Action 9 tracks down thousands for local family

ORLANDO,Fla. — An Ocoee man blames a big tax preparation service for sending his tax refund to a stranger's bank account.

Action 9's Todd Ulrich tracked down his money, and helped a Maitland woman who claims a local company put the wrong name on her mother's gravestone.

Craig Smith says his refund just disappeared. He claimed when H & R Block prepared his taxes it used the wrong account number so his refund of several thousand dollars ended up in a stranger's bank account. But then Smith says the company dragged its feet.

“They don't want to do any until they hear from the bank. The bank won't do anything until it hears from H & R Block,” he said.

Craig contacted Action 9.  Todd Ulrich reached the company's corporate office that now promised an overnight check covering his full refund.  But that is not the experience Smith initially had.

In another story, last summer Connie Roth's mom died just eight days before her 100th birthday. She was buried next to her husband. When the gravestone was installed it did not include her mother's full name. It just read Frances Campbell, not Carolyn.

“She never went by any other name but Carolyn. She was Carolyn, period,” said Roth.

Roth showed Action 9 the invoice. The bronze plaque was ordered as Francis "Carolyn." But for weeks, Roth claims she could not get a response from Affordable Memorials in Fern Park.

“I don't know how anyone can do business without returning calls,” she said.

Action 9 contacted Affordable Memorial and the owner said there had been a shipping problem, but the plaque would now be replaced this month.

“We say rest in peace. I can't rest in peace until Mom is resting in peace and that's the best way I know how to put it,” said Roth.

If you feel wronged by a funeral home or cemetery, the Department of Financial Services regulates the industry and will try to resolve your complaint.

WFTV