Reviews of their security system & more
Central Group has been in business for over 40 years, providing security and home monitoring solutions across the Southern United States. Since their opening in 1973, they have expanded their portfolio of services to include video monitoring, home automation, energy management and interactive security. Their worst reviews have come from customers complaining about hidden clauses in the contract, along with high cancellation fee and poor customer support. Before diving deeper let’s take a look at some of the good and bad things.
A glance at the pros and cons of Central security:
Pros
- A+ BBB rating
- Over 42 years in the security industry
- Decent prices
- Wide range of services offered
- Smart device control of alarm system
- Finally, home automation products available
Cons
- Lack of transparency
- Move with you fees
- Not available for renters
- This company has a poor online reputation for customer service and resolving issues.
- A recurring complaint is that when a problem arises, a customer gets passed back and forth between the local dealer and head office. This is a negative aspect of having a network of local independent dealers who carry out installations.
- Limited availability only to those on the East coast
- Finally, it’s difficult to cancel the services and end up being contractually tied into services which were not explained to them.
Tip: Read all paperwork before you sign anything. If you may be moving within the next 3 years it may be smart to go with a national security provider.
Did you make the cut? Unfortunately, Central is a smaller company with services only available in the following states: Louisiana, Kentucky, California, Arizona, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Central Security Prices
They do a very good job of hiding their prices on their website and only offer ‘Free Consultations’, tricks to get you on the phone with a high-pressure sales rep. After doing some digging here is what we found:
Monitoring at $39.99-79.99/mo. Depending on whether you go with basic or home automation.
Starting costs of $199-399. Installation and activation are common fees in the industry but paying anything over $99 means you could have gotten a better deal elsewhere.
Packages offered. This is one of the most confusing parts about Central Group. They can’t just list 3-5 packages, what you get along with prices like most companies. Here is a picture of the several options they have which can make it confusing on which one is best for your home.
Over 12 different packages to choose from, they did a good job at even confusing us! Expect $55-75 a month average between their various options.
- Breeze Installation, Just Hang Over The Door, Wire-Free
- Country Of Origin : China
- Superior Network Connectivity With Indoor Wi-Fi And Antenna
Other available services with Central Group
A variety of services are available to help customers and businesses keep their home safe and comfortable, including:
Home automation control – Staying connected to your home via video and imaging on smartphone, tablet or PC. By integrating technology with your home security system you are able to benefit from text or email alerts when your child gets home from school, giving you peace of mind and eliminating unnecessary worry from your life. You can also see what your pets are doing while you’re not home, ensure elderly parents are safe in their home or check on contractors and babysitters that may be in your home. The system will also allow you to know when an important parcel has arrived at your home, or enable you to spot any unexpected guests and visitors to your property.
Identity theft protection
Online bill pay
Commercial and business security solutions
Security system equipment
Central Security Group offer equipment from various manufacturers including GE alarm, Honeywell, 2GIG and DSC. Offering an array of different equipment to their customers means that the security company is able to customize a package to a client’s specific needs and requirements. Installation is completed by local dealers who are assigned to a customer and will be the contact point for any issues with the system which may arise in the future.
You can choose from a handful of standard security equipment such as:
- Wireless window and door contacts
- Motion sensor with image capture
- Security cameras (not pan-tilt, if wanting the best in home automation & cameras learn more about Vivint).
- C02 & smoke sensors
- Smart control
- 2gig touchscreen panel
The People on the other Side
While Central Security Group states that it prides itself on offering a reliable service with comfort and peace of mind, many customers seem to disagree. Customer service is where this security company apparently falls short, with billing issues being one of the main complaints from past and existing customers. The company is rated as having only 1 star out of 5 by ConsumerAffairs, the lowest possible rating.
The complaint that appears most frequently is that customers continue to be billed even after they have had their service uninstalled, or that they have problems canceling the service even after their agreed term is over. Central Security Group does not accept cancellations over the phone and instead require a written letter requesting cancellation. Some customers have also commented that the company automatically renews the services without authorization.
