The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- Update: Wednesday June 8 

Missouri's Attorney General Chris Koster says the three companies that provide satellite and cable TV to the Joplin area will not charge tornado victims for service they cannot receive and additionally will help them make the transition to getting new service once they are settled in a new home.

In a news release out Wednesday, Koster says,"Cable One, DirecTV, and Dish Network will not charge fees for service cancellation for homes that were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable, will not charge fees for service calls to restore service, and will not charge fees to replace damaged or destroyed equipment.  All three companies will also allow a hold to be placed on an account."

 Cable One will additionally provide a one-week credit to all subscribers in the Joplin area, regardless of whether their home was damaged.  Dish Network has further agreed to connect service to temporary housing and reconnect to a permanent residence once it is available at no fee.

Koster says paying for TV service they can't receive or returning equipment they can't find are the last things tornado victims should have to be worried about at this time.

Here's is the full news release.  

Original story:

Dozens of concerned mid-Missourians have called KRCG News asking about satellite TV service provider DIRECTV treatment of those affected by the tornado in Joplin.

Many report reading on Facebook and Twitter about DIRECTV customers in Joplin being charged outrageous fees to replace equipment and break service contracts.

Here are some of the comments from KRCG's Facebook page:

“Can u see if there is any truth to Direct Tv charging customers in Joplin 500 dollars for not returning equipment when it's been destroyed by one of the worst tornadoes in history and charging them early term fees!!!! Talk about kicking ya when your down!!! I think the AG needs to step in if this is going on!!!” asked one Facebook user.

“My daughter posted on Facebook that they are trying to make the people to either send the box back or pay $500. to cancel them,” wrote another.

KRCG contacted DIRECTV, a representative says the stories online about the company not working with tornado victims are not true.

“We express sincere sympathy to those affected,” Sr. Public Relations Manager Jade-lin Ekstedt said.

Ekstedt went on to say that the company is working with affected customers to waive any fees associated with broken equipment or cancellation of contracts.

When asked how the rumors got started, Ekstedt said she couldn't say exactly and didn't want to “misspeak on how it began”.

The company has also tried to dispel the rumor through social media.

“This is a false rumor. We're helping all tornado victims and encourage anyone affected to call in,” DIRECTV wrote on its Twitter feed.

Here is the company's statement:

We would first like to express our sincerest sympathy to the people of Joplin who lost loved ones and homes in the terrible storms that hit the state last month. We are currently working with customers affected by the tragedy to determine a solution that best fits their need. The following options are available to these customers:

Account cancellation - If service cannot be restored at the customer’s home due to the damage from the storm, DIRECTV will cancel the account, and waive any fees associated with the inability to return equipment, along with any remaining agreement on the account.

Account suspension - For customers who are without power for an extended period, we offer to suspend their account until power and services can be restored.

No-cost service calls - If/once service can be restored at the customer’s home, we will send a technician at no-cost to ensure the dish is properly aligned and to fix any technical issues.

Equipment – For customers whose equipment was damaged in the storm, we offer to waive equipment replacement costs if they continue services with DIRECTV.

More broadly we are also providing support to all victims of the storm through the Red Cross. Customers who have been affected by the tornado should call 1-800-531-5000 so we can remedy their situation immediately.

Do you know anyone affected by theJoplin tornado who has had any positive or negative experiences with DIRECTV since the storm. Let us know by leaving a comment below.