Income tax season is just getting started. And, some Bakersfield early filers are already running into problems. Not with the IRS, but their tax preparer. The co-owner of H & E Lopez Income Tax, Hayser Lopez, is being investigated by the IRS for grand theft charges.
The place is closed. One co-owner can't be reached. Customers and former co-workers describe the income tax headache, they say, she's created.
Families got bad news after showing up at the H & E Lopez income tax office.
Customer, Edward Hurd, Sr. says, "The day they say the refund was coming in, the office has been closed. We don't know what's going on right now."
Customer Amanda Serna says, "I have just been getting the run around all week, that's all I have been getting is the run around."
The person everyone has been trying to reach is Hayser Scarlett Lopez. 17 News tried for days to get a hold of her, but there is no answer at the business phone number, the door is locked and we left messages with relatives.
In October, Lopez appeared in court on several charges including grand theft, burglary, and forgery. She posted bail and entered a not guilty plea. The information was forwarded to the IRS. In recent weeks, tax customers say they have come to Lopez's business to have their taxes done. The California Tax Education Council site shows Hayser Lopez's license expired in November.
Hurd, Sr. says, "Well I wasn't aware that they were not licensed to do taxes because we have been coming here, so and they did mine last year and I got them back fine."
Sandra Byrne used to work for the company but left to start her own business in 1999. Byrne says, "When things like this happen, it makes it harder for those of us that work very diligently to follow the rules and the laws."
So Sandra Byrne is working with Lopez's stepdaughter to help customers who trusted H & E.
Vanessa Lopez says, "My stepmom does want her clients to be taken care of so I took it upon myself to bring them here."
Some customers feel betrayed. "Now that I know that, I am not gonna use them anymore. I am gonna go somewhere else and get my refund done."
Others may return. Amanda Serna says, "A lot of her clients are gonna wait for her and they're loyal clients."
Any affected customers can call 831-3634. That number is to Quick and Easy Income Tax Service. The business is handling many customer files from H & E Lopez.
