ComplaintsforRefund Advisory Corp

• Initial Complaint

  09/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On March ******* ***** ********** came to my door and stated he was with the Refund Advisory Corporation. He stated that they investigated the property tax records in ******,Texas and that I would receive approximately $1,887.27 and that they would get $3,774.57. On August 20, 2024 I received an invoice for $3,805.24. The due date was September 3, 2024. I called them on August ****** and they stated that they sent my refund to the Bexar County Tax Office. I called Bexar County Tax Office August ******* and they stated that they have not received any money toward my tax account and they stated that it is a scam. I owe back taxes of over $3,213.45 so I feel this is a company that prays on old people and I am one of those. I have received no money from this company and now they want me to send them money. Something is not right.

  Business response

  09/11/2024

  We have made several attempts to contact the client and resolve her complaint but she hasn't answered or returned our calls. The client didn't receive a refund check because as of today's date she still owes over $3,000 in past due property taxes dating back to 2022. She hasn't made a tax payment since July 13, 2022. This led to over $8,000 in delinquent taxes on her property. The tax office didn't issue a refund and instead applied the amounts directly to her balance and now she only owes about $3,000. We're not sure what the tax office told the client but clearly over $5,000 on her balance didn't go away for no reason, it was a direct result of the work we did. We didn't get paid a single ***** for our services since all the funds were applied to her delinquent taxes. Therefore, the client received an invoice directly from us. We are able and willing to lower the fee and come to a payment arrangement if need be. 

• Initial Complaint

  08/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  RAC came to my home to complete a tax refund process while I was away from town. Once the worker arrived to the location, he was made aware that I was not personally there to fill and complete the forms and he advised my daughter that they could complete the process anyway and submit the proper forms later. The worked told my daughter she could sign the forms and I could send my valid ** later. After I was made aware of what happened, I immediately knew it was sketchy business. The worker was clearly trying his best to get his sale or whatever he was doing to get the business done, in a malicious and falsified manner. When I called them and told them I would not complete their process, they said it would nullify since it was not completed anyway. Well months later after I went and did the tax work myself with the tax office, they sent out a bill for services they never did from the falsified and incomplete information they took. *** called and explained several times and submitted all the information they require. (My own work from the tax office, as well as my actual signature, and the ** they never had, as well as proof I was out of the country when this happened) they insist that they have a contract but it was neither with MY signature or completed information that they needed to actually file and provide the services they stated. They did not complete their portion of completing a contract and now they want to uphold services they did not provide. This entire company is doing sketchy business in order to benefit themselves and now its evident that this is not the first or last time it has happened based on the conversations Ive had with their supervisor.

  Business response

  08/19/2024

  We have made several attempt to reach the client and resolve her complaint but she has not answered or returned out calls. The client claims that she did not sign the paperwork and contract but the signature on the forms matches exactly what's on her state issued identification. ******, her claim that she wasn't present to sign the paperwork can't be true unless she is suggesting that her daughter committed fraud and forgery on a contractual agreement. We would love to discuss the matter further and reach a resolution if she would like to reach out to us. 

  Customer response

  08/29/2024

  I am rejecting this response because:   The business is stating they tried to reach me and could not get a response but also acknowledged that they indeed reach me to let them know if the fraud. That is exactly why this problem exists. They lie and do what they need to, like fraud, to conduct their business. I was out of the country at the time, with passport stamp to prove it. The notary on-site told my daughter to complete the paperwork while he was there and then told her that once I returned, I could submit the proper identification forms to complete the process. And since I knew that was sketchy/fraudulent business, I never submitted the paperwork they required to complete the work. So no application was ever submitted by this company because they never got the forms they required from me by law. This company should be investigated for their improper handling of peoples personal information. 

  Business response

  09/03/2024

  We only spoke to the client when she called in on 8/9/2024, her complaint was filed after that on 8/12/2024. At which point I made several attempts to reach the primary number on the account to resolve the complaint and concern so we're definitely not lying on our end. Attached is  a screen shot of our call records and our calls are also recorded. Once again the client is claiming that she never submitted the paperwork to us but we have her exact signature, as shown on her Texas' Driver's License, on four separate forms. Her claims that she never signed anything are outright false. The Driver's License was also provided to us at the time of signing which seems odd if she was out of the country.

