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Tomahawk of Boston, MA February 15, 2009
I filed my taxes at Highway Robbery Block on 2/11/09. I selected 1-2 day RAL. I checked the HSBC website on the 2/12, and was informed that my RAL had been denied. Of course the tax preparer had her head up her a, and seemed to be a bit unnerved as I took my sweet time reading the fine print on the yellow paper. IRS has confirmed reciept of my return, and has since informed me that I will recieve my Federal return by 2/24. Will I be charged for the 1-2 day RAL? From what I see on this website, I will.
It is important that I tell people that if you owe credit cards, loans (student and otherwise), owe the IRS, owe your state, child support etc., HSBC WILL deduct the amounts you owe from your expected return. They even say it on the yellow paper. (We will act as a debt collector...) If you owe money, DONT USE H&R BLOCK.
Suzanne of Kansas City, KS February 15, 2009
My husband and I had our taxes done by H&R Block on Jan 30th. We went with the 1 - 2 Day RAL Loan and was denied. They told us it would be 8 to 15 days, but we would get a bigger refund. We checked with the IRS, and our refund was direct deposited on Feb 13th, but not applied to our Emerald Card. When we call the number on the back of the card, to find out what is going on, we get told different things. He was told By Midnight February 15th I was told midnight the 14th.
I called them back at 12:16 AM and talked to a woman who would not speak to me, had to be my husband. he gave her all the information she asked for, card info, address and social security number. When he asked when to expect the refund ot be applied, she put him on hold. We sat on hold for 66 minutes and 3 seconds, taking turns holding the phone until we checked our balance online and noticed that they had charged us for the call, but never came back to the phone. I hung up and called again, only to find out that the office was closed. We had been put on hold so that woman could go home without having to answer any questions about why the IRS says our money has been deposited, but they have not applied it to the card so that we could access our refund.
This is the worst service we had ever gotten anywhere and will not be referring any of our friends, family or co-workers to H & R Block. I plan to wait til Midnight tomorrow and find out what happens then. But like many people, we really counted ont hat money to pay rent and bills. Just am so irritated that a company can hold your money like this without any explanation.
Come Tuesday, February 17th, we will be without lights, water, phone or a home. We are already without heat since we had counted on the money being here already to buy more fuel. We will be homeless.
Derek of Plainview, IL February 14, 2009
I filed my taxes with H&R Block on the 2nd and used rapid refund. I was told I would recieve my refund the next day and was charged almost 300 for this service. I recieved a phone call the next morning stating I would not recieve my refund that day and was given a phone number to call to find out why. The phone number was an automated recording that wanted me to go to a website that couldn't tell me anything either. I finally spoke to a real person on the 888 number and was told I would recieve my refund by 9 am on the 13th.
I called H&R block on the 13th after I had not heard anything and they told me they had not recieved my refund. I called the 888 number again and it said that they had not recieved my refund and that payments were only recieved on Fridays to check back next Friday. I called the IRS website to find out what was going on with my refund. The lady at the IRS was awesome and was really nice told me not only did H&R Block have my money but they have had it for a while now. She also gave me the routing number and the account number that my refund was placed in. I can't wait to call H&R Block in the morning Because I am tired of all thier I don't know anything crap because now I know they are rip offs. I just don't know what I am going to say when they try to tell me that they still don't have my money or something like they aren't giving it to me until next friday while they sit and draw interest on my money and charging me almost 300 to use my money to collect interest on without even sharing some of that interest with me. Not only that but the lady at the IRS told me that she recieves a ton of calls everyday from people that used H&R Block and each time the IRS has sent the money but H&R Block isn't disbursing the money
I filed the rapid refund because I had lost my job and I was behind in all my bills I had an eviction notice, water shut off notice, power shut off notice, and my baby needed diapers on top of it all. I could have filed online for free and got it faster than this, and now I still have to pay a ridiculous fee. Thanks alot H&R Block. Lee of Grants Pass, OR February 14, 2009
I was reading some of the complaints earlier but wanted to mention that I had a great experience with HR Block because the person, Terry, explained to me that the RAL and Instant RAL are loans against my taxes and that I'd have to apply for them, that there's a small credit check and if I don't owe the IRS or my State DOR or HSBC bank then it's normally fine. But if I do owe any of them (and I did) that the loan would be delayed. He also said if the 1-2 day is delayed that I'm not charged for the extra fee, and he was right because I was delayed and not charged the extra fees.