Conclusion
If you live in one of the 16 states that offers it; Central Security may be worth adding to the list of companies to look into. What turned us off the most is their lack of transparency in openly showing prices and options. Making customers call in for a consultation and then those customers leaving negative reviews regarding their contract terms is a big red flag in our books. If you have any experience with this home security provider please leave your feedback below.
>> See where Central Group ranks vs 20 other security systems <<
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Last update on 2023-05-14 at 03:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bridget says
Well, in addition to all the stories above I must add that the actual system is sketchy. If you have clouds and wind blowing the clouds the cameras will pick up the movement and start recording each time the cloud casts a shadow. This happens every few minutes and soon all you “storage” for the month, meaning the allowed number of clips, is gone. The rest of the month all you have is a camera that you may (or in some circumstances may not) be able to watch. I am a very unsatisfied customer and will cancel as soon as my contract is fulfilled. BTW you can turn off the cameras in the day to avoid using all your clips, but then you have no security except for your door entry systems or other in house systems.
Sheri B says
We just signed on with Alert 360…great installation man..Miles…very thoughtful and took the time to explain all the features, several times to make sure I understand the process fully. I would recommend this company and all the representatives who work there. Jamal, Tyler, Miles.
Ram Maharaj says
Just wait until you need service and see how difficult it is or try to cancel your contract. I asked for a reduction in my monthly fee of $40+ when I saw competitors including this company offering service for a lot less. They refused holding me hostage to my contract. Glad my contract is over and still trying to find a valid number to call. All the numbers listed are invalid.
Mimi Conklin says
I requested that my service be terminated June 2015 (we had filled our contract obligation) due to the sale of our house. I was not told to submit a letter so I thought that the call was sufficient. I have proof of the sale of my old home and purchase of new as of June 2015. Fast forward to September 2017 – I noticed an ACH debit from Central Security Group and upon research, find that they have been debiting my bank account every month. Yes, my accounting skills are severely lacking. I called and again requested cancellation. I was told that it needed to be in writing. I sent an email and received a confirmation of receipt. I am now getting a paper bill for October 2017 plus late fees because I changed banks. I was just told that they will bill one more month after cancellation letter is received.
Diana Rainey says
I have had your security for about 11 years now and I wish to cancel. I know you require this in writing, but I cannot find the cancellation policy on your site. It mentions every scenario but that.
Alarm Reviews says
Sorry Central makes it hard to cancel. Try sending in letter to their headquarters and follow up via phone call. Write a letter and sign it; you are correct there. They do this because it is one extra step for you to take to cancel and many people will just forgo cancelling since it is 1 extra thing to do. Tricky tactics 😉
Bill says
These people are scam artists. STAY AWAY. READ THE REVIEWS AND CONCLUSIONS about this company BEFORE you contract with them. Cancellation with this company is a scam in addition to their poor customer service and poor response time. Do your homework before you decide on a company…and DO NOT enroll in an automated payment plan linked to your checking account!
Jarrett says
I have been a customer of CSG for 3 years and 3 months. Due to unforeseen circumstances i am having to move out of my home and into an apartment where I’m no longer able to continue my service. I called CSG to try and end my contract but was told that in my agreement it said that I would be entered into an ADDITIONAL 1 year agreement automatically. This is an incredibly shady business tactic, no one verbally or written let us know about this anywhere besides the contract where it was ambiguously worded and hidden. They then told us that we could buy out of the contract for 475$, but that we would be given a deal of only 355$(hilarious). OR, that we could pass CSG’s shoddy service onto the new homeowners, and that they would take over out contract. My conscience won’t allow me to do that.
PLEASE do not ever use CSG, and recommend anyone thinking about them otherwise.
Bill says
Same thing happened to me! THESE PEOPLE ARE VERY SHADY! They’re only out to steal your money…and I don’t know about you, but their service sucked!
Jason Riggs says
I wanted to find out a bit more on some companies that offer home security and I am glad I find your site. I am comparing a few including this one and I really appreciate all the work you put in to this and your other reviews. Just wanted to say thanks!