• Initial Complaint

  08/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company contacted myself about a refund due to me if I filled my home as a homestead they sent a notary to my home to help me fill out the application. I was supposed to get a refund and they would get 50% as a fee for helping. Months have passed since and I never received the refund. I have tried contacting them and no luck by phone or email. After I read fine print in application I noticed that they made me sign a part that said that the refund would go to them. They tricked me into this refund and should no be operating as a business service to us.

  Business response

  08/05/2024

  The client's account it still within the 4 to 6 month timetable of completion. The tax office has not issued any refunds on his property taxes yet so our company hasn't received anything. There is no "small print" about the checks being sent to us. The picture the client provided is an information guide and in no way, shape, or form an actual contractual agreement. He signed a standard document that allows the tax office to send the refund checks to our company. Lastly, the client claims to have contacted us several times via phone or emails yet we have no call no logs from him, no voicemails, or emails. We made a couple of attempts to contact him but there was no response. 

• Initial Complaint

  06/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I was contacted by an associate of the refund advisory corp. Stating that I over paid on my property taxes and that the time was running out for me to recuperate the money I was owed. So we made an appointment for the notary to come to my home to help me fill out the paperwork. I was told that I was owed $477.03 for 2021 $1,737.96 for 2022 $1,147 for 2023 and $1,147 for ********************************************************************************************************************************* 50% and that I would receive a check in the mail at which time I would have to send them their half which they were charging as my property tax agent. I was then given the email refunds at refund advisory.com with the reference number being 3x-63034..I recently contacted them asking where my refund was at which time I was told I owed them a balance of ****** and when I asked to talk to the supervisor the woman named ***************** up on me. About 20 minutes later I received another call from her supervisor at which time I was informed that they already received the refund and when I asked about my half he told me the best he could do was send me 450 which I stated wasn't half and then he told me he could send 500 and i told him no finally he said he would send me 700 if i sent an email stating i would've report them or *** them... I told them that they were wrong preying on a widow with a young child..and I told him no and he said good luck trying to get the money I was owed...

  Business response

  06/18/2024

  We spoke to the client on 6/13 and explained the full process and transactions to her. The total recovery/benefit on her account is $4,296.86 and she contractually agreed to pay us 50%, which is $2,148.43. We only received a total amount of $1,861.11 from the tax office so this doesn't cover our fee. We explained to her that the remaining portion was applied to her unpaid tax bill for 2023. The client was supposed to have paid $2,059.06 on her taxes for the 2023 tax year but only paid $1,029.53, the remaining tax bill was covered by part of the refund that should've came to our office. The refund was adjusted to her tax balance so that was a benefit she received through our work and we explained this to her but she refused to include that in the total recovery. Furthermore, for this current tax year we have got her taxes lowered toa projected amount of $709.14 as opposed to $1,984.51, without the work we did. The client has clearly benefited more than our company yet was demanding we send her one half of the $1,861.11 we received without accounting the $2,400 adjustment/savings she received. Even so we agreed to send her an additional $700 from our earned fee, in good faith that we could amicably resolve any issues or concerns she still had but she refused. At this point we don't believe the client is being fair or reasonable in her demands, per our conversation we were led to believe that even if we send her whatever money she is demanding she still had the intention on filing a complaint regardless.

