ADT Security Services
Reviews and Complaints

To the ADT rep, are all ADT systems completely wireless? The answer is no ! Ten or so years ago they were using moose products - didn't even have wireless as an option, then ademco & dsc combination systems and yes more recently the [censor] lynx panels that still have a couple wires to run. What charges your " completely wireless" & "battery operated" system ?The sun ? Magic? Thats a false statement to say it doesn't use electrical. For the salesman the answer is - A transformer that plugs into an electrical outlet! Im not saying that a panel started a fire but at least be truthful if your going to call the guy a liar. By the way - i took out an adt lynx to install something better in a house, the transmitters were siliconed to the doors, the phone line was tapped into in the attic (no line seizure) Do you know what line seizure is ? Just curious. The a.c. wire stapled down the wall to the closest outlet, and of the two wires/holes the installer had to drill he hit /drilled thru romex (110 electrical) & instead of replacing or properly splicing in a j box, he got the bare wires barely touching, no electrical tape or wire nuts, and the best part - it was resting on a gas line. Does this seem like its safe ? I suppose im full of [censor] too. You can defend adt's sloppy & sometimes dangerous installs all you want but some of us know the truth.

This comment is complete [censor], it's low voltage nothing is catching fire in the panel, you liar go [censor] yourself

Full Disclosure: I'm a salesman for a subcontractor of ADT alarm systems.

ADT does NOT tap into your electrical lines. It's a wireless system. COMPLETELY WIRELESS; as in battery operated.

You ever see a fire start from your TV remote? No! This story is outright nonsense.

And ADT didn't call you b/c you didn't have the smoke sensor. You want us to monitor a particular facet of your home, you need the equipment. It's a modular system -- you want a smoke sensor, you pay for it. Sort of like when you buy a car. You want chrome rims for your tires, you pay for it -- it's an option. We give you the basics when you start: Contacts for doors windows/siren/keypads/keyfobs/motion sensor/ect;

You want all bells and whistles, get out your wallet.

If you knew anything about low voltage security systems you would know this is totally untrue. What would happen if you put a screwdriver into a light socet? Well that is because it is high voltage, if you touch metal to anypart of an alarm system no matter who the installing company may be not even a small spark would occur. This claim of a fire staring in the security system box is totally false and this post was probably made by a sales rep from another alarm company

I don't know what fir protection is, are you trying to protect the tree's outside your home?

Mine is worse. To cancel I was told that I had to pay 75% of the 3 year contract. Why not just tell customers they can't cancel. instead of saying for 1000 you can. Can't wait for competitors to take them out. Until then my sign in the yard has been replaced with another companies. I'm advertising for them anymore.

I have had a similar experience with ADT and was scammed into a 3 year contract by the ADT Salesperson. There is no mention of the contract on the page I was asked to sign. I realized this when I called to cancel and then found that there is a light print about the contract on back of the page. Buyer BEWARE!

This is because you took a refurbished system from a local alarm company which in turn sold your contract to ADT. I'm guessing you responded to an add that said you could get a system in your home for 99 bucks or so. You get what you pay for sir.

ADT/Absolute Security is the worst company I have ever had the displeasure of working with. It took them 4 months to get my remote panel to work properly. It took six phone calls to get a live person on the phone and then they had to call me back. Each time a requested support it took me a week to get a live person and a confirmed servive date. Now that I am moving they refused to fix the phone line that was interrupted to put the alarm in. THEY HAVE THE WORST ATITUDE and CUSTOMER SERVICE...

ASI & ADT combination is one of the worst I had ever seen. I signed a contract for 3 years and had to cancel it after 1st year I called ADT and they told as I signed up through ASI, I am supposed to cancel with them. And I called ASI and paid full penalty ($800) for the balance period. However even after a month I got two charges from ADT to my credit card to the amount of $96 total. When I called ADT they say I am supposed to cancel separately with them as well, so as I did not call them again to cancel with them (ADT) as well - they cannot refund this amount. This is just a bad business practice to rob from the customers. I hate them and would never reccommend them to any one. In fact I will try to discourage anyone who wants to go with ASI/ADT.

