So many threads, so little time. Let's just say that we were the victim of a scam this week that involved several of our neighbors. KHQ News asked us to do an interview, we needed to close down our accounts, and spent much of the this past week mopping this up.
If you have Pinnacle security, you need to contact them, and perhaps your states attorney. This is no joke.
So many threads, so little time. Let's just say that we were the victim of a scam this week that involved several of our neighbors. KHQ News asked us to do an interview, we needed to close down our accounts, and spent much of the this past week mopping this up.
If you have Pinnacle security, you need to contact them, and perhaps your states attorney. This is no joke.
For those that couldn't click the link (I found nothing bad in it by the way. )
It sounds like people went around pretending to be from ADT, and saying that Pinnacle had bought them out, then they scammed payments from them, even getting them under contract.
quote
Pinnacle Security
Consumer Complaints & Reviews
In Dec. 2009, I signed a contract for security monitoring service. The charges were supposed to be $44/mo. on my credit card. In January there was no charge. I called and was told they would fix the problem. This happened in Feb., March, and April. In April I sent $300. The pattern continued in May and June, July, August, September. Each month I called and they gave some excuse for not charging my charge card and promised to fix the issue. In Oct . they charged $276.00 to my card. In December,2010, I received a letter from a collection agency, stating that the account had been closed and I was expected to pay for an entire two year contract. $1700. I responded in writing, only to receive another letter from another collection agency, making the same claim. I feel that Pinnacle never kept the terms of the contract, therefore, I should not be held to the same contract.
Aminata of Houston, TX I was approached by a very nice young man knocking on my door and said he was in the neighborhood informing all of the ADT customers that Pinnacle would be taking over all ADT customer is the Ripon, CA area. He gave me a very believable story. He had us sign a contract and every time I asked about the conditions, he said "oh, it's just our contract, nothing will change other than if you upgrade to a cell based alarm instead of ADT's land line based alarm". He said the contract would still be month to month as we had prior with ADT. He said ADT was moving out of the area and Pinnacle was helping those ADT customers out. He said he just needed to make a call and asked to use my telephone and he said all you have to do is answer yes to all of the questions. It is just to set everything up. Even though you are signing a new contract with Pinnacle, you will still only be on a month to month contract, as yoiu were with ADT. He even said he would contact ADT and cancel the service.
I should have known something was up when I was being charged by both companies for the same service. I called Josh directly and he assured me everything was fine and told me I should contaxct my bank and stop the automatic debit from my bank account. I did this and received a cancellation notice from ADT. I thought it was all part of the change over. I was completely snowed by this yoiung man. I have learned a valuable lesson to number one, not trust anyone and number two, never sign a contract that does not state exactly what you expect. When we decided we no longer needed a security system, we called Pinnacle 15 months after signing the contract. They said we could not cancel with out an outrageous fee. When I told them the story aboiut how the contract went down, they said they would investigate and get back to us. Two months later and no calls from Pinnacle, I called back. They said they inveswtigated and found our signed contract and listened to a recording and we agreed to it. I told them yes, I already told yoiu that the salesmen made the call himself and sat there with us and told us just to say yes to everything and he would take care of everything else. I trusted this kid. I woiuld love to know if anyone else in my area was dubbed by this same salesman.
Our security system stopped working after the first call I made. During the second call I was told that nobody could help and the investigation was complete. I asked why I never received a call back. The gentleman, just apologized. When I told him I thought our system quit working after the first call, he said he was sorry again and could help me but the tech's are no longer working and woiuld have to wait until tomorrow. I guess I have to wait and see if that calls happens. I could kick myself for being so trusting and believing this salesman. I have learned a valuable lesson. I hope that I will be able to prove this company and this salesman scammed us.
Roberta of Ripon, CA
Two seemingly nice gentlemen came by our house and told us about this great security system that would be such a piece of mind, after all, there was just a robbery down the road a month ago. Anyway, we fell for it, and within a couple of days we realized we had been had. They refuse to break the contract saying we would have to pay this outrageous price to get out of it. I was really upset about this. For a small monthly fee of $49.99, we would have our smoke detector, motion sensor and two doors covered.
However, several times my house filled up with smoke and the fake smoke detector never went off. I have opened the doors while alarm was on, no one ever called. The motion sensor does nothing. Furthermore, they keep attempting to take $49.99 out of my bank account, despite my having my bank put a stop all future payments for that amount to this company. I wrote and called the company saying that I will pay monthly with a check, they said fine, yet keep trying to get the $49.99.
I am at a point now of filing for fraud, since I do not believe that this is even a real company. They use diversion and scare tactics to get you to sign on to their security systems. They prey on innocent elderly and young mothers with small children. I sincerely hope they can sleep at night, because I surely don't feel secure.
So if anyone from Pinnacle Security shows up at your house with the there was a robbery in this neighborhood a month ago, or the you have been especially selected on this street to receive this security system for very little down, slam the door and deadbolt it (you would be safer). Do not let these people in your home under any circumstances.
I hope all the other people out there having the same problems I have with this false company, join up and put an end to this scam.
Renee of Murfreesboro, TN * Pinnacle Security Settles With New York * Illinois Sues Pinnacle Security Over Sales Tactics * Consumer Complaints about Pinnacle * More about Alarm Systems
I signed a contract with Pinnacle Security in order to protect my wife with a great system. The contract was for 36 months. We have gone through 16 months and because of huge pay cuts due the economy we are being kicked out of our house.