  Business response

  06/18/2024

  We spoke to the client on 6/13 and explained the full process and transactions to her. The total recovery/benefit on her account is $4,296.86 and she contractually agreed to pay us 50%, which is $2,148.43. We only received a total amount of $1,861.11 from the tax office so this doesn't cover our fee. We explained to her that the remaining portion was applied to her unpaid tax bill for 2023. The client was supposed to have paid $2,059.06 on her taxes for the 2023 tax year but only paid $1,029.53, the remaining tax bill was covered by part of the refund that should've came to our office. The refund was adjusted to her tax balance so that was a benefit she received through our work and we explained this to her but she refused to include that in the total recovery. Furthermore, for this current tax year we have got her taxes lowered toa projected amount of $709.14 as opposed to $1,984.51, without the work we did. The client has clearly benefited more than our company yet was demanding we send her one half of the $1,861.11 we received without accounting the $2,400 adjustment/savings she received. Even so we agreed to send her an additional $700 from our earned fee, in good faith that we could amicably resolve any issues or concerns she still had but she refused. At this point we don't believe the client is being fair or reasonable in her demands, per our conversation we were led to believe that even if we send her whatever money she is demanding she still had the intention on filing a complaint regardless.

  Customer response

  06/18/2024

  I am fearful that the company will not send any money as they're saying because they haven't been truthful up front from the beginning that's the reason why I'm making this to complaint..

  Customer response

  06/18/2024

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. 

  Customer response

  06/18/2024

  So does this mean they're going to send me the $700

• Initial Complaint

  06/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I was contacted by this company via mail and phone several times. When I called back, I was given an appointment and an address here in ******* to explain what the overlooked Refund was for. I was told it was from the ***************** and advised not only can they help get my refund on over paid tax charges but would lower my taxes for the future. When application was completed, I asked what the fee would be and requested a copy of the application. ************** said he couldn't provide one because it was to be sent in. All he could give me was a green folder (picture attached) with amounts totaling ******* and stating 50% would be deducted. When I asked about the 50% ************** stated, "NO, it's only like 10 or 20%" this was just a folder with totals for now. I said, "even 20% is fair". We received a check for only, $309.69 and letter stating amount of $2122.17 was collected from the city on our behalf. I did not file earlier because we had my grandson then my brother murdered, and I completely lost track of everything. I have attached several pictures hopefully can help. I can also send death certificates or/and crime victim office letters as proof if needed. I appreciate any and all help you can assist me with. This is so unfair to anyone. I hope this will help me recover our refund and get the word out to others who might be getting scammed the same way. thank you.

  Business response

  06/18/2024

  We met with the client back on 5/09/2022 and everything was completed by 8/24/2022. Two years have passed since then and we were never contacted by the client to raise any concerns they had. They apparently, without or knowledge, reached out to the notary public that helped them get the paperwork notarized opposed to reaching out to us directly which would be the actually company that did the work. We could've easily resolved any issue presented had we known. The first thing to note with the complaint is the amounts are incorrect. The tax office only sent us $1,370.77 back on 8/3/2022. There was an additional $751.40 factored in directly to her unpaid taxes of 2022 as well, bringing the grand total of their refund/benefit to $2,122.17 of which our fee is 50%. We obtained our fee and sent them a check for the difference which was $309.69 plus the $751.40 adjustment/savings on their 2022 taxes. The client only paid $2,235.60 as opposed to over $3,000 they would've paid prior to our services. 

  Customer response

  06/19/2024

  I contacted the people who made contact and worked with us because that was the information of the persons who reached out and completed the paperwork. I had no idea they were a third party company. Thank you for the explanation. As I mentioned the reason for the delay. Thank you for your time. I never cashed the check sent to me. Is there a way to re-send our part?

  Customer response

  06/21/2024

  I am rejecting this response because: I contacted the people who made contact and worked with us because that was the information of the persons who reached out and completed the paperwork. I had no idea they were a third party company. Thank you for the explanation. As I mentioned the reason for the delay. Thank you for your time. I never cashed the check sent to me. Is there a way to re-send our part?  

  Business response

  06/24/2024

  We would be more than glad to discuss the matter further and reissue you a new check. Please contact us directly at ************. We also ask that you can mark this complaint resolved upon reaching out to us.

  Customer response

  07/03/2024

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company is totally a scam!!! They came saying they will recover money saying they will take 50% which agreed on. Now they saying all the money they recover went to delinquent tax i don't have delinquent balance now they send me a invoice that i owe them more than $2000 and i have to pay they never tell you that this can even happen.

