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H&R Block - Refund Anticipation Loans

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Peggy of Virginia Beach, VA March 2, 2009

My husband and I went to H & R block on 2-14-09 to file our taxes. We were told that we will be recieving substantialy less this year than we have in the previous 9 years of filing with them, ok, 1378 instead of 3600 - thats a big difference but I can deal with that. We choose the 8-14 day ral because they did not tell us that if we did not apply for a ral it only takes 8-15 days to get your money from the irs. Important information to disclose. Then at the end the tax preparer tell us that it will cost almost 400 for us to file this year, before it was 195 at most, same info from previous years but this year the fees have gone up ALOT and the refunds have gone down ALOT.

Of course, like everyone else we were denied for the 8-14 day RAL...but cant get our money back for their fees. seems to me like hsbc should provide a list of people who were APPROVED for the RAL - becuase the economy is bad, i personaly believe that they are denying EVERYONE and making ALOT of money from the fees! I am contacting an attorney tomorrow to look into a lawsuit. Oh yeah, and the IRS says that my refund was deposited onto my card on 2-27-09 - but the card says no money. I called the number and was told that HSBC band was holding my refund for internal reasons no specified. WHAT? You DENIED my loan, GIVE ME MY MONEY!

I believe that they are denying everyones loans to collect the fees (becuase i have always gotten the loan in the past) and then keeping taxpayers deposited money in their bank for extended periods of time so they can collect interest on our money. well shoot, you for 400 in fees and now our interest, God only knows when my money will go into the bank!

Erica of Macon, GA February 27, 2009

I am filed my taxes with HRBlock for many yrs and I have always been denied the RAL. Year after year, I was told that I did not qualify for the RAL because I was not a true HRBlock customer. Does anyone know what a true HRBlock customer is? Please help me out, I am confused. This year I have received complementary calls from the manager stating that I should qualify for the RAL this year because I threatened to take my business dedication elsewhere. Thanks to all I have read about the rip-offs HRBlock are pulling and how they luring customers in with their lies and scams; I am one to say, I WILL NOT BE USING THEM EVER AGAIN.

Tiffany of Wichita, KS February 26, 2009

I tried to use my atm card to withdrawl 500 from my emerald card at an atm. The atm said transaction cancelled, so I tried again and this time it gave me the 500. Then it gave me the receipt that said my balance was 1000 less than what it was when I pulled up to the atm. I looked at my card activity online and noticed that they charged me for the 500 that said transaction canceled. So I go in the bank and they tell me I have to contact HR Block,

So I call them they tell me it shows I got the money, i say i know but i didnt. So they give me another number, I've tried it and been on hold for more than 45 mins three times then it asks if i want to leave a message so i did nobody called me back. SO I sent them an email, still nobody is getting ahold of me. I'm out 500. Plus the 2.50 they charged me for getting the money from the atm. I don't know where to go from here, anyone have any solutions?

I needed the money to pay my gas bill. I got it paid when I got paid. But because I used my check to pay gas bill, had a hard time buying groceries for my 3 kids for the week.

Tr of Cripple Creek, CO February 25, 2009

I took my tax paperwork to them to be filed as I have for over a decade. Was told that I would receive my money (through a RAL) in cheque from to be picked up on Monday Feb 9th. Came in on the 9th, and was told that I should check back on the 10th. Checked back on the 10th and was told that the RAL was denied, no explanation, and would have to wait till the 20th.

Checked with the IRS web site & it showed that my money had in fact been deposited on the 20th, so I called H&R Block. They stated that I would have to wait till the 21st, that it may take 24 hrs for it to show up. Called on the 21st and was told no cheque, will be in on the 23rd for sure. Well the 23rd I was told to check back on the 24th, 24th told the 25th.

Today I called and was told that no cheques were in yesterday or today, and would be Friday the 27th. Still only getting well I don't know, and call this # (automated line that I sat on hold for 20min), and Well there is nothing I can do, etc. Is there anything that a person can do?