Aline Ratliff says
THIS IS A TERRIBLE COMPANY! My father-in-law died in Oct. 2016. I have been trying to cancel service. They told me to send a letter, death certificate and all necessary paperwork, which I did. Today I received a bill for each month of last year. When I called I was told the account was cancelled but they would still keep billing because it was under contract. But not to worry because it only bills “his estate”. Well, we are his estate now. I asked to talk to a supervisor who confirmed they will keep billing because he had a contract with them in March 2016 for 2 years. I told her that I was pretty sure that contracts end when people die. But she said no. She said she doesn’t care who I complain to, and if it is the BBB, the company’s A+ rating will remain unchanged. MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!
Wednesday says
That is awful! How can they do that to someone?? I am sorry for your loss but this alone has put me off from the company. I don’t care how good they are. This is a nasty thin to do to someone who just lost a loved one. I would spread the word on Facebook. Seriously!
Anthony says
WOW! I would not deal with that. I am very sorry you had to go through this. I feel like companies like this pay for their good ratings so no matter how they treat their customers, they get away with anything. How sick. I was with Central Security years ago and I loved the company but I guess some times they change for the worse.
Hope this Helps says
Try contacting the attorney general’s office in the state that the company is based in.
Dave says
As far as pricing goes. I think you must be confused with Vivint who went bankrupt as Apex before changing name or ADT who has so many unlicensed reps they don’t know who they send to your door. None of Centrals prices are allowed to go over $64.95 at our Dealer. The Cameras are at the Dealers choice. Ours don’t use IP cameras that save on bs cloud based systems. We use real time hardwired cameras and a realtime DVR.
Scott Johnson says
I’ve had their system 10 years now with no issues. I’ve received reliable service, fast response times, and customer service has been excellent. I just upgraded my system and technician Lee did a great job of showing me how it works. I recommended this company to family and friends and will continue too.
Barb says
My husband and I have had the same experience. I never had an issue with customer care or price hikes. It seems like maybe the newer customers are getting all the bad stuff happening to them. We switched a few years ago when we moves but prior to that, I had no complaints and loved Central Security Group.
James Irving says
I just had Central Security Group Install their energy efficient interactive home security system. My system came with a touch screen keypad, window contacts, door contacts, motion sensors, cameras, thermostat and light control devices. The technician was polite, very knowledgeable and professional. He walked me through downloading their alert360 app where I was able to control my thermostat, lights and cameras. I did have to sign a 3 year contract, and was about $299 out of pocket to get things up and going. It does seem a bit pricey now that I read these other reviews but I’m stuck with them for now.
AlarmMan says
Wow $299 bro? Commercial or Residential? Why did you have an install cost?
Richard Green says
I have been using Central Security Group for two years. Never a problem, nice people. Yes, I have a contract but I also paid $0 for the system so I understand how it works.
Christina says
I have nothing nice to say about this company, I use to work there, I would never recommend anyone to work there. We get a lot of complaints from customers wanting to cancel services and I don’t blame them. A lot of elderly people that I talked to were tricked into signing 5 yr contracts being lied to by the installers. We have to offer save attempts when they wanna cancel such as lower rates which puts them into another 1 to 3 yr terms. Technicians would not show up on time and customers call in upset because they took time off work to have whatever issues said that they didn’t get a call and a lot of times they never showed up.
As an employee I was not happy how I was treated. My efforts and hard work was not noticed and not appreciated. We had to work through our lunches and breaks. One employee was told by Gaynell H. that she doesn’t have to give us breaks, hell by law we are required to get two 15 minutes and a 30 minute lunch. The benefits they gave us was were for Oklahoma not for Texas which they took out our checks.
I can go on and on about this company. Customers are right this company is BS.
