(Added Jan 19/12) (Northstar Alarm Employee) I wanted to apologize again to any of you who have experienced any problems or issues recently and urge you to contact me directly with your concerns so I can see if there is anything more that can be done to resolve your situation! We take all complaints very seriously and appreciate the customer feedback we have received thus far. It has helped us improve our business practices and provide the level of superior service that each of our customers unquestionably deserve. If you have any pending issues on your account or questions and haven't been able to reach our customer services departments, please contact me directly so I can help any way that I can.  Sincerely, Anais Moody

(Added Dec 16/11) Well like many other people on here I too got scammed by North Star.  My husband was convinced that it was a great deal. They promised free installation and to pay to cancel my other alarm service.  When we got the system installed the tech said we could use our old sensors because they worked.  That was fine with me because it was all free and if we had problems later we could get them replaced.  Well here we are 6 months down the line and they want to charge us $75 for each new sensor plus a tech fee.  My sensors are literally falling off but since it's past the 90 days they won't do anything.  These sensors are 25 years old.  I tried calling customer service and they just gave me the run around and then told me that the manager doesn't take calls.  How convenient.  So now we are paying for an alarm system that we are unable to use.  Don't be fooled.  Tell your family, friends and neighbors not to use this company!!!!!!

(Added Dec 14/11) After I had fulfilled my contract with Northstar my service continued without resigning a contract. I recently moved and called and sent a letter requesting my service be discontinued, two months later I noticed that my bank account was still being debited. When I called I was informed that the contract automatically renews for 18 months. I was never informed about this when signing the contract. Now I am being ripped off by the company who was supposed to be protecting me!!! Beware when doing business with this company!!!!!

(Added Dec 12/11) (Northstar Alarm Employee) On behalf of the company, I wanted to apologize for any confusion there has been specifically concerning the Lifetime Service Protection and service fees. I did want to let you know that information about the Lifetime Service Protection and explanation of services fees is detailed on our website ( http://www.northstaralarm.com/index.php?p=Support#10). But, just to clarify, we do not charge any service fees within the 90 days. After 90 days we charge $80 for non-warranted items (meaning there is nothing wrong with the panel or the equipment but the customer requests service, such as adding another sensor, moving the panel, etc. or an issue where a customer caused damage to the  system). For warranted issues (meaning issues where there is a problem with the system that was not caused by the customer) we charge $35 after the 90 days (this is the most common service fee charged). The only other fee we charge is a $99 move fee to move the system from one location to another. If you have not received a response from our service department on a pending issue, please feel free to email me directly at anais.moody@northstaralarm.com, so that I can try to help resolve any issues.

(Added Nov 29/11) I also got ripped off by this company. The ADVERTISING DIRECTOR MICHAEL W. from Indianapolis came to my home and said he would REIMBURSE the fee to break my contract with my current alarm and change to Northstar.  He gave me a whole lecture on how his company gave him money to allocate to just about 10 houses as advertising. He wanted us to be one of those houses and he SWORE so many times in our faces that we will get reimbursed that money. As soon as I try to contact him thought email AND phone to get paperwork ready. His Northstar email bounced and he is not returning my calls.  I have just had to pay almost $700 to get out of my old contract which was almost ending and now I got sucked into a new 5 year with this low life company. Shame on all of them. They are supposed to protect you from thieves?but unfortunately they are the biggest THIEVES of all!  Thank you Northstar, thanks to you ?I DO HAVE PIECE OF MIND?(for those not familiar with them; this is their freaking slogan) By the way... that sign that has to stay in the yard for 5 years? yep, it will have an additional one right next to it.  It will be fun, look for it soon all over the internet. I?m working on it!

(Added Nov 18/11) I got "conned" into taking over the previous homeowners contract. I learned as I read throught the posts to the site, this happens all too often and the new person has to sign a 60 month contract, too!?!? We were told two days before closing on our house that we had to sign a contract with Northstar or they would come to rip out the equipment...(read the whole review)

(Added Nov 17/11) I was saitsfied with my alarm system and service from North Star for the first couple of years I had the service. However, I recently was re-budgeting and cutting costs where possible, and decided to switch my internet service to another company...(read the whole review)

(Added Sep 23/11) (Northstar Alarm Employee) I have worked with Northstar Alarm over the past few months and have never seen a company care this much about their customers before.  They go out of their way to make sure that each customer is happy and satisfied.  They've been great to work with and I would recommend that anyone purchase from or work with this company.

