PAINFUL PREPAY
‘DirecTV/Amazon’ offer proved to be a scam
Dear John: I just wanted to alert you to a scam that unfortunately I recently fell for.
I received a call from “DirecTV,” to which I subscribe. The caller had my name, address, account number, etc.
The caller also knew I was a member of Amazon Prime.
The caller said that DirecTV and Amazon were offering a promotion: If I purchased a $300 gift card from Amazon and used it to prepay my DirecTV account for three months, then I would be eligible for a discounted monthly rate with additional channels for 24 months.
Since I’m disabled and I live with my disabled son, the thought of saving money in the long term was appealing.
I purchased the gift card. I called “billing department” — which answered “DirecTV” — and gave them the gift card number. Bad idea!
When I didn’t see the additional channels, I called DirecTV, and was told there was no such promotion. I literally was shaking that I lost $300.
Both DirecTV and Amazon are investigating, but here are my issues:
When I Googled this scam, it seems that it has been going on for months. Why couldn’t DirecTV or Amazon try to warn their customers?
The majority of people scammed did not receive restitution from either company.
How is it that the caller had all my personal account info from DirecTV? Amazon has to know who cashed the card. It only does business involving delivery. Isn’t that something that could be traced?
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Honestly, I feel like such an idiot. If you want, I’ll gladly keep you updated when I hear back from either company. R.S.
Dear R.S.: I’m very sorry you got cheated.
This is a standard scam pulled on customers of many other companies as well.
I don’t know how these scammers were able to get your personal information. I’ve asked DirecTV whether its files have been hacked. I’m waiting for an answer.
The company does have a warning on its Web site.
“Do not engage these callers. AT&T/DIRECTV does not solicit prepayments via prepaid cards or gift cards. Hang up immediately,” the company says.
“If you are ever approached by a caller claiming to be from AT&T/ DIRECTV and you feel they may not be legitimate, hang up and call the toll-free customer service number on your bill,” it added.
I don’t know if DirecTV or AT&T (its parent company) could have done a better job informing customers. And I’m not sure what Amazon could do to spot prepaid cards that might be used in this scam.
But I do know this: If DirecTV and other companies that have been unintentionally complicit in these scams don’t do some- thing to improve the situation, then customers will get angry and business could be lost.
I suggest that DirecTV give customers who’ve been scammed something to make their hurt go away.