Anthony of Otsego, MN February 23, 2009

I went to have my taxes done on 1/21/09 and I was approved for the RAL and told was going to get it 1 to 2 days. I was then told after those days were up and still haven't gotten my money I was then told I would get it 8-15 days. It's 2/22 and still haven't gotten my money I keep getting the run around about where my money is. The IRS says that there is some kind of a hold up with my check but don't know what it is. Why in the world would they not know what it is?

My electricity may be shut off sonn as well as my gas and my phone. Also I'm like almost 2 months late on rent.

Mark of Flemingsburg, KY February 22, 2009

Well just so everyone will know. I to used H&R Block services. But didn't go RAL. Paid 330.00. I got my tax money from state and federal back within 15 days. And that's after all the mistakes and I didn't have it direct deposited. Would have liked to but the preparer told me that wasn't available this year. But that was another incompetent mistake that was made because you can. Don't waste all that money on H&R Block services. The banks are turning down just about everyone due to the banks freeze on credit. You can should have your money back within 8-15 days without H&R Blocks RAL and, save yourself ALOT of money.

Just read all these testimonials on this site. And know its true. I hope this is published because in the shape the economy is. You don't need to throw away 100'S of dollars, if you don't have to.

They will tell you 1-2 days or 8-15. But after they fill out your taxes your committed to any and all fees.

Heather of Lewiston, ME February 20, 2009

I like many others went and applied for the ral in December knowing I would get my w-2 in January and be back on track well I did my taxes on the 15th and asked the quickest way which Esther the H & R Block agent stated the Emerald Card and withing 1-2 days I would have my federal available of course I paid a lot of money for this service and after 1,2 and 3 days went by I called the emerald card number (back of card) and WOW! talk about horrible customer service not only did the customer service reps. I spoke with provide me with false information I was hung up on several times including by a Supervisor.

I was given the number to HSBC bank and of course not in service. I called the H & R Block number (800-hr-block) and when I got off the phone with them I was even more confused. I then called the location at which my taxes were filed and spoke to the Manager there named Brenda who stated that I owed 154. for State so the IRS would detach my refund. I explained to Brenda that Esther the agent that prepared my taxed had already given me a form to submit my state and I have already sent that in. Brenda didn't really know what to say except the IRS.gov website which indicated they hadn't received my refund yet and not to try back for at least a week. Talk about frustrated at this point I not only told Brenda the Manager that Esther the agent needed better training and to stop giving clients misinformation that I would be in to see her myself as at this point I want my fees for 1-2 refunded to me as well.

The following day I received a call from Brenda who stated if I owe the state 154. for this year the IRS would not of taken the refund and she didn't know what to do except apologize and of course still no idea where my money is and the emerald card HSBC still has an outstanding balance as my RAL hasn't been paid yet. I have been going to H & R Block for 9 years and will NEVER do business with them again and will do my best to make sure other clients of H & R Block realize what;s going on and will probably be reporting to the Better Business Bureau as this is just not right.

Regardless of the refund amount (which mines not great this year) it's the principle of being provided with not only misinformation but being provided with complete lines of [lies] as that's what all these agents try to do is tell you what you want to hear to get you off their phone, well that's if they didn't hang up on you first.

Michael of Saint Petersburg, FL February 20, 2009

Went for 48 hour loan and never receive it. Office refuse to let me know about my 48 hour loan and charge me 165.00 to do my taxes. They avoided me all week I have to wait 8-15 days when I could of done this free. I will not throw my money away like this, I want a full refund I would of never agreed to wait 8-15 days when I could file for free and receive my money back in the same time. My tax guy knew I owed the IRS 60.00 and never told me that this will delay my refund. That is the part I am steamed at. Plus he put fake birthday on my paper work cause my licence was expired.