(Added Sep 1/11) Renewed our contract with Northstar, what a mistake!  One term of contract was for tech. to completely check out our system as we have had the service for 3 years prior. System may not even be working properly and have had some errors on the monitor panel. Tech has not shown up yet. Have been waiting for 4 months! Paying our monthly monitoring fee and our system may not even be working. Customer service is sooooo unprofessional. Have been waiting for the office supervisor for 3 days now to finish her meetings and call us back regarding the poor service. Office customer service personell are very rude and do not help resolve our concerns. I checked with the Better Business Bureau and Northstar Alarm is (not) an accredited company in their system. Hmmmmm I wonder why? I will call the supervisor everday for 1000 years until my service concerns are resolved! Northstar Alarm customer service has proven to be very unprofessional and does not convey any indication that the company cares about its customers or is capable in providing the services its customers pays them for! I would strongly NOT rec. this company to anyone!

(Added Aug 15/11) My technician, Hiram T., was punctual, competent, and knowledgable. He was able to diagnose the problem in a timely manner and fix it. Not only that but he was very courteous and understanding. I was very pleased with the service and outcome.

(Added Aug 15/11) Dale D. P. just finished a repair job on my alarm system. There have been several tries in the past 6 months to fix this problem. He took less than 30 minutes to fix and test the system. His knowledge of the system helped him to spot the problem immediately. He was extremely neat, buisiness like and answered all the questions I had. It is nice to know he is on guard here in Colorado. The NorthStar Alarm Company has one heck of an ambassador for the company

(Added Aug 14/11) Northstar Alarm Services is a horrible company.  The door to door salesperson did not disclose the 5  year contract requirement.  We have spent the past 2 years fighting with the customer service dept. and paying for an alarm system that we don't use.  Does anyone know if there is any way out of this?  This is such a deceitful company.  Surely, someone can do something about this.  There are way too many complaints that can be found by a simple web search.  I offered to compromise and pay half of the contract (b/c I know I was a fool for not asking more questions).  We thought half of the money would just make them go away.  But, it is not.  Any ideas???

(Added Aug 14/11) I have no experience with other companies but I have been with NS since 2007. The salesman was a young guy who told me what I needed to know, if he couldn't answer a question he verified the answer immediately. I signed a 5 year contract, had a few false alarms (my fault) that were reported to me immediately by NS. I have a tech in today and I am adding about $600 worth of equipment (9 door/window sensors, 2 motion detectors, another smoke detector, a wall fob, and placing a few of the older sensors in different locations). I can't compare NS to anyone else but they have been very satisfactory and I would never have added equipment if I didn't feel they were doing their job. Are there occassional problems with CS doing their job? Sometimes there is, where is there 100% CS satisfaction. Last, I am a school janitor not a company rep but I think good things should be told about companies as well as the bad. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate my experience at least a 7.5 perhaps even an 8.5, that's my review.

(Added Aug 14/11)System was installed by Josh S. who was very professional and  completed the job in a timely manner. All questions were answered.

(Added Aug 11/11) We were very pleased with the service that we received from this company.  Both the representative, Jay D.  and the installer, Nate were very professional.  They took the time to answer all of our questions and address our concerns.  They demonstrated how to use the new keypad system.  They also made sure that the whole system had new batteries and everything was working correctly.  They even found a way to save us a little money each month. We would recommend this company to our neighbors and friends.

(Added July 4/11) Just got my alarm system installed here in Okla. City.  The Rep. Nate B. was very nice and polite, and answered all of my questions.  He took the time to explain everything in detail.  The installer Aaron M.  did a great job on installation.  His work was excellent, he was polite and a pleasure to be around.  He too, took the time to insure I understood how my alarm system work and walked my thru each step of its function.  I would gladly deal with these two fine young men again.

(Added July 4/11) Michael M. S. did a great job !!!!!!!

(Added July 4/11) We had the Northstar alarm system sold to us by Jordan and installed by Clark S. and Mike S.  All of these were very professional and carefully explained the system to us.  All were very courteous and neat in appearance.  We reside in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

(Added June 14/11) Did you get that dreaded knock on the door? “We really like your location here because you’re right in the middle of the street and lots of traffic goes by.” Or, “We love your yard because it’s well-kept and you’re right on the corner, so we’d like to advertise with this Northstar sign in your yard.” Chances are likely that you did...(Read the Whole Review)

(Added June 4/11) Our alarm system was installed on 5/21 so I really am unable to make any comments, good or bad.  The salesman was very nice, the installer was here about two hours.  His name is Josh S, he was very nice and worked every minute he was here.