We are downsizing to an apartment and we cannot take the alarm with us. We have had no problems at all with the service until now. We were forced into a situation through no fault of our own. We had every intention of fulfilling our contract, but we cannot now that we have no home and cannot take the alarm with us.
They offer no solution, but that I shouldn't have signed the contract. I would have used them again because I was very satisfied with my service but now they expect to continue to pay the monthly fee through the end of my contract when i cannot use the service. So they are willing to sell years more of us with them for only 18 months.
I know they have no guarantee I will come back, but I fully planned on doing so. Not now and never will I recommend them ever again.
Nathan of Plumas Lake, CA
I was moving my parents in to my house and a saleman came up to my house. I told him I did not have time to talk with them. He told me that it was a one day offer. So my husband talk with him. I told the saleman I did not have time for them to put in the system. He became very pushy. I try to call them after several time of trying to get the system to work. Four Days later. They advised me I was to call in 2days . I was told by the sale man I had 30 days to cancel. That was a year ago and the system still does not work. They have been call to come out and fix it but have not shown up. they do not give you time to read any of the paper work. they have strom troopers who work for them. Do not buy this system.
Vivian of Dade City, FL Pinnacle Security rep came to my door and advised me that they (Pinnacle Security) and Broadview had combine together. I later found out later after speaking with Broadview that this was not true (the sale rep told a lie). Pinnacle Security debited my accounted a head of time.
kayle of brunswick, GA
Below is a copy of a letter I wrote to Pinnacle Security, LLC. As of today, I have heard nothing from them.
"July 6, 2010
To Whom It May Concern;
On June 29, 2010 I contacted your company to see if the cancellation notice I put in the mail on 6/7/10 was received. At this time, I spoke with Tony J. and was informed that the cancellation was not received within the three business days required for a full cancellation. However, the Cancellation Notice reads, "To cancel this Agreement, you must mail or deliver a signed and dated copy of this Notice of Cancellation within three business days." The equipment was installed in our home on June 4, 2010 and the Notice of Cancellation was put in the mail on June 7, 2010 (the second business day after installation). According to this agreement, I feel as a customer that I had done what I needed to do in order to properly cancel this service. I was told by your representative that the postmark on the envelope was dated June 11, 2010. It does not say on your contract that the Notice of Cancellation must be postmarked by a certain date, just that it needs to be mailed within three business days. Once a piece of mail is taken to the post office, it is no longer in my control when it is post marked. I do not know why it took four days for it to be sent out, but I feel your company is penalizing me for something that was not in my control. After careful consideration of our needs and finances, we do not feel that we need this service and cannot afford the service.
In addition, the two salesmen that were at our house NEVER disclosed the exact amount of the monthly payment, nor did they even explain the Cancellation Policy. We were told the monthly charge would be determined by our local township office. They also did not tell us when the monthly charge would be debited from our account. We were NEVER told the monthly fee would be $47.99. I only discovered that when I balanced our checkbook and saw the charge debited from the account. Honestly, now that I look back on that night I feel these gentlemen were out for a quick sale on a Friday night and did not take the time to fully explain essential pieces of information. We were told that night that an installer would come to the house to look and see what was needed for the install. He would come back at a later date to do the work. That was incorrect because the installer was at our house until after 10pm completing the work. We never really had the time to look over the paperwork to see if this was something we truly wanted because he was drilling holes into our walls. I feel we were swindled by these gentlemen, representatives of Pinnacle Security.
I appreciate that your company is willing to provide us with four free months of service but am extremely disappointed at how this was handled. After speaking to Tony J. for over an hour, I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told he was a supervisor. When I asked to speak to someone over him, he told me that, "if you (I) proceed in taking this any further, they may take away the free months of service that had just been given to me." I feel he was trying to intimidate me and bully me into not further voicing my displeasure with your company. I feel as a customer of your company or any company that if I do not think I am being treated fairly or receiving proper service, it is my right as a customer to speak to someone about it. This could be Pinnacle Security, car repair shop or a local restaurant. I hope this practice is uncommon for your company.
Because my ultimate goal was to cancel the service and this apparently is not possible without paying over $2000, we are forced to keep this service. However, we were told that having this system in our home was helping your company with advertising and helping you, "get your name out there." As of right now, I do not have many good things to say about your company. I'm sure that the protection your company provides is outstanding but because of the horrendous customer service I have been provided, it will be extremely difficult for us to pass along any positive feedback about the service.
The end result of this that no one is truly benefitting from this transaction. We now have a service in our house we do not want and will more than likely not use but will be charged $47.99 a month until December 2013. Your company is benefitting because you are taking our money each month but you will receive no positive PR from it. I hope you are happy.
Please contact me at (XXX) XXX-XXXX to let me know if I am correct in that our contract with your company expires in December 2013 and how to go about "properly" cancelling the service when the time comes. I sincerely hope that our contract is not extended four months because of the four free months you have provided. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at the same telephone number.
Sincerely,
Danielle B."
Danielle of Enola, PA
Thaey had a door2door salesman knock on the door and sold a security system to my wife (who is on disability). They have added so many charges and they also did not tell her that it was a 3 year contract. Our security system hasn't worked since 09/2009, thay have yet to send out a person to fix it yet they are still charging $45 a month to my wifes checking account. We have called to cancel the service and they said that they would still charge her account for the remainder of the 3 years. We need help to recover what we have spent when it didn't work and to cancel the contract and get them out of our lives! We have also got a bill from the city police for an alarm call when the system wasn't working.
