Home Security Reviews California

California (State-Wide) Home Security Providers:

Home Alert (ADT Dealer)

Recent Review For Home Alert:
This is the worst company I've ever seen. They have no clue to what is going on in thier own office. My complaint may seem small, but they can't seem to get it right. I received a mailer in my mailbox advertising an ADT system. I don't want it, so I called to be removed from the mailing list. All seemed good at first. Well sure enough I received another one, so I called back. This time I was told to call the corporate office. Which I did and they told me no problem we'll get you removed. Well almost a month to the day later I get another one. So now I call the corporate office again. They now tell me I need to call the number on the mailer (Just a month ago I was told to do the opposite). So now I've called both the mailing office and the corporate offices. The best they can tell me is oh we're sorry it will take 2 weeks. Well it's been 4 weeks since the last time they told me this and 8 weeks from the first time I called and I'm still getting thier trash in my mailbox. Am I supposed to consider doing business with a company that can't even take someone off their mailing list?. If this is any sign of how they do business, I'd hate to have to rely on this company when the lives of my family were in danger of fire or home invasion. This company thinks they can keep me safe when they can't even control their own mail.

Aptos Home Security Providers:

First Alarm

Recent Review For First Alarm:
I wanted to cancel our service. I found out that it was automatically renewed until 2010. I was astounded that they could do that contractually. Talk about reading the small print. It is unethical and should not be allowed. They should have to verbally explain that to customers and make them sign a disclaimer to that effect. It needs changing. It is wrong, wrong. Carol in Petaluma

Irvine Home Security Providers:

Smart System Technologies Inc (SST)

Recent Review For Smart System Technologies:
(Added Dec 11/09) (Updated Dec 12/09) We have had nothing but problems with the SST security system. We are about to have our 3rd alarm system CPU (computer/brain) replaced next week because of the huge number of false alarms we have had. It alarmed even when not set. It often alarms in the middle of the night, or when we are gone, despite no tampering of doors or windows. The alarm system has good features and is easy to use, but the false alarms are costing us money, $85 per alarm. We have only had it for two months and have had false alarms weekly, on average. The last time we had one at 4am, we thought was real because we just had a brand new CPU installed. I found a window that wasn't unlatched, but the sensor thought it was open, but we have no confidence at all in this system, it isn't the first time it has gone off in the middle of the night while all of the windows and doors are still shut tight! The tech came out several times previously, clueless, and didn't even think to replace the brains of the unit, just more magnets and sensors. This is incompetence, and have found that the police don't respond quickly to these small companies because of the lack of reliability and significant false alarms. I need to figure out how to get out of my current contract, we do not feel safe in our home, and never know if an alarm is a real one.
Update:
An update on our situation is that I sent them a long e-mail and received a phone call offering full cooperation. They agreed there was no excuse for the problem we have had, and how their people have handled the many, many complaints without resolution. Since they offered, we are going to have one of their managers come out personally, to install a brand new system, end to end. If this does not work, we will be able to cancel our contract without penalty. The manager who called, so far, is the only reason I am allowing them to try and continue to provide our monitoring.

Los Angeles Home Security Providers:

Brink's Security (Now Broadview) West Los Angeles

Recent Review For Brink's West Los Angeles:
The installation took over 12 hours due to the wrong equipment being specified...and that was not a complete install - they didn't order the security screens before the install date so I had to wait 2 weeks and those were the wrong size, so that took 2 weeks. Now a year later the batteries failed on one motion sensor. They said there were no appointments available for over two weeks out of the Sherman Oaks/West LA branches. So why do we pay for maintenance if they are not staffed to service the systems? Now the man is here to change a low battery and he has been her an hour and 20 minutes and is still not done. He needs to check the zones but when they installed the system they noted a zone that was never installed so I have no idea if he is going to finish today - Are there any good alarm companies / good alarm maintenance programs out there?