(Added June 4/11) We had our services updated with Northstar from ADT. We were really not getting the service out of ADT that we felt we should be getting. Our home was broke into twice, but ADT, for some reason, was not aware of it !! For every time ADT makes a service call it is $ 50.00 plus. So when the man from your company came to our front door we were more than happy to listen to him. His name was Bryce, and he was one of the nicest men. He was so understanding of what we were going through and said that our service could be updated at no charge. We signed and that afternoon Michael M. S. came to update our system. He too, and being a young man.was so very nice. Many of the young men you meet anymore are very rude, and unprofessional. Michael explained everything he was doing, and when it come time to explain the keypad, he could not have been so caring and understanding, when we were not sure of what he was saying. He stayed until he knew that we understood how to work our keypad. The keypad even has an intercom on it so the company can talk to you !! You can also leave messages for your synificate (hope I spelled that right) other if you have to go out or whatever !! Even has pretty pictures on the front that gives you a slide show!!  He was the same when he explained how to use our garage door openers, that has the medical alert button in it also!!! We were so amazed at that! My husband is a heart patient, and it gives us both a sense of relief to know that "someone is always there for him" and of course me, if needed. The professionism these two men made makes a lot of difference. You could tell they really cared about helping people. Other people could take lessons from these two men. It would help make a better world, especially a secured one with Northstar in your home.

(Added June 4/11) very professional and great job

(Added June 4/11) Zach Z, was a great technician he was very good at explaining the system. He also showed us several times to make we understood

(Added June 4/11) The technician Zack Z. was pleasant. He came in did his job and didn't leave a mess. Jay D. was a great salesman. He ended up doing my evening walk just to inform my neighbor of the alarm system.

(Added June 4/11) Hanksville Noyes was my Technician and the sales person was Bryce. Both were very courteous, informative, and accomodating. The system seems simple. I hope this has been a wise decision and that this is a trustworthy company with honest employees after reading some the other reviews.

(Added June 4/11)  Aaron is a great installer great alarm i love it

(Added June 4/11) I was very impressed with my installation technician Nate. He arrived promptly, installed the system and explained everything very clearly and patiently. I am not terribly electronically literate, but when he left I felt very comfortable with my new system. After a severe electrical storm this afternoon, he came back to check to see if everything was working properly. Along with Robert, the salesman, I feel that Northstar has 2 very capable employees who are real winners.

(Added May 4/11) My system was installed by Richard of Northstar Alarm Services. He and his team were very efficient and courteous. They cleaned up all debris created by the drilling to accommodate the system. It was clear to me that my system was tied into the national alarm system by a check that was done before Richard could leave the premises. Also he made sure I understood that a special battery was required on each door system and that it would likely need to be replaced in about 6 years on the door I use most frequently.

(Added May 4/11) For most of the time that I used the system, it didn't even work.  In fact, it was being set off by my dog, despite their promises that it was a animal-immune system.  And if you ever have to move, you are out of luck and have to pay for the remainder of the term.  They don't provide service in most of the country, and will not cancel the account, so you are stuck with a very expensive paperweight.

(Added May 4/11) The visit from the sales reps was very professional.  The package offered certainly seems in line with other services of this type.  The technician, Nate, arrived within the stated time period and performed the work in a timely manner.  Explanations were well given.  Thank you.

(Added May 3/11) To all members of the public. Do not do business with Northstar alarm. This is now owned by a company that buys out smaller alarm companies. You know when this is happening because your bill goes to an address in PA titled "My Alarm Center. My family and I have had the same problems that he been documented by thousands of others not only on this website but others as well including one titled "Northstar Alarm Sucks"  In my situation, After paying for alarm services each month I found out by chance that the monitoring center did not even have my name and address in their system if there was an actual emergency from my alarm. No one would have come per the contract and I was in essence paying for nothing. My home and family was put in danger by this very crooked company. When I found out I immediately cancelled my business with them and actually closed out the credit card they were using. They continue to bill me but they are wasting their time. To all members of the public who are considering using this company or any of their subsidieries. If your family and property means anything to you, consider a reputable company like Brinks. Read these complaints. My family is proof that this is happening over and over again.

(Added May 3/11) DO NOT sign up with NorthStar. How the door to door salesmen come across, and how the main company actually deals with you are two completely different realities. You will be absolutely locked in to this scam of a service for 4 - 5 years. They do not care if you are going through financial hardship, they will not take an offer of returning the equipment, you are completely locked in. I am absolutely a fool for signing up. The positive reviews I've been reading on the company sound completely scripted - I would not be surprised if there were all coming out of Orem, UT.