Craig of Council Bluffs, IA
I experienced the same issues as illinois residents. I a, stuck paying $50 a month for my service for 2 years and had to pay $57 connection fee. They said they forgot to have us sign a piece of the contract and sent us a blank one to sign we refused to sign it until they filled it out they kept hounding us so my husband signed. Then almost a year later now my husband and I got a divorce.
when I contacted them to switch it over they told me I had to pay $99 fee or pay $350 for the equipment and would have to start my 2 years over. This was just to take his name off of the account. I was paying $33 a month for ADT and was happy with that my husband wanted to switch because this system runs off of cell phone instead of lan line. I have been unable to cancel and have to pay $50 a month now for 2 years. I still have my lan line and this service.
Carrie of Olympia, WA
Sales agent approached our house and began by saying the city had called their company in due to crime in the area. Claimed to be from GE. Claimed they only wanted to post signs on yards as deterrent. When told "no, we don't want a sign" went on as to why we should want one...and claimed we would be recompensed for posting the sign "with a free system." Told several more times not interested, stop wasting my time, go away. Began making ominous references to my mother (visible, with walker) and the need for their system. Finally yelled at him to get off my property--still took awhile to get him to go away.
I'm an Iraq war vet, and he made my threat assessment alarms go off in a big way--it was obvious that he was making me very angry, and yet he wouldn't stop and back off. Because I'm a woman? I called the cops and gave them a description due to the fraud perpetuated by his first statement, that the city had called them in. Felt threatened, was definitely lied to, really didn't appreciate to implied threat to my mother.
Grey of Socorro, NM
On the date 05/24/10 around 6 o'clock, a salesman representing Pinnacle Security came to my home located in Metairie La. 70001. The salesman, an Area Manager offered to supply my home with a state of the art security system at no cost to me, he called it a model home. The manager went on to state that because I have been picked to be a model home in the area, would help with their sales in the area, and I could take advantage of a no cost system and all future upgrades from Pinnacle Security at little to no cost to upgrade. I was sold on options that were to be provided by Pinnacle such as; temperature control and security cameras that can be viewed through via the internet, through the provider's website.
The security system Pinnacle installed is a Simon XT, manufactured by GE, which cost $99 to activate and $120 in upgrades which totaled $219. The monthly monitoring fee was advertised to be $49.99, which included the monitoring of the system currently installed and all future upgrades and options as listed above. I was told that Pinnacle Security is a good standing with the state of Louisiana and was advertised accredited with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). On the same night of 05/24/10 I canceled a current contract with ADT Security and paid out $430. The current contract with ADT needed to be canceled in order to accept a contract with Pinnacle Security.
On 05/25/10 I contacted Pinnacle corporate office to find out when the options I wanted were available to be installed, listed above. Pinnacle's customer
serviceman and tech support were unable to provide any documentation or release dates for the products listed above. I also discovered that there is an additional monitoring charge in the amount of $5.00 for each camera added to the Simon XT system, and that there is an additional charge for adding the temperature control via internet. But was unable to get that amount.
On 05/26/10 after reading over the contract and determining Pinnacle's policy, I decided to research Pinnacle Security via the internet. I discovered Pinnacle Security is not accredited by the BBB, and that Pinnacle Security's rating at the BBB is currently rated "F".
On 05/27/10 I got in touch with the Louisiana State Fire Marshall's Office. I was told that Pinnacle Security is having many complaints about their selling practices. Later that evening on I faxed the cancellation form over to Pinnacle Security, and telephoned the customer service department to confirm the cancellation. The cancellation was confirmed that same evening (05/27/10 7:27pm) on the third day of right to cancel as described in the contract provided by Pinnacle.
As of 06/09/10 I currently do not have a monitored security system, because as stated in the contract provided by Pinnacle Security, they have within 20 days to remove the security system. If Pinnacle does not remove the system within 20 days, I may retain or dispose of the equipment without further obligation. Pinnacle has 10 business days to refund any payments made, which has not been met according to the contract. I call the cancellation dept about the breach of contract. Pinnacle's representative admitted guilt in the breach of contract, but would not accept a penalty of my request to retain the equipment. This company also violated state ethics policy by allowing me to cancel a current contract with ADT which I had to pay out $430. I am attempting to hold Pinnacle Security responsible for these problems.
Joshua of Metairie, LA Confusion on install. Signed contract with one rate ($34.99) Pinnacle called trying to collect 2 weeks after install for past due amount of $46.99 monthly. (why) They want me to sign another contract
Darryl of Porterville, CA We had a salesman knock on our door in early 2009, we told him we were moving and were not interested. He insisted the system was free, then he told us of a monthly fee. We decided to try it out. He got all our financial info and got ready to set us up. Then they gave us a welcome call or something like that while the salesman was still at our home. During the call there was a mention of a contract finally. I was surprised. Pinnacle even caught my surprise of the mention of the contract on their recording. They also recorded an, "inaudible," conversation that we had with the salesman. The content of which was us asking about this contract and repeating to the sales rep we were moving in the next year.
And then the salesman reassured us the contract would be void upon our moving. Convenient huh? So when we did move that fall as planned Pinnacle would not release us from the contract, only giving us a, "Sorry you were mis-informed." And the BBB in Utah does not seem at all concerned about the misleading salesman that Pinnacle seems to continually produce. I recently read the state of Illinois had something to say about it. We would like our contract voided and the months of payments that have been paid since October of 2009 to be returned. We stopped the payments a few months ago, when we filed with the BBB.