This has to do with Absolute Security Inc in Fredericksburg, VA. I had a pretty good experience with the technician. However, the sales people and customer service are not that great. The sales people don't have any literature to show or give you except for competitor's info. They don't even direct you to ADT's website. They don't bring any equipment with them to show you what the panels look like. They say "oh, it''s about the size of half of an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper but when the technician shows up, it's the size of a full sheet of paper. Then they don't tell you that wires are going to show. They make you make a decision right then and there where to install the monster of a panel. I tried calling them and asking them to move the panel as it was much larger than described by the sales person and to mention the fact that they said that no wires would be showing. They said it would cost me $75 for a service charge. I called ADT and asked what their service charges were and they said $25. So it looks like Absolute Security is making a nice profit by not informing people properly. When I called and asked to speak with a sales manager, it took two days for Phil to call me back after I called and left several messages. He said he would look into it and I haven't heard back in over a week. I would suggest going through ADT directly and not go through this shady company. I'm probably going to file a complaint with the better business bureau as well as get our HOA not to allow soliciation in our neighborhood.

Very typical of dealing with ADT. Lots of smoke and mirrors and NO substance.

ADT Security is a joke! And a ripoff too!
I know because I worked for them for almost 2 years as a commercial and residential service engineer in Arizona.
I designed, installed and tested technical security systems at US embassies and consulates before I retired from the USG and went to work for ADT. I am an electronic engineer and had specialized USG training in all aspects of technical security. I did military communications systems engineering for 23 years prior to working in security.
When ADT hired me, they promised 30 days of training and I got nothing! They also said I would earn $75k but it was less than half that amount. And ADT managers, who knew nothing about security, expected and demanded that service personnel do at least 7 service calls per day, regardless of the complexity of the problem. Service crews were sent out with no parts and often had to call other service personnel to see if they were nearby and had the part needed.

ADT installs alarm systems that do not work and when a burglary does happen, they tell the customer ADT is not liable since the customer did not test his alarm system monthly as they are supposed to do.
Most homeowners would not even know if their system was communicating or not with ADTs monitors (they either have a communication link over a telephone circuit or a wireless connection via a cell radio transmitter). I personally saw situations where the system was installed and not working properly and the customer had been paying for months or up to a year without knowing it.
Yet despite all the shortcomings, ADT sees fit to charge $30-40 a month for a false sense of security - it's all about profit and little to do with customer service and satisfaction.
And ADT has no installation standards, installer training, or spare parts on service trucks. I was sent to one customer’s home which was about a 1 hour ride away; when I arrived he needed a few standard 1.5 volt batteries and I had none on my truck. I had to drive to the nearest Ace hardware and buy them using my own money. At other residences, I found the heavy alarm panel mounted with only drywall screws (it was falling off the wall), exposed conductors on wires, panels installed upside down, and sensors that had been installed days ago falling off.
ADT sales reps know little about security principles and how to design a proper alarm system. They advertize the $99 special, which is OK for a studio apartment at best, and then use the bait and switch scam to get the customer to shell out $1000 or more for an “expanded” home alarm system. Sales reps are out to maximize the total sale dollar amount since they get paid on commission.
And ADT will take over any system ever installed by anyone else, as long as the customer pays the $30-40 monthly fee. Then ADT will not have trained personnel or parts to support these odd ball systems when they do fail.
Buyer beware! It is a known fact that a big guard dog is a better deterrent for burglary! And keep in mind that a critical factor for any alarm system is the time it takes for police to respond to the alarm– if you are in a remote location and it takes 30 minutes for police to get there, burglars have this much time to crash and grab.

ADT Security is a joke! And a ripoff too!
I know because I worked for them for almost 2 years as a commercial and residential service engineer in Arizona.
I designed, installed and tested technical security systems at US embassies and consulates before I retired from the USG and went to work for ADT. I am an electronic engineer and had specialized USG training in all aspects of technical security. I did military communications systems engineering for 23 years prior to working in security.
When ADT hired me, they promised 30 days of training and I got nothing! They also said I would earn $75k but it was less than half that amount. And ADT managers, who knew nothing about security, expected and demanded that service personnel do at least 7 service calls per day, regardless of the complexity of the problem. Service crews were sent out with no parts and often had to call other service personnel to see if they were nearby and had the part needed.

