HOUSTON – A homeowner is finally getting action after fighting for months to get AT&T to pay up for damage she says a service technician caused to her electric gate.
The tech told Charlotte Jones he had simply hopped her fence, but her surveillance cameras showed the man prying open the fence to get to the backyard.
"Sure enough, he had pulled my gate open, sprung it. He just broke into it and on top of that he lied," Jones told Channel 2.
She alerted the company and AT&T sent an investigator to review the video. Her complaint and repair estimate were sent to the claims department.
But after weeks of wrangling, she says, the claim was denied.
"We're going to deny it because you have rust on the gate," Jones said the claims representative told her.
Last week, she spent $600 to fix the gate.
Now she wants other homeowners to be aware and has a message for other service techs.
"Smile, you're on candid camera," she said.
In an emailed statement to KPRC 2, AT&T said:
"Our crews are trained to obtain proper permitting, closely follow local construction codes and work to minimize any disruption for residents, as we work to expand our local network. We take Ms. Jones' concerns seriously and are investigating the matter, and will take appropriate action. Ms. Jones will be compensated for damage to her property."
Jones confirms she received a call from the company saying her claim once denied, was now approved.
AT&T would not comment on any possible policy violations or disciplinary action against the technician.