Extreme Security Systems

Recent Review For Extreme Security Systems:
I want to report this company for misleading customers like me while falsely promising a IPOD Mp4 upon installing their home security system from ADT. Extreme Security Systems is an ADT dealer based in Los Angeles CA. Upon reading their promotional brochure which I recvd in my mailbox they had stated that I would get a free cruise to Mexico and another travel package + free IPOD mp4 player upon completing the order with them. Even after 2 months of the order being completed they didn't bother to update me about where the IPOD that was promised to me is? Even for the vacation packages I had to get behind them and they finally sent me the coupon for that when i called them two months back they said its out of stock and they will get in touch as soon its back (their sales person said that usually within 15 days of order being completed a customer will recv all the cruise certificates and Ipod mp4). Usually when one installs a home security system they get a yard sign (solar) as most other dealers were giving but these people didn't bother to give that and only after I got behind them they sent a normal yard sign. The lady at the reception said I'm in queue for ipod, and there are 100 people in front of me. My point was can't you be transparent in your promises that expected time for ipod may be 2 3 or 4 months instead of misleading people? She said we are not refusing, that we will send you the ipod. I said well you can take even 2 years and say we will deliver it. I mean, how difficult is it to get 100 ipods and distribute them to your customers who are waiting since 2 or more months? Thank you and I hope I'm helpful in making this point across to other customers as well.

Moraga Home Security Providers:

Global Security Systems

Recent Review For Global Security Systems:
Global Security Systems is a small dealer in the Northern California Bay Area (Moraga, CA) which installs security equipment and provides central station monitoring services (outsourced to Grand Central Station). Due to their unethical behavior I recommend that you AVOID using this company.

Norco Home Security Providers:

Ultrasafe Security Specialists

Recent Reviews For Ultrasafe Security Specialists:
(Added <Apr/08) The worst alarm company in Norco, California. You will be screwed beyond your wildest dreams. No service, no response, used equipment.

Orange Home Security Providers:

Integrity Alarms (ADT Dealer)

Recent Review For Integrity Alarms:
(Added Mar 29/10) Our home was burglarized back in January '10 and we called ADT to have an alarm installed. They contract out Integrity Alarms to do their installations and when Integrity sent out their tech the first time, the tech didn't even have all the equipment on hand to completely install the alarm (that should have been my first red flag). They scheduled another day for the remainder of the alarm to be installed. I took my 2nd afternoon off from work only to have no one show up. I called to complain and was told 'sorry' that the tech's truck broke down so we scheduled another afternoon off from work only to have no one show up again. I called again and complained only to be told how 'sorry' they were and that we should schedule another time for a tech to show up. At this point my wife stayed home to meet the tech who showed up and finished the installation.

That same evening we left the house to have the alarm go off 20 minutes later, evidently our dog triggered the alarm (our dog weighs 50 lbs and we were told that the 80 lb body mass motion sensors we had installed would prevent any false alarms such as this). I called Integrity back again to complain and they again said 'sorry', I demanded that they send out someone to fix the problem and that we would not be using the alarm until it was fixed (at this point we had used the system to it's fullest capabilities for 20 minutes mind you) they scheduled another service call for the following evening after 5pm (I explained we were not taking another morning/afternoon off from work and that they would have to send someone out in the evening). Apointment #5..... so another tech shows up, does his thing, says it should work and leaves. The next day we leave for work and guess what, the alarm goes off again... I call again... 'we're sorry' ... I demand a refund... they tell me 'let us try to schedule another appointment'... I said no, I'm sick of this.... they convice me to let them have another shot at fixing it.... we schedule, they don't show up...

I call AGAIN and demand to speak with a supervisor, I'm told that the supervisor will call me back that day after 10am (I called first thing that morning) guess what... nobody calls me back. We now have over $500 in fees from LAPD for the two false alarm calls, I finally did cancel the service which they have continued to bill us for because they need 30 days notice to cancel or some BS??? and are trying to threaten us with a $1000 cancellation fee! IF YOU LIVE IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA DO NOT USE ADT, DO NOT USE ADT, DO NOT USE ADT!!! No one at ADT has made any attempt at resolving this with Integrity Alarms with whom they contract with. I'm a general contractor and I have never heard of anything even close to being this absurd...