(Added Dec 29/10) In response to one of the comments below (added Oct 29/10) about the cost to move a client's system into a new home, there is a flat $99 installation fee to move the entire system, not $500. To clarify, if the client has a hard wired system and is moving into a house that is not hard-wired for an alarm system, then there would need to be arrangements made to get a wireless set up installed and in that case the client would be responsible to purchase any new equipment needed in the new home. In most cases, NorthStar is happy to install the new wireless equipment at a discounted rate. Please let me know if you have any further questions regarding moving or installation fees at 1-800-775-STAR. You can also contact me directly via email at anais@northstaralarm.com or my direct line at our corporate office 801.373.7827 ext. 100. Thanks!

(Added Nov 16/10) I was one of those people that thought every door-to-door alarm sales company was a complete scam. But, this isn't the case with NorthStar, from what I've experienced so far. As a local Utah resident, I have to say that choosing to have NorthStar install an alarm system for my home is one of the best decisions I have made. The sales representative that sold me a system was respectful, honest and upfront about everything, including the terms of the contract. They also had someone from their corporate office follow up with me to make sure I understood the contract agreement for the services they were providing me with. I would recommend NorthStar Alarm to anyone who is looking for a new home security system. I've already recommended it to friends and family, too!

(Added Oct 29/10) This company is a total rip-off!  They told me the equipment was free if I just agreed to display their sign in my front yard.  Well, now I am having to sell my house and move.  I called them today to ask about moving my service to my new location (because I am still in the stupid 5 yr contract) and I was told it would cost a minimum of $500 to move my service!  And that price is "discounted" because I am a "preferred customer", BS. They told me that all new equipment would have to be installed because the equipment installed here can't be removed and reinstalled at the new house.  All I can take with me of the existing equipment are the two key fobs, UNBELIEVABLE !! If these SHYSTERS show up at your door, SLAM it in their face.  I am ready to get a class action suit going against these crooks.

(Added Oct 20/10) I am a law enforcement officer and I've had my alarm system with NorthStar for about a year now-give or take- and the alarm itself is great. I haven't had any problems with it. Right now I'm working with a couple of the technicians to get it connected with my new iPhone4, but as far as the alarm goes, I'm able to set it, forget it and leave it alone. I can't say I've had anything memorable or remarkable happen since I've had the alarm, which is a good thing. When there was a false alarm, it was fixed right away. I'm also under contract, but I'm a simple man with simple needs and I don't need an alarm that's confusing. Like I said, I set my alarm, forget it and there has been no other issues.

(Added Oct 5/10) I have had my home security system with NorthStar Alarm for more than 3 years now. I can't imagine anybody getting a system as good as this one and failing to use it. I have the most respect for the technology and ease of operating it. I am more than satisfied with the service. When I first had the system accidentally set off a few false alarms on my own, but it was reassuring and I thought--well I know this system works!!  I would recommend the system to anyone, not only because of the ease of operation, but also because the personnel I have encountered have always been professional and kind. The sincerity of their service and their friendliness and kindness is neighborly. Also, the technicians out in the field have a very naturally friendly rapport and they are very good at what they do.  -Mishie  Charlotte, North Carolina

(Added Sept 16/10) Northstar Alarm came to my house, and I just loved the boys who sold me the alarm system! They were very friendly and patient, and never pushed me into anything. I have had the system for a while now, and I have had little to no problems at all. Customer service helped me test my system over the phone one time, to see if we could fix the problem it was having without sending someone out, and fortunately we were able to. It was great! I was a little worried about the contract part of it, but I realize that you have to sign into something binding for things like this, just like anything else similar. I am satisfied with the experience, and I would recommend this company to my family and friends. Great customer service, sales agents and company from what I can tell.

(Added Sept 9/10) (Updated Jan 3/11) This is a horrific company with absolutely terrible customer service. Their customer service revolves around 3 or 4 college kids who read off the script to you every time you call them.  They refuse to send out technicians until you spend time messing around with the alarm system that was incorrectly installed and misconfigured.  Basically they want customers to maintain their systems that are under contract.  How absurd.  The system monitoring that they claim they provide does not work.  You can go weeks and months without a functioning system.  They sell you a $200 system for thousands of dollars claiming that they give it to you for "free".  Go anywhere else, ADT, Brinks or other established businesses. I used those systems before without any issues. These guys don't deserve your business. Update: The company did address system operation issues.  I still dont feel they are very professional.  and I would not recommend them to anyone.  The local tech they recently hired is good and reliable so that's one good thing.

