- Report: #833187
Complaint Review: Instant tax service - Tampa Florida
Reported By:
Misty -
Stpetersburg, Florida, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Instant tax service
1739 East Hillsborough Ave Tampa, Florida, United States of America
Phone:
813 374 9026
Web:
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Instant tax service What a SCAM! Tampa, Florida
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I have been filing my taxes with a woman named Becky Silas for about 6 years now.When I first started with her for the first two years she had her own business which was called BK's Business Services.I liked going to her for the simple fact that I didnt have to wait for my W2 forms because she said I only needed my last pay check stubs plus I didnt even have to go into her office she took all my information over the phone and told me the amount I would be getting back. Her fees were around $350 which she told me was including the rapid refund.
Now the third and forth year she moved locations and was working out of an ACE check cashing company but still charged the same fees. After that is when things started to seem strange.The fifth year I filed with her she started working for Instant Tax service. So I of coarse I called her gave her the information she needed and she told me the amount of my refund and asked me if I wanted to do the rapid like Ive always done and I said yes.I never asked what her fee was assuming it was the same and she explained that instead of a check I would recieve a card with my refund on it. Well when the card came she called me in to pick it up. When I left I called the card to activate it and I kept getting different companies answering the line. So I went on the website and activated it, the name of the card was Insight. So I immediatly withdrawed all my money off it.I probably shouldn't have went to her again but I did for my 2011 tax return.I guess I was just giving her the benefit of the doubt and I figured maybe it was just a few minor problems last year. So same routine I called her she took my information asked me did I want the rapid refund(which bt the way I didnt get approved for last year),and I said yes lets try for the rapid.I asked her if I dont get approved for the rapid that means I wont have to pay the fees for rapid and she said yes. She told me if Im approved for rapid that half of my refund would be there on January 20,2012 and the other half a week later.So I get a call on the 20th telling me I have a $500.00 check there.So I went and picked it up and asked the lady when the rest of my refund would be there and she told me the 25th.I left feeling confused because anytime Ive went rapid I got my whole check in a few days. So I went up there on the 25th assuming my money would be there and they told me the IRS was backed up and they said I wouldnt get my money until February 8th. I was in tears.I asked the lady will I still have to pay the rapid fee and she said yes because its the IRS's fault.Something told me to ask how much is the fee again.Thats when she said $600.00! I asked that must include the $500.00 check I already got and she said no that the check I recieved was a loan from tax tree. So now there taking $1100.00 out of my $9929.00 refund.Im so lost and confused. I feel like there scaming people and I dont know what actions to take. Please can somebody help me,give me some advice or something..
Now the third and forth year she moved locations and was working out of an ACE check cashing company but still charged the same fees. After that is when things started to seem strange.The fifth year I filed with her she started working for Instant Tax service. So I of coarse I called her gave her the information she needed and she told me the amount of my refund and asked me if I wanted to do the rapid like Ive always done and I said yes.I never asked what her fee was assuming it was the same and she explained that instead of a check I would recieve a card with my refund on it. Well when the card came she called me in to pick it up. When I left I called the card to activate it and I kept getting different companies answering the line. So I went on the website and activated it, the name of the card was Insight. So I immediatly withdrawed all my money off it.I probably shouldn't have went to her again but I did for my 2011 tax return.I guess I was just giving her the benefit of the doubt and I figured maybe it was just a few minor problems last year. So same routine I called her she took my information asked me did I want the rapid refund(which bt the way I didnt get approved for last year),and I said yes lets try for the rapid.I asked her if I dont get approved for the rapid that means I wont have to pay the fees for rapid and she said yes. She told me if Im approved for rapid that half of my refund would be there on January 20,2012 and the other half a week later.So I get a call on the 20th telling me I have a $500.00 check there.So I went and picked it up and asked the lady when the rest of my refund would be there and she told me the 25th.I left feeling confused because anytime Ive went rapid I got my whole check in a few days. So I went up there on the 25th assuming my money would be there and they told me the IRS was backed up and they said I wouldnt get my money until February 8th. I was in tears.I asked the lady will I still have to pay the rapid fee and she said yes because its the IRS's fault.Something told me to ask how much is the fee again.Thats when she said $600.00! I asked that must include the $500.00 check I already got and she said no that the check I recieved was a loan from tax tree. So now there taking $1100.00 out of my $9929.00 refund.Im so lost and confused. I feel like there scaming people and I dont know what actions to take. Please can somebody help me,give me some advice or something..
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Steven
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Good news and bad news
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, February 07, 2012
Well the good news is I heard that supposedly the businesses that do the " Refund Anticipation Loans" are supposed to be going the way of the Title Loans in Florida.
The bad news is that this is a case of buyer beware for now. You are of course free to contact the Florida State Attorney or even the BBB but none of that will really do you any good since when you received your money you signed something agreeing to the loan being made to you in anticipation of your income tax refund.
Please go to the link below for a news story about these loans.
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/topstories/story/Tax-refund-rip-off-warning/e11PH4JYJkWY-rJcYeiAyA.cspx
Concerned Citizen
rockford,Illinois,
United States of America
CONSUMER HELP
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, February 06, 2012
Go to Youtube video and read more information
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smaK1CUMTX8
Corina
Canton,Michigan,
United States of America
Things you can do
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, February 03, 2012
File a complaint with the Attorney Generals Office, and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility, for starter. Good Luck!