I am paying late fees and car company wants there car back. Also I have a expired licence till I receive my money I cant drive I am upset, This company lied.

Owen of Denver, CO February 20, 2009

My wife and I had our taxes prepared through H&R Block to use their Rapid Refund program. We were not told the price until they were finished and then we did not get our Rapid Refund. We were told that it was due to not being able to confirm our identity. We then had our identity cofirmed through their process then was told that we still will not get it. We were told that they had recieved our refund from the IRS at that time. When asking why they then said they could not talk to us due to some confientiality law. We contacted many different people and finally worked our way up to the district manager of H&R Block. His name is D. Armijo.

Our first contact with him has been over two weeks ago. We have been promised calls and updates since. He finally called yesterday morning stating that he contacted their bank for the Rapid Refund and was told that our refund was sent back to the IRS. I asked him why and what do I do to fix this. He called later yesterday afternoon and stated that we might get it this friday or we might not. I asked how we fix this and he stated he will find out and call my the lateset this morning with or without info. He still has not called. This is a big issue with me. It has takin over 2 weeks just to get the call yesterday.

We have gotten nothing but the run around with H&R Block and we have not been able to get a straight answer from them. I called to H&R Block this afternoon to see if I can reach him and was told that he's been working on our issue since last week, which is not true because he stated that he just called them yesterday! Then we were told that we just have to buck up and deal with this! We were told that we will get our refund when we get it! We are upset due to paying a fee of almost 300.00 for their service then being treated this way. We have been more than polite and patient but that has finally ran out. We are hoping that we can get some direction or help with this matter.

We needed to get this Rapid Refund to pay rent. We live in a Motel, pay weekly. We were needing this monies immediatly but thnk you to the manager, he is working with us. But as of tomorrow we will be out on the streets due to not getting our refund. Last week we had to goto a pawn shop and pawn our wedding rings to pay rent. If we are evicted tomorrow we will have a slew of trouble. We will probably lose our jobs, then our storage (where all of our belonging are), and our wedding rings. We are also out of the money that we paid to do the Rapid Refund!

Tina of York, PA February 19, 2009

My ex's sister, who is 20 years old with a 2-year-old son and struggling with losing her job, went to H&R Block just because of the advertised RAL on 2/2/09. I had done her previous 2 years of taxes online with TurboTax with no problems and no extra fees. She was told she would get her money in 1-2 days, got this Emerald Card, but she just called me again today (2/19/09) to say that the money still wasn't on her card and that she got a letter in the mail saying that she was denied for the RAL. She told me they charged her over 300 to do her taxes, for a 900 refund, leaving her only around 600! She started school again to try to help her get a degree for a better job and has been in these job search classes, paying for child care while she's there and getting behind on all of her bills, so she really needed that money.

I told her to just bring me all of her paperwork, so I can read this contract over and make some calls, but after reading everything online here, I'm really upset! If California can sue H&R Block, then I think every one here needs to contact their local representatives, the BBB, the Consumer Affairs and their State Attorney General and sue them again! I'm contacting everyone and complaining. The economy is HORRIBLE right now and I think this is just a horrible way to take advantage of people. There is too much fine print, too much false advertising, and they are screwing low-income people over who don't really understand all of this jargon like my ex's sister. People need their money that they worked for! I wish everyone else on here luck with their situations, but hey - we have rights and it might take us some time, but we all work hard to earn our money, EIC or not, we deserve some answers and some justice!

So I beg everyone - don't just give up the fight - even if you get your money - no one should charge hundreds of dollars to prepare a tax form! That is such a rip off! I have a lot of people come to me every year and I do the TurboTax online with them on my computer and do their taxes and don't charge them anything, even though they try to give me money. My local H&R Block for all of Eastern PA isn't even registered with the BBB, but they still take complaints.

Consequences were late on rent, no money for child care, extra fees for making phone calls, inquiries and the cost of filing took 1/3 of the total tax refund!

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