Jeff of Monaca, PA
Carrie was a salesperson that wandered the neighborhood. She told me that my house would be a great "advertising house." The previous owner had had a security system installed, so they upgraded the system and the only charge to me was the fee that the police department charged to monitor the house, which ended up being $47.99 a month. I was told that they would really prefer that I keep the system for at least two years since they were doing all of this for free, but that I could cancel at any time.
I knew at that point that I would be relocating within the next two years for school. When I called the company to cancel, they said that I would be charged the remainder of my 39-month contract no matter what. I had no idea that I had signed a 39-month contract with them! I never would have done so if I had known, because I knew at that point that I would not be living there that long. I found Carrie's card, called her and explained the situation, hoping she might be of some assistance. She told me that I must have misunderstood and there was nothing she could do. The customer service representatives told me I needed to talk to someone in cancellations.
The woman in the cancellations department was also VERY unhelpful. She said that she was sorry that the salesperson misinformed me, but I was still responsible for the contract. I asked to speak to her supervisor and she said she was the supervisor of that department. Several times I asked to speak to someone above her, and we just went around and around in circles. I am sure she wasn't happy to be talking to me, but a good employee should still be respectful to customers, especially those with legitimate complaints. She continuously interrupted me and spoke over me. I ended up getting NOWHERE and I am still unsure of what to do. At this point, I have 24 months left in my contract. I am stuck paying $47.99 for a service I will not use. I am a college student and that is the last thing I need to be spending money on.
Tara of Kansas City, KS
Pinnacle contacted me in June 2009, with all of the promises that I have since seen online that have turned out to be untrue. From their sales tactics, to several breaches of contract, to providing incorrect numbers for their monitoring center on two separate occasions, (WE finally had to provide them with the correct numbers for our area well after the system was installed), to hitting my debit card for payments at will at any time of the month rather than the agreed upon date that was written into the contract, (they actually overdrew my account by debiting money when they weren't suppose to), to being completely ignored by Pinnacle when the system quit working, (I had to file a complaint with the BBB of Utah to get ANY response from Pinnacle) which equates to NO customer service from Pinnacle. And the list goes on. Pinnacle has given me a month here and there of no service, but the important thing to note here is that Pinnacle is very well aware of the fact that I have had no service with them since December 21, 2009 yet they continue to debit payments from my account. They just did so on the first of this month, April 2010. They are involved in a lawsuit that cost two California firefighters their lives due to alleged negligence on the part of Pinnacle.
My experience with them, and apparently many other victims of Pinnacle Security share the same opinion, is that they don't care one iota about their customers safety, lives or property as long as they can continue to collect monthly payments from those of us that were naive enough to get involved with them in the first place. By their own admission they did not have the correct phone numbers for our area when they installed numerous systems here, and we in fact did not have service until we provided them with the correct phone numbers, three weeks after the system was installed. They never one time checked to see if the system was working properly, even after we notified them a second and third time that they had not provided the correct numbers for this area. Every Pinnacle victim in our area was unknowingly without service that they were paying for until my wife and I gave Pinnacle the correct numbers in July 2009. The negative reviews in regard to Pinnacle Security are all over the internet, I only wish now that I had had the presence of mind to go there before I got involved with Pinnacle. They are not accredited with the BBB, they have an "F" rating with the BBB and 1138 complaints within the past 36 months with the BBB of Utah, and that number is still climbing. (5 new complaints in the past week) I am looking to contact some of the other complainants about the possibility of a class action lawsuit before I agree on any settlement through the BBB. How Pinnacle Security can be allowed to continue to operate anywhere using the business practices that I have experienced is beyond me.
I have just skimmed the surface here regarding my experience with Pinnacle. There is much more to my story that what I have put forth here.
Ken of Palmer, AK
A salesman came to our door and convinced us to switch from ADT to Pinnacle Security for our home security system. We were ready for an upgrade so we did it. Right away, our response time was clearly less superior but we had signed a contract so we honored it. Now after almost three years, we get a call that Castle Rock Security has had many fradulant reprentatives in our area so to be on alert. Who is Castle Rock we asked? Then when we called our security company to ask questions regarding a window upgrade we were doing, Castle Rock answers the phone.
We decide since our 2 year contract had expired some time ago that its time to go back to ADT. We call Castle Rock to cancel and they tell me that we signed a 36 month contract with Pinnacle (which would actually end next month if true) and that it automatically renews every year and since we did not cancel it on March 12 that we are bound until April 12, 2011. We never signed a contract with Castle Rock! I told her I feel like we are being scammed. Well, I plan on cancelling our automatic withdrawl and I'm sure Castle Rock is going to fight it but as of yet, its just annoying!
Carol of Lake Forest, CA
When the salesman from Pinnacle "Security" came to the door and fed us his lines, we thought it sounded great. We specifically asked what would happen if we were unhappy with their service or if we moved. He said they would honor us and let us out of our contract. Well, when we moved and were not allowed to install a system into our new apartment, not only would they not let us out of our contract, they talked to us as if we were morons. We heard things like, "Don't you read a contract before you sign it", "I am the highest person at Pinnacle that you are allowed to talk to", "It's your word against our salesperson's word".
Unbelievable! We are now paying for God knows who to look over a hole in the ground where our old house used to be. Go with a better company since this one apparently tells their salespeople to say whatever it takes to seal the deal. Total ripoff! Paying $45 a month for a house we no longer own.
