Need Help!

[mosspack1]

I just found out that "Cable" company just charged my debit card the $500 cancellation fee for breaking the contract. Can they do that just drain my checking account like that? I do not remember signing a contract with them to start with. I have been with them for 7 years so why would I sign a contract after all this time?

[Gerrinson]

A 7 year long cable contract? I've never heard of any service contract that long.

I'd call and lodge a complaint; the only other thing I can think of, is that since it hit your debit card perhaps you can speak to your bank about reversing it, though it is much harder to dispute debit transactions than credit transactions.

In the future, I recommend charging to a credit card, if only because the dispute process is far easier to navigate.

[mosspack1]

Thanks for the reply. Actually Cable Co. is saying I signed a 2 year contract. Why would I sign a two year contract after having their service for 5 years and already off contract? Even if that were true (no way) I can not afford to lose $500!

[evilfarmer]

I would ask them when the contract was signed. It could be that the contract auto renews every 2 years like a cell phone contract. I would request a copy of the contract for your records.

[Ophbalance]

Have you changed packages or upgraded equipment recently? That's typically how they lock you into a new contract on the sly.

[taxguykarl]

I would ask them when the contract was signed. It could be that the contract auto renews every 2 years like a cell phone contract. I would request a copy of the contract for your records.

Absolutely. There is a chance that there is no such document. Also dispute that debit charge--ask the issuing bank.