some responsibility, and my insurance company thought so as well. But when I wrote to ADT about it, their response basically was 'We don't know if your home was actually burglarized, and if it was, so what--that's what you have insurance for. We will vigorously defend any lawsuit you file'.

I have a police report and pictures (which I sent them) showing the disarmed alarm system, the broken window, etc., and they insinuate that I was lying about my home being burglarized! Not only was my home burglarized, but the fact that the burglars knew exactly what to do to disarm the system tells me that this definitely was not their first time.

Ron of Oxford, PA (10/13/06)
Less than 2 months we purchased a home security system. On 10/13/06, the home alarm system went haywire - sounded continously even as the 4 digit security code was entered.  The alarm system deactivated home phone land line, as alarm continued to sound, so we contacted ADT via cell phone. We were told that for a service person to come out it would cost $200 per hour (even though system was continously malfunctioning-alarm sounding).

ADT instructed us to turn off the alarm system, which deactivated the security system, and stated they would not be responsible for any security breeches during this time.

We were also told that a service person would not be available until Tuesday (this occured early Friday evening).

Rob of San Diego, CA (10/05/06)
I purchased a security system from ADT for my business. 1 year later I sold the business and called to cancel my service only to be told that I had a 5 year contract with a 90% buyout clause. (approx $2000).

The salesman never informed me that I was entering into any kind of contract of any length.

Mark of Los Angeles, CA (09/26/06)
An ADT rep came to my house on a referral from a co-worker that would get a $100 referal fee, if I signed up.  The ADT rep, said he would give me a good rate of $45 a month, and before I could say "no" he lowered the price to $34.99.  I thought that was reasonable and I would try them out.  BUT no where did he mention that I would be stuck in a 3 year contract. 

When I called ADT to cancel I found out that I would have to pay 75% of 3 yr contract.  News to me, that would add up to $473. 

ADT customer service, said they could not do anything for me, either pay each month or eat the cost of 473.  Very Shady Company!!!

Calvin of Dallas, TX (09/04/06)
On numerous occassions we have tried to contact ADT Security Service (as late as 7-31-2006) with no response in regard to our residential home alarm system because we have NOT received a bill or statement since April, 06.

On July, 06 we attempted to make a payment via phone to ADT, but their system would not take the payment.

We have received a penality citation notice from the City of Dallas, because we have not been able to prove we have alarm coverage.

Steve of Milwaukee WI (08/18/06)
In November 2004, I had an ADT rep install an alarm with cell phone uplink, 5 door alarms for $650 with monthly monitoring for 3 years. Intially monitoring was $39.95 now it's $46.00. Grand total about $2200 after 3 years-A very bad deal. There are many wireless systems that monitor call themselves for < $400 Total. Be wise shop around.

Sondra of Apple Vallley CA (08/03/06)
I tried to stop services with ADT 2-3 times but learned my contract was over June 30,2006. Sent letter June 2006 to end services. Didn't send it timely this time, 30 days prior. I notified two prior times I wanted to stop, they wouldn't accept my request. Wasn't told I needed a thirty day notice in May 06, was told to read it on contract. However, I tried to stop service two previous times oral and written, before June 06. Surpervisor asked did I get a confirmation number for earlier request. No, I waited until contract was due to expire. ADT turned off service as requested but still billed me $326.93

I spoke to three different people who gave me three different options. One operator told me she'd write on my request that I had requested termination previously and that there should not be a problem. However, the super (Tylanda) said read contract. I understood notice was needed, but I gave an early notice by several months and was told to wait til end of June. Not told, send a letter again in May 06. Although the contract says 30 days, I gave more than two notices, each in writing months earlier. They just refuse to accept my earlier request without a confirmation number. I paid on time and completed terms of contract. The first operation never said a confirmation number was even available.

Thomas of Cumming, GA (07/31/06)
Our contract ran out and we were on a month-to-month plan. We cancelled and they charged us for the next quarter anyway.

I called them and asked if they had the date I canceled. They said March 26th. I asked if they bill for services in advance, and they said yes.  So I asked, "then why I was being billed for april, may and june when their system says I cancelled in March?"  All of a sudden he says "... well... uh, I mean with YOUR account we bill RETRO, meaning the charge on your card is for Jan-Mar".

I don't think so!  I've done 3 chargebacks on my amex and each time ADT tells a different story. The last one saying that we didn't cancel until May 26th.

