I was shocked today to learn that my 2008 tax refund went to pay an RAL that I never applied for or recieved!
I filed my taxes for 2008 with a certified H&R Block office that uses turbotax system. I didn't have the funds to pay, and asked for it to be taken out of my refund. When my refund wasn't received I kept calling the lady at H&R Block and she informed me my refund went to MY bank - Santa Barbara Bank and Trust! Then she figured out this is the bank they use for their TurboTax fee deduction, she said the refund must have gone there first. She said they will "reject" the payment since i have to account there, and i should be getting a check from the IRS.
After not receiving my "check", I contacted the IRS. After months of investigating my claim, I received a letter today informing me: "Our records indicate that on June 27, your refund of $2,708.00, was deposited directly into account number xxxx at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, to repay a Refund Anticipation Loan. If you have questions about this refund, please contact [ the ACH Department of the bank abouve at 800-320-5353 to verifythis deposit of your refund that was requested on your tax return].
I had never even heard of a "refund anticipation loan" before this! I immediately looked up SBBT on the internet and found this website - as well as others associated with rippoffs concerning this bank. I am shocked at what this bank is doing! Obviously I am very naive in thinking a big bank like this couldn't pull off a SCAM like this is. From what I have read this is most definitely a scam, and they have been doing it for a while.
August l.
Germany
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