ADT installs alarm systems that do not work and when a burglary does happen, they tell the customer ADT is not liable since the customer did not test his alarm system monthly as they are supposed to do.
Most homeowners would not even know if their system was communicating or not with ADTs monitors (they either have a communication link over a telephone circuit or a wireless connection via a cell radio transmitter). I personally saw situations where the system was installed and not working properly and the customer had been paying for months or up to a year without knowing it.
Yet despite all the shortcomings, ADT sees fit to charge $30-40 a month for a false sense of security - it's all about profit and little to do with customer service and satisfaction.
And ADT has no installation standards, installer training, or spare parts on service trucks. I was sent to one customer’s home which was about a 1 hour ride away; when I arrived he needed a few standard 1.5 volt batteries and I had none on my truck. I had to drive to the nearest Ace hardware and buy them using my own money. At other residences, I found the heavy alarm panel mounted with only drywall screws (it was falling off the wall), exposed conductors on wires, panels installed upside down, and sensors that had been installed days ago falling off.
ADT sales reps know little about security principles and how to design a proper alarm system. They advertize the $99 special, which is OK for a studio apartment at best, and then use the bait and switch scam to get the customer to shell out $1000 or more for an “expanded” home alarm system. Sales reps are out to maximize the total sale dollar amount since they get paid on commission.
And ADT will take over any system ever installed by anyone else, as long as the customer pays the $30-40 monthly fee. Then ADT will not have trained personnel or parts to support these odd ball systems when they do fail.
Buyer beware! It is a known fact that a big guard dog is a better deterrent for burglary! And keep in mind that a critical factor for any alarm system is the time it takes for police to respond to the alarm– if you are in a remote location and it takes 30 minutes for police to get there, burglars have this much time to crash and grab.

An issue with RANDOM odd problems usually is a bad CONTROL battery, have your Alarm's Service Department replace IT.Do not use any old battery !
Try to use the same brand/type of battery if you must change it yourself...

ADT Security is a joke! And a ripoff too!
I know because I worked for them for almost 2 years as a commercial and residential service engineer in Arizona.
I designed, installed and tested technical security systems at US embassies and consulates before I retired from the USG and went to work for ADT. I am an electronic engineer and had specialized USG training in all aspects of technical security. I did military communications systems engineering for 23 years prior to working in security.
When ADT hired me, they promised 30 days of training and I got nothing! They also said I would earn $75k but it was less than half that amount. And ADT managers, who knew nothing about security, expected and demanded that service personnel do at least 7 service calls per day, regardless of the complexity of the problem. Service crews were sent out with no parts and often had to call other service personnel to see if they were nearby and had the part needed.

ADT installs alarm systems that do not work and when a burglary does happen, they tell the customer ADT is not liable since the customer did not test his alarm system monthly as they are supposed to do.
Most homeowners would not even know if their system was communicating or not with ADTs monitors (they either have a communication link over a telephone circuit or a wireless connection via a cell radio transmitter). I personally saw situations where the system was installed and not working properly and the customer had been paying for months or up to a year without knowing it.
Yet despite all the shortcomings, ADT sees fit to charge $30-40 a month for a false sense of security - it's all about profit and little to do with customer service and satisfaction.
And ADT has no installation standards, installer training, or spare parts on service trucks. I was sent to one customer’s home which was about a 1 hour ride away; when I arrived he needed a few standard 1.5 volt batteries and I had none on my truck. I had to drive to the nearest Ace hardware and buy them using my own money. At other residences, I found the heavy alarm panel mounted with only drywall screws (it was falling off the wall), exposed conductors on wires, panels installed upside down, and sensors that had been installed days ago falling off.
ADT sales reps know little about security principles and how to design a proper alarm system. They advertize the $99 special, which is OK for a studio apartment at best, and then use the bait and switch scam to get the customer to shell out $1000 or more for an “expanded” home alarm system. Sales reps are out to maximize the total sale dollar amount since they get paid on commission.
And ADT will take over any system ever installed by anyone else, as long as the customer pays the $30-40 monthly fee. Then ADT will not have trained personnel or parts to support these odd ball systems when they do fail.
Buyer beware! It is a known fact that a big guard dog is a better deterrent for burglary! And keep in mind that a critical factor for any alarm system is the time it takes for police to respond to the alarm– if you are in a remote location and it takes 30 minutes for police to get there, burglars have this much time to crash and grab.