Patricia of Farmingdale, NY
when the company the alarms come to my house they say to me just I have say yes about the autoritation the my tenets put the alarms in they apartment now I have to pay the alarm to my tenets because the bill is in my name.The alarms name is Pinnacle SEcurity. 240$ o more because they make contratc 36 month
Silvia of Chelsea, MA
june 27, 2007 this security company lied and got me to sign a three year agree at 44.99 a month but the salesman joseph anderson lied it was suppose to be 24 mths first couple of weeks my service went out i was still paying my monthly fee out of my account every month for about six months i tried to cancel contract within the second week of my service the would not let me they are located out of town no wear in my area so they didnt have anyone to fix it they have sent this to a collection agency called anderson crenshaw and associates i had excellent credit they have ruined my credit i dont feel this is fair me paying for a security system that does not work and they are not in kentucky were i live i need this off of my credit and i need them to cancel this contract if you can help please contact me thank you chastity oh they also have change their name about four times it is now called castle rock security
Chastity of louisville, KY Well a representative knocked on my door saying that they are in my area and they have a promotion going on for their security alarms. I inviting him in to heard about it. They told me that ADT was filing bankrupt and they were affiliated with them. I was told that it was a 2year contract and they had me sign a 60 month contact. I gave them 99$ for the installation and my payments were 44.99 a month. Next thing i know Someone kicked my door in and the alarm went off but no response from the police or pinnacle. (Thank God for the dog)
Next problem they were taking money out of my account. I will call and inform them of this and they will tell me that I will be credited for next month well the next month came another withdrawl.Then we had a problem with the system we called them they were sending a tech out. I made sure i asked how much this was going to cost before i agreed they told me that my homeowners was to covered it. Ok for them to come, the tech called to verify that it was going through the homeowners insurance they told the tech the same thing. A week later they went in our account and took out the money without authorization. The bank stopped it due to the fact they knew how much they were to take and it put a red flag on my account. We agreed to pay the amount owe. We made sure that if we pay this amount that we will keep our services.
A week later they turned off the monitoring and told us that we had to pay the remaining balance.We told them they their rep told us they we can pay our monitoring fees in payment and we agreed to that. All of a sudden they told us we cant and send it to their attorney. We were sent 3 different amount s to pat in full.Every month it went up and up.$1800 to $2400 to $2700.I need help they are a rip off and they need to be shut down.I was told a 2 year and now they are trying to get me to pay for 5 years.
Shantale of rochester, NY My grandparents are in their late 80's & live in a mobile home park. Although they are still very sane my grandmother cannot walk any longer and my grandfather takes care of her 24/7. Unfortunaley in July 2009 my grandfather was approched by 3 Pinnacle Salesmen. They explained that they were installing "FREE" alarm systems. The only charge would be a $400 installation fee. They made the system sound compatible to my grandmothers needs since she is no longer able to walk. They provided her with this "GREAT NECKLACE" that she could wear when my grandfather was away at the grocery store etc...The salesmen explained that if she was to fall or there was an emergency she could push the button on the necklace & the police would be there in no time. This sounded great for my grandparents. The salesmen also explained there would be no additional fees with the exception of the $400 "INSTALATION FEE" & maybe a small fee if the police needed to respond to their residence.
4 months later my grandmother explained to me that there was a fee of $50 being taken from her checking account every month and she didn't know why. I looked over her bank statements & explained that Pinnacle Security was taking out the fee monthly. My grandparents told me that they never agreed to having any money taken from their bank account & with technology these days my grandmother didn't understand the situation. She put a stop pmt. on the account & Pinnacle Security was after them not long after. I called the company & I was told I needed to write a letter of cancelation. My mother & I did this & faxed it in. Nobody responded but the company began calling my grandparents on a daily basis, several times a day & this frustrated my grandmother very much that is losing sleep over the matter. They have great credit and are afraid to let that go down the drain regardless of their age.
They have worked hard to get where they are today. After a few weeks passed I called Pinnacle Security & spoke with Ella to ask if our letter was reviewed. She stated that the letter was taken into consideration but they would not be able to waive the cancelation fee. I asked why and she didn't have a great explanation except that my grandparents signed a contract. So I got some information off of the internet regarding complaints and what not & called the company back. The lady told me I could take whatever action I want to take but that she was not canceling the account without the cancelation fee. I'm disgusted that my grandparents were taken advantage of because of their age & my grandmothers disabilities. I am upset that the company PINNACLE SECURITY would not in any way work with us on this. We aren't asking for the system for free. We are asking them to come and get their system with no penalties.
Courtney of West Jordan, UT
a salesperson showed up at my door and said my neighbors were robbed as well as the house across the street and was informed that the whole neighbourhood was installing alarm systems, i was scared into purchasing the system, a few days went by and i asked around and nobody said they were robbed at any time,
i tried to cancel but they pretty much told me too bad cuz u signed a three year contract, i had the unit uplugged 2 days after installation, thay have my credit card on file and never attemted to take a payment out for three months, now they are sending me to collections and have told me i have to re-instate my account and pay them over 400.00,
i have a witness to the lies i was told in my household. i need help. they told me there is nobody i can speak with because i signed a contract
kyle of grande prairie, AB On August 25, 2009 at approximately 630PM a salesman for Pinnacle Security came to my home. Mr. Brandon R., the salesman, approached me offering a new security system free of charge in exchange for the signing of a 39 month contract at $39.99 a month. My contract number is 45302298 and the contract says "Promo Pre Installation Equipment". It shows 2-way service with a Simon XT Panel. The installer utilized my old ADT sensors and added 4 new door alarms tying the new equipment in with the old ADT equipment. I was told by Mr. R. that monthly deductions from my checking account would be made at $39.99 month. No mention of cancellation penalties, or fees was mentioned other than that I had 3 business days to cancel the contract from the date of purchase.