(Added Aug 17/10) This is not professional company. We bought their services from the door salesman. They installed it the same day but we decided to cancel the services within 3 days as we were getting better deal from other company. The person who came to uninstall the equipment purposefully cut all the wires to the equipment instead of un-screwing them. As a result the company that we shifted to could not install their equipement easily.. We had to incur more charges to get the wiring done... I would suggest not to buy NorthStar's services..

(Added Aug 13/10) Hate this company!!! I agreed to take over this contract when I bought the house from previous owners because they couldn't get out of the contract with Northstar. Northstar would not let me just take over the previous owners contract they made me sign a new one for 16 months. I have digital phone WHICH DOESN"T WORK WITH THEIR SYSTEMS and I'm not about to give them more money for their cellular crap. I'M NOT EVEN USING THE crappy system and yet I STILL have to pay them money for the next 4 years. HATE THIS COMPANY, DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS 5 YEAR + CONTRACT!!! Should have gone with my gut and told the seller to deal with the crap they had signed up for in the first place. I will find every website possible starting now to complain about this company!

(Added Aug 12/10) They told me I would receive a free install and equipment for putting their sign in my yard and that I do not tell my neighbors of my "deal". I canceled withing the three day period because I uncovered numerous lies told to me by NorthStar Alarm Services. Then three days after they received my registered certified letter of cancelation, they removed $159.52 from my checking account... that is THEFT!

(Added Aug 4/10) (Updated Jan 3/10) I wrote on my march-april-may june and july statement to cancel my service, then I get a bill on july 29th wanting another payment. I called them and they said that I had to give 60 days notice to cancel my contract and they have added another 18 months to my contract.  My contract started on 6-9-2007 and I gave much more than the 60 days required. But they tell me that they didnt get a notice until july. So they say. If this is not corrected, I will start a class action suit with all that wants to sign up. Update: The fact is, the company has called me and been very nasty. I mailed copies of my checks where they all had in the for line---cancel contract..Now they even tell me they did not even get those,.....I have started contacting people that have had the same problem and have found 12 others that has been done wrong also..Some are many years back, but was forced to pay several hundreds of dollars so they would not be turned over to collections..Well I am not scared of that...i have a credit score over 800 and can and will prove that i pay and stay on top of my bills and contracts...I have tried to be fair about this, but as time goes by and keep getting letters, I feel that I must go forth with what I am doing with contacting others and may start a class action suit..It is not about the money, it is how a company can treat people that has been so good to them in the past......I have posted on google about scams and your company has been found many times...Credit rating with BBB is not very good either..Let me know what you would like for me to do. Or what you are going to do..But not just on my case..many others have been done the same way, and this must stop....kyle

(Added June 23/10) (Updated Sept 16/10) LOVE my alarm system that Northstar installed. We had it go off when we were away one day, we both go phone calls along with our daughter to let us know, the police were called out and thankfully everything was safe and it was a false alarm. Usually when my husband is away on business trips I wake up several times during the night but now I sleep much more soundly. We have 2 very large dogs that would protect me. But this is just an extra added protection for us. I really liked the young man that sold us the alarm. Could not have been nicer. The installer was also great. As the economy gets worse I feel much less secure.....this has given me much more security! I like how it tells me which door is opened also! Great peace of mind! Update: I still LOVE my alarm system. I never leave without setting it. It gives me a level of security that I rely on. We have 2 Mastiff's and have always thought that gave us a lot of security. But, with this added level I fell much more secure than I did before. It has gone off a couple of times by accident, mostly my fault. I have been immediately called and checked on. The service has been outstanding.

(Added Feb 12/10) Don't believe anything their sales people say unless it's on the contract. They wouldn't even honor things that their sales person wrote in on the contract. They lock you into a 5 year deal, even if you sell your house they expect you to either transfer the contract to the new owners, or continue to pay it yourself. Very unreasonable when you call them as well, no willingness to work with you on anything.

(Added Jan 21/10) They have a contract which states, in the smallest possible print, that you are obligated to pay for 60 months (5 years) of service. It doesn't matter how terrible the service is, you will still have to pay. WATCH OUT!!! Don't let these sales people near your home.

(Added Sept 30/09) I had service with them for 1 year. 6 months of it they did not provide service. Because they said my unit was out of date and could not service that anymore. SO I PAID 6 months for no service. I told them that I wanted to cancel, because that is just bad service. They told me that I need to upgrade my equipment for $300. I have been fighting them now for 2 year because they wanted me to finish the contract. Tonight I get a collections company call... THEY ARE SCAMMING PEOPLE!!! Total BS...