H&R Block irs refund emeral card rac scam, Internet

I will admit it I was wrong. Yesterday I received an add in the mail for H and R Block.  It actually states on it, Tax time is here but you don't have to wait for a federal tax refund check in the mail. As a returning H&R Block client, You are automatically invited to apply for a Refund Anticipation Check!

Benefits of a RAC
1. you could get money up to the amount of your federal tax return refund , minus fees in just 7-14 days ( seems to me the federal time for the refund was expected to be the same so how is that different)

2. Get your RAC for FREE If you come before February 4th and get a RAC on an emerald card and its FREE. ( hmmmm We paid 300... But it would have been 20 more to get it direct deposit or a check)

3. Pay nothing out of pocket for the refund. Have it deducted from your return... ( probably the only true thing on the Add.

Its signed by Phil Mazzini and underneath it says retail tax president.

Now Our tax person was up front last year about the fact that they were not doing the loans anymore due to changes made by congress on what is considered ok on charges for short term loans. Last year only Jackson Hewitt was doing the RAL.  So we knew going in to expect it in roughly a week. Thats how long it took last year. I did however upon receiving the add in the mail contact the BBB.  This morning I finally got an email from Block... Telling me of the delay. They are only 5 days late on sending it... tomorrow the return is supposed to be here.  They really need to work on communication!

This report was 100 % accurate according to the information I had when it was posted. I was told by an HR Block customer service agent that the IRS had transferred the money to HR Block and it was being held for them to take out their fee's before deposit. I had no idea what was going on and neither did HR Block. But they were quick to tell me whatever I wanted to hear to get their money. And it seems they have their employees trained well to do this for them.

What I know now is there was indeed a delay with the IRS in filing returns this year. No one really knows why, there are tons of different stories out there. So yes, it was the IRS' fault for the delay, however HR Block promised I would get the refund in 7 days. I told my tax preparer upfront that I was using their service to get my refund as soon as possible and they promised it was in fact the fastest way and I would have my money in under a week as opposed to waiting three weeks if i file myself. They used language that was misleading (like refund anticipation check) to manipulate me into believing this promise. Their tactics kind of reminds me of the way used car sales men double speak. In addition to all of this they now have all of the paperwork you sign on a computer so its hard to read what your signing until its printed out. And after 350.00 in fee's you leave the office convinced you've paid to get your money as soon as you're approved IRS.

An interesting update as well, they finally did notify me of the delays on the 28th via email and a text message received at midnight... but they with held the info for two days considering they officially knew about it on the 26th when I wrote this.

I maintain this is a scam. They also try to convince you that you file for free... but you find out at the end of your session that its not so free. If 350 is free I'd hate to see what I would have actually paid to have my 1040ez filed.

Ok here goes.. First off H and R Block was very up front with on last year and this year on the fact that they do are not allowed to do refund  loans as they were outlawed last year by congress. Apparently Congress felt that our choosing to pay 30 dollars to have our money early was somehow evil doings on the account of the tax preparers. This year you would have had your money on the 25th... not the 24th because irs did not plan to release any till the 25th.  However on the 17th,( the first day you could file online) Irs computers suffered a glitch that shut down the system. It did not go back up till mid day on the 18th. Therefore anyone whose returns did not post prior to the shutdown are not getting their refunds till for another week.  Count yourself lucky if you get it prior to the 1st many aren't getting it until the 7th. These are not the fault of H and R block. You would be in the same boat had you used any other service.   Now what is the fault of H and R block in my opinion was that they didn't bother to inform us customers of the problem. Instead we have had to do the research ourselves to find out what the delay is.  We have used this company for years.  Each year we had the same responses.. A thankyou email right after filing, an update email when the irs accepted the return, and an update when the money is available... So far we have heard nothing. But ont he bright side if you are in the same group as I am your tax return should be here by Monday. Mine will be.

Good Luck to you