As a senior with macular degeneration Mr. R. did not explain nor read the contract to me. In fact he only required me to sign in two places. He did not explain the cancellation policy, how to work the equipment or how to cancel this contract. Later the same date, at approximately 8PM a Jacob S. came to install the system. As I had previous service with ADT Security, the technician added only 4 door sensors and tied the remainder of the system into my existing ADT equipment. They also provide me with a key fab for the new system.
Problem dates: Initial problems started early in the contract with repeated calls to my home phone by an automated services stating, "batteries low". Upon continued checking I was unable to locate batteries and on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 I finally, in frustration, called both Pinnacle and my sales rep Mr. R.. Neither the firm nor the sales man could resolve my issues and in fact I was told by the Pinnacle Technical rep that she could not help me. I at this time attempted to cancel my contract with the technical representative. She told me I must call the corporate 800 number to cancel my contract. No other information regarding payment in full for the term of the cancelled contract was mentioned.
Between September 16, 2009 and November 30, 2009 I continued to receive telephone alerts at my home stating batteries were low, please check. Neither my sister nor me were able to locate batteries in the equipment. Additionally one of the sensors is at ceiling height and I am unable at 79 years of age to climb a ladder to check these fixtures. Continued calls to Pinnacle's technical team went unresolved as their staff was unable to instruct me how to find which batteries were low, no zone information was offered at this time nor during any calls to the company.
Prior to leaving for Colorado on an extended vacation I called Pinnacle's Home office to cancel my contract and got a closed for holiday message. My house sitter has called on a daily basis to tell me that I have messages on my home answering machine that batteries are low. I have never been contacted at my cell phone which Mr. R. insisted I provide.
Today, December 29, 2009, when my daughter called and attempted to cancel the service she was told to find page A item 9 of the 3 page contract and told I would be charged $1949.61 if I cancel. She explained that I am a senior and unable to read such small print and that the sales man never instructed me on the terms of the contract.
No other information was given, nor assistance provided, only that I would need to send Pinnacle a fax to cancel and have my checking account immediately charged.
I find their business shady and unethical and as a senior I feel duped into buying a system which does not work, continually causes me problems and now I am left without any recourse but to pay for services I am not receiving. I am unsure my system works as the battery issue has never ben resolved. Economically I have been damaged as I am paying for a service and am not sure it works. Unable to cancel contract without paying for a 39 month service contract.
Marian of Rockford, IL
May 2009 Pinnacle Security Installed a security system in my home. I have doubt about the systems working after it was installed. I had several alarm triggers and no response. I never received a call when my alarm went off. I called several time to inquiry and was assured that it was working. I myself have triggered the alarm just to see if I would get a response. No reponse and service man came to my home to work on the cell unit for my alarm. The same day of service I received a call from Montronic stating it was receiving signals and it was not working properly.
I called Pinnacle and was told this is not true. It was true. This alarm is not registered with Pinnacle Security Sytems On Friday December 4, 2009 I heard rapids beeping from my panel and their was 103 fault code. I called Pinnacle and was told that my Alarm System was not registed. I was very upset. I am 56 years old and working. I leave my home to go and come when I need to. I was without a working system until December 8, 2009. A Family member stayed with me for a couple of days. I was not informed that the systems was back online until I triggered the alarm.
A repairman was sent to my home on December 5, 2009 and could not make the necessary repairs because the Amin. Office was closed. This is a nightmare. Today is December 11, 2009 and I am awaken by a rapid sound of beeps. Again i have a 103 fault and call Pinnacle again there is nothing that can be done. I can't understand why this is a on going problem I have never missed a payment. Fear is not the word. I am so afraid I cannot sleep.
I cannot get another alarm company to come in and install a working alarm because I am under Contract with Pinnacle. I need to protect my home and myself when I am home and away from. I was home when I almost encountered a home invasion. I need to know I have this security. I have never lived here with out a Security Systems. I spent my Vacation in my home because I was afraid to leave on. December 5, 2009 my vacation started. This is a vacation from hell. Pinnacle Security has held me hostage and I still don"t have a working alarm. I am stressed to the test.
Rosalind of Dolton, IL I used to work for them and saw all the deceptive things they do. They try to break your security system in order to show you how bad it doesn't work, will fraud paperwork in order to get the sale, they lie about a product and right before you get it they say that your home can't handle the new version so they put an old one in, they often share your personal information with neighbors in order to get them to sign, they do so much more.
Mark of Houston, TX
In May of 2009, two gentlemen came to the door and told me about pinnacle security. "you could help us advertise because you are right on the corner" is what they told me. They told me about the cancellation policy, but never told me that I had to pay the remainder of the 39 month contract which they told me was only a 36 month.
After about a month of not using it, I called to cancel. I have been round and round with them about canceling. There were some other things that they were not straight with me on either from the beginning. The whole thing is just a scam. "Advertising" I'm sure. I called to cancel because the $50 a month was not working out for us. When you have to decide between food for your kids or the security system, you know which one comes first. I will keep fighting until its resolved.
Also, they sent me another contract and highlighted the areas to sign. I took offense to this. To me it came off as" well you didn't know where to sign the first time, so we will mark it for you". So offensive. All I want is to end the contract. Period. No paying the remainder. Just terminate it and be done.