  Business response

  05/20/2024

  The terms of the agreement clearly state that we would invoice the client directly should the refunds be applied to any unpaid/delinquent taxes. The entire refund was applied to ********************* unpaid taxes therefore we didn't receive a single ***** for our work and services provided. Even so we made several attempts to contact ***************** in order to work out a payment arrangement and even lower the total balance so that it's more manageable but unfortunately our calls are either ignored or in a couple of instances hung up on. The client's proposed solution is for us to help with the balance and payment arrangements, yet she hangs up on us and doesn't return our calls. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Do yourselves a favor and do not contact this cirm, they charge a ridiculous 50% fee for what is essentially 30 minutes of filling out a form from your local appraisal district office, which I did after their "rep" stated that "We're the only ones who can do this". A bald-faced lie which cost me several thousand dollars. Tuition in the school of scams. The most blatant part of this is their taking of 50% of "unrealized savings" as part of their total 50% fee. Which leaves you, the sucker, with an insignificant $ amount refund that you paid out of your own pocket in property taxes.Bottom line. If you get one of their postcards, trash it.

  Business response

  05/07/2024

  The client filed his complaint without having have contacted us prior so that we could've explained the process further or clear up any misunderstanding and resolve the complaint prior to him filing it. We have now made several attempts to contact the client and left multiple voicemails in order to resolve their complaint, but the client has not answered or contacted us back unfortunately. 

  Customer response

  05/07/2024

  I am rejecting this response. I will not remove my complaint and I hope it stands as a warning to anyone who is thinking about engaging with these...people...and encourages them to do this trivial task for themselves, something that I should have done prior to engaging with them. Contact your local Appraisal District; the form and the process is 100% free and takes less than 30 minutes to complete the form. Don't be duped, take the object ****** from me.

  Business response

  05/07/2024

  The client has made several claims as to what he was told during his initial meeting with us versus what was actually agreed upon and signed by himself. Had the client wanted to change the terms of our agreement or contract he could've taken it up with us directly and we would have been glad to clear up any misunderstandings and admen the agreement. He is now rejecting our offer to remedy his complaint and refuses to contact us so we can discuss the matter further and resolve his complaint. The client states that he should've done this himself without our company and is now upset that we did him the service and took our agreed upon percentage as our fee. Before we brought this to his attention and completed the service for him, he was overpaying on his property taxes since 2020. Quite possibly even more than 10 years but the county records only publicly show back to 2020. Even given all the facts and contractual agreement he signed, we are willing and able to work with him to resolve his complaint, yet he refuses. 

• Initial Complaint

  04/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  October 2023 I was approached by a refund advisory to establish the homestead exemption on my home and get me payment for the overpaid property taxes. They had calculated out the amount of money overpaid which came out to $3,560.47 their process and fees account for 50%. I should have received a check for $1,780.23 however instead I received a check for $489.70. Meaning I was shorted $1,290.53. when I message them on their website all I was getting was deflections and excuses. They even had the nerve to tell me that I did not remember the figures from my contract when I have them sitting in front of me. They try to belittle be consumer into thinking that they do not know what they are talking about. They told me that I did not account for the future savings from the homestead exemption. I told this lady that future savings had nothing to do with recovering overpaid property taxes. After this I'm not going to have a choice but to get my attorney involved and file lawsuit

  Business response

  04/15/2024

  Unfortunately ***************** is unable to understand that our fee was earned and calculated exactly as he had agreed in writing. He even spoke to someone yesterday and he responded that he understood, but apparently that is not the case now. He is welcome to contact us again for a detailed accounting of the benefit he received and the fee we earned, or he can have his attorney call and we will be happy to show him/her as well. 

  Customer response

  04/19/2024

  I am rejecting this response because:   I just got off the phone with the tax office and they itemized the checks sent to refund advisory where I have a written contract where they denoted taking 50% of the total. Check number ****** in the amount of $342.66 ck # ****** in the amount of $636.74 and ck# ****** in the amount of $2,062.15. for a total of $3041.55 and 50% of that total is $1,520.77. check I received was for $489.70. the business gave some excuse that the remainder I was owed I would save throughout the year in paying taxes. I have the *** file of our original contract and will more than likely be reaching out to my attorney. I should have read the reviews on that business because apparently they are stealing from everybody.

