Mo Money customers have more problems

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A Norfolk woman still doesn't have her money from Mo Money Taxes.

Gladys Johnson says the IRS told her a nearly $4,000 refund check was deposited into the account of her tax preparer, the Mo Money location on East Little Creek Road.

WAVY.com learned that the business owners of the East Little Creek Road Mo Money location are in the Memphis-based hip hop group SWAT Game .

Thursday, WAVY.com spoke to employee Keith Hill. He acknowledged Johnson's money was in the Mo Money Taxes bank account, but said his business could not print checks due to a software glitch.

Hill promised Johnson could pick up her check Friday morning, but when we showed up with Gladys, the business was closed.

A sign on the door said checks would be printed at 3 p.m. Friday and the store would reopen at 4 p.m. The store did not open as the sign indicated.

Meanwhile, a crowd gathered outside the Mo Money Taxes on Tidewater Drive. Several police officers arrived on scene and left shortly after. WAVY.com interviewed more customers who voiced the same complaint as Johnson. They all were there to pick up refund checks.

"We're working as diligently as possible right now to get these people answers," an employee confronted by WAVY.com said.

But, the biggest crowd gathered at the Mo Money Taxes location on Granby Street in Norfolk.

Taxpayers invaded the store, throwing flyers and garbage on the ground, reportedly stealing electronics and digging through the company's files to find theirs.

Mario Brady, the owner of the Mo Money Taxes on Granby Street, told WAVY.com there was a problem with the company's bank. He said he printed 50 checks Friday, but 30 did not clear.

"I don't think I'm going to get my money," one customer told WAVY.com at the Granby Street location. "But it's okay because I do have a good job...a whole year's work down the drain."

WAVY.com did some digging and found Mo Money Taxes is a national company. None of the franchise locations listed on the Better Business Bureau web site are accredited, meaning they do not get the BBB's seal of approval when it comes to good business practices. Many on the list received an "F" rating.

Two states have taken public action against Mo Money Taxes. In Arkansas, Mo Money Taxes had to pay $25,000 in fines for illegal business practices. 

"I don't blame nobody for being concerned," Hill said. "We know people got bills and situations they need to take care of."

RESOURCES

• To check the status of your refund on the IRS Web site, click here.
• To file a complaint against a tax preparer, contact the IRS by clicking here. Print this form and mail it.
• Click this link to file a complaint with Virginia Consumer Affairs . Print this form and mail it to the office address listed at the bottom of the page.
• 10 On Your Side Tax Tips