Pleasanton Home Security Providers:

California Home Pro (ADT Dealer)

Recent Review For California Home Pro:
(Added Apr 30/10) I got the ADT system. Mr. Keith Watson from California Homepro sold me. He told us repeatedly that we can cancel anytime without a fee. Now that called, I was told that I have a 3 year contract, with a 75% fee for the entire 3 years as the cancellation fee. I guess, I have to pay and live with the consequences of not reading my contract.

Riverside Home Security Providers:

ACS Security USA, Inc.

Recent Review For ACS Security:
I had 4 cameras installed in my Mother's home to monitor her care givers and safety by ASC Security USA, Inc., located in Riverside, California. ASC is a dealer for ADT. Immediately after installation, cameras were not functioning properly. They continued to advise me to upgrade this and upgrade that. The sound would not work, the camera's would get stuck, I was not able to take snapshots at anything. 4 cameras would show my mother in 3 of the rooms at one time. Made two appointments for someone to come out and both times, they never showed up. Their staff is no help, and the owner is worse, **** ****! I made dozens of calls to him and he would not return my calls. I faxed him letters, verified that they were received, and he would never respond. I finally filed a small claims and he did not show up to court. I won the case and he did not pay. He was then summoned to come to court by Judge's orders for information on assets, and he did not show up. There is now a bench warrant out for his arrest. Terrible products, terrible customer service, actually NO CUSTOMER SERVICE at all. All he had to do was fix the system, replace it, or give me my money back, but he chose to do nothing. Would not recommend this company to take pictures at a dog race. I kept stressing urgency of this system to work as it was my only means of monitoring my 89 year old mother's safety, and I got zero response. Soon he will be arrested and maybe he will like sitting in jail.

Alarm King (ADT Dealer)

Recent Reviews For Alarm King:
(Added June 24/10) I thought having ADT was going to be an excellent choice. Big mistake! I do not recommend anybody who owns a house or business to have ADT as alarm security provider. When I needed service they charged me $85 dollars an hour just to change a battery or to check my sensors. Ridiculuos! I've had them for 3 yrs and they automatically renewed my contract, raised the monthly fee, and their Tyco toy company equiptment caused me hundreds of dollars in false alarms. Learning from my bad experience, I then made extensive research on them. ADT as they called themselves, went bankrupt 10 yrs ago. ADT means Amercan Telegraph District not Advance Techonology Defense. On 2005, Dennis Kozlowski ex CEO of ADT, who was convicted 20 yrs pocketed in excess of $150 million dollars from TycoADT and their customers.

If you go on the Consumer Affairs or better business bureau, ADT has the worst customer service than any other Alarm company. I no longer have ADT, thank God. I found out that their are few companies that do not renew the alarm agreement or charge by the hour. If you want to save, headaches, money, and your property do not, I reapeat, do not get ADT.

San Diego Home Security Providers:

Best Security Products

Recent Reviews For Best Security Products:
Great company, had ADT in the past and whenever I needed something it was always a hassle. Best Security has provided prompt response not only to my alarm activations but to any service requests and has been a welcomed change as opposed to dealing with the larger companies. They appreciate my business and show it where before it seemed like I was suppose to be happy just to be an ADT customer. If you are looking for a good security company these guys will treat you right.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Added May 7/10) I have been a satisfied customer of Best Security for many years now. The installation process was quick and easy. Mark and his staff are very personable and helpful, and when my alarm goes off I get immediate reaction. I feel like I have my home security in the hands of trusted friends.. I highly recommend Best Security Products to anyone shopping for a home security system.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Added May 18/10) I have been a customer for over 10 years, I have been very pleased with the level of service they have provided. The system has been completely reliable and if there were any issues they addressed them timely and professionally. I have been contacted by other agencies for cheaper monitoring but am so pleased it would not be worth it to me. I highly recommend them and have done so many times.