If ANYONE ever gets an alarm, MAKE SURE they dont REUSE old equipment! That is more than likely your issue.Have the installer/repairman replace the sensor by using a NEW wired or wireless sensor!Many companies "takeover" old ratty equipment and expect a new panel to fix anything, this is WRONG!
Always ask the installer to use new equipment !

i thought i was contracting with adt when i signed on only to find out i was under contract with defender security. when my alarm goes off, i usually get no respnse from anyone. if i was a burglar i could easily steal everything before the police would arrive. i feel the service is horrible and cannot wait to be out of this contract.

I too signed on with ADT. Defender Security showed up at my door and told me they were authorize installers fo ADT. ADT told me that this was not true. ADT does their own install and they are cheaper than Defender security. I recently had a burglary and the robber busted the security system hanging on the wall. When I called Defender security they told me it would cost ME $500 to replace the system! That I should have my insurance company take care of it. I asked them to send out a technician TODAY - that never happened. I called them back to find out where the tech was and they told me a call was never placed to the service dept. I'm still waiting, my home is unprotected and my account is all confused. They then told me that I had a some kind of special "A" contract and that I could not get a service tech. ? Huh? However I am locked into a 2 year contract at $56 a month for a service that I don't even have anymore!

Did I also mention that when the alarm goes off it takes the call up to 15-20 min to be routed to my phone? I know this because I have set it off myself to see what the response time is.

Furious in Cleveland!

I also have been dealing with ADT billing. They owe me a $215 refund for double billing me for 6 months. They agree they owe the money, they promise week after week to refund my bank account. I have been callin weekly since early May. Every time I call I have to explain the whole story to an operator, then again to a supervisor, then I get promised a reefund within 4 business days. Of course the refund never shows up and I call again and the cycle starts over and over.

I had a Wells Fargo security system installed in my home in 1985. Tyco purchased Wells Fargo in 1998 and merged the company with ADT. This is to show I have had monitoring service for about 25 years of which 12 years have been with ADT.

My husband has been on disability for the past year and a half and although I have been slightly late with my payments, I have always called ADT's billing department to tell them when my payments would be expected. On 12/18/09, I was invoiced $105 which was my quarterly payment. This is the ONLY amount that was due to them.

Tonight, I received a call from the "home office" stating I owed them $60 and that they had terminated my service. No warning, no letters, no calls prior to the one this evening. I then called their 800# billing department and spoke to a manager (Lisa) who said my service was terminated because "they had made numerous calls and no one could reach me" along with the statement that letters had been sent regarding the termination. ALL LIES! Funny how the "home office" could make one phone call and reach me this evening to tell me my service was cancelled. I still do not understand how in this day and age, a major company like ADT would cancel a VERY long-time customer over a $60 bill that wasn't even 30 days late?

To that I say "GOOD RIDDANCE"! After reading the numerous online complaints about ADT that outnumber other monitoring services by 20 to 1, I can only hope homeowners do their research before signing up with a company who has zero value for their customers. I will also be asking my 3 family members who signed up (on my recommendation) with Wells Fargo back in 1985 to terminate THEIR relationship with ADT due to the unscrupulous way they do business.

On 240409 ADT's technician Andries made an upgrade at our shop in Midrand. We accepted a quote for R1751.04 but after the installation was done, the quote was changed to R2707.50. The shop manager that was working there at that stage received an Invoice, but when it was given through to our office in Centurion, the amount was changed and it was not signed as acceptance. We would like to know why has ONLY the amount been changed when nothing else did. Not the service nor the equipment. We would gladly pay R1751.04 since that was the accepted quotation. We have tried numerous times to contact ADT to find out why this has happened, but with no success. This morning was the last straw. Can someone please assist us in sorting this out? This is really pathetic of ADT and we look forward to not working with them anymore.