Amex credited my account and said that they would seek retribution from them as it was obvious they were changing the story each time.

Sitaram of Cary NC (05/29/06)
ADT Salesman shows up univited on Memorial Day weekend. He was a nice individual. Said ADT needed to advertise by putting a sign in our yard and for that they would compensate us by installing $2500 worth of equipment. We had to sign a 36 month contract with no opt out, meaning if we break the contract we would be liable for the whole of the rest of the contract period. The so called marketing executive would not let us review the contract papers in private. He was telling about ADT as being the best and biggest ..only I couldn't understand why such a big company would somehow need our 'help' in advertising. We talked for half an hour and decided that we won't sign any contract.

Jeff of Fayetteville, AR (05/17/06)
Terrible service! Only recieved $100 rebate after constantly calling and asking for it.  Actually never got it, ADT just decided not to charge me for 3 months.

I tried to cancel service and was charged pro-rated amount for the next month because of so called 30-day notice. Never was told it was a 3-year contract, was told by ADT representative that it was a 2-year contract with cancellation fee of $200.

Overall sorry service and poor communication.

Kathy of Albuquerque, NM (05/09/06)
We sold our house, so I called to cancel the ADT alarm service that we've had since January.  Both the rep and the manager (whom I asked to speak with) were extremely rude and very defensive. Both told me I couldn't cancel the contract, which it turns out, is a 3-year contract.  This was news to me--the sales guy, at time of installation, failed to mention that it was a three-year contract that was impossible to get out of, even if you sold your home!

I called the local company and I got the same rude, angry treatment from "Debra" who hung up on me! Unbelievable!  Before Debra hung up on me, she told me I only had three options: 1. We could pay the balance of the contract--about $40 a month for 18 months; 2. If we could convince the new owners to use ADT, they would let us out of the contract with an equipment charge (the amount no one could explain to me); or 3. We could carry on the service contract in our new home.

They refuse to work with the customer. They should have a fair way set up to cancel the service, for homeowners who sell their homes.

Linda of Columbus OH (01/20/06)
So what good is the do-not-call list if alleged non-profits can team up with commercial enterprises? And then the commercial enterprise can call you (even if you're on the list) and tell you non-profits are exempt from the DNC list regulations? This totally astounded me.

The gentleman calls to say he's with the Children's Relief Fund, and don't worry, we're not looking for donations. The sigh of relief is short-lived as he proceeds to tell me they're working with ADT home security. When I said I was on the DNC list, he tells me non-profits are exempt from it.

While I fear this is legal -- it's not right! Until someone steps up and makes non-profits accountable to the DNC list, this is the kind of garbage we can expect. I'm writing my congressman next!

Annie of Atlanta, GA (12/14/05)
In July of 2005 I moved into a rental townhome and looked into getting the security system in the home activited (ADT). The ADT rep came out and told me that I needed a new system, because the old system wasn't compatible with their current monitoring equipment. I explained I was renting but he said I could get the wireless system and that way when I moved I could take the system with me.

I agreed and paid $500 for the wireless system and signed a service agreement that I thought was a one year (but it turned out to be a three year agreement).

Now it is Decmember and I am moving (again) for my job. ADT has informed me that I cannot take the system with me, unless I have one of their techs uninstall it and reinstall it (at a cost of about $600 - 2 hours to take it out and two hours to put it in at $150 an hour).  I have to buy another $500 system for my new house. I can cancel, but it will cost me 75% of the remaining balance of my contract.

Dotty of Suwanee, GA (11/04/05)
The day after I was robbed, ADT came to my rental house and installed a system. A year later, I was relocated due to my work so I contacted ADT to inform that I did not need service in the rental house and the new location already had an alarm system provided. That is when I found out that I had to continue to pay for the security system.

When I explained that I DID NOT OWN THE HOME AND I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT I HAD TO BE OR SHOULD BE the home owner, ADT representative said there was nothing they could do. ADT told me the only way to get out of the contract was to have the homeowner agree to take over the contract or the new renter.

The homowner said she would take over the contract, but she didn't. Two months after I moved out, the new renter called me to find out what my access code was because the alarm was going off.  Without my knowledge, ADT continued to charge my credit card while providing service to the new renters. The home phone that was used for the alarm system was NOT in my name so I could not have the phone disconnected when I moved.