San Francisco Home Security Providers:

Bay Alarm

Recent Review For Bay Alarm:
Note: Bay Alarm now has its own review section here: Bay Alarm Reviews

San Jose Home Security Providers:

First Defense Security (ADT Dealer)

Recent Review For First Defense Security:
Where do I begin? I was with ADT and very happy with their service paying 32.95 per month. This young girl came to my door and told me the company she worked was offering free installation of new equipment and that I would get a 2-way voice system for free and all of my current windows and doors would be covered for free. I was skeptical and so her boss came to the house and sold me and my wife on the alarm. Technician came and told me that my system was hardwired and that the system he would put in was wireless and so I would have to group all of windows on to one zone and all my doors on another in order to cover what I had. Needless to say I cancelled and went back to ADT and got a lower rate! This company is very shady and tried to trick me and get me to pay MORE! they wanted me to pay 39.95 for 2-way voice but give up my individual zones. Stay away from First Defense Security. They are very manipulative and inexperienced. This was in San Jose, CA.

Santa Ana Home Security Providers:

American Alarm Systems

Recent Review For American Alarm Systems:
(Added Dec 29/09) (Updated May 10/10) We had a current hard-wired security system in our home updated by American Alarm Systems in Orange County/Santa Ana, CA and monitoring transferred to them. I am completely happy with all aspects of the company. Our original installing company was no longer in business and I needed to change the monitoring company, too. I am aware of alarm equipment and terms so I called and emailed 5 companies which were either local, regional or national. One company took over a week to respond, another had very poor answers and others did not want to upgrade our current, working system but rather replace it with their own system. American Alarm Systems is family-owned, been in business since 1958, local, has their own UL-listed central station, only uses their own employees (no subcontractors) and the installers had worked for the company for over 15 years (and did a great job). I received a reply the next day from my inquiry (on a Saturday, even) and when I read the nightmare experiences of others on this and other sites, I took my time and researched alot. I know that bad reviews of any company get more attention but this is my very positive experience.
Update:
I am still happy with American Alarm Systems.

Temecula Home Security Providers:

Central Security Services:

(Added July 11/10) DO NOT do business with these individuals unless you want to be in a perpetual contract with CSS. Missing the 30 day notification by a few days gets you locked into a contract that you do not want. Will be sending this cancellation letter in advance with a signature receipt in order to ensure that they cannot claim they have not received it. When things are good, they are okay to deal with. When there is a problem, they are very inflexible about hearing you out. Never again, and I will certainly warn friends and family if they are in search of this type of service to BEWARE!

Torrance Home Security Providers:

ADT Torrance Office

Recent Review For ADT Torrance Office:
(Added <Apr/08) I already had ADT as my home alarm monitoring co. So, when my mom was dying of cancer, I moved her into my house and had to hire caretakers I didn't know. I called ADT and had them install a CCTV system so I could video these strangers in my home. I told the saleswoman, *****, I wanted to put the DVR unit in my lockable bedroom. Little did I know that the DVR had such a loud fan to cool its hard drive that I would not be able to sleep while it was operating. This defeated most of the reason I wanted the system, so I could sleep while taping the caretakers, etc. I called ****** who then had the audacity to inform me that she had to pull this type of system out of a couple of other peoples' places for the SAME reason! ADT made a very difficult situation more horrendous. They REFUSED to step up to the plate and install a different DVR model despite the fact that I told them about two other brands with quiet fan motors... My mother died of breast cancer on 2/14/07.

I called ADT Corp. office and spoke to a moron named, ********. I asked for a formal apology from Washington, 1 yr. of free alarm monitoring and to have the CCTV equip. removed ( they never chargrd my credit card for the 2k cost ). An alternative I suggested was to move the two cameras outside, add two more cameras, give me another, quiet DVR and the formal apology. ***** exhibited "class", dug in his heels and a power struggle ensued. He Googled me and knew I had appeared on shows including Oprah re. assertiveness. He offered a paltry 6 months free monitoring and removal of the video equip. I was so offended, I told him I would find a way to get this story to the media. By the way, their sub-contractor installer, ***** broke a $200 mineral specimen, ****** sent me a letter claiming I would be reimbursed. So far, no payment has been made. The equip. was taken out of my house and I continue to mourn the death of my beloved mother... ADT then sent me a letter "firing" me as their customer! Later, I was mailed a form letter asking me to sign back up with them! Disgusting to say the least. I signed up with Protection One.