During May month I received lots of calls from ADT security agencies in Cape Town, they were claiming that I owe the company an amount of R1400.00, and my so-called ref: number: SER00189 and I was told I need to pay this amount with immediate effect, otherwise I will be blacklisted. I told those people that I do not have a contract with ADT security.I ask for the details of the contract, all my names and ID number was read from the contract, except the the addresses, contact details, and the bank details. I called the company on the 13th June 2017 for follow up of the matter, I was told I will be contacted soon, unfrortunately it was just empty promises. I decided to pay a visit at their Head offices in Brooklyn Pretoria on the 27th June 2017, for an investigation. I was assisted by Brenda Madulo, who promised to make an investigation, and on the 28th June 2017 called me to report that the matter has been resolved, without any explanation or apologies.
This company really owe me a lot...! I am gonna take them to task. Please help me to remove my name at the credit beareu. I orded them to complete whatever fraud they have started and clear my name, but I have lost trust in that company.Thank you. K E Serapelo. E-mail: baitsengwellness@gmail.com

I phoned ADT for a quote to update my alarm system, I got the quote WITHOUT anybody from ADT visiting my home. I am made arrangement with my office to be at home when they upgraded the alarm. I paid them before they arrived. The technician told me that he is unable to install the receiver for the remote as the system was quoted incorrectly. I phoned ADT directly after being informed of the problem. I waited an hour for somebody to phone me back. I phoned back eventually. Phumalani assured me that the quote was correct and that it can be done. He also promised me that they will some out again to fix the alarm on Saturday. I phoned this morning and they do not know about my installation. They are unwilling to help me and Phumalani is not answering my phone call. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT SECURITY COMPANY WILL BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOBS? WE PAY HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO THEM EVERY MONTH FOR WHAT!

When we moved our business to Bezuidenhout's Valley we paid ADT several thousand rand to install a brand new alarm system at our warehouse premises. In March this year we made alterations to our warehouse and moved our offices out of the warehouse. It was then discovered that ADT had just joined our passives to existing wiring on the premises - now we know why there were so many false alarms. We required ADT to install passives in our new offices but we needed feedback from management because of the very poor initial installation (pointed out to the technician who visited our premises). The technician undertook to get management to contact us. To date we have had calls from 'ladies' phoning on behalf of the technical manager. They are unable to assist and always undertake to get the manager to contact us. Despite our having called several times the manager has still not contacted us. ADT takes their money every month for our armed response but are obviously not interested in our premises being safe and secure as nothing further has happened.

We should have realised that ADT was unreliable as they did not do the installation on the date booked but we had already paid .

I have been a 15+ years' brinks security (Northern california) customer. After the "acquisition" of brinks by tyco (Broadview) and the subsequent "merger" of broadview with adt, I have had nothing but problems and sloppy service, culminating in a failure by the service tech to show up for an appointment, lying about making calls (I have automatic number identification on all phones).
In late december 2017 I had a problem with my brinks/broadview/adt home security system. I called and requested service. I was given a service window of 9-12 am. At 12 I get a call on my mobile that the tech is late and will be there about 12:15. Ok I am home. At 1:00 pm I called to find out what was the problem? I was informed the tech arrived, called both my mobile and the land phone, left message, no response. There were no calls showing up on ani on either (Except the first call that the service guy would be late). I requested they send someone else. I was advised that a tech would be out about 2 pm. At 2:45, no tech. I call and get the same "called both lines" (Of course this is a lie, no ani's or missed calls). Further, from 1:45 to 2:45 I was outside in full view of the gate with the dogs in the house.In addition to lying about making the calls, the tech claimed there were 3 dogs at the gate!

I am very uncomfortable about allowing anyone into my house, with access to my master codes and code words, who would make these false statements. I am in the process of having the systems replaced (I waited until I had a temporary system in place before making this complaint for obvious reasons).

