HOUSTON – Two Houston-area families are out thousands of dollars after hiring someone to complete their taxes.
As tax day approaches, KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun has a warning: Double-check your tax preparer!
Woman hires tax-prep company on recommendation
Allison Bess read the messages she sent her tax preparer throughout last year.
Bess hired the Green Money Group to file her 2021 taxes after a friend’s recommendation.
The group’s website bills itself as “family-owned, serving clients in Texas for over a decade.”
“As I’m submitting all of my stuff to her and getting everything ready, payment and everything,” said Bess. “Submit the payment, dead silence. Crickets.”
“She ghosted you?” said Balogun.
“She did. She did,” said Bess.
Bess paid Green Money Group nearly $2,000 last February – then nothing.
“I asked her for an update actually in March. She said she was swamped but she was going to check on it for me. I told her, ‘Thank you.’ Then on April 7, I checked in for an update.”
She said that message and several others went unanswered.
“It’s been very overwhelming and it is stressful,” Bess said.
“People could say, ‘How did you all fall for this? How did you not know to stay away.’ What would be your response to them?” said Rilwan Balogun.
“We had family that had used her and everything was fine. Everything was fine. Taking a word-of-mouth recommendation by someone you know and trust.”
The person who recommended the group was her best friend Tataum Watkins.
“It’s just been a mess,” said Watkins.
Watkins was also duped by the group
“You didn’t stumble upon her website? You were referred by your brother who used her prior with no issues. Have you talked to your brother since? What is he telling you?” Balogun asked.
“Well, he’s just been shocked. He’s been shocked that, that happened as well,” said Watkins. “I honestly feel how my brother feels because my brother is like, ‘Sis, I’m so sorry. I would never have thought this would have happened.’ He’s just like, ‘Ugh I’m so embarrassed. I wish we could figure this out and be able to help you.’ Now, I’m in the same situation because I referred her to one of my friends and she’s in the same boat, no taxes, no refund, and out more money than I am.”
Watkins and Bess made several attempts at getting refunds. They sent emails, text messages, and called but the number was eventually disconnected.
Balogun also sent an email weeks ago and made several calls, but nothing.
After several weeks of no response, Balogun and Bess called the company together.
“Thank you for reaching Green Money Group,” said the voicemail. “I understand that due to unforeseen circumstances in regards to the 2022 tax preparations I will be issuing a prior service reduction and or a discounted 2022 rate for any inconvenience. Please reach out to me through email.”
“So, the fact that she puts that out there as her outgoing message is alarming. It is,” said Bess.
It’s not clear what the situation with Green Money Group is, however, these women and the IRS want you to use their experience as a learning lesson.
“Double check. There are so many scam artists out there and even when it doesn’t seem like they’re going to be scam artists, just do your homework,” said Bess.
“How do you feel about all of this?” asks Balogun.
“It’s been really stressful. It makes me angry. It makes me angry and it does make me scared for other people because I’m sure she’s doing this to other people. I feel many, many people and it’s not okay,” said Watkins.
Warning about ghost tax preparers
KPRC 2 has warned you before of ‘ghost tax preparers’ and the IRS has a lot of information about this.
RELATED: What is a ‘ghost’ tax preparer and how to avoid them
The IRS suggests before using a tax preparer:
- Get their tax preparer number – it’s required then you can visit the IRS website confirming their credentials.
- The IRS says ghost preparers are real. They are people that will help you with your taxes trying to get you a larger refund by inflating or sometimes making things up, according to the IRS. Here’s the thing, these ‘preparers’ don’t sign off on it. So, when there’s an audit – instead of going to the tax preparer they come to you.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Here are 3 signs of a bad tax preparer
With child tax credits and stimulus refunds, you may need help figuring out your taxes this year. Mom-and-pop offices pop up this time of year, and you should know the red flags to look out for.