Amy of Cedar Rapids, IA
On July 13th Michaeal Consada from Pinnacle came to the door asking if he could put a Pinnacle Security sign in my yard. He came into the house to look at the back door and proceeded to sign me up for security service. His installers were sitting at the corner and immediately installed some equipment. On July 5th I faxed the notice of cancellation to Pinnacle and did not hear from them until Thursday July 24th a girl from Pinnalce called and tried to talk me out of cancellation by lowering the price. I said no I want to cancel and she said she will call back for a date and time to arrange for a date and time to pick up the products.
On July 31st I called Pinnacle and asked when they were going to credit my Visa acct for the charges. She said she put the credit through. Pinnacle never called to pick up the product. The 20 days stated on the cancellation form ended on August 6th (all this happened in 2009) On August 9th I returned to Bakersfield, CA and as of this day they still havent called to pick up the product. Now they call on a regular basis to take out the product and I tell them the 20 days has past. The sent a registered letter and as far as the cancellation form states and I am concerned the agreement is cancelled and over. On August 18th they stated that there was a time arranged for pick up that is not true. I would not of arranged that time my daughter was at work. My son--in-law happened to be at the house and no one showed up. The uninstaller called and he was in Cleveland at least an hour away.
Barbara of Warren, OH On 8/17/2009, the sales person (Landon) led us to believe that we would be getting an up dated and better alarm security system with the best technical and customer service available. It was all a scam. The technical installation person was rigth around the corner to come and install their "state of the art" pad over our current system. Several issues were observed during the struggle during the installation of the new system which was completed only the next day (8/18/2009). Sensors were installed outside of the door - against Company policy - as described later by Steven - the technician that showed up in our residence at 11:00 pm on 8/29. On Friday 8/28 the new alarm system displayed a "low battery" message with faulty sensors and I could not turn the alarm system on. I tried to call Pinnacle customer service and technical support and was unable to speak with anyone.
I spoke with a dispatcher and was told that a "Technical Person" should be able to help me. Called the next morning and spoke with someone in the technical department that was arrogant and condescending. Did not fix the problem and never returned my call to let me know the status of a technical visit to my residence. I called back by the end of the day (4:00 pm EST, 2:00 pm MT) and was told that the technician in the area was busy with other installations and will come on Monday when he had "time available". I demanded a visit and stated that the option offered was unacceptable. The technician called my home and told me that he would come on Monday. I once again demanded his visit and he showed up at 11:00 pm. I called the local authorities to make sure that a police officer would be in my house to witness the work to be done and filed a incident/consumer report. After reviewing many horrible reviews on this Company, my wife and I asked to remove the defective equipment and the signs from our front and side yard, reconnect the old and workable alarm pad and leave our property. The reconnection was not done properly!
Dr. of Collingswood, NJ
pinnacle gives 3 days to cancel service by mailing a letter in. my letter was lost in the mail and pinnacle will not let me cancel without it
on 05/09/09 i got a knock on my door by two high pressure sales men who convinced me and my husband to get a security system which they would install for free if i put a sign up in my yard for advertisment purposes. at the time i asked the sales man if there was a cancellation fee as he indicated that they would ask i keep the sign up for 39 months. the sales man said there was no cancellation fee so i agreed to sign up for it that night because they stated they would not be able to give me the promotion if i waited a day. then they had me speak with a representative on the phone to confirm all of my information to whom i again asked about the cancellation fee and he would not give me a straight answer saying i would have to speak with the cancellations department for that info.
after the third time of me asking the gentleman said that i had 3 days to cancel and to just call them to do so. if i did not cancel i would have to pay for the remainder of the contract. since they had already gotten the technician drilling holes in my wall i again agreed to this knowing i could call back and cancel. the very next day my husband scott latham called saying we wanted to cancel and they told him he must mail in the mail by the third day so my husband signed the paper and mailed it in that same day. they at no point told my husband and no point on the paper (which i sent in so cannot read again)did i see any statements saying that we should send it with a delivery confirmed or could fax it in.
we had not received any thing in almost three weeks so again my husband called them to see what was going on and they stated they had not recieved the letter and could not cancel until they had. so my husband called the post office and they are looking for the letter but after a week and a half they had still not heard anything back from the post office so i called pinnacle again and they stated to me that that is why they tell us to send it with delivery confirmation or fax which they never told my husband and that unless they recieve the letter they will not be able to cancel it.
i asked if they had another option because i know things get lost in the mail all the time and they stated no they will only allow me to cancel if they do not receive the letter so now here i am ... a lost letter that i cannot prove and oweing money for a service i do not want and attempted to cancel within the requested time frame. i wrote the better business bureau and the response from the company was that although they do have documentation in my account that i wanted to cancel they still will not do so without the letter and proof it was sent within the three days. so here i am still stuck with a service i do not want so i will have to cancel payments through my bank and have it put on my credit which is good credit because i have never had a problem like this before
Emily of caldwell, ID They lied and stole $99.00 on 5-19-09 and $53.49 on 5-20-09. without permission. the first monthly payment was not due until 6-13-09 in the amount of $53.49. I was charge a fee of $99.00 for nothing. Tehy will not cancel or refund my money. I'm out of a $152.49. And I want my money back.
Santa of Trenton, NJ they lied about waving fees. they were too refund $99.00 on 5-20-09, instead withdrawn from my acct $53.49. the monthly fee which was not due until 6-13-09.