Do not trust adt. Their service reps are lairs at best, and their customer service just does not care.

I have been an ADT client for 2 years and wanted to install beams around my house. First I had to remind the sales consultant that he didn't specify the amount of beams on the quote. The new quote came back, I signed it and emailed it back to them. No response. A day before the installation I suddenly get a call to ask when am I going to make the 50% payment!The sales consultant smsed me the banking details. I find this highly unprofessional conduct. So I requested an email with the banking details. I then paid the 50% deposit. I asked SPECIFICALLY that installation must take place after 12 in the afternoon as I had prior engagements. Yet again, no one phoned even though it was promised via email. The next day the team arrivedat 11h20 at my house! Needless to say I had to rush home. The techinical team's service was the only part that I can compliment. They were professional and installation was perfect. I made the final payment and requested ADT to confirm that it is all in order. Now it is already 5 days later...and all they can tell me is that their sales consultant is very busy! What type of business are they running? Absolutely ridiculously incompetence.

Installation of ADT alarm system was booked for the 13th of August 2017 at 09:30. Subcontractor eventually arrived at 16:30 in an unmarked vehicle that was mistaken by my neighbours as another burglary in progress.
Installation was completed by 23:30 – after at least an hour was wasted by technicians for going to buy and eating “supper”. So, after being traumatised by a burglary – I have to deal with 2 strangers in my house at this time of night, supposedly putting in an alarm.

To date there has been no quality control on this installation. I have no idea if this is working as it should or not. I have no idea if the “subcontractor” has access to my house that I’m not aware of. I don’t even know how to work the system properly!

On top of this – there is not even a sign up on my property indicating the alarm system. Now the accounts department is harassing me for the outstanding payment (less than half of original quote) and I’m expected to make an appointment with the technical department!

You can refund me my deposit and subsequent monthly charges – I will get a decent alternative and I might even return your equipment!

I have phoned ADT to complain and also e-mailed them twice, but had no response. We live in a small complex of only 5 houses. All of us are making use of ADT, when we signed with them ADT put a pad at the entrance so that they can have excess in case of any emergency. I can not tell you how many times I have been phoned, because our alarm went off, but the security can't enter because there is no pad at the gate. Every time this happened I would tell them that they are at the wrong complex, I then was told that they will resend the security guard out again. I am still waiting for the return of the security guard. This also happened to our nabours, she got phoned 10h00 the morning, but the security guard didn't have the pad number, she requested to be phoned back, after she again gave the number to ADT, even if all was ok. Only to find there house burglared when she arrived home after 5h00. We decided to pay for security to minimise the risk of break-ins and any unwanted person walking in and harming our children especially. But I feel no safer and are looking around for other companies that can assist us in keeping our children as safe as possible.

Earlier this year we decided to get security from ADT, as our house do have a alarm cisterm, but it is not activated or connected anywhere, and not beiing used at all since we moved in a year ago. We decided to make use of ADT, as we stay in a security area where there is armed response from ADT already, and it would therefore cost us less to join them! What a mistake! One of their ladies come out and arranged for us to join, and we paid the necessary over to ADT, as well as for two new handsets. We were told the alarm will be activated as soon as we give them the pin code of the existing system. The previous owner, however now apparently have forgotten what it was. We thus phoned ADT to find out what can be done for us as we now have a alarm system that cannot be activated (according to ADT, due to not knowing the pin code) They suggested that we stop the monthly payments untill they came back with advice. We phoned the number given to us to stop the debit order for the monthly alarm system payments, and was told it is immediately stopped, this however just fall on DEAF ears as payments are still just goiing through every month without that we are activated! Numerous phone calls, and even an e-mail had no response. The only thing actually happening after some complaints, is that we, for 5 or 6 days thereafter, receive a note in the post box that our property was visited by ADT - at approximately 23:00 - but after this few days we do not hear anything from them again, until the next complaint regarding NOT ACTIVATED, then only notes in the post box for another 5 - 6 days! Last week Friday I put a note on their webside and was told that response will follow within 24 hours (except weekends) it is now Wednesday and still no response! Please help!

