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While working on what should have been a fairly straightforward resolution for a reader of my  column in AARP Magazine, I’ve experienced some very alarming behavior by the nationally advertised firm, TaxMasters (CNN, Fox Business News).

The reader complained that TaxMasters dropped the ball on her case last summer, which resulted in a garnishment of her husband’s social security check and a lien on their home. She had paid the company $4500 for their services. Apparently, they never even started on her case. She wasn't looking to sue them. She only wanted her money back for services never provided. Adding insult to injury, they have refused to return her money. 

I’m amazed that this company is so unresponsive. They spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on television advertising; yet think nothing of brushing-off inquiries from a national consumer reporter. (During my own research, I have been hung up on, twice.) While I've located more than one hundred complaints on the web detailing poor customer service and worse, I’ve yet to locate even one satisfied customer of the company. 

I’m still working on the story. However, I thought it important enough to issue an alert on this company immediately, given that many people are making decisions about tax consultants in these months leading up to April’s individual tax deadline. 

Based on what I’ve learned so far, I recommend not doing business with TaxMasters.  More to come in later posts… and final word in the next issue of AARP Magazine.