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Beware>>>>xm Scam
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Beware>>>>xm Scam
I sent a check for payment They process it electronically and then next year can access your account leagally for renewal I will now start using money orders IF I ever renew again at all
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,666
Likes: 14
From: Mission Viejo CA
The only way they can renew automatically is if they have a clause in their contract that allows them to do so, and the buyer agreed to this by executing the contract.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Centerville Ohio
When I called in initially to begin service on my `07 Hummer, the gal told me she had to have a credit card # for "file" purposes. Since I have 3 other radios with XM and had never had them ask for this, I questioned it but was told that it was a new policy and they had to have it or could not begin service......period. Since I have not had any issues on my other radios over the past 3+ years I finally relented and gave them the damned # after being assured repeatedly that "nothing would be charged to it" and I told them I would call back later on to add this radio to my account after my free 3 months. Sure enough, I get my bill for my Visa and there is $16.99 charged to it by XM for "additional phone minutes" which I obviously did not authorize and have never used. I called them and after finally talking with a supervisor got them to agree to refund it but only by adding additonal months onto my service and the promise to "look into it" and take "appropriate action" against the operator I talked with, etc. etc. which of course is a bunch of 
. Lesson learned and yeah I thought about telling them to shove it but the problem is I do truly enjoy the service. That's my story.
. Lesson learned and yeah I thought about telling them to shove it but the problem is I do truly enjoy the service. That's my story.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Falls Texas
These days, all someone needs to take money out of your account and/or write checks is the account number and bank routing number. Paper checks rarely get sent anymore. If XM stored this information, all they need to do the next year is process a transaction through the bank.
More worrying than them renewing for another year without permission is the fact that they store this information at all! It's been proven by hackers over and over again that big businesses cannot properly safeguard customer information.
I would discuss this with your bank and see if you can get the charges reversed. (Assuming you did not want to renew)
More worrying than them renewing for another year without permission is the fact that they store this information at all! It's been proven by hackers over and over again that big businesses cannot properly safeguard customer information.
I would discuss this with your bank and see if you can get the charges reversed. (Assuming you did not want to renew)
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 5
From: Northeast Ohio
Happened to me last year! Wondered why my account was so far off
and when I checked all transactions, there it was, two from XM!
One for the month and a year renewal, without my authorization.
I called and put an end to that immediately. Their attitude with
arbitrarily withdrawing funds is what ended any dealings with XM.
My money was refunded.
and when I checked all transactions, there it was, two from XM!
One for the month and a year renewal, without my authorization.
I called and put an end to that immediately. Their attitude with
arbitrarily withdrawing funds is what ended any dealings with XM.
My money was refunded.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Streamwood IL
When I called in initially to begin service on my `07 Hummer, the gal told me she had to have a credit card # for "file" purposes. Since I have 3 other radios with XM and had never had them ask for this, I questioned it but was told that it was a new policy and they had to have it or could not begin service......period. Since I have not had any issues on my other radios over the past 3+ years I finally relented and gave them the damned # after being assured repeatedly that "nothing would be charged to it" and I told them I would call back later on to add this radio to my account after my free 3 months. Sure enough, I get my bill for my Visa and there is $16.99 charged to it by XM for "additional phone minutes" which I obviously did not authorize and have never used. I called them and after finally talking with a supervisor got them to agree to refund it but only by adding additonal months onto my service and the promise to "look into it" and take "appropriate action" against the operator I talked with, etc. etc. which of course is a bunch of . Lesson learned and yeah I thought about telling them to shove it but the problem is I do truly enjoy the service. That's my story.
. Lesson learned and yeah I thought about telling them to shove it but the problem is I do truly enjoy the service. That's my story.If they wouldn't reverse the charges IMMEDIATLY on the phone, then I would have disputed the charge with the credit card company, filed a claim with the better business bureau and filed a claim with my local state's attorny's office, and then found out what state XM is incorporated in and filed a claim with THEIR local state's attourney's office.
Interstate wire fraud is no joke, and I'll bet once they get hit with it once, they won't try to pull that crap on anyone else.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,749
Likes: 148
From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
After reading this thread I can see where all the people went when AOL let them go. They went to xm and continued bilking customers into things they did not contract for,
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park New York
It happened to me also.. Paid the first year via credit card ...Big Mistake and sure enough when it was time to renew they did it automatically . I called and got the run around and after speaking with a 'supervisor' I canceled and got a partial refund...Bought a SIR GM1 converter and I am a happy SIRIUS listener with no payment scam issues.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 0
From: upstate new york
i cant begin to count the number of times this issue has been discussed here. as stated in the past, numerous times, do not, repeat, do not, give your credit card number to xm, pay with a check or money order only, and avoid future headaches......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,216
Likes: 4
From: ---Phoenix, AZ --- Boiler Up, Hammer Down!
The OP is referring to a written check and not credit card.