I thought my tax prep would be about 90-100 but it was around 140 and he showed me the billing breakdown. The earned income credit form for my 2 kids was about 35 for just that (but it was worth it to get a couple grand). He showed me I pay for each form I needed for my taxes and asked if I had a coupon from the paper or my employer. I said no and he said Well you work at wal mart and I have a coupon code for that and it will save you 15. So he saved me 15. So, I can see why some of you all had challenges because you didn't understand a loan, but it is a loan against your taxes. I had a good honest experience.
Ronnie of Bledsoe, KY February 14, 2009
My taxes were prepaired and I was given the Emerald Card for fund to be deposited within a max time of 8-15 days. It is now days past the limmit and I am still not payed. They did not meet the stated time frame. I was lead to belive that the new card was the fastest way and I budgeted my money around that belief.
I have missed a doctor's appointment that is vital to my health, because I was unable to pay for the trip. My bills have went over the date due and I am now resposible for the interest. My groceries are running thin and I am agrivated to no end. I am diagnosed with PTSD and this makes my condition worse.
Tanya of Medford, OR February 14, 2009
My fiance went to H&R Block to have his taxes done and receive a rapid refund, as we have in previous years, but this year we were denied? I could have done his taxes online for free; or little cost, and had our taxes in the same amount of time that we paid 290.00 plus to H&R Block to receive them. I think our fees actually came out to around 400.00 for a basic file with head of household and dependants. I think it is terrible for them to offer this loan to all these customers who have always received them, charge those customers fees they'd only pay because of the rapid refund - then deny them. It's a money scam in my opinion. Who pays that much to file taxes? Honestly! We/he will never again use H&R Block for any tax services.
The only damage is the bills that need to be paid. Because he in the past 9 years has never been denied rapid refund we assumed this year would be the same and spent accordingly. Obviously we should not have, but after 9 years of rapid refunds - why would we assume that we would not receive it this year. Plus, the almost 400.00 it cost us to e-file, when I could have done it online for free. And the fees everytime we use the emerald card; vs. having the refund directly deposited into his bank.
Ann-Lynn of Syracuse, NY February 13, 2009
My husband and I went back to H&R Block this year (we have been for three years in a row) We have never had a problem getting an RAL but for some reason this year we were denied. When we called b/c when we were in the branch office we were told we were approved, they just kept telling us that they would call us no need to call them. YEAH RIGHT! I want to know where my money is!
We paid 305 to have our taxes filed. What a rip off. We got our taxes filed on Feb 4th and we were told they would be here by today (feb 13th) we called three times today and Nothing...no explanation. My husband finally asked to speak to the tax preparer and she had mentioned that she did not know why but they should be here next friday now. She also said she did not know how much. I will NEVER use H&R Block again! Not only that but i will telling everyone i know not to use them as well. We are facing eviction now b/c we made false Payment arrangments based on their promises.
We are facing eviction now due to false payment arrangments on our rent.
Susan of Colorado Springs, CO February 13, 2009
On the 28th of January 2009, my husband and I went into the local H&R Block. We decided to do the RAL, and we understood that it would take at least 1 to 2 days. No problem right? Well the next day I call thier 1-800 number and guess what it was denied. So we call back to H&R block, and we were told they have nothing to do with it that we must call the treasury dep., so we did and they said it would be 8-15 days. We have waited our 8-15 days and still nothing. We moved from Texas to Colorado and we needed the money to pay for expenses my aunt had to loan us some money to make it until the irs check comes. Dont use H&R Block for any of your taxes. And dont try to get answers with them because they have no idea what theyre doing.
We are broke and have no money to buy another car so we can look for jobs. My rent is paid but I dont know for how long.
Lisa of Bolivar, OH February 12, 2009
Went to H&R Block for the Ral Loan. We were denied. We have good credit. I have read everyones comments about this situation, and it is awful. I like everyone else need the money, that is why we payed the fees. Rediculous. Called all the numbers, got treated terribble. Isn't this our money? I just can't believe it. It should be jail time for ripping us all off! We need a class action suit for pain and suffering also. Everyone is stressing out, becasue this is are chance to get caught up on things, usually temporary and we cant even do that with are own money.
Will never go to H&R block again. Never!
Kelly of Minden, NV February 12, 2009
My husband and I recieved a letter from H&R Block stating that if we filed before Feb.12th,09. We were approved for our RAL,we have never been denied, but were on Feb.3rd 2009. When we asked why they gave us a phone number to call the bank, HSBC, because H&R Block isn't the lending institution. I called HSBC and am getting the run around. I call one number and they refer me to another number. Finally saying they will send us a letter of denial, they can't discuss it over the phone.
H&R Block charged us 570.00 for tax preparation, if I'd have known that I would have filed myself. Both companies are scamming innocent customers and putting it off on the other company. How is this legal?
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