  Business response

  04/24/2024

  We have finally made contact with the client after several attempts, the complaint has been resolved and the client should be notifying you soon. 

  Customer response

  04/24/2024

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. After speaking to *******, we were able to resolve this issue.

• Initial Complaint

  04/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Refund Department **************************************************** Subject: Complaint Regarding Misleading Recovery Process and Discrepancy in Payment To Whom It May ********* am writing to formally complain about the misleading and unsatisfactory service I have received following a letter from your department dated November 04, 2023, regarding a Recovery Notice (Case #: 1899232).Shortly after receiving your letter, I was contacted by a local Notary Public, who, without providing any hard copies of documentation or clear contractual details, assured me that I was eligible for a refund of $3,207.31. The Notary claimed to represent your department and offered to assist in the recovery process without any charge. He mentioned that a fee would be deducted from the recovered amount, which I understood to be a 50/50 split.However, to date, I have not received any documentation or contract outlining the terms of this agreement, despite the Notary's promise to email these to me. This lack of documentation has left me unable to review or question the terms, especially regarding payments and fees. I am concerned that I may be unknowingly bound to an agreement I have not consented to or been fully informed about.On April 8, 2024, I received a check from Refund Advisory Corp, dated March 29, 2024, for the amount of $824.94. This amount does not correspond to the expected 50/50 split of the total recovery, especially considering that RAC received three refund checks on April 14, 2024 (Check #1: $847.25, Check #2: $802.63, and Check #3: $1123.91).I am extremely dissatisfied with the service and lack of transparency in this process. I request a thorough investigation into this matter, and I believe I am owed the balance of the 50/50 payment initially discussed by the Notary. Since I never received any documentation on this process, I request the immediate cancellation of any contracts.As a veteran, I find it particularly disheartening to be potentially exploited in this manner.

  Business response

  04/10/2024

  We have reached out to ******************** directly and went over the amount of money he received and our service fee. Both parties have now reached an agreement and the complaint has been resolved. 

  Customer response

  04/10/2024

  I spoke with the RAC Supervisor today and I am satisifed with the solutions provided.  This complaint is considered successfully resolved.

  Customer response

  04/10/2024

  I spoke with the RAC Supervisor today and I am satisifed with the solutions provided.  This complaint is considered successfully resolved.

  Customer response

  04/10/2024

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. 

• Initial Complaint

  02/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am writing to file a formal complaint against Recovery *********** due to issues of overcharging and misuse of my personal information. Despite attempts to resolve these matters directly with the company, I have been met with unsatisfactory responses and no resolution. It is my hope that by bringing this to the attention of the BBB, appropriate action will be taken to rectify the situation.Overcharging:On multiple occasions, I have been billed for services not rendered or at rates exceeding those agreed upon at the time of service initiation. Despite efforts to address these discrepancies with Recovery ***********, the overcharges have not been corrected, and no refunds have been issued.Misuse of Personal Information:I have serious concerns regarding the handling of my personal information by Recovery ***********. Without my consent, my personal data has been used in a manner that I believe violates my privacy rights. This misuse has led to a breach of trust and potential risk of further privacy infringements.I have attached all relevant documentation, including correspondence with Recovery ***********, billing statements, and any other evidence supporting my claims.I respectfully request the BBBs assistance in investigating these concerns and advocating for a fair resolution. It is my hope that Recovery *********** will be held accountable for their actions and prompted to rectify the situation in a manner that is just and respectful of consumer rights.

  Business response

  02/28/2024

  We contacted ************** within an hour of his cancelation request on 2/27 to inform him we agreed to cancel the agreement he signed. He did not answer so we left a voicemail informing him of the cancelation. As of 2/28, we have spoke to the client and resolved the matter. He has agreed to retract the complaint. 

  Customer response

  02/28/2024

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. I want to retract against the company. Its been resolved. 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