I am 91 years old and had the heart monitor system attached to the adt system for 3 hours, it never did work. I called to have it removed, I have had the security monitoring system for 10 years, never did know if it really works, however i pay each month. The heart monitoring system is a failed system and no one have come to pick the unit up, now they are billing me for $250.00 I feel that this is fraud, i have placed many calls. but no one has returned my calls, how can i get help and who do I write too, as i am a heart patient. thank you. Jennie

I did not get a free system, I was charged a LOT for it. I moved out of my home, and they will not release me from my contract, NOR will they move it to my new home! Instead, I am expected to purchase a NEW system AND sign another 3-year contract. Lousy scoundrels for sure.

I recently called adt @ the 35 month mark to let them know I did not want to renew my contract. I was offered $19.99 and only committed to 12 months. 01-07-11

I work as a salesman for a subcontractor of ADT -- I read these pages to better myself as a salesperson -- and for the laughs!

You get FREE EQUIPMENT & activation. What planet do you live on, where you think we can afford to pay for your equipment, and the installer's time (100 bucks), and we can just let you go after 2 months?

If you ask the salesperson we will be pretty up front about it. We have nothing to hide, believe me. You could read the contract too...didn't you find it odd you had to sign a contract if it was month to month?

And for everyone out there reading this: No salesperson or ADT rep will give you a 19.99 monthly term (with or without contract). This is a lie -- It never happened, this person is on crack. I don't care how long you ask, we don't offer it. 23.99 is the minimum -- but only if you are in the armed forces and you pay automatically. (+$2 for paper bill, or +$1 for CC) It's about 35.99 or so for everybody else (with the exception of AARP members who get a discount of 10%)

I'm sorry if I sound rude, but it's 6:00AM and I'm going to spend a couple hours on sunday morning here, reading this nonsense... X-D

ADT is ripping us off in a similar way. we bought a 13 yr old house and since there was ADT system already installed, we had it re-activated. We were never told there was any contract on re-activation for such an old system and I was not careful enough to read all the fine print. Now the system is broke and non-functional since 3 months and we have a monitoring service which includes servicing and yet they said they cannot fix it or replace it. We are being billed $42 every month (the bill rised from $38 when we first got the service) for no service what so ever and I have been trying to have them cancel our contract since past 3 months.
Tricking someone into a contract when we didn't even buy the equipment and not informing us that the system was Sooooooo old is nothing but unfair and shame on ADT for doing this.

If you dont READ a contract, shame on you !
How is it a company's fault?
You dont buy a house or car without reading a contract do you?

I have had a similar experience with ADT and was scammed into a 3 year contract by the ADT Salesperson. There is no mention of the contract on the page I was asked to sign. I realized this when I called to cancel and then found that there is a light print about the contract on back of the page. Buyer BEWARE!

Well my advice for all signing paperwork for services to be rendered by any security company is to read the terms of the agreement before signing. All companies require some form of contractual term of service. The industry standard is 3 years.

I can understand your frustration with the company because of the sales persons mis-representaion, however neither of you did your due diligence by reviewing the paperwork before signing. ADT does provide a Presidential dispute process where by you can file your dispute and it will go directly to the President of the company. Just call the 800 ADT ASAP number and after going through the residential promps, tell the customer service agent you wish to file a Presidential dispute. JLI did you also sign the installation paperwork that stated your installation was to your satisfaction and that your monitoring service was now active?

So JLI, I would assume you filed your claim with PG&E and got reimbursed, right? The homes value was increased with the alarm system and you qualified for a relocation credit after 6 months as well, right? If you had included the remaining monitoring fees in the sale of the home, you would have automatically met your contractual obligations, and for a period provided the new owners with monitored security as well as qualified to have a new basic system installed in another home absolutely free.

ALL alarm companies have contract termination fees, If your experience with an individual rep has led you to believe he has been less that forthright in your dealings, I recommend you escalate your complaint to the highest level. Most large companies value their customer base and will bend over backwards to provide an exceptional customer service experience. ADT didn't become the oldest, largest and most successful provider of security products and services by adhering to and implementing policies and procedures that dis-service the customer.

