How to File a Complaint Against DirecTV

What is it? The fine print of your contract with them says you can’t legally file a claim against DirecTV in most courts. But one exception is small claims court. This is where you have the chance to speak with a local judge and file a civil lawsuit claim against DirecTV. Additionally, depending on the type of claim, you may have a “breach of contract” claim against DirecTV which simply means that DirecTV did not follow the terms of the contract.

When to try it: You have time and energy on your hands, and you want the chance to make your claim against DirecTV in public.

What you need to do: Follow the steps laid out here in FairShake’s Guide to Sue DirecTV in Small Claims Court.

What to expect: If you follow all the steps precisely and have a strong claim against DirecTV, there’s a decent chance you’ll get compensation. Additionally, DirecTV may even offer you a settlement in exchange for dropping the civil suit against them.

What is it? When you use your credit card to pay for your bill, or you have a card linked for recurring payments, you enter into an agreement with the credit card company and DirecTV. This means everyone has to follow the rules, but in cases of fraud, overcharges, or when the product or service is not actually provided, credit card companies have a procedure for you to dispute the charge because the company didn’t follow those rules.

When to try it: If your claim against DirecTV is about a one time charge that was made using a credit card, and you can back up that claim against DirecTV with evidence.

What you need to do: Most credit card companies will let you do this process entirely online. You need only log in to your account online and follow their rules for how to dispute or challenge a charge. They often let you identify the charge in question, explain the issue, and upload any evidence.

What to expect: The credit card company may temporarily remove the charge from your bill. They will then likely ask DirecTV for a response. You may also be asked by your credit card company for more information or evidence before they make a final decision.

What is it? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a government agency that regulates much of DirecTV’s business. The FCC provides an informal channel for consumers to submit claims and complaints against DirecTV. So the claim filed here won’t necessarily get you compensation, but it is a way to make the issue known to authorities.

What happens to these claims depends on the internal procedures of the FCC. The FCC also provides a more formal complaint procedure, but there is a monetary charge for this.

When to try it: You’re frustrated with DirecTV and want to make your complaint available to the government and the public, this is the way to go. Again, an FCC complaint is not a way to pursue compensation but at least they can’t ignore you.

What you need to do: File an informal complaint on the FCC’s public website by following the instructions here.

What to expect: Your complaint will be posted online in a public database. It may be used in setting the FCC’s priorities for regulating companies like DirecTV. The company may be asked to respond to it but in any case, you will not likely receive an individual response.

What is it? The Better Business Bureau and its local chapters are private organizations that collect and publish complaints against a wide range of companies. This is, again, a way to file an official complaint against the company in a public forum. It won’t get compensation, but in some cases, the companies respond to the complaints and try to fix the problem (especially if they want their BBB page rating to improve).

When to try it: When DirecTV’s BBB page shows that it is actively involved in responding to complaints you are more likely to receive a response yourself. Or, alternatively, when you want another way to get your dissatisfaction out there on the internet for others to read.

What you need to do: Go to DirecTV’s BBB profile here and follow the instructions for submitting a complaint.

What to expect: This depends on whether the company actively responds to its BBB complaints. If it does, you may receive a response directly from them, or via the BBB that asks for more information or clarification. It is really up to the company to acknowledge the issue and offer compensation or not.

What is it? Remember that thing about the small print of your DirecTV contract? Well instead of filing a claim before a small claims court, you can file a claim against DirecTV before an independent arbitrator.

This is a process that costs the company money, so they are more likely to sit up and take notice when you put them on alert that the process has been started. They can’t ignore a claim against DirecTV in arbitration as easily as a public complaint on the BBB.

Usually they’ll try to settle your claim once you put them on notice that you plan on taking them to arbitration. That’s what FairShake can help with!

When to try it: Any situation in which you believe DirecTV has misled you, violated their contract with you, or violated the law can be pursued through arbitration. Typically claims involve a specific request for how DirecTV can fix the situation, which may include financial compensation. FairShake will help you pursue claims up to $10,000.

What you need to do: Fill out our form below to start your claim against DirecTV.

What to expect: For more details about arbitration, click here. Or start your claim below and let us help!