Cynthia of Chicago, IL (10/23/05)
My alarm system went off at least 6-7 times. No one has even bothered to call to check on me and my family. I don't feel safe with the system.

Ashley of Tualatin OR (10/03/05)
We signed an agreement with ADT for a one year contract and we bought our equipment outright so we wouldn’t have to deal with any issues if we left. Well 4 years later we left and were hit with 90% fees and penalties for leaving them. They force people to try to stay with them. We moved to a place that had its own security. The paperwork says it but the rep that sold it said something entirely different. We were supposed to be able to cancel at any time with out fees. I called the main office they told me I have to talk to the local office.

I called them 5 times and no return calls. So I assumed they were taken care of. Then I get a letter 6 months later from a law office. And they were very threatening but right… it is cheaper to pay them then a lawyer and the paperwork does state that we have to pay 90% cancellation fees.

Ronald of Mechanicsville VA (05/16/05)
August, 2004 a representative of ADT Security Services came directly to our home to ask if we were interested in having security set-up, after we talked about it it was decided we would. Going forward, we have used the service daily with no plans of cancelling the service. However, our situation has totally changed as far as housing is oncerned. Although we have signed a (3) year contract and would not have had a problem fulfilling the contract but now we're moving! The situation is that, we are relocating to Florida to move into an apartment until we possibly have a home built. We have asked a manager to please allow us to cancel this contract based on out of control circumstances.

We are being forced to try and sell it to the buyers of our home or pay $830.05 which is 75% of the remaining amount. Nowhere in the contract does it rule out a scenario like ours. Our problem is the lack of consideration of the situation and the seemingly greedy desire to charge us unfairly.

Vivek of Kendall Park NJ (05/09/05)
I changed my phone service to Voice Over IP and ADT can no longer service my house for security. They have asked me to pay 75% of the remaining balance for next 2 1/2 years without providing me security. I think they are fleecing me. I should be able to get out by paying a small penalty and not 75% of the service fee for 2 1/2 years.

I am looking to shell out $650 for services that I will not and can not receive.

Rosemary of Highland Mills NY (02/17/05)
On Tuesday, February 15 I encountered a frightening experience with my 4 yr old son who has special needs. He left my home and almost got hit by a car and ADT did not alert that a door opened so I had no idea he left the home. A bus driver witnessed this and I was able to grab him and bring him to safety. I called ADT to fix the problem and they said they only had an opening on the 17th, 2 days after my incident. I tried getting an earlier date and they could not accomodate me.

I took the feb 17th appt. with a 12-5 window. I was home the whole time, I called at 3pm to assure that thet they were still coming and they said they were en route. 5:30, still nothing, no courtesy call. I called spoke to angela she gave me to tech, tech handed me to kurt and he said they will have to reschedule. I said absolutely not, I was going to leave early next morning for a week and I need this corrected. Also, they never gave me a call -- I had to call them.

I than spoke to Demitre who assured me someone will come. 7,8 -- Nothing heard. 8:30, Bob calls said he is running late, I said o.k. He said can you reschedule to tomorrow? I explained it was impossible. At this point I had also stressed to this company the danger my son faces without this alarm working. He assured me that he will be in my home 9:00-9:30. 9:11pm Missy calls and tells me tech will not show and I have to reschedule.

Charity of Union City CA (12/13/04)
During 2003 and 2004, my home alarm had misled for many times. I have pay Union City Police $180 with 30 days. I am forced to terminate the 2 more years contact with the following reasons:

1. The alarm was misled when my security system is on or off.
2. The alarm is fixed six times and ADT Technicians couldn't any solutions.
3. Having a misleading alarm costs me time and money. There was a police officer broke my front door during one of the misleading alarm's alerts and cost me to get repair.
4. The false alarm drives me insane. The alarm set's on by itself. The alarm went on from my bedroom window. Since the condo where I stay is located on the 2nd floor, it is a very remote chance that any intruder will come from the bedroom window.

Dotty of Suwannee, GA (11/4/05)
The day after I was robbed, ADT came to the house that I was renting and installed a security system. A year later, when I had to relocate because of work, I contacted ADT to cancel the service. That is when I found out that I had to continue to pay for the security system. ADT told me the only way to get out of the contract was to have the owner of the house agree to take over the contract or the new renter.

The owner said she would pay for the service, but obviously she didn't. ADT continued to charge my credit card while providing service to the new renters.

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