If you decided to do business with this company I encourage you to please do your research, read the reviews etc
If you sign up read contract before signing it and beware that you can’t cancel services over the phone and you have to send in 30 day notice in writing before the terms end or it will automatically renew yearly and you’re forced to pay the remaining of the terms and if you don’t pay they’ll report that to your credit. If you have to move to another location you have send in notice to cancellation otherwise they’ll bill you for old and new location.
David says
I called Central Security after receiving an error message on my keypad. Their customer service walked us through several trouble shooting steps and even though we weren’t able to resolve the problem over the phone they were extremely patient with me and my mother.
Hanson says
When I was trying to move out of state that’s when it got dirty with Central security group. They started pulling out all of these lines from the contract I don’t recall and warning me about hefty fees. I was forced to pay off 75% of my remaining contract just to move! Try any other national company as suggested.
Molly D. says
I decided against picking up a central security system contract after reading your review. I am moving to the east coast in January and as such require a security company service for my new place. There’s no guarantee I won’t be moving again in the future years. Don’t want same happening to me. Thanks for sharing
Jake Heavilin says
They are crazy, impossible to work with. Do not sign up with this company. BEWARE…
Sylvain G. says
Worse experience ever! We did not complete our three-year commitment. We ended up going with another alarm company.
Alen Gashi says
All that you need to know is do not sign up with these crooked people!!!! You will live to regret it!!!! I had to pay off all my accounts in advance to get these people to stop screwing me. I hope and pray I never get in another business deal like this one.
Vero Chauchet says
This company is beyond belief. Be careful signing up with them — THEY MAY NEVER GO AWAY.
Patrick Driel says
There are a few things I have loved about Central Group. 1 – I was able to connect it to my home phone line (Yes, I realize this is an ancient feature but I still use it). Also, it was a very basic system and easy for me to learn the keypad and how to turn it on and off. I wish it came with a medical alert sensor so I could combine the two together.
AlarmMan says
You can get a medical alert sensor.
Charlo Chaping says
If you’re planning to go with this company, be sure you know what their policies are when moving. They will try to get another 3 years out of you or hundreds of dollars to switch on existing equipment.
Jessica Andrews says
PLEASE do not use them, when I was trying to get additional products after signing up they were charging a fortune and wanted to raise my monthly. That doesn’t make sense that additional products would raise the monitoring costs! I have over 2 years left with them so I went ahead and paid close to $800 to get the equipment I really needed in the first place and I will probably just switch who services my account after my agreement is over.
Trevor Labelle says
Do not do business with this company!! This is the worst company EVER! I want to cancel my service. They won’t let me. This is ridiculous. DO NOT GO WITH CENTRAL SECURITY!!
Maddie says
Hmm… perhaps not the best option, but still seems like a good security option. As far as service goes, they seem great but the prices could be better. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Carol Santelices says
I had Central Security installed a year ago and haven’t been too impressed. Their panel was still a keypad and they wanted $7 more a month for a touchscreen keypad. That’s $84 more a year just for a piece of equipment that costs $50 more then what they are already giving me. $84 x 3years too! Everything is wireless except the control panel so that is nice but I would keep researching other companies before choosing these guys.
Mr. Mac says
We had a different security system prior to using central security but we had problems with getting service and getting responses on the phone. We selected Central Security because they were ranked number one at the time, and we’ve been very happy with them. We used them in three separate locations and I’ve had no problems. Whenever we have an alarm, I can always get somebody or if we have problems, they’re pretty quick to respond. We feel like we’re getting what we’re paying for. Our relationship will continue based on this.
Donald Coppola says
I called them but their initial cost and security system was going to be too much. Found a better deal with Frontpoint thanks to this Alarm Reviews website! They are great and I just completed their 30 day free trial.
Bruce says
I see Central Security signs (Green and Yellow) quite a bit since I live in Arkansas. They are primarily the southern east coast in my experience and the reason I didn’t buy them and went with ADT is because I am in the military and move around alot. From what I’ve seen they are a good company but they still don’t have all their pieces together enough to persuade me. Had I gone with them, I would’ve been hit with a big penalty to end my contract which could cost $2000+.