On January 31, I received $8000 for a tax return that was deposited into my 17 year old brothers Accountnow prepaid card account. That morning I had asked my brother to withdraw some funds and to send it Western Union so i could get a bus ticket back home to Boston where my family lives. I was living in North Carolina but needed to come home because my baby was sick and in The Boston Children's Hospital for 3 Months. My mom and brother withdrew $800 from the account to wire via Western Union so that i could buy my ticket in Franklin NC. I picked up the money using my valid and current state picture ID and headed home to Boston. During my 24 hour unpleasant bus ride, my brother had called to say his card and online account were frozen. I told him to have our mom call and find out what was wrong. My mom and brother called and spoke to customer service and they explained suspicion of tax fraud activity on the account. It was suspended and we could not access the funds or have the restriction removed unless we provided them with documents proving our identities.
I immediately called seeing as i was the beneficiary of the tax return i figured if i had proved my information and explained the situation they would remove the hold. Was i Ever WRONG! We have spoken to the company many times asking to remove the restriction and they proceeded to shuffle from one person to another saying only to fax numerous documents and the account would be reviewed by the Risk Department and someone would get back to us in 2 days. I had stated that since i was the beneficiary of the tax refund I would send over the requested documents ensuring i would get the funds released to me pending verification. I sent my picture Id, social security card, W-2, Tax return document, receipts showing the atm withdrawal was used to send me money via Western Union that i picked up in my name using my ID. We assured them that there was no fraud going on with the account and that seeing as i sent in my documents they should consider removing the hold because the tax return was in my name. I even asked to have the funds transferred onto my own Accountnow card and was rudely told no we cannot do that and we don't have to give you your money.
It has been 5 days and the money is still sitting there and the company has not released the restriction and continues to state that i had not required enough documentation to prove my identity. I had faxed the stuff over 15 times and still nothing. This company is a scam. They still have not resolved this and i have yet to see anymore of my money. Yesterday I filed a complaint with the IRS and the BBB. I will continue this fight all the way to the federal reserve if my money is not released within the next 5 days. I'm fed up with this company and they need to be stopped.
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