Santa of Trenton, NJ A represenative from Pinnacle Security came to our property and attempted to tell us how he would like to give a security system as a promotion. We let him into our home and he continued talking. His promotion seemed to be a great offer. All we had to pay was 39.99 a month for the monitoring. He asked for some of our information to see if we qualified and the next thing we new he signed us up and guys were entering the home to set it up. the representative did not give any information how how it would be installed. Before we finished with the representative 3 other guys entered the home and started drilling holes in the doors, windows and cutting into wall to put in the system.
The next day I called Pinnacle for some unanswered questions. That is when I was told I signed up for a 3 year contract and I immediately faxed in the cancellation contract. I had 3 days to cancell for a full refund. I called the next day to make sure it was confirmed they received the fax. Pinnacle confirmed. I asked is there anything else I needed to do. Pinnacle represenative said NO. Pinnacle stated somebody would come in to pull the system. It states in the contract if Pinnacle does not come within 20 day, wecan do with what we want with the system. about 1 month later I received phone calls from pinnacle asking how was the installation and service. Each time I told them I canceled the service and I was not happy with the installation and nobody picked up the system. Each time the representative stated I am sorry Good bye.
2 months after the cancellation I received a credit card bill with the installation deducted along with 2 months on service. I called Pinnacle immediately. They said they had no record I had cancelled and no phone log stating I had called. I immediately gave them proof from my fax log showing that I faxed them and on what day. Now they say they will not refund me without coming in to pull the system first. But because I have proof that I faxed the cancellation in they will honor my cancellation. I beleive there intentions were to scam me. And I believe there is other people being taking advantage.
Jim of Madera, CA I installed a new alarm system on June 24, 2007. After installation (the day after) I realized that my jewelety was missing. I have searched high and low for the missing jewlry and have been unable to find the. This company has been nothing but grief to me. I was promised with execllent service at yet have not seen it. I have called a million times to speak with a supervisor regarding this matter. After one week of leaving messages finally spoke with one and explained what had happened. I have also called to obtain a formal certificate for the insurance company on 7/11/07 because the one I was given the insurance company does not except. I was told it would be faxed to me. The fax never came in.
I have requested three (3) times that a technician contact me because I wish to put a siren on the exterior of the house. I yet have not heard from anyone. I have also been overbilled. I was also given a login in user ID and Passwaord to monitor my avccount online. That login information that was provided to me doesn't work. They say when the technician comes out he will give me a new login information. This is besided the fact that everytime you call them you get put on hold for a minimum of thirty minutes. After holding for so long you still don't accomplish anything with them. I contacted them because I want to voud this contract and they say I cannot do so. I need to cancel in writing and pay the remaining three years. I refuse to pay them as I cannot rely and trust this company.
The y have caused me nothing but aggravation since day one and I refuse to deal the next three years with them.
The estimated amount of jewlry that was taken from my home was $10,000.00 which I know I will never see again.
Maria of Hialeah, FL on May 22,2007 a Pinnacle Security rep came to my home offering service. At first I told him no because the activation fee was 99.00 but he told me he could break the fee up over four month and I agreed plus I got an up graded pacakage.He asked for a bank check so the payment will be autobilled and what date to start payment I told him the 15 of each month will be fine with me. The call was recorded for qualty issurance by a third party and then the info was given including the breaking up of the activation fee and the date when autobilling will start. Pinnacle Security debited out of my account on the 1 of june $149.00 the 4 of June $48.14 and on the 15, $48.14. Because I had out stand check already resulting into 6 NSF of 29.50 each.Ihe 3 debit by Pinnacle was paid by the bank. I have been talking to Supervisor at the Customer Service Department now for 3 weeks and All I am getting is the run around, The 15 is coming up soon and Pinnacle is telling I cant cancel my contract with them without paying the total amount of the contract owed. but I am stuck repaying the nsf and the checks amount back to the bank.
Chinikue of Florida City, FL
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Brad
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11:32 AM
avengador1 Member
Posts: 35468 From: Orlando, Florida Registered: Oct 2001
Pinnacle is just an home security equipment provider. They contract with ADT for the monitoring service.
People feel like they are scammed, but really it's because they don't read the contracts they are signing.
Read before you sign folks. I do it all the time and I have rejected things based on what I read.
Reason i said what i did is that i vaguely remember seeing a commercial on TV a year or so ago that was something like 'now pinnacle', or 'used to be ADT'. Since my home security consists of neighbors and dogs in the house, i didn't pay that much attention at the time..
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11:47 AM
Tony Kania Member
Posts: 20794 From: The Inland Northwest Registered: Dec 2008
Pinnacle is just an home security equipment provider. They contract with ADT for the monitoring service.
People feel like they are scammed, but really it's because they don't read the contracts they are signing.
Read before you sign folks. I do it all the time and I have rejected things based on what I read.
Sry, but so off on this one.
This one involved the stealing of my, and my neighbors money form accounts. This company is grasping at strings, and we were the victims of this. I am merely warning you to really check up on anyone that you are talking to.
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12:01 PM
Tony Kania Member
Posts: 20794 From: The Inland Northwest Registered: Dec 2008
Reason i said what i did is that i vaguely remember seeing a commercial on TV a year or so ago that was something like 'now pinnacle', or 'used to be ADT'. Since my home security consists of neighbors and dogs in the house, i didn't pay that much attention at the time..
ADT is still ADT... Deal directly with the company if you need their services, or just get a Rottweiler or German Shepard...