Similar situation I'm in.. I had a surge from PG&E go thru my aunt's home that I was living in and fried every electronic appliance... Including the ADT alarm system.. Keep in mind we've had the service for years and never once turned this system on.. So, finally I called them to get a quotation for a new system so that I can claim PG&E.. They guy told me the system would be $518.. and give me a "quotation", which I stupidly signed, never read the back where it states that it was a 2 year contract.. I was also informed that service won't be activated until after the system is installed and I call in to activate the service.. After they installed the system and was charged the $518. I just never ever heard anything never saw a bill and just assumed I haven't had service.. 7 months later, new tennants who bought the house 4 months ago inform me that the system is still under my name and that I need to call in to cancel it.. I called and I have spoken to 5 different representatives.. the last was a manager that informed me, this is a business we can't waive the $450 termination fee since u signed the contract.. I was sooooo inflamed and mad.. Finally I got a hold of the contract from the real estate agent and sure enough, nothing was stated on the front portion, but all the fine print filling up a full page about a 2 year contract and how there would be this $450 termination fee if I cancel within the first year.. I'm sooooooooo SHOCKED at this situation.. The new tenants don't even want service from them and I'm sure every person that reads this or I tell will never ever deal with such a horrible company.. Also, the "contract" says that they are suppose to send me a bill quarterly and not auto charge my credit card.. They did charge my credit card the first month, and just recently.. which I have yet to see.. To top it all off, they first told me that the person had inputted my contract wrong and placed me as a 5 year contract.. I cannot believe anyone would sign up for a 5 year contract with these people!

Their $1000 alarm system costs them less than $99 from Chinese manufactures. That is why the sell it to YOU for $99 because they are not losing any money on it yet they claim they gave you a system valued at $1000! What BS!.

Full Disclosure: I'm a salesman for a subcontractor of ADT alarm systems.

Our installers/technicians come out in 1-2 hour time windows. you do NOT need to take entire day off. they are paid pretty well, so we make sure to verify you are home before sending them out. Answer your phone when ADT calls, so we know that it's ok to send out our service techs.

Sorry about the contract issues...maybe next time just BUY the equipment if you hate contracts that much. We can't afford to give you $1000 worth of stuff and just let you walk away after 2 months...bad business model.

ADT here in Douglas County, GA is HORRIBLE. Avoid them!. Our instaler was so bad that the system appeared to work fine but we had no signal going to the ADT monitoring station for months. We received no credit. Now, we have the system not working correctly again. The service tech was supposed to be here yesterday but no-showed. A day of pay is lost when one takes the day off to await ADT. They rescheduled for today and it isn't looking so good. ADT refused to give us any real credit. They offered to credit the last few days of down time at a buck a day. They are nasty to deal with and like to remind you that you are stuck in a contract with them until 2011...

Did you write down when you called them and time and who you spoke too?
That would be info you wanted to keep and tell them back, ask them to come and pick it up like they said they would.

I just found out that I have not been connected to ADT monitoring for over a year. Thank God we did not have to need them. I changed my phone service from land line to voice over IP (carrier is compatible with ADT) in March2008. Immediately after that I got a call from ADT saying they lost us so we had to ask Comcast to rewire so that ADT could be connected. We tested after and it worked. Last Saturday out of curiosity I disconnected the wall unit to see if ADT would detect the disconnection but never got a call from ADT. After I called them I found out that they have stopped monitoring for connectivity for customers who do not have the fire protection. She saud that because of the number of customers they have they have to limit this type of monitoring to that group. She said that it was our responsibility to test the system once a month. A successful test once a month is not enough assurance that you will get the help when you need it. What if the connections fails between the time you tested it and the time you needed the help? You have to test your system practically every minute to get that assurance. What is the point in paying ADT every month ifyou do not have the assurance that ADT will be available when you need them? I am furious that I had to pay them for 15 months for a false sense of security! I cancelled immediately and became even more angry when they told me that the disconnection was to take effect a month from now to which I told